Finley and the Fourth Quarter

After much debate and scanning of weather.com, the three Arlington Forseters headed south to see the three New York Forseters. Why the debate and weather watching? Well, we had the chance to use Dan's Uncle Carl's season tickets to the Giants/Eagles football game on Sunday but Boston was due for a HUGE snowstorm Sunday night that we'd have to drive back through if we went. Thankfully the snow wasn't coming our way after all and the temperature at the game would be in the 30s, decently fan friendly.

We drove down on Saturday (after I spent the morning at the doctor finding out I needed some fancy cream for eczema--who knew it was something you could "get" at any point?) and arrived in the early afternoon. Finley had snoozed well in the car, so he had energy to burn. Along with GG and GP, we went to explore the White Plains library. Unfortunately, Finley decided that while the Children's Trove was pretty neat, he'd rather be clingy. The surprising part was that he wasn't clingy to me, but to Dan! A pleasant change, but still annoying since it took everyone a while to settle in for some quality play. Finley found books he liked, puzzle pieces that tasted good, and computer mice that just wouldn't come off the desks (darn those cords!) A girl we met thought Finley was cute and wanted to play with him, but she didn't quite understand that at his young age he'd rather throw things around and eat them rather than play with them. Oh well. Sorry, no pictures because once Finley was comfortable--we didn't hover as he played.

That night, Fin's Aunt Ellie came out from Manhattan and got to see Finley before he went to sleep. Then, the three "kids" went out to dinner while GG and GP kindly stayed home while Finley slept. Dan and I hadn't been out to dinner in a while and we celebrated Ellie's belated birthday--a win win!

On Sunday, Finley slept until 8:30 (nursed at 6am) so we had a very leisurely morning before suiting up and heading to the game. Finley stayed back with his grandparents and aunt while Dan and I went to the new Giants stadium. Here are some pictures they took while Finley was in their charge. I think he had fun, don't you?

These next two photos were taken as Murray and Finley watched the devastating Giants' fourth quarter that Dan and I painstakingly saw in person. Murray said the only reason it was bearable to see the Eagles score four touchdowns in the final eight minutes to win was because he had a happy, smiley Finley on his lap.

Ouch. Tough day for Dan, Murray and myself along with Giants fans everywhere. Good day for Finley though :) We made it back to White Plains in time to have dinner with everyone and then tossed a pajama-clad Finley in the car. We were home just after 9pm and while the weekend didn't go exactly as planned due to the football loss, it was a great weekend just the same! Thank you GP and GG for all the babysitting and thank you to Uncle Carl for the AMAZING seats (16 rows from the field)!!!

New Kicks, but No New Digs

One of the perks of my new preschool job is that in the winter, I get to wear slippers at school! Yes, cozy warm slippers! I have been on a quest the past few weeks looking for the perfect pair, but to no avail. Who knew I was so picky about fleece footwear? Anyway, after another failed shopping attempt this week, I decided I couldn't go home empty handed again...so I got Finley a pair of slippers instead! As soon as we got home, I put them on him and after getting used to his new kicks (a few stumbles and wobbles), Finley was in heaven! Now that's what I call shopping therapy :)

Ever since buying our house back in 2005, Dan and I have always enjoyed looking at real estate web pages and going to open houses. Just to see what's out there and to always be on the look out for our "forever" house that we'll probably be actually shopping for in the next few years. This past weekend a listing came up that we HAD to see. Dan forwarded me to link and I couldn't believe, just ten minutes from us was a four bedroom house for sale on Finley Street. Yes, Finley Street! While we're certainly not in need of a bigger house now and have no desire to sell our current home in this market, we headed over to tour this house on the aptly named road. Finley had fun running around banging on all the windows and we posed for a little photo op on the way back to the car. It wasn't the house for us, but a fun afternoon just the same!

Finally, a picture of Finley in his hip shirt that his Aunt Ellie and Uncle Donny recently gave him.

Sorry it isn't clearer, but this kid is always on the move!

Random Tidbits

Well, wrapping up another week here, I have some assorted photos to post. Although it's really more like unwrapping the week...

Finley's been wading through piles of new toys lately--seriously. After his birthday and Hanukkah, the kid is officially spoiled rotten. Good thing he's too young to know it. We've strategically put away some of the great gifts he got to bring out in a few months when he needs something to spice up his playtime routine.

Here's Finley LOVING his drum full of musical instruments from his Wednesday-playdate-playmate, Charlotte.

