Helping

Finn is in the foreground with his trucks emulating Papa, who is busy putting an addition to their house in the background.

We are so enjoying these beautiful summer days!

16 months!

Tess with her friend Zip the Monkey

(the frighteningly life-like toy)

I'm sure that there are some parents of 16-month olds who use the potty 2-3x/day who don't feel smug about their child's potty-telligence, but I'm not one of those people. Let it be known that Tess was officially using the potty before she could walk. (She says "poo poo potty," and then she goes. It's a miracle of nature.) As of this week, she's now taking steps - albeit tiny and very tentative steps, and usually only to me - but it's happening. Did you read the part about the potty?

After she sat on the potty earlier today, we had this conversation.

Me (jumping up and down, which is what I do): Yay, Tess!

T: A-GAIN, Mommy.

Me: Yah, Tess!

T: A-GAIN, Mommy. Teeth, Mommy!

So I give her the toothbrush.

T: Thank you, Mommy.

Me: You're welcome.

T: You're welcome, Mommy.

She is such a joy. The nice thing is that she and Finn are also a joy together. Much of the time anyway. We're not living in wonderland - they fight, they push each other, but they also cuddle and give kisses and I love it. Finn's school starts in 18 days.

eating a peach

Finn came down a few minutes ahead of Tess and me this morning, and I walked into the kitchen to see him standing on his stepstool with a peach and giant scissors. When I asked what he was doing, he said "I'm eating a peach with this bulldozer ripper." At least he's becoming more independent, even if that means all of our sharp objects need to be hidden in upper cabinets, apparently.

let's hope not

Me: Aw, Tess has a little owie on her head. Finn, did you see what happened?

Finn: No, I didn't.

Me: Hmm, I wonder where it came from.

Finn: Well, it came from Papa's milling machine.

Baby on Bed

Ahh... The elusive day when they nap simultaneously (and yes, that's my head-print next to Tess). Even better I got to cuddle with them both. Bliss. To be followed by two very late bedtimes as they're both still asleep at 5:20.

Finn turns 3

It has been a big week in our household. Last Friday, Tess started using the potty. On Saturday morning, Finn walked into the bathroom and saw her using it again and ... he started wearing underwear and has been using the potty ever since. Needless to say everyone is pretty excited about his big-boy-ness and thankful that when school starts in a month, he'll be out of diapers.

Sunday was the big day - his third birthday! We had a wonderful party in Waverly and many of Finn's great aunts and uncles who happened to be in town joined us, it reminded me of birthdays growing up with so much family nearby, which made his party extra special. (As Katy told me about one of her friends - my kids will have kid parties when they start asking for them, haha.)

Yesterday Finn started climbing out of his crib and then he finally made it, so it was time to take down the crib and transition him into his toddler car bed. He fell asleep last night after many stories and some back-scratching and slept until 7 a.m.

Now for some party pics. Check out this CAKE!

Heather outdid herself with an awesome (and delicious!) construction cake.

She made fondant pylons that spelled "FINN"

My only regret is that we don't have video of "Happy Birthday"

or you'd be able to see and hear Finn singing louder than anyone else

Sitting in his adirondack chair opening presents.

He loves his John Deere tractor

(a gift from Uncle Pat and Aunt Neta, visiting from KS!)

The orange bow didn't seem to faze him.

Aunt Susan and Tess with Aunt Neta and Beckett.

Sandbox fun right before the rain REALLY started.

Finn received this terrific excavator from Jim & Colleen

... very handy for dumping sand into his wheelbarrow from Mimi & Papa!

Little Blossom

For all of our photos from Sunday here's the link.

THREE!

Happy Birthday to our FAVORITE 3-year-old!

We love you, Finn!

stoka party

The Stokas came up from Miami a couple of weekends ago and we had a GREAT time. The kids wore each other out, which was awesome - and it was fun watching them play together. We'll see you guys again in November if not sooner!

Enzo and Finn are almost the same size and had lots of fun together.

The kids on the putting green after dinner.

Tess in the baby pool (aka "tubby")

Yes, that's Tess on the mini excavator that

cousin Paul brought over to show the kids.

Enzo LOVED it!

(Finn and Massi opted out.)

Tess loves her Aunt Katy.

(And Uncle Dario.)

We had a great evening singing on the porch.

Enzo kept saying, "Again! Again!"

Biscotti

We're at the farmers market downtown and T is in heaven with her biscotti!

She had her 15 month checkup yesterday. Her nurse practitioner was amazed by how well she speaks (when Tess pointed at a poster and said "It's funny!" the lady about fell out of her chair) and she's not concerned about the not-yet-walking - which nobody else cares about either...

Weight: 20 lbs 4 oz (on the petite side)
Height: 29"
Head: XL (haha)

Sadly we also discovered that her sniffles and general misery in the past few days is the result of a double ear infection, her SIXTH :(
All of the biscotti you want, my sweet.

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