Day 1

... And we're off! To the Midwest we go.

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pools rule

It's in the high FIFTIES here today so Finn's end-of-the-year picnic was postponed. I actually thought about turning the heat on but we just threw on some socks instead! Anyway, it's hard to believe that only a few days ago it was warm enough to swim in his pool (as seen below), and tomorrow it's supposed to be back in the 80s.

We are departing for a long road trip to Nebraska with Mimi and Papa on Friday morning, as they are eager to christen their gorgeous new Honda Odyssey with graham cracker crumbs and fisher price cd's. Crazy? Possibly. Fun? Undoubtedly. I'll be blogging early and often from the 17th on, so stay tuned.

Not only is his expression hilarious here but you can also see the little deck in the background that Papa built for their playhouse, and the little adirondack chairs Mimi found for the "front porch." Tess loves the playhouse - whenever she sees it she says, "PLAY! PLAY!"

Loves the water!

Out with Baby

She's holding "Baby" - the baby's version of an American Girl doll which looks just like her! I've posted many stroller pics but loved her hair, eyes, smile in this one today.

Fairy God-Auntie

My very dear and awesome friend Karen visited us all the way from Omaha last week. We had the BEST time and the kids - knowing a good person when they meet one, and not only because she gave them presents every single day - loved her from the start! (It has been a year since we've all seen each other.) Thanks again, "Fairy God-Auntie" Karen and please come back soon!

Tess was hamming it up at breakfast.

That smile - ha!!

Finn had the best time showing her the sights.

And teaching her about trucks.

We went up to Seneca Lake on Sunday to visit wineries and eat delicious food.

Thankfully by Tuesday my hangover was gone (ha!)

Memorial Day

We spent last Monday with the family in Waverly, where Andrew's dad was the MC for the annual parade and celebration. It was hot, but really fun!

Of course Finn loves a parade.

T's hair looks exceptionally red here. It was her first full day with a bow!

They didn't instantly recognize Papa in his dress blues.

Tired baby takes a break with Mimi.

Finn and his Great Aunt Shirley have a moment.

We are so lucky to have these memories!

Triangular snack crackers FAIL

This note was in Finn's snack bag when I picked him up. His triangular pop corners were untouched.

havana glen

Last weekend - the one BEFORE Memorial Day, that is - that's how behind we are! - we went for a drive up to Montour Falls because I read about this really nice park called Havana Glen, which by one person's account is the best hiking for kids in the area. Turns out that because although it is indeed located in the middle of Upstate New York and therefore the opposite of Cuba, Havana Glen is a really cool spot that we will likely return to again and again, perhaps even one day with the pop-up trailer of Andrew's dreams. But until then...

First we stopped in Montour Falls to see said falls.

What I love most here is Finn's tiny-ness in the background.

Havana Glen has those really great old-school swings

that all parks used to have before they got all lame and safe.

There's also a humongous wooden truck that someone likes.

We love it here!

picky

Today was one of those days in which I really questioned my right and/or ability to do this whole kid-raising thing. No, I'm not fishing for compliments because yes, they are happy and well-adjusted, so if that's any indication we're on the right track but still. I always have self-doubts when neither one of them nap - usually because I'm starting to feel insane - and I know that it's silly to a) take oneself so seriously and b) get so bent out of shape about events that are both out of my control and seldom-occurring but STILL. It gets to be 1:00 and then 2:00 and 3:00 and they are both SO TIRED; not to mention, my herbs are still unpotted, I haven't eaten anything since breakfast, my list of unfinished projects is growing in front of my eyes, and my base instincts are telling me to "just lay down on the couch for a minute ... they'll stop talking/crying/taking off his diaper/peeing on the crib sheet etc etc etc ... [me me me]" anyway, if I haven't painted an accurate photo for you of a Mother's Very Annoying Afternoon then you are very lucky, indeed. Or not. I don't know.

So as of late, one of the several banes - I'm quite doubtful "bane" can be pluralized, but whatever - of my motherly existence is that Tess is the most picky eater this side of the Mississippi. The only items of food that she will eat are 1) things that are shaped like Elmo and 2) things that are quesadillas. It's enough to make me crazy. From the time she began eating solid food until last week, she ate bananas. One time, she ate black beans. Another time, she had tofu. The next day, upon being offered the exact same soy-glazed tofu, she turned her head as if offended. She must have a really incredible sense of smell, for she can determine whether or not she'll be putting the "head turn refusal" into effect from 3 feet away. It's a real skill, I tell you. I'm only hoping that she'll turn into a real toddler foodie and branch back out into sweet potato fries and the lily pad pancakes I make out of frozen peas. Things that - you know - she ate a couple of months ago.

