A Perfect 10

Finn had his last gymnastics class on Wednesday, which marks one year of gymnastics! We started out in the mommy-n-me class and I wasn't sure I would survive it. He graduated to the preschool class (which means no mommy) and loved it. I was so proud of him for listening and following directions AND waiting his turn. My little boy is growing up. I got to watch with the other moms from the 2-nd story lookout. It was so much fun watching him learn, grow and take chances . . . doing things all by himself that he had never done before. The best part was seeing how excited he was when he mastered something that he hadn't been able to do before (the giant rope swing)! We will miss gymnastics and Ms. Lori but know that lots of fun awaits us in Charleston.

Practicing the "hurt bear" something he likes to do around the house

For-

ward-

Roll!

The "big" balance beam

Swinging on the bars with Ms. Lori

Sometimes you get the bar . . .

and sometimes the bar gets you!

(Yes, that's him flying to the ground and yes he was a-ok!)

The rope swing. It took him nearly a year

but he finally did it on his own

Wheeeeeee

Clowning around with friends

So proud of his ribbon!

As we were leaving class, Finn told Ms. Lori that he was moving to South Carolina. She said, "really? Finn we will miss you. I had no idea you were such a character."

Falling Off the Blogwagon

Lately, I haven't been very good at updating the blog. I guess you can say I've fallen off the "blogwagon" so I'll do my best to catch up back up to speed. Since we found out we were moving, we have been busy visiting our favorite places and seeing our favorite people before we have to say goodbye. Lately, we've been to the Building Museum, the aquarium, "hiking" on Roosevelt island and riding the carousel on the mall and to many, many parks. Although the cherry blossoms are in bloom, it is very much still winter here. It snowed on Sunday! We are doing our best to stay busy but everyone is suffering from a major case of cabin fever. We can't wait for spring. I haven't done a very good job of taking pictures. Although I love the end result (the pictures!) sometimes I don't love lugging the camera around. Here are a few though . . .

Finn and Evan having their "Rocky" moment

on top of a giant rock pile

Love those bellies!

Finn's amazing tower (at the Building Museum)

A playdate with Ronald and Samantha

Q: What do you get when you cross a "Native American,"

construction worker and super hero?

A: THIS

Just in case his needs to supervise any

construction on the playground

Homeward Bound

Do you know what this means?

Many of you know this already, because I have a big mouth, but in case you didn't know . . . it means, we're coming 'home' to Charleston! Most of you know that Mark and I met and married in Charleston. For that reason, and many others, I think of it as home. We left shortly after our wedding to pursue our fame, fortune and education in the northeast: with stops in Philadelphia, Princeton, NJ and Washington, DC (moving 6 times in 7 years). I'm a southern girl at heart, but for seven years have lived anywhere but. To be fair, we have had some great times and met wonderful people and made some life-long friends, but never felt entirely settled or like we truly belonged. Secretly (and often times, not so secretly) I hoped we would make it back to Charleston. I once read somewhere that if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. After many years of telling Him my plans and being disappointed that they weren't being brought to fruition, I finally decided to sit back and enjoy the ride. And wouldn't you know it, next thing I know is Mark has been offered a job at MUSC and we are moving back to Charleston in less than one month.

I wish I could tell you more, but that's about all I know. Mark will be the new Chief Strategic Officer for the hospital system and will see patients one day a week. He is excited about this new role and I am so proud of him for holding out for what he really wanted. He starts in May and we are moving in less than a month. I guess everything will work out in between . . . and for once, I'm not too terribly concerned about the details. I just can't wait to sit on a front porch, inhale that Charleston air and drink a big glass of sweet tea.

Charleston, here we come!

Knights of the Round Table

Finn and Mark had a great boy's weekend! On Friday night, they went to see Rango at the movies (no girls allowed!). On Sunday, Mark took Finn to a special "dinner and a show" at Medieval Times. What a treat! At first, Finn didn't want to walk in the door, but after a little coaxing and bribing, he was game to give it a try. After getting outfitted with his sword, shield and of course, crown, Finn was ready to go. He loved every minute of the entire evening . . . the horses, knights, sword fights and races. The only thing he didn't want any part of was the food, no surprise there. Instead he snacked on his own goldfish crackers. At one point during the show, Mark said one of the knights rode over on his horse and stopped right in front of Finn and bellowed "where did you get the goldfish crackers? They won't even give the King goldfish crackers!" Mark said Finn sunk back into his chair and leaned over and whispered "my mommy gave them to me."

Finn had so much fun and came back so excited that I could barely understand what he was trying to say. He has tried to joust everyone, including Lily, who dares cross his path and the morning after, insisted on wearing his crown for breakfast. After that dinner show, our family dinners must seem extremely boring.

Don't know about you, but the little guy is way more intimidating!

Posing next to a "real" knight

Getting ready for the show!

Hmmm, if only this would work for time out