I Heart Faces Challenge

Trying my hand at the I Heart Faces weekly challenge. It can't hurt. (Right? I've never done this. It doesn't hurt, does it?)





This photo was from the Fourth. Fin was enjoying playing in a big float at the Chesapeake Bay. She wasn't so much enjoying her momarazzi constantly saying, "Look up! Whatcha doing? Can you see the camera?!"

Auntie Em Sees Lions and Rhinos and Zebras... Oh, My!

My aunt, Em, came for a visit this weekend. Even though it was too hot and humid for humans outside, we got to do plenty of fun things.

Saturday, we went to the mall. The air-conditioned mall. As always, the playground beckoned.


You can do this, right? Yeah. Me, too.


After wandering around the mall, playing at the playground, and having an early dinner, we came home to watch Bolt and pop popcorn. This was Fin and Emmy dancing to the closing credits. They got the beat.


Sunday, we got to have a very special behind-the-scenes tour at the zoo, thanks to Nancy. Fin arrived looking like Jackie O. ...


And acting oh so lousy.


We got to see the sweet zebra and give her an apple slice (very carefully). The rhino got some much appreciated adoration.




Then to a very special audience with the zoo's lions and their four not-quite-three-month-old cubs. The cubs were adorable, spectacular, awe-inspiring. Fin's favorite show lately is "Big Cat Diary" and to me it was so special to be able to see these babies up close.



Proud parents and curious cub.




Sunday afternoon, Lorna and Nancy came over to watch the Brickyard with us. (Woo-hoo, Jimmie!) Fin, with some help from Lorna, dressed up like a magical flying pony from one of her books. The ponies in the book put on costumes and have a beauty contest. I think she would certainly place well.


Those are her "wings".


We had a great time. Fin is again not dealing well with company leaving. I think part of that is her life history and part is her age. The best thing for her is to have people come, people leave, and people come back so she understands they aren't gone forever. So, everybody, keep the visits comin'! We love company.

I Saw No Snips or Snails

We went to Richmond today to meet baby Vince, born to my friends Mandy and BrYan and little brother to Beth. He is nine days old and awfully stinkin' cute. Beth is a great big sister and is enjoying her real life baby doll.





Fin didn't quite see the appeal. Maybe this will cure her of wishing for a baby brother or sister.



In the end, she decided tickling his little feet was pretty fun. (She'd trade him for one of their horses any day, though.)

Bragging on My Girl

Today was basically housekeeping and some errands thrown in. We went to get the oil changed and the car checked over. Fin took her Magnadoodle in and drew this picture, which I thought was really cool. It is the man at the garage checking Jimmie Car's tires.


Later on a quick beach trip, she really wanted to play with a particular little boy. I told her to go ask him. It took a while for him to notice her, but she was persistent and got her playmate. She is much more socially brave than her mommy!


She made me and my right foot (which she called "Grandma") lots of sand cakes. I thought this was so funny. She was cracking eggs for her cake. Though she helps me to cook, I have never shown her how to crack eggs because I don't think she's ready for that yet. Fin has obviously been watching me, though. Please note the discarding of the shells.

Hangover

We are having a friend hangover. I am just sort of tired and slightly blue. Fin is having a more difficult time and asking for Gwen and Dana a lot. This morning on the way to school, she asked where they were and I told her they would be flying back to Texas. Fin thought we should head to Texas, too. I told her it was very far away and it was expensive to get there. Then she said, "We can use my giraffe bank money and my tooth fairy money." Oh, my. I told her that even though that was very generous, it wasn't enough. I heard her mutter, "I'll get more money." That, I told her, was not her responsibility. (I was worried she would go riffling through her teacher's purse or something.)

We are going to focus on doing some fun and distracting things here and write some notes to Gwen and Dana. It stinks when good times come to an end.

Last Day

Our visit is unfortunately coming to an end. We spent another day on the beach and plan one more dinner together. I think we all wish it could last longer. Dana and Gwen leave tomorrow and Fin and I will go back to work and school and camp. We are tired and tan and terribly sad to part.

Day Three

We are having a blast. We spent the whole day on the beach. Gwen was immediately friends with the water since they were reaquainted yesterday. Fin was thrilled because I wore a bathing suit so I could go into the water with her. Man, I must love this kid.

Fin's favorite part of the day was when she and I swam out to the bouy that marks the edge of the swimming area. She thought it was quite the adventure. When we came back in, she told Dana and Gwen, "We touched the booty!" Gwen's favorite part was the waves. She was really brave and paddled around us in her swim ring.

Dana and I both got lots of love today. When we were in the water, I was singing to Fin, "I'm a lucky Mom-my, I have a F-in!" She came right back, "I'm a lucky g-irl, I have a mom-my!" Then at dinner, Gwen told Dana, "You're more special than ice cream, Mommy." Now can you think of any greater compliment from a 3-year-old? Dana and Leslie who met back in 7th grade are now mommies together. Wow. That's pretty cool.

A salon session last night led to the coolest nails on the beach today. Purple is both Fin and Gwen's favorite color.




Water fun/sand fun:






Fin made Dana a delicious feast of "soup with pickles and hot sauce":



The last picture yesterday was Dana, Fin, and Gwen sitting on the edge of the water trying to throw the sand back in the sea. Today, they were joined by three other pupils at Dana's Impossible Task Dayschool.


Cuddle break.


Beautiful faces.



The adults were exhausted by day end. Luckily, Dana came up with a way to keep them still so we could take a break.



What?! We let them out... eventually.