Thank the Lord God my mom took Finn to Waverly today. If she hadn't I'd surely be crying into my unpotted basil right this very second. He was so tired at 6 pm (post-non-nap) that they say he headed upstairs to run his own bath and go to bed. That's a kid who knows what he wants when he wants it. Especially after a bowl of ice cream (which I forgot to mention Tess will also eat). Wine, please!

Evening Entertainment

The public works dept is flushing the fire hydrants in our neighborhood so Finn bought an extra 20 minutes at bedtime.

Shut up! We DO have hobbies.

more F and T

Tess is obsessed with her wee Directors' Chair which arrived as her birthday present from the Wagoner 6. It's possible that one day she might walk as the result of her stand-up/sit-down ritual in which this chair is the centerpiece.

Making sure that a majority of eyes are on her.

Yessss! A half-stand. Let the applause commence!

Finn is so sweet to his sister 95% of the time.

He reserves for her the highest of praise. Heard this week: "Tess, you're a good sister." Also, "Tess, you're a good construction worker."

The best thing about Kohls

The baby carts.

sand table

Perhaps after several hours watching Finn play in the sandbox at their house, Mimi came up with the idea of a sand table for our patio. Well, no sooner had she asked if this was ok (yes!), Papa built and delivered it. We've had a rainy week but this afternoon had a break long enough to dump the sand in and bring out a few of his little trucks. Every 10 minutes Finn would think of another truck he needed to finish his road. After an hour we had to pick him up and carry him inside. Whining may have occurred. This is really one of the best ideas ever and the only thing I'm concerned about is that we'll have to pass it every time we go to the car.

SO happy!

Andrew heard him saying, "Oh, I don't like the looks of that embankment."

Finn told me tonight that "the people who make toy trucks should also make toy knuckleboom loaders." Are you all familiar with what a knuckleboom loader is? Great. He would also like a toy delimber.

Fun in the rain

When toys aren't necessary: A rainy day with boots, a puddle and a couple of rain-collecting apparatuses. (Apparati?)

Lawn

We are happy about the lilacs and flowering trees in bloom but sad about whatever is killing our lawn. Does anyone have any clues about what this might be? We are novice lawn folk, after all.

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Pocky

Strolling through the ethnic food aisles last week at the store I spied this box of Pocky. It has been eyeing me for weeks but up to then I was able to turn away. Then I wasn't. Now that we have Pocky in our home however I'm afraid that ir's here to stay. Sue - if you haven't had it yet give it a try! Japanese biscuit sticks covered in artificially flavored cream, I mean really you can't lose!

Swinging in the breeeeeeze!

Get this girl an agent

(Post-pedicure, putting Tess in car seat.)
N: Let's go get Finn. You can have a cat nap.
T: Meow! (Smiles.)

Pedi

We're finally having a stretch of decent weather and in order to wear open-toed shoes in public, the law states that I must get a pedicure. So Tess and I are here while Finn is at school, taking care of business. She cries every time one of the nice ladies who work here come up to say hi but as long as they stay away everything's cool. In her defense, it is nap time. She's not antisocial, she's just tired!

I have to give props to both kids who must have sensed that after a long day of just-the-three-of-us (Andrew was in NYC til this morning) they were both angels at bedtime and slept through the night.

1st Birthday Recap

Here are some photos from Tess's birthday party that we had after Easter brunch. Has it already been two weeks? And is it possible that Finn's birthday is only three months away? Wow.

Tess loves her Mimi.

Finn looking at his "I Spy" card from Colleen and Jim.

Aunt Heather with the birthday girl.

Heather's bunny cake was as cute as it was delicious.

Big brother helping out.

I love his expression here.

Tess is like, "what's up?"

Apparently I was feeding her too slowly for

she took matters into her own hands.

I'm not a huge fan of mess/messy babies/messy face photos,

but it was *so* funny.

As was this. Thou shalt not let ice cream go to waste.

Tess got the hang of present-opening pretty quickly.

Love this photo of our little doll baby and "Aunt How".

Tess could hardly believe that Mama allowed Nana to

bring this pink princess-mobile into her home. Score!

Such FUN!

Good manners at an early age are important.

This includes reading cards before opening gifts.

Uh oh... When she inserts thumb, it's time to go home.

Thanks again to everyone who helped to make Tess's birthday SO special!

Gardening

Had to share Finn's self-styled ensem this morning: pajama top, check. Backwards shorts, check. Crocs with (matching) socks, check. And yet it kinda works.

(Also, I'm aware that we need some new plants and pots - this dead/broken one is so much fun to dig up!)