Christmas 2010

Finn's fourth Christmas and the first that he understood, more or less.  Throughout December, he was fixated on the concepts and magic of Santa, the elves, and the reindeer, especially Rudolph.  He sometimes spontaneously sings bits and pieces of "Rudolph," "Frosty the Snowman," or "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."  He also knows "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Silent Night."

At a restaurant for dinner on Christmas Eve, a pianist was playing near our table.  He performed "Rudolph" and during the musical interlude Finn said, "he doesn't know all the words."

He was really impressed that Santa ate all his cookies and drank his milk.  Clearly he had been here.  Yet, Finn was disappointed that the reindeer didn't eat every single carrot and celery stick.

When Finn pulled out the gifts from his stocking he gave Papa the candy and said, "These are treats, but not to eat right now.  Put them away for later."

We practically had to bribe Finn to open all of his presents.  He was more than happy to play with his Cars Legos and didn't seem to think the unopened presents looked that interesting.

He said his favorite gift was the Mac trailer, part of the Legos set from Grandma and Grampa.  He was also really into the pocket watch he got from Santa.

He has also been obsessed with Polar Express.  A number of times on the beach we were instructed to board the train with him and join his imaginary play.  Finn was disappointed that he didn't get a Polar Express train for Christmas this year and said he would tell Santa directly next year.

Polar Express Trolley

A mixed review of the non-train Polar Express...The trolley was fun, but did it really take us to the North Pole?  Santa is worth a peek, but where are the reindeer?  And, why is his suit red?  Where are the elves?  Why are the reindeer magic? 

Finn said...

Driving to school:
"Mommy, when I get bigger, bigger, bigger, you will have to get a new car.  I'll drive this one."

Struggling to stick Christmas decorations on the window:
"This one is not cooperating!"

"I don't like the White Sox.  I don't like the Red Sox.  I like the Blue Sox."

-JAK

Papa Elf and Finley Elf

Halloween

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This year Finn the train conductor pretty much figured out Halloween.  Carving a pumpkin, fine.  Playing in the street during the block party, wow!  Wrapping the parents in toilet paper, interesting.  Giving and getting candy, pretty darn good!  Detours while trick or treating to play with neighbor’s toys, yipee!  Hanging out with Zachy/Buzz Lightyear, fabulous!  Getting to eat the candy without much restriction, what could be better!

Big Boy Bed

 

Tonight was Finn's first night in his new big boy bed.  The big boy room is still a work in progress, but he is happily settling into his new bed.

We love Goebbert's

3rd Birthday Celebrations

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We can hardly believe our little man has turned three.  We celebrated a lot this weekend, starting at the 2 Toots Train Whistle Grill Friday night and continuing today with a family brunch at our house.  There is no doubt the celebrations will continue tomorrow as there are leftover cupcakes and unopened presents.

To Finn on his 3rd Birthday from Grandpa & Grandma Kovar

Now That Finn is Three He Knows … 

I know, never touch the stove cause it’s hot, 

but I can touch ice, 'cause it’s not, 

and doggies are soft and kitties are cute,

and I even love wearing my new little suite. 

I know, that hitting is not nice, 

and I like pasta much better than rice, 

and rocks aren’t for throwing at others, 

but my cousins throw pillows at their brothers. 

I know, cookies smell better than cheese, 

and to get one, I have to say please, 

and I’m learning to go pee in the potty,

and singing tinkle tinkle little tottie. 

I know, my little brother’s in my mommy's tummy,

and that chocolate chips cookies are really yummy,

and I love playing with my trains and trucks,

and reading the book about getting stuck. 

I know SO many things, now that I'm three 

and all these things help me be a good ME. 

I know lots more than I did when I was two, 

but…… my favorite color is still blue.

Successful State, Local Approaches to Effective Teaching Using National ...

Who's the goof talking about 42 minutes in?  And why didn't someone fix his tie?

Calm moments

Just when we thought Finn was starting to move out of the less-than-obedient-and-easy-going-boy he's been since spring and throughout the summer, he is back at it again.  Not listening. Non-stop movement.  Stubborn little fits when he doesn't want to do something.  Even a bit of yelling/whining when he is mad.  It is all very tiresome.  Yet we're thinking the new flare-up of this type of behavior could be a result of his adjusting to preschool.  We told ourselves that the transition would take some time and would probably be rocky, but now that we are actually experiencing this unpleasant behavior, I have to remind myself that it may be just what we were expecting.  The new preschool is a huge change for my poor little guy, of course he's out of sorts.  And to add the potty-training challenges on top of that...I don't even want to get started.

