Back Into Our Routine

It was a weekend full of no naps, failed attempts at potty training and a whole lotta whining and crying from Miss Finley.  Finley does not like being confined to the house all day and she certainly proved that this weekend.  After a night of fun at Grandma's house on Friday, it was especially hard for Finley to come home to boring Mommy and Daddy.  Today, we headed out early in the morning (I actually had to set an alarm) to get our application for the fall at "Max's School".  Max goes to a school just blocks from our house and we hope that Finley is able to enroll there.  It is our first choice as far as schools and I really hope Finley gets in.  We were able to apply during the returning students because we are on the waiting list, which I think should really help our chances.  It puts us in the first pool of applicants instead of the third.  Finley asked if there would be Christmas Music when we got to the school.  What a memory!

We came home and had some breakfast then it was back out the door to tour another school.  I don't think we will bother applying, it was a little far and the director basically said if you are two and new, it doesn't look good.  Finley did great during the tour, which I hope continues tomorrow because we have another lined up.  After the tour, we headed straight to Gymboree, which is always a great time for Finley.  She had so much fun running around with the kids, she got some of her pent up energy out.  We finished up with lunch at Chick-fil-a and some more playing in the toddler town they have set up.  Finley gobbled up six nuggets, her fruit bowl, over half of my fries, a whole bottle of milk and when we got home, she asked for a snack.  So I gave her a banana and she ate the whole thing.  Goodness!

After all this busyness, Finley napped for nearly two hours.  Let's hope tomorrow keeps her as busy and back into our routine.  We are visiting baby Sydney, hopefully it won't be too cold.  They are calling for snow on Friday!!!

I Love a Parade

On our second day at the Magic Kingdom, Finley got to see both a show at Cinderella's Castle and the Celebrate a Dream Come True parade as we headed back to the Wilderness  Lodge for naptime.  Finley even got picked to participate in a game with one of the castmembers! I think almost every character stopped to personally greet her during the parade, what a lucky little girl.

Edited to add: notice the castmember sitting next to her during the parade.  They were BFFs.  She was so taken with Finley (how could you not be?)

Visiting the Zoo with Friends

It was a gorgeous day yesterday and we set off to the Houston Zoo to meet Finley's friends, Ava Kate and Lia.  The girls had so much fun.  Ava Kate is in Finley's dance class and Lia used to be.  They especially loved the goats, especially Lia.  When we headed for home, Lia was still in the petting area brushing the goats.  It was so adorable!

Just an FYI, the zoo seems to be going through a lot of remodeling and a lot of the animals were not out and about, luckily, the girls didn't mind one bit.

Return to Minnie's House

It's a Small World was closed during Finley's first visit to Disneyworld and Minnie's House was her most favorite place to visit.  For this past visit, Miss Finley loved It's a Small World, it was her most favorite ride, but she did not forget her friend Minnie's House.  We visited it every time we were in the Magic Kingdom and Finley delighted in watching Minnie's cake bake.  It is good we got to see it one last time because next month it is being demolished.  Let's hope that the next time we visit there is a new favorite ride or place to visit, because I am scared to see her reaction when we tell her Minnie's House is no more. I get sad just thinking about it...

Video Fun

Endless energy....

Opening at the Magic Kingdom

We boarded the boat to the Magic Kingdom 30 minutes before opening time in order to be there when they opened the gates.  Every morning there is a big production of the opening of the park.  Anyone know how to get to be the family that helps open the Magic Kingdom in the morning?  Methinks you have to know someone special.  After we made our way into the park, we headed straight for Fantasyland.  Finley's first ride was the Flying Dumbos, then it was off to Small World.  We also covered Peter Pan's Flight, Winnie the Pooh and the Mad Hatter's Teacups.  The first day, Finley was working herself back into her Disney groove.  She loved Small World and the Teacups really freaked her out, but she still went on them nearly every day we were there.

Almost as much fun as a ride at Disneyworld

Checking In at the Wilderness Lodge

We arrived to Disney late on a Friday night, so there was no time to get any park fun in, but Finley did get to experience some Mickey magic.  The towels had been laid out to look like Mickey Mouse.  There were also two towel creatures made of washcloths.  Finley loved the creatures and asked for her "creatures" every night to be in the crib with her.  The first night she managed to take them apart, I wasn't able to put them back together.  The next day, they had been put back together and the housekeeper had put two of Finley's hairbows on them.  Of course, I forgot to snap a picture of the cuteness, so a picture of Finley in her Snow White finest with towel Mickey will have to do.  I will have to figure out to make towel creatures here at the house.  They worked as fantastic toothbrush holders!

Big Girl Spoon

Finley has really been fixated on using "big girl" things.  This includes glass bowls (ack!), which is quite interesting.  It sure makes lunch more interesting.  So far, she has been doing great with all the big girl adjustments.  I think it is finally time to retire the high chair, it has been quite a while since she has used it.  People still do use it during playgroup, so I will probably keep it in the kitchen for a bit longer, but I think it has seen the last of Finley Ann.  Finley has figured out how to get her own big girl spoon out of the kitchen drawer and of course she chooses the biggest girl spoon of all.

Note the "Astro Orbiter" in the right of the pictures.  Finley loads up her Minnie and Mickey Mouse toys onto the circus airplane ride, calls it "Astro Orbiter" just like in Disneyworld and says "Ready, Set, Go", sending her Disney pals for a thrill ride!

29 Characters to Meet and Greet!

From Alice to Winnie the Pooh...Miss Finley met as many Disney characters as she could!

Christmas in January

Presents!

I got this big one all by myself!

Which one should I open next?

Even Camden wanted part of the fun

Race race, zoom zoom!

Is it really my very own refrigerator?

Who is going to help me move this upstairs to my kitchen?

Let's get this thing stocked.

I don't want to pose for pictures, I want to play, don't you see all my new toys?

Collecting Acorns

Finley is obsessed with acorns.  And pecans.  And any other random piece of nature she can find on the ground.  We have tried to take her collection to the Swap Shop, but everytime we are there and remember to bring the stash with us, the Swap Shop is closed.  Hopefully, one day soon, we will remember our goodies and it will be open for trading.  I wonder if Finley will give up her collection for something new from the zoo.


Of course, Ugly Bear has to go on the walk for Finley's acorn hunting expedition.

Indoor Picnic

Who do you invite to an indoor picnic?  Ugly Bear, Winnie the Pooh, Snowflake, Pink Doll, Elephant, Tigger, Grammy and Grandad.  That's who.

Just one more present...

When Grammy and Grandad were visiting, I think Finley opened at least 4 presents before the presents had been put under of the tree.  Finley loves opening presents, especially ones that play music.  Everytime music is on, Finley is a happy girl.  I normally listen to sports talk radio in the car, but whenever Finley and I are going somewhere together, we listen to music on the radio.  For the record, her favorite song is Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina's "Stereo Love", which is a pretty amazing song.  She proclaims it as her favorite whenever it comes on.  It is the funniest thing ever.  At least she is liking dance music from the start.  Must be all that ATB I play for her.  Finley opened a music player and she loves it, just like we knew she would.


After present opening time, it was time for an indoor picnic by Finley's kitchen.  This girl will cook all day long!  I wonder why...