BFF - BEST FRIENDS FOREVER

Do you have a best friend? I highly recommend one. A person who truly loves you for you, doesn't have to love you because you are related.....who wants to spend time in your presence, always wants the best for you, to be silly with, no pretenses. To argue/disagree with knowing they will still be your Best Friend in the morning.

In Finn's short life, he already has a BFF! His name is Memphis! Finn and Memphis are only 5 months apart in age and have spent almost every Monday together since birth. Their grandmothers have been "Best Friends Forever" since high school and both watch their grandsons on Monday's. These days are filled with train rides, parks, pool fun....anything goes!

Best Friends Forever

Want to know what's in store for Finn and Memphis in 25 years?!?!?!?

NEXT GENERATION LETHAL WEAPON STARS

Mel Gibson & Danny Glover

I think my son needs a tan.

I was recently told that when Memphis says his nightly prayers,
he includes Finn in his blessings.
Makes me want to cry at the sweetness in ones so young.

A shout out to Violet for taking these photos, I borrowed them off her memory stick. Couldn't stand not to have copies once I saw them.

LAKE ELSINORE STORM (PADRE FARM TