Favorite Things

Perhaps like many a toddler, Finn has clear preferences for certain objects, his own little collection of favorite things. The below list goes beyond Finn's requisite toddler attraction to household objects unintended for little hands, with a particular penchant for technological gizmos adorned with noise- or light-producing buttons, of course with a strong preference for the TV and computer. These are some of Finn's current favorite things:

George--Finn adores his little pajama-clad Curious George. Sitting on his changing table, George greets us every morning and often receives hugs and kisses. Sometimes Finn is happily distracted with an examination of George throughout the entire getting-dressed process. Other days George is put in the crib, after Finn has vacated, presumably for his own nap. Most often George is put back (one of Finn's favorite words) in his spot before we head downstairs to start our day.

Churches--For no reason other than something to talk about while in the car, I started pointing out churches to Finn on our way to day care. We pass three on the way to Margie's and four on our route home. It now seems he looks forward to seeing the churches; he often declares "church!" before we've even pulled out of the garage.

Switches--They turn the lights on and off, like magic. Really who wouldn't want to flick them up and down all day long?

Brushes--Like clockwork, Finn runs to the bathroom hollering "brush" and pointing to the bathroom counter as soon as we find ourselves upstairs. He desperately loves the electric toothbrush and even has his own brush attachment with which he brushes the wall, the door, his books, his belly, and once in a while his, or my, teeth. (When he first noticed this gadget, while I was using it for its intended purpose, I should have been wise enough to simply put it back on the counter, out of reach. I should have been smart enough to realize if I gave it to him once--even if motivated by a desperate momentary need for a distraction as I tried to wash his face during a fit of protest--I would be condemned to give it to him again and again and again.)

Books--Finn's book addiction started with "E-i-e-i-o," or a red covered-copy of Old McDonald McDonald Had a Farm that has wheels to spin on each page. Now, when his flurry of activity finds its way to one of the baskets of books, Finn will plop down and browse through almost any book. He sometimes looks like a mini-adult, sitting on the bottom step, book on his knees, turning the pages. He "reads" in the car, in the kitchen, and really loves to explore his books while sitting on the couch by himself. At night before bed some of his favorites include:
-Good Night Chicago,
-Goodnight Moon,
-Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb,
-Corduroy's Sweet Surprise,
-Gossie,
-Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, or
-Bear Snores On.

Balls--This list would be sadly incomplete without Finn's beloved balls. He most recently has grown attached to three-mini balls that Santa left in his stocking, a soccer ball, a basketball, and a baseball. He calls them all "soccer ball." He really goes crazy over any ball he sees, from eyeing the neighbor's collection of full-sized balls as we walk through the backyard to seeing a picture of a ball in the newspaper to the huge, red, cement balls in front of Target, hollering "BALL!" as a sort of battle cry whenever one is spotted.

The hollering is perhaps the best part. Finn declares his affection for these and many more things close to his heart...crackers, Elmo, of course, up, hat...in the form of a gigantic declaration.