Stop #3: Piedmont

After our short stop in Atlanta, we spent some time at my parent's house in Alabama. Finn loves spending time with his Big and Baa. And also because they let him go swimming in the creek will ALL of his clothes on.

Finn spends time with the chalk board (one I used to play with)

Mark is making him learn the periodic table :)

I took the "kids" for a ride in the new-old jeep. I think there's room

for one more if anyone is interested?

Finn goes for a spin on the bicycle

Gigi and Papa paid us a visit

There is a story behind this hot mess: After dinner I gave Finn the choice

of either one popsicle or two cookies for his dessert.

He thought about it for a minute and then said "TWO popsicles."

He was so proud of himself for coming up with that answer that

I gave him a popsicle AND a cookie. I'm such a sucker.

Aunt Brenda and Uncle Dennis came to see us too.

Finn thinks a lot of Aunt Brenda . . . he let her hold nightnight.

A friendly game of tug-o-rope between Lily and Peyton

Which one is the watermelon?

Finn's idea of a swimming pool: Any container that holds water and him!

Giving Lily some love

My baby girl

My not so baby boy

Stop #2: Atlanta

After we left Mimi and Bop in Sumter, we headed to Atlanta to visit my grandmother Jerry, Uncle Dick and Aunt Jay. This was only the second time Finn has seen his great-grandmother. He enjoyed spending time with his relatives and showing them all of his tricks. He especially liked the red fire engine Jerry gave him--complete with lights AND sirens. Thanks.

Lounging on the porch

Posing with Jerry

Trying on hats with Uncle Dick

Of course no trip to/through Atlanta would be complete without visiting our friends Kriya and Wade. It has worked out that the boys get to see each other every few months or so and it is so funny watching them interact with each other at every stage. Wade was such a trouper to let Finn play with all of his toys. In about a 12-hour period, there were only a couple of head-buts, a few shoves, couple of MINES (from both), a whole lotta fun and plenty of chic-fil-a nuggets to go around. We love you guys and thanks for letting us visit. PS I swiped these photos from Kriya.

Double Trouble

Some of you will remember that Kriya and I have dressed the boys in matching outfits since they first met. It started out as a complete accident and has now turned into a funny joke (see matching ponchos). We don't even plan any more, when we show up we compare wardrobes and see what we have that's the same. Since we had only packed for a long weekend, I wasn't feeling too optimistic that we would have something matching . . . . BUT WE DID!

Tour de Family Stop #1: Sumter

We decided to drive down to Sumter for Labor Day weekend to spend some time with the Lyles clan. Mark, Finn, Lily and me all piled in the car and headed down I-95. Thank goodness I thought to download a bunch of kids music on my ipod, because it would have been a much longer trip without it. Finn loves listening to music now and when we dared play adult music, he would voice his disapproval. He definitely has his favorites and let us know it. Mark and I both got a refresher course on the lyrics of wheels on the bus and five little monkeys. And I swear I could hear Lily humming along too.

Finn was so happy to see his Mimi and Bop Bop again. And Foster and Paige, Danny, Mary, Luke, Hank and Oreo. He knows everyone's name and we can't say one person's name without naming everyone. Every single time. He got to go swimming, feed the fish and ducks, run through the neighbors sprinklers and go for a spin in Bop's fancy corvette. Finn's only beef was that he wasn't allowed to drive, but he was mighty impressed by the volume of the horn, although I doubt the neighbors will agree.

Fishing Trip

While in Sumter, Bop took Finn on his first fishing trip and they even caught a fish. Of course, with Finn around, that fish didn't really have a chance.

Look! A fish! In my bucket!

You didn't seriously think that would last did you?

Oh look, I'm all wet. How did that happen?

21 Squared

21 things about Finn who is 21 months old (on Sept. 21st)

1. He's a picky eater, but like his daddy, he loves all things fried . . . even fried scallops

2. He can count to 10

3. Just like a typical man, he loves pretty girls and fast cars

4. The blond curls are real and beautiful and Mark will have to deal with me if he tries to cut them

5. Night-night is still his best friend

6. He refers to himself in third person. For example, when he sneezes, he says "bless you Finn"

7. He loves Curious George

8. And Elmo

9. He likes singing songs--Wheels on the Bus is #1 now

10. He may live in the city, but he's still a country boy at heart

11. He won't touch a vegetable with a 10-foot pole, but loves him some fruit.

12. He's never met a mud hole he didn't like, or one that didn't like him

13. He is (and will always be) mama's sunshine

14. Just like George, he is a very curious little monkey

15. He knows a few of the anatomically correct names for some of his body parts (thanks Mark) and likes to say them at the most inopportune times like when you're changing his diaper in a public restroom and there is a line of people waiting outside

16. He is definitely a rock star and his instrument of choice is currently the harmonica

17. He can wash his hands all by himself. Although he does forget to turn the water off when he's done.

18. He likes to tell you when he toots or poops, even when you're in line at the grocery store and he has to shout it so you are able to hear him

19. I think he is smarter than me

20. He has named all of the stuffed animals that sleep in his crib: T-Bo, Ellie, T-Bear and Bun Bun

21. He is the most wonderful little boy a mother could ask for

We Now Return to Our Regularly Scheduled Program

Did you miss us? What started off as a Labor Day weekend jaunt to South Carolina turned into a 2+ week, 1600 mile trip around the southeast, for Finn and me. We got back to DC last night and although it was wonderful to spend time with our friends and families, it's nice to be home. Mainly because we've been wearing the same four shirts over and over again for 16 days and it's nice to now have new options. I have lots of pictures and a few stories to tell, but until I can get them sorted, this little 'gem' should tide you over.

My rhinestone cowboy

Bathtime Bonanza

Finn loves to take baths, or showers, or baths and showers at the same time. He also like to flush the toilet continuously and leave the water running in the sink, which he can now reach. Are you sensing a theme here? The kid loves water.

After reviewing several of my posts I realized that I had captured some of the big events, but kind of let out some of our most treasured, every-day rituals. Probably because it is like clockwork and I don't even think of it anymore, but there was a time not so long ago when Finn wouldn't fit in a big bathtub and had to use a baby tub. Check out his manly pose.

I don't usually do bath time--that's Mark's domain, but tonight I had the privilege and of course had the camera handy. Finn must have been feeling a little generous because he gave me some of the best smiles ever.

The first thing that came to mind when I saw this picture was the sheer number

of teeth this kid has. He has a mouth full and I have no earthly idea when they all showed up.

Sure does make for a cute smile.

He likes to play "fish" where he lays on his stomach and

goes back and forth until he makes big waves and splashes all of the water out

He's more of a hands-off kind of tooth brusher

Gets a little in over his head, literally, while playing the "fish" game

All ready for bed. Got his dinosaur pj's on, his night-night by his side,

and an arm full of books for mom or dad to read--even though we said only one.

Summer of Sam

One of the many reasons we are enjoying DC is that we are so much closer to to our friends Alisha and Samantha, who live in Baltimore. Samantha and Finn love hanging out together (and so do the mommies). Finn thinks that Sam is really cool, for a girl at least.

Playing postmaster is a favorite activity

Such a happy girl

I smell high school yearbook material

Hanging out in the jumpcastle

Practicing belly flops

Making waves at the water table--which is basically a pool with legs

Finn gets in on the drumming action

I think Samantha has more rhythm, but Finn is louder