Thank You, Grammy and Grandad!

Finley had the best time with her Grammy and Grandad these past few weeks.  They have departed for home in Georgia, but we will see them soon in Disneyworld.  Finley is super excited to see them again and to see Mickey Mouse too!

Mommy and Daddy are Home!

Finley's Finale

Tomorrow, Finley's Mommy and Daddy are coming home.  Thank you Finley for continuing to charm us. We love you so much and feel so happy that we could spend so much extended time with you.  Our blog entries have been more detailed than Katie's usual blog, because we wanted Katie and Clifton to be able to follow their little daughter's days in their absence.

One last little gift for Finley: a Winnie the Pooh color set.  She busily set to work coloring.

Welcome to Dairy Queen.  May I help you?  Finley rediscovered a Dairy Queen food set left in a cabinet.   She spent a great deal of her morning preparing and serving us a delectable pretend meal.  I ate too much!

Knock, knock...anyone at home.  After a short walk, the afternoon found us at the Children's Museum.  Every time we drive by this building, Finley squeals, "Zeeum!"  Obviously, it is one of her very favorite activities, and it is literally in her back yard.  Lucky Finley!  It was an enormously fun afternoon.

Who is that man below?

Finley's spent some time with Mommy and Daddy, who are in Venice today.   They showed Finley the monster cruise ships that were plying the waters of the Grand Canal.  She usually has so much to say, but her replies are so soft when she "Skypes."









For snack today, Miss Finley wanted to sit in "Daddy's chair."  You two better hurry home or she might usurp your places!

Finley put in some tricycle time.  Everyone likes being pushed around now and then.  I pushed Finley for 35 minutes, and along the way, we stopped to pet Wriggley every circuit.  It was amazing how that kitty just sat and waited for her little pat.   I have never seen a cat so wonderful with a toddler.

Finley and I were looking at earlier photos, and when she saw her bargain ballerina outfit, she begged to put it on.  (Grandad said this morning it was her first choice in attire, too.)  Once, on she pranced to the mirror and enjoyed viewing the tutu toddler.  While in the closet, she discovered Mommy's gigantic exercise ball, and the rolling began.  Even Wriggley wanted to join in on the fun.

Yesterday, we did not take a walk, so today it was a two-walk day.  The first was out back in the "mews" area; the next was the usual mail collection walk.

I made chewy chocolate chip cookies (Katie's awesome recipe), and Finley became a cookie monster!

Our day ended at Niko, Nikos enjoying a superb Greek gyros.  Finley is excited because her mommy and daddy are coming home Wednesday.

Like Daddy, Like Daughter

One of the objectives of Katie and Clifton's trip to Italy was to attend the Formula 1 auto race in Monza.  Finley was excited to see the end of the race and the award of the trophy to team Ferrari.

I hope Mommy and Daddy are enjoying this like I am.

Watch this one,  Stella.

Did you see that?

Finley visits Grammy and Grandad's room downstairs and she always asks to see Grammy's "jewels."  She loves to unzip the little compartments, pull out the baubles and bracelets and surround herself in glittery wonder.

Grandad and Finley have become computer buddies.  She loves for him to show her every picture we have taken of her, and she will watch them over and over again.  When she brought home a little Slinky from the birthday party yesterday, he went on line and found the slinky jingle from the 50's, and now Miss Finley sings, "Everyone loves a Slinky!"

More pool-time fun on a sunny, hot Houston day.

Grandad's squirting me!

Airplane

Party time:  a huge room full of fun!  Initially, the little ones did not know where to start, but it didn't take long for them to adjust.  Finley threw some big balls around and then moved on to the mini-tramps and ramps.  Then came a small love affair with the little pink fire truck.  Lastly, the bubble-catch...every minute delivered fun, fun, fun!

Just watching can be very entertaining.

Later at home, we colored and I cut shapes for Finley" cat, pumpkin, frog, butterfly, house, bunny, etc.  She was beyond delighted, and kept crying, "scissors!"

Party all day!

All dressed up and ready to go to the party.
Meerkat must be invited too.

Dancing, drumming, strumming, and singing will for sure wake up 17 sleepy toddlers on an early Saturday morning.  Finley joined in the party fun, as she waved her scarves and shook her little maraca.  As the music faded away, a familiar song wafted through the air..."Happy Birthday to you!"  That can only mean that cake won't be too far behind.  Yippee!  Finley so enjoyed her Mickey Mouse cupcake.

Back to the terrace and bubbles for more fun.

As I was looking for an outfit in Finley's closet, she spotted the little tutu outfit I had found on super sale at Target.  She instantly wanted to put it on...and so the afternoon and evening was spent twirling in a ballerina-way.  She did not want to take it off, and so we puzzled and played touting our tutu.

Grammy can be soooo embarrassing!

Dancing down the sidewalk.