He loves rooting around in the drum to pull out different instruments and he's become quite adept at taking the lid off and putting it back on again. He carries the drumsticks all around the house and will drum on different things if the idea is suggested to him (boxes, coffee table, kitchen floor, etc.). In this case, he grabbed one of the egg shakers.

Can you sense the enthusiasm in this picture?

Here's Finley debuting his Giants sweatshirt that his grandparents sent him for Hanukkah.

He took it off for lunch, but was more than willing to cuddle up with his dad to watch the Giants on TV afterwards.

Finley even got to have a ninth night of Hanukkah since a big box for us arrived from his Great Aunt Annette and Great Uncle Bernie in Maryland yesterday. There were some wonderful treasures inside, but Finley's favorite was the wooden push penguin.

Finley got something quite practical this week, too, a cup with a straw. Much like drinking from a sippy cup many months ago, he knew just what to do the first time around! Amazing. The second night with the straw cup, I put both the new cup and one of his other sippy cups on the highchair tray for him to choose from. He chose the straw and started guzzling!

No great story to go with this last photo, but I was happy that I actually got a picture of him looking at me, smiling (that was the easy part), and sitting relatively still!

A New Museum (for us)

Well, despite the fact that Finley has a blast at free places like TJ Maxx, Staples, and the library, I felt like it was time for us to explore the Museum of Science. We got a discount pass from the library and since Finley's still free, it only cost us $5 to get in. While that is a good deal, I'd say we spent as much time in the hallway leading up to the ticket counter as we did inside the actual museum.

Wow--is that a Trex, Mom? Wearing a winter scarf??

Eventually, we did go in and made our way to the toddler friendly Discovery Room. While it paled in comparison to the Children's Museum's set up (in my opinion), Finley did find some things to master. After watching me do it just a couple of times, Finley was able to put the ball in the hole and watch it go round and round before popping out the bottom.

He spotted more balls across the room and figured out this ramp one on his own.

After a snack, we walked (yes, Finley can and likes to go long distances at this point) to the other side of the museum and came across some mammals of New England.

We wandered upstairs to see a reptile exhibit, but did not stay long since all the tanks said "Don't tap the glass" and Finley just can't resist. There was an awesome K'nex exhibit with some HUGE roller coaster models. Finley was more interested in the smaller structures, but with all the "choking hazard" signs everywhere, we moved along.

We walked through the rest of the museum, stopping here and there. Our longest stop was when Finley walked directly into the glass wall railing as he was focused on the satellite he could see on the other side. Ouch. My bad. Surprisingly, he did not cry all that much. I think he was more stunned than anything else. He took it in stride and was back to exploring in no time. He fell asleep by the time we were out of the parking garage and I wish I could have done the same!

Finley Meets Ms. Dewey Decimal

After finding some nonfiction picturebooks about jellyfish for my preschoolers, Finley and I stayed to play at the town library. We did some puzzling for a few minutes and explored the children's area.

I thought we'd pack it up and head home since it was getting late, but Finley convinced me to stay for a bit longer. Well actually, he leaped out of my arms and spent the next twenty minutes running through the stacks chasing and being chased by a fellow toddler he had discovered. She was a cutie and the two kiddos had some serious fun together. It was something I'd never seen Finley do--he just made a friend and left me in the dirt. I couldn't have been prouder!

They ran through the stacks and when the little girl needed a drink, Finley waited behind the fountain and then took off as soon as she was back on the ground! The cutest part was when they saw each other through the shelves and kept popping up and down to see each other on either the lowest or second lowest shelf. Kind of hard to explain, but hopefully you get the point.

It was truly one of the most enjoyable experiences to get to watch. Finley was happy as a clam and every once in a while he would find me and give me a quick hug before getting back to his new friend. At least I wasn't completely chopped liver :) It was another one of those wonderful days when I was reminded of how great a choice it was to take a job that allows me to be "home" with Finley in the afternoons. Happy kid. Happy Mommy.

Happy Hanukkah, Finley!

Hooray for Hanukkah! We lit candles, sang prayers, opened presents, and spun dreidels. I think that just about covers it for night #1!

I realize from this photo it looks like our candles are on the wrong side, but when I put the first one it I did it standing at the other end of the table. I know my right to left!

Finley loved watching the candles and listening to us sing, can't you tell?

Finley wasn't sure about opening this present, so he decided to put it into his bus instead. Hm. Perhaps he was saving it for later, unaware that there are seven more nights of little gifts to come!

Dan is an expert dreidel spinner and Finley was very impressed!