thankful

Our reasons for gratitude showed up in droves this thanksgiving. Here are the highlights of the week in chronological order:

1. The new Peanuts movie. Finn (and Clark and I) LOVE the old peanuts movies. It's our tradition to watch them on the couch at each holiday complete with popcorn. We upped the game this holiday by going to the theater. This was Finn's first time in a movie theater. And like at home, Finn's belly laughing at snoopy's antics filled the entire room. 

2. Thanksgiving with Family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, and brothers in law travelled from Chicago and Atlanta to meet in Cincinnati to share Thanksgiving with my granddad. The whole day was such fun- appetizers, football (watched and played), champagne, nature walks, and pie. Lots of pie. We ended the day with everyone piled up on the floor of my granddad's home watching White Christmas projected on the wall. Such a fun, cozy, and simple holiday. 

3. Paulita's visit. Finn's old babysitter was in Bloomington over her college break, and we got to spend  a whole day with her. Paulita's family moved from Bloomington to Ecuador this summer, so it made seeing her even more special because she isn't in Bloomington too often. This girl and her family are like family to me, and I miss them all the time.

So excited to be at the movies!

Because we LOVE turkey, we tested out the smoker a few days before the big day.

Pie Preparation

Flock of turkeys

from turkeys to monkeys

Uncle David uncorks the first bottle of the season

All of us. 

I love these two together

And we blinked, and it's Christmas time!

a monster mash

Conversations about Halloween started in our house around mid September. Most discussions centered around Finn's choice of costume, and the responses he gave kept us entertained all month. If you haven't noticed from his photos or in talking with Finn, this kid enjoys dressing up in costumes. So each time Clark or I (or a friend, teacher, or stranger on the street) asked what he wanted to be for halloween, his answer was different. Here are a few of my favorite responses: a scuba diver, a chocolate chip cookie, a hang glider firefighter, clawman (?), a strawberry. 

Luckily, Finn had plenty of chances to try out costumes leading up to the big day. He and I went to Zoo Boo at the Indianapolis Zoo, we headed to Greek Row at IU for trick or treating, and finally, our good friends joined us for dinner and neighborhood trick or treating on the big day. So how did he finally decide? After weeks of differing responses, Finn answered 4 times in a row that he wanted to dress up as his favorite character (Chris) dressed as his favorite animal (monkey) on his favorite TV show (Wild Kratts). So there you go. 

Below are months worth of halloween photos. 

monkey see monkey do

Super Tiger

"helping" me rake

Hayride

Found it! the perfect pumpkin

decorating for halloween

This year we joined the teal pumpkin movement and gave out glowsticks

one ferocious dragon

the best greetings from the IU Greeks!

What do you call a group of dragons? A pride? Flock? Pod?

I LOVE GREEK TRICK OR TREATING (so does the dragon)

So, there was a face painter at the grocery store. Who wouldn't request a big spider on his or her nose?

A pup and monkey preparing for trick or treating

I love these little critters! 

Stopping to share

and show the loot!

I think their very favorite part of Halloween was handing out treats to fellow trick or treaters. 

Runnin' in the street

Awhile back, during one of the many times I've explained to Finn the dangers of running into the street, he pointed out that there have been times he's been allowed to play in the street. That little elephant memory recalled 1.) the 4th of July parade when he road his bike in the street, 2.) that time we jumped in the REALLY big puddles (in my defense this was at the end of a dead-end road with no cars in sight), 3.) and when we were walking to meet daddy after cheering him on at a road race.
So yes, there are times when it is appropriate to play/ride/run/dance in the street. Since that conversation, Finn has been longing for more opportunities like this.
So this kid was especially excited to participate in his first ever road race.

The highlights:
Running in the street (obviously).
The cheering. Oh the cheering! And with the cheers came high fives from the IU baseball and football team players along the course. Finn was in awe.
Potential for food. At the very end Finn turned to me and said, "I thought there would be snacks?" (as if I ever doubted it, This. Is. My. Kid.)
The party atmosphere that follows every good road race. This one included bouncy houses, football tosses, and a very large rabbit. Disappointingly, I did not catch a photo of the rabbit- far too distracted by the post race fun. But here are a few photos of the warm up and race.

Finn showing me the proper form for a strong start to the race.

Setting pace for daddy.

Running!

And running!

All the way to the finish line.

The FIRST first day

I'm a bit late in posting this. Maybe because I'm still trying to get my head around the speed at which Finn went from a tiny, little, helpless thing to a child who sets out his clothes, dresses himself, brushes his teeth, chooses his breakfast, and says, "Come on! I don't want to be late for school!" But if I wait too much longer to record this occasion, he'll be working on college applications.
So three weeks ago was Finn's first day of preschool. It was a big day for Clark and me and a little slice of heaven for Finn. He loves school. And I love that he loves it.
Preschool is just two mornings each week. Perhaps a little too slim of a timeframe for Finn, because each day at pick up he says (after a big hug), "I really don't want to leave."
I know there will be days in his future when Finn will relish weekends and holidays, but for now, I love that (nearly) all his days feel like holidays.
(Disclaimer: there are far too many first day of school shots here. I couldn't help myself, and couldn't choose just one.)

Laid out his clothes the night before. He now does this every evening before a school day.
I have no idea where he gets this Type A personality. :)

With his bucket to hold school supplies (aka Toys he insists on bringing, but shouldn't come into the classroom. Brilliant.)

I warned you, we took a lot of the same photo. 

Finn insisted on showing his backpack. He's been waiting for the day to wear this to school. 

And more backpack. 

The last (and best) one.

Apparent Vacation

To close out our summer travels, I tagged along on a research trip Clark took to New York City. Finn stayed home and attended Nonnie Camp. Haven't heard of Nonnie Camp? It's the best deal in town- trustworthy childcare 24 hours a day, 6 days a week, it includes a minimum of 45,000 kisses each day, hours of adventures including (but not limited to) trips to the zoo, lego building, Wonderlab, book stores, the pool, toy stores, restaurants, parks, and botanical gardens. Each day comes with a new toy and fun phrase or song. After almost a week, we came home to one happy kid. Nonnie looked pretty content too. Here are a few photos of camp, but more of our fantastic time in NYC. Those are the faces of parents filled with gratitude and MANY HOURS of SLEEP.

At the fair. Bah!

There's a lot to see at the fair, but Finn seems to have a sixth sense to seek out the firetrucks.

Petting the prize calf. (and yes, of all things to paint on a face, he chose a spider.) 

Nonnie doesn't mess around when Finn requests a day of adventure.

I dont blame this dinosaur- I'd like to gobble him up too!

And how we spent our time in New York...

I leisurely drank one of these every day. 

In Brooklyn, picnicking and enjoying the view. 

Geez, a rooftop bar feels glamourous.

Broadway play! When in NYC...

Even far away, our minds were often on Finn.

Perhaps the best way to spend a New York evening.