End of T-Ball Season Fun

Finley had an absolute blast playing t-ball this season with ABYB (Acton-Boxborough Youth Baseball).  He had coaches who knew what they were doing, a good mix of players on his team, plenty of fun snacks, and a pizza and trophy party to wrap it all up!  This past Saturday was his last game and he already told us he wants to play again next year.

It was a gorgeous day and the other team's coach had brought some great baseball tunes to play in between innings (Centerfield, Sweet Caroline, etc) and the kids had a great time.  Finley got to play short stop, left field, and first base.  At first base, he fielded well and impressed the coach at home plate with his throws home :) Here's out number 14 at bat for the last time this season.

In classic America suburban style, we headed to a local pizza joint for lunch and trophies after the game.  

 (I love Dagny's excited expression in the above shot.)

He loves his new trophy and would probably sleep with it if it wasn't kind of pointy.  It even says his team name and his full name on it (and "it's golden, mommy, really gold!").

While she didn't get a trophy, Dagny certainly earns the MVP spectator award this season.  She LOVED going to Finley's games and practices (far more than I did, at time).  GG can attest to this reality when the three of us were out produce shopping after Finley, Dan and Grandpa had gone off to one of Finley's games and Dagny broke out into tears when she realized she wasn't going, too.  She truly enjoyed packing up a bag of stuff to bring, setting out our blanket, and sitting in our fish beach chairs.

"I can see Finley and his blue shorts and green cleats."

 "This is Finley with his glove and this is me saying, "Go Finley Go!"

She's chomping at the bit for her turn to be on the field and I can only hope Finley will be as good of a fan as she has been for him!

Dad's Day 2015

Since you can't take a frisbee from Dan or Dan from the game of frisbee, Dan spent most of Father's Day weekend at a local tournament.  Lucky for him, we zoomed over after t-ball to watch some of rounds 2 and 3 on Saturday.  I think we brought his team good luck since they had lost their first game and were down by 2 in the second when we arrived, but they went on to win that game and the one after!

In between rounds, Dan and Finley went out to toss and it looked pretty darn good.  Finley's catching skills have really improved lately in that Dan can throw it a little bit higher or to the left or right and Finley can still snag it.

His lefty throws are shaping up nicely, too.  (Dagny with the photo-bomb.)

Father's Day weekend also included outdoor Tot Shabbat on Friday night...

 and dinner at The Cheesecake Factory on Saturday night.

Plus gifts of mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches (hidden in the basement freezer) and Connect Four.  Happy Dad's Day to one of the best...especially ours that finds fun just about anywhere, even the Costco diaper aisle!

Children's Museum 2015

Since it's such a hike now, we only seem to make it to the Children's Museum downtown once a year. Here was the post from last year:

http://findingfinley.blogspot.com/search?q=children's+museum

This year we went and it really felt like the kids were leading me around instead of the opposite.  Awesome! We started at the top with the construction zone and the bobcats and then slowly worked our way down.

Finley showed Dags just what to do!

 And she loved it!

But in the grocery store, Dagny took the lead!

In the pretend kindergarten classroom, we stubbled into Finley's dream -- a spaced themed day!

 He was totally immersed in all the little figures.

 Then he hopped into a space suit.

 Dagny loves nearly everything Finley does and space shuttles are no exception.

 The last exhibit I took photos of was a temporary one that was all boxes. Different shapes and sizes all taped up with colorful duct tape. Very cool and the kids couldn't wait to dive in.

Fun can indeed be simple :) Wonder if we'll go again in 2016...stay tuned!

Aquarium 2015

We visited the aquarium back in April and the T ride itself was a highlight! It was customer appreciation day for the MBTA so we all rode for free :)

 Dagny wanted to sit all her by herself and looked many years older than her 2.

 We met up with our friend Pete who works there (and got us in for free!) and then made our way to the top of the giant tank.

 Dagny (and not Finley) enjoyed the touch tank.

We saw penguins, lobsters, string rays, seahorses, lion fish, and more.  The kids enjoyed the seals and sea lions in the newest portion of the aquarium that was built years back by Dan's construction company!

 Since we'd ridden the T for free and gotten into the aquarium for free -- we splurged at the gift shop!

 Then it was back onto the T where Finley decided he would prefer to stand rather than sit.  He was all business :)

 While Dagny soared her new pink penguin all around!

Hard to believe that Finley was ever this small at his first trip to the aquarium!

http://findingfinley.blogspot.com/2010/08/fish-or-foe.html

Shiver Me Timbers!

Back in April, we got eight dining room chairs from IKEA and ended with A LOT of cardboard boxes. Since I was home on break, I put my kindergarten and pinterest chops to work and built two pirate ships for my favorite first mates.  When they woke up from their naps and headed down to the basement, they were thrilled!! These ships came complete with treasure chests (shoe boxes taped in the back corner), steering wheels (paper plates) and even their own jolly roger flags.  Dagny wanted hers to have a smile while Finley chose a more serious expression for his.

 After loading up their ships and heading out to sea, Finley requested cannons on his ship.  Good thing I always say toilet paper and paper towel rolls!