Air & Space Museum, VA

With lots of snow still on the ground and below freezing temps, we were looking for a warm, indoor space to run around. So we headed to one of the largest indoor spaces we could think of . . . a hangar, you know, for airplanes and such. The Air & Space Museum has another location out near Dulles airport, where all of the airplanes, space shuttle, etc. are housed. It didn't quite go over as well as we had hoped. Finn was not exactly in a great mood. But, he was up for trying on space gear and test driving an airplane. Mission accomplished.

Year Two (2010)

Dear Finn,

Happy 3rd birthday Finn! I'm only a month (or so) late posting this birthday message, so I'm feeling pretty good about it. Once again, time flies when you are having fun and I found that I had to go back through all of my pictures to even remember what happened this year. What a fun year this has been, for all of us. I guess I can say that it has been a rather uneventful year for our family (not you, of course), mainly because we didn't move. We were able to settle in and enjoy our lives here in DC and enjoy our time with each other.

We took several trips this year--to Miami to visit my grandmother Jerry for her 90th birthday; several trips to Sumter to visit your grandparents, including a "snowcation" to escape snowmageddon in DC (nearly 30 inches of snow fell in February); a few trips to Alabama to visit the Young's; the "Bahamas" which actually turned out to be Myrtle Beach, SC due to a mishap involving mom's expired passport; to Charleston a couple of times and probably a few other places scattered in between. You have become such an expert traveller, with iPad and snacks in hand, you are ready to roll.

This year, a love of fire trucks and all things fire truck-related was born. I'm not exactly sure when it happened exactly, but all of a sudden you were in love with them. We acquired more fire truck paraphernalia than should be allowed, we visited more fire stations (in every city, too), sat on more fire trucks, and put out more imaginary fires than I care to remember. Many days, you dressed as a fire man, for the day. Running errands, going to the gym, the grocery store, or going bowling, it didn't matter, with a plastic fire hat planted firmly on your head and often a fireman's jacket swallowing you whole, off we went to save the world from dangerous fires. So, it came as no surprise that you dressed as a fireman for Halloween and had a fire truck themed birthday party.

With each passing day you became more adventurous and more independent, insisting on doing everything for yourself. You are fearless on the playground--climbing, jumping, swinging, leaping, falling on anything you please. You love the water, all water, whether it be the creek, lake, ocean, swimming pool, water park, or a random public fountain in the middle of the city. Rest assured that swimming lessons are in your near future. You learned to ride a tricycle and a scooter, although you prefer running because it gets you there much faster. You started taking gymnastics which gave you a big boost of confidence and improved your motor skills, which came in handy when trying to navigate that pesky climbing wall at the playground. I can't believe how much you have grown and changed physically--you are taller and leaner and have lost your baby look. Oh, but your smile. That is one thing that hasn't changed. It can light up a room and brighten your mama's day. I will never tire of seeing you smile or hearing your laugh.

As far as milestones go, it's mostly a blur. I remember some of the big ones: you learned your ABC's, counting, going up and down stairs without assistance, you can spell your name (and mine), you can work an iPad better than Steve Jobs himself (but somehow I don't think that is on the AAP's list of things to learn for a 2-year old), and you moved from a baby crib to a big boy bed. That was a big one. I will never forget on May 11 (my birthday) you woke up around midnight and decided that you would not be sleeping in your crib. Ever. Again. Period. Something about a bad dream and a vacuum? We couldn't really figure it out, but you weren't going back in. Ever. So, you spent a couple of months sleeping on the floor before finally working your way into a twin bed. I was prepared for many bumps and sleepless nights, but you handled it like a champ.

I guess one of the biggest changes has been your vocabulary. Good grief, Charlie Brown. I sometimes have to remind myself that you aren't an adult and I can't talk to you like one. In the beginning of 2010 you still had your sweet high pitched little baby voice and I had to translate 90% of what you said. By the end of 2010, you speak at warp speed, can recite many books and can hold your own in any conversation. Most of the time, no one gets a word in edgewise. I love your questions, your curiosity, your need to know, but mostly your explanations for why things are the way that they are.

