Rainy Days & Mondays...

Morning means a stroll, but today Finley changed things up by requesting her "pink stroller."  Stella, the baby, stayed at home, and bunny received the honor of a ride down the street.

 No walk would be complete without collecting pecans from the tree across the street, with Grandad's help, of course.

A pleasant morning turned into a stormy afternoon, so indoor activities were the order of the day.  A rainy Labor Day calls for a little watermelon feast.

When you have a Mommy and Daddy far away in Italy, video conferencing is a huge plus.  Finley mentions her Mommy and Daddy continually.   It is so nice for her to be able to visit with them via computer.  The time difference is challenging, but the results are worth it, for sure.  She often becomes bashful and quiet, while Mommy and Daddy try to elicit responses from her, but it's great just to see their faces, laugh with them and hear their voices.  Finley, they'll be home soon, I promise.

Beep, beep!  Keep on pushing me Grandad, this is great fun.

More rainy day fun:  Every time you try to take a photo of Finley, she looks down or away, but she adores viewing the camera results.  When she spots the computer, she asks to see "pictures" which means photos of herself.  Today she wanted to see photos of her Mommy and Daddy too.  She thought it was an ideal way to
 spend a very stormy afternoon.                

Pools and Picnics

Our day began with a walk and Finley learned a new word: "acorns."  She collected as many as a squirrel in autumn.

Where's Waldo...er...the butterfly...it is black..can you spot it?

Yesterday we searched and searched, and finally

Splashing!

discovered a little pool at Toys 'R' Us that could be easily stowed away.  Today was a gloriously sunny day...perfect to spend the day poolside.  So we clambered up to the roof terrace and spent most of the day "around the pool."  Finley was beyond excited and Grammy and Grandad enjoyed the experience as well.  Needless to say, leaving for lunch was a sad moment, indeed.

But I don't want to stop swimming!

Our day ended with a roof-top picnic.  It was a magical, memorable day for everyone!

Finley had a splendid day!  Good night, everyone!

Up on the Roof

Finley and Grandad were up and out early, and they brought home a fun surprise,  kalaches, a unique breakfast treat available here in Houston.   Bunny shared our breakfast at the bar.  What a great way to start the Labor Day weekend.

Our goal today was to find a small pool for Finley.  It is 92 degrees here, but alas, pools are scarce and Hallowe'en decor is prolific.  Along the way,  Finley discovered some bubble fun to purchase, so we spent some time out front and on the roof-top terrace blowing bubbles.  The best part of all is running to chase those iridescent globes  It seems even the adults had fun!

A different perspective on our daily strolls.  Finley and Grammy took our daily stroll, picked up the mail, and were surprised by a voice from above.  It was fun watching Finley try to figure out just where her Grandad's voice was coming from.  She was so tickled to spot him up on the terrace.  Cool.

Finley's kitchen is not forgotten.  Even though bubbles and strolls have been pre-eminent for Finley, she still loves to create in the kitchen.  Tonight we were served a sumptuous dinner of doughnuts, toaster tarts, tacos, cookies, and pancakes.  Can you top that?

Grandad and Grammy have had such a great week, and we look forward to more adventures this week.  Thank you,  Finley, for sharing all the fun with us.

Busy, busy, busy!

What a little helper!  Finley parked herself in the hallway and directed the laundry operations.  Hopefully, she will be equally as helpful when it comes to folding and hanging too.


We continue to take our daily strolls, but Finley wants to walk farther and farther afield, but she likes to avoid the "bumpy" sidewalks.  I guess it must wake the baby.





















After a tough afternoon shopping, we enjoyed a frozen yogurt treat.

After video conferencing with Mommy and Daddy in Italy, Finley wanted to create a masterpiece in markers.  She worked diligently and produced a lovely creation, which she was understandably proud.  She was thrilled when I wrote "To Mommy and Daddy, Love Finley," and she happily displayed it.

Finley's Favorites

Good morning, and Finley races downstairs to turn on her new train, which luckily for all, plays 30 different songs.  Toys rock Finley's world, and she never tires of opening her toy cabinet and pulling out all kinds of intriguing playthings.

Presently, her absolute favorite activity is taking a walk.  When she woke up today, she babbled, "walk, side, stroller, Stella."  That translates to, "Let's take Stella for a walk in her stroller along the side walk." Once we collect all the paraphernalia needed for our stroll, we trundle outside and proudly push our baby stroller.  Along the way, we might stop to point at a squirrel, sing a song, point to the sky and cry, "Airplane" closely followed by "Airport!" and pluck "seeds" from trees.  "Are your tired yet, Finley?" I ask.  Prompt response is always, "NO!"  We walked around the block 5 times today. Since Finley was able to stand, she has been intrigued with gazing out windows.  Everyday, she rushes into her parents bedroom (where the windows are low) and talks to the world.  Today the window presented her with torrents of rain...how wonderful it is to just watch the raindrops and cry, "Raining!" After the rain, we scurried to the roof terrace to blow bubbles, which is another of Finley's favorites.  Along with the blowing bubbles came yet another impending storm with blowing wind and a rainbow arching above the rooftops.

Wednesday: First Day with Grammy & Grandad

Start with a wooden dance floor, a patient teacher, music, boas, bubbles, and butterflies; add 5 little girls and stir in a dash of "do your own thing" and you have Finley's ballet class.  The morning was fun, exciting and unpredictable.  Finley thoroughly enjoyed herself. 

You've Got Mail!  I asked Finley if she wanted to go and pick up the mail, and she grabbed bunny and off we went.  She even stopped to smell the flowers (and check out the buzzy bees.)   After retrieving the mail, she latched onto a letter and carried it around the block, waving it proudly for all to see.  Now she wants to go for a walk all the time.  Another walk was in order later in the evening.  

Waking Up is Hard to Do!  Finley awoke from her nap: kinda.  She followed us up to the terrace, and continued to snuggle with Grandad, thoroughly enjoying being the absolute center of attention.  Our little trio was most content to just relax and relish the moment.

Hello: Goodbye!

This is fun!

Wet and Wild!

Cool exercise bike

Little suitcase inspector

Grammy and Grandad arrived, Mommy and Daddy said, "Arivaderci!"

We spent Tuesday playing, while Mommy and Daddy packed to fly off to Italy for 2 weeks.  That means that Grammy and Grandad will attempt to keep up with Finley Anne and her blog.  Finley continually charms us, whether we are reading, keeping cool at the water table, or inspecting Mommy and Daddy's suitcases before their trip.  The airport was teary on both sides, and it took a valiant effort to distract Finley by pointing out airplanes, trucks, and the sun peeking out of the clouds on the trip home.  We hope Finley will take good care of Grammy and Grandad for the next two weeks.  She has planned all sorts of fun activities.