So this afternoon and evening with Finn I was really feeling for him and the pressures of preschool.  As a result, I was able to enjoy the (rare) calm moments in between the less-than-desirable ones.  

• He took over when I was dust busting in the kitchen and contentedly and helpfully dust busted much of the kitchen, the playroom, me.  
• He loves Subway and was very happy to hang out and enjoy the cookie the guy behind the counter gave him while I ordered and paid for our dinner. 
• He ate his dinner and watched the Cubs game with such a sweet disposition, enjoying and sharing his food, commenting on and cheering for the Cubbies.
• He as so into his books tonight and made a number of sweet observations.  I'd pulled out an Elmo A, B, C book that we'd apparently never read before and he commented, "I've never read this one."  While reading "How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You," he was noticing that the dinosaurs wouldn't be able to fit through the doors of their houses.

--JAK

First Week in Review

While we have tried and tried to pry from Finn details about his first four days at preschool, we have gotten very little information.  What to us is a momentous and fascinating new experience is to Finn apparently not newsworthy.  Here are the highlights we have managed to glean:

-freedom to use the water fountain at will
 -a bathroom buddy named Ben
-some sort of chalk activity as evidenced by the stuff all over his shirt
-new, blue Crocs
-a snack of crackers, cheese and water on the first day
-a loud noise that led to going outside...just a fire drill, we hope 
-a teacher has been mentioned but according to Finn she doesn't teach
-a stamping activity in which another boy didn't want to share


-JAK

Big Day!

Ready for the first day of preschool!

Yet Papa just pulled the new car around front!  Way more exciting!

 

 

 

Direct from Sweden!

Preparing for Aunt Sara's Wedding

Yesterday Finn and Jason accompanied me to David's Bridal to buy a dress for Sara's wedding.  Only because we were going on to more boy-friendly activities after that, not because I think dress shopping with two boys is a good idea.  Finn loved David's Bridal--so much space to run around and hide between the row of dresses.  And the pedestals in the dressing area were perfect for driving cars and trucks.  Luckily it was practically empty and the saleswomen seemed entertained by him rather than annoyed.

I was surprised that he actually paid attention to the dresses.  I came out of the fitting room with one on and his fact lit up, he ran over and hugged me, and said he loved the dress!  Then he noticed all the dresses I had hanging in the dressing room and said, "When I get grow up and get bigger, I want to wear pretty dresses like these!"  Hmmm...not so sure about that.

--JAK

The Baby

Finn continues to insist we are having two babies.  One, the brother, is in my belly, the other baby, the sister, is in his belly.  He says we need two babies because his friend Hayden has two babies.  And, yesterday when we saw the twins at a party, Finn suggested we bring Graham home.

Usually when I ask Finn what we should name our baby he doesn't have an answer.  Once he said, "No Name."  This morning, though, he suggested, "Garbage Truck!"

--JAK

Tid Bits

For breakfast today Finn asked for broccoli and cheese.  Poor guy, we didn't have any broccoli on hand, so had to deprive him of his veggies!  This is after he'd asked a few days ago, "Mommy, can please eat some vegetables in the garden?"  So sweet!

This afternoon Finn gave my feet a bath.  I felt like a queen!

When Finn talks about playing in our backyard he calls it his "big backyard."  I love that he thinks our little city-sized yard is big!

--JAK

Exploring

The slides and swings and sand are not the best part of the Maple Park.  Today Finn discovered the sort of under belly of our local park.  Until today I'd thought this area to be reserved for juvenile delinquents and winos.   (None of either population were present today.)  On the back of a hill, in an area sectioned off from the actual park, is a sort of impromptu maze of low bushes and dirt paths, perfect for my two-old-boy to lose himself in exploration.  Finn claimed he was looking for his blue car, which was lost somewhere in the park, but really he was enjoying the freedom of getting lost in this miniature forest.  He walked around and around the paths, discovering where each led and dead-ended and circled him back to the beginning. 

I was lucky to have a bird's eye view from the top of the hill.  I was very relieved that the back side of this little maze was completely fenced in, so I didn't have to follow little boy worrying he would escape onto Harlem Avenue.  Sometimes he would come to a little clearing, look up, and notice me watching and smile and wave.  He was in a state of bliss.  Once in a while he would make his way up a path back to the top and say hello.  I even received a few kisses before he headed off down another path.