This year was full of many "firsts" for you. Most significantly, your first day of preschool, which was harder on me than it was on you, although the first few days were hard for you. But after a week or so, you ran into the room and never looked back. You have wonderful teachers, Ms. Barbara and Ms. Jennifer, and a great class of boys and girls. I'm so proud of everything you have done, from all of your beautiful artwork that I will treasure forever to learning how to stand in line, take turns and follow directions (occasionally). Some of your other "firsts" include: first trip to a movie theatre (Toy Story 3) where you sat mesmerized and quiet throughout the entire movie; ice skating (not a fan), bowling, roller coaster ride (BIG fan), putt-putt golf, and probably many more that I'm forgetting. You'll notice that food isn't mentioned pretty much anywhere in the post. That's because you refuse to try new foods. Chicken nuggets and grilled cheese, thank you very much. Your dad and I have chosen the path of least resistance . . . for now. But rest assured, you will eat a hot dog, pizza and mac and cheese before you go to college.

Finn, I'm sure I have only scratched the surface of your second year. All I can say is that it is pure joy to be your mom. I treasure every moment I spend with you . . . even the moments when you are pitching a fit (because they are really funny). My favorite time of day is at night when we cuddle up in bed to read stories and sing songs. I hope that you will always know how much you are loved and treasured and that you will retain your unbridled enthusiasm for the little things in life.

Love,

Mama

PS. Here is a slideshow of your 2nd year. There was way too much to include, so I tried to capture some of the highlights. Turn up the volume to hear two of your very favorite songs this year.

Ladies who Lunch (+ Finn)

AKA: Happy MLK JR Day! We decided that since all of the public spaces were either closed or too crowded due to the holiday, we would take a trip to Baltimore to visit our friends. I know I say it all of the time, but I get such a kick out of watching these two play together. Mainly, listening to their conversations which are hilarious from every angle. Sam is all girl . . . and Finn all boy, but somehow they compromise, usually in the form of running laps around the house screaming at the top of their lungs. Poor Barrett . . . he looks scared to death (yet, entertained) anytime these two come near him. The kids played doctor, dress up, emergency, fire, blocks, running, more running, and finally, lots of screaming and laughing. Alisha and I had lunch and were even able to squeeze in a few uninterrupted conversations. Imagine that!

Shiver me timbers

A pirate's (and princess) life for me

These photos are going into a vault, for safe keeping. I may need them down the

road for some serious blackmailing!

Minnie Pearl would be so proud

Bowling for Finn

Have you ever been to a bowling alley at 10 am on a Saturday morning? We have! If you have kids, that is definitely the best time to go. It's been so cold recently, that we'll go anywhere to get out of the house, and stay warm at the same time. I swear, walking through the double doors to the bowling alley was like walking into 1992. Finn loved it. It helped that they had bumper lanes so that the bowling ball didn't automatically go into the gutter every time, although Finn's bowling ball spent a good amount of time there anyway. After a couple assists from Dad, he decided he wanted to do it all by himself. Which he did and it took no less than 10 minutes for the ball to S-L-O-W-L-Y roll its way down the lane. He was so proud of himself and would run back to watch his ball pop back up, which was his favorite part. The crazy competitive girl in me wants to add that I bowled a couple of strikes AND beat Mark, even though we weren't "keeping score."

What? Don't you wear your fireman jacket to the bowling alley too?

Getting a helping hand from Dad

Showing off his bowling ball (and nasty chin bump from earlier in the morning)

Heave, ho

A little power goes a long way

Whoopsie

LOVE this picture

So proud of himself

(Five minutes later, the ball is still rolling)

2nd and 3rd place finishers (ha, ha)

Potty Training 101

It's official! The day of the diaper is officially over; however, the night of the diaper is another story (for now). Finn has started potty-training. I feel that the whole term--potty training--is a misnomer. Because I know grown men who still don't have the hang of it. Anyway, I have been dreading this for a long, long time. Probably since Finn was born and I knew this day would eventually find us. I don't know why I feel this way, I just do. For some reason, the thought of begging/pleading/forcing/bribing an independent and at times tenacious little boy to stop what he is doing to go sit on a potty for a long time, when he was totally happy going in his diaper whenever he felt like it isn't really appealing to me. Call me crazy. Also, the thought of stopping what I'm doing at any given moment, be it grocery shopping, driving or pumping gas, to search high and low for the nearest disgusting public restroom doesn't sound like a barrel of laughs either. And yes, I know that it will eventually be cheaper, easier and cleaner for him to be out of diapers, but that won't be tomorrow. However, I don't want Finn to go to high school in diapers, so I guess now is as good a time as any to start.

