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. 

beach baby

In mid July, we packed our bags and headed to the beach for a week with the Barwicks. The last two times Finn was at the ocean, he loved the sand, but this time the trip was all about swimming, splashing, and dunking unsuspecting grandparents, aunts, and uncles. When Finn wasn't in the ocean, he was in the pool. And when he wasn't in the pool, he was eating seafood or special vacation treats. And when he wasn't eating, he was fast fast fast asleep. This trip made me realize the components for the best trips with Finn: Play hard, feast, and rest well. And surround yourself with sweet family.

First evening in the ocean!

We built fire stations. Lots of them.

This kid is HAPPY

And still happy.

Waiting out the rain. 

Visiting the patients at the turtle hospital.

Don't these look like the faces of some relaxed vacationers?