--JAK

Day out with Thomas

Saturday was hotter than hotter than hot, but it was the annual Day Out with Thomas and we needed to be there!  As  ignorant parents and grandparents of a first child, we had absolutely no idea what we were getting ourselves into.  I truly believe every Chicagoland family with a boy between the ages of two and five was there.  And they all seemed to have matching Thomas t-shirts.  Yet we saw Thomas and all was right in little boy's life.  We even managed to see Sir Topham Hatt!We were a bit taken aback when we realized we would be riding in an unidentified passenger car, not Annie or Clarabel.  Yet thankfully we could glimpseThomas for a moment, pulling our load, as we curved left on the tracks.

Really the best part of the day was riding the various trains.  We could have skipped the Thomas hoopla, waited for a cooler fall weekend and taken the trek out to Union and been just as happy.  So we'll visit again.  And maybe child #2 won't spend the day with Thomas.  Or maybe in a few years we'll forget how hot and crazy it was and make the pilgrimage again.

--JAK

Grandma says...

Finn's quote of the day:

"Grandma says I need to watch more tv."

Our Tour of Sweden, by Volvo

Just a "few" photos of our 10-day sojourn to Scandinavia.  Enjoy.

 

Click here for more photos.

Swimming with Papa

Missed Me

We arrived home the other day and Finn gleefully trotted into his play room and said, "Hello, toys!"  The he announced, "They missed me.  My toys missed me!"  We'd only been gone a few hours.  I can't imagine how his toys will be feeling when he gets back from  his week and a half long vacation at Grandma and Grampa's house.

--JAK

Finn and Grace

We had a fun-filled weekend in St. Louis thanks to Michelle, Paul, and Grace.  Click here to see more pictures.

Fireworks a "little scary"

Finn's first fireworks with the family at Valley Lo were, in his words, a "little scary."  But, he was a trooper, despite being up way past his bedtime (to say nothing of being worn down by the Harlan clan), and had a good strategy for coping with the loud pops and cracks.  His palms didn't leave his ears until the finale completely dissipated.

He gleefully added at the end:  "the fireworks are over, Grandma."


--JAC

Finn's First Movie Theater Movie: Cars 2

After a long build-up and despite bad reviews, Finn was thrilled to see his first movie in the movie theater!  Of course Finn McMissile is his new favorite character.

Pirate's Cove!

Woo hoo summer!  Today's outing with Grandma was Finn's first trip to Pirate's Cove.  He was in heaven.  Two trains!  He literally rode a dozen times!  Eating lunch on the pirate ship was another highlight of the day.  And, Finn kept eyeing the stage.  You'd think he was interested in the shows, but no, he was waiting for the stage to clear so he could take over the stage!  

--JAK

"One more store"

Today Jason and I dragged little boy on a morning of boring adult errands.  After one too many stores already, we told Finn we were heading home for lunch.  His response, "One more store!  One more store!"  He really makes his grandma proud with his passion for shopping!

--JAK

More Wisdom

After Jason left the house this morning, Finn and I were eating breakfast and he said, "It is quiet around here."  He has continued to say it periodically throughout the day.  I didn't think the house was any more or less quiet than normal, but Finn is more attuned to the noises.

--JAK

Trip to PA

  
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Loving the cousins!

Michigan Avenue

This week Finn, Grandma, and I enjoyed a win-win outing to Michigan Avenue.  Finn got to feed a pony, Mom and I got to relax on the carriage ride and shop! 

--JAK

Found

Found in front yard:  One pajama-clad little boy, thought to be sleeping! 

While Jason and I were in the backyard tonight, after Finn was sound asleep, he woke up, managed to sneak downstairs and exited out the back door.  Rather than come into the backyard to find us, he went through the open gate to the front yard and stood, quietly watching the neighbors play ball across the street! 

Garden Update

Finn picked and ate his first home grown raspberry today! (Two in fact.) One small step toward being locavores.

--JAK

Hanging with Zack and Hayden

First Cubs Game

Tuckered at the Table

Wednesday's are "Grandma Day," when Grandma comes over to hang out with Finn for the day.  They go to the park, or zoo or gym - any number of activities to entertain a two-year-old.  Today, they must have had a particularly intense outing, enough to make Finn fall asleep at the dinner table.

--JAC