All of the books say that in order to potty train successfully, both mom and child have to be ready and I kept waiting for the magical day to arrive, and I am still waiting. We have been slowly warming up to the idea . . . buying potties and potty seats, elastic waist pants, and much more potty paraphernalia to get ready for the big day. I kept thinking that Finn would wake up and go "mom, I would like to use the potty now." And also, money grows on trees. The point is, he wasn't interested and I wasn't either. But after much encouragement from my friend Alisha (who, by the way, had Sam potty-trained a month or so after her 2nd birthday), I decided to take the plunge.

So, diapers are history, except for the ones he wears at night. I thought I was going cold-turkey and just put him in underwear but after a few incidents, I had to rethink my plan and now we are using a combo of pull-ups for school and classes and underwear for the other times. We use the "potty treat" method with candy as the reward. A visit to the potty=a treat for Finn. Because I have such a candy fiend on my hands, I'm hoping it will work.

After a couple of days, I have to say that he is doing quite well. We have had some hits and some misses and occasionally I've had to drag him kicking and screaming to the bathroom, but other than that I am extremely proud of my big boy. Our first time leaving the house was a success . . . granted we only went to the gym for an hour, but still, no accidents! Our second day was not as successful . . . I'll spare you the details.

It's a learning process for all of us. But, I'm proud of Finn (and me) for pulling off the band-aid and taking the next step in growing up. I'm sure there will be lots more to share on our "potty journey." Stay tuned!

Pajama Day

Tuesday was Pajama Day at Finn's school and he was super excited. Can you just imagine? Wearing your pjs ALL DAY LONG. What a wonderful idea. Upon learning about pajama day, Mark was concerned and wanted to make sure Finn wouldn't be wearing his "leggings" to school. To be fair, the tag on all pajamas says "wear snug fitting" which we do! As seen here:

Fortunately, Aunt Lindsey gave Finn a very cool/loose set of fire truck pjs for Christmas. When Finn got dressed for pj day and came downstairs, Mark took one look at him and said, "hello, Hugh." As in Heffner. They aren't silk, so there.

Anyway, the kids looked so cute and comfy in the pajamas and they capped off the day with a pancake lunch. Too bad everyday can't be pajama day.

Feeling a little shy

But wait, have you seen my GREEN shoes? They go with everything, even pajamas

Look at me! I'm wearing pajamas outside.

Play Museum

The winter weather is making us all a little stir crazy, so we have been venturing outside of our usual spots in hopes of entertaining ourselves without freezing to death. I found this Playseum in Bethesda, MD online and although the reviews were mixed, Alisha and I decided to meet up to give it a try, and because we were desperate! What we forgot to consider is that to kids IT DOESN'T MATTER. Finn and Samantha could probably play in a landfill and have a jolly good time together. That being said, these two had a blast together and after a good shower of sanitizer we were all good to go. We finished up the afternoon with a festive mexican lunch.

Saving the world from fires everywhere

Barrett gets in the mix and isn't so sure he likes it

My little cuddle bug

Cleanup on aisle . . . everywhere

Double trouble

Alisha gave Finn and Sam matching superhero capes for Christmas

Don't you just feel safer with these two around?

More Conversations with Finn

At dinner one night:

Server: Are you ready? What can I get everyone to eat?

Me: After placing my order, I turn to Finn and tell him to tell the man what he would like to eat.

Finn: I would like a grilled cheese and . . . . I have to poot!

Server: I'll get right on that grilled cheese

One evening I happened to be in the kitchen while looking up classes and activities on the computer for Finn to take in the next few months:

Me: Hey Finn, would you like to try karate?

Finn: No, I think I'll just have some chicken nuggets.

At dinner one night after saying the blessing:

Finn: Where does God live?

Me: God and Jesus live in Heaven

Mark: Finn, do you know where heaven is?

Finn: Um, I think it's in Baltimore

Happy Birthday Derek

Our neighbors and dear friends, the Simons, recently celebrated their youngest son's first birthday with a Sesame Street-themed bash. First birthdays are always fun and this one was no exception. At first, Finn balked at the idea of celebrating someone's birthday, besides his own, but quickly forgot his reservations when he got to the party and saw all of the kids, toys, goodies and cupcakes. They even had a caricature artist and I was able to bribe Finn to sit still long enough to have his picture drawn. The artist drew Finn sitting atop a bulldozer . . . a pretty accurate portrayal! It was so fun celebrating Derek and his first birthday. I never got a picture of Finn because he was way to busy having fun.

Elmo looks on as we pose for a picture

Me, Summer, the birthday boy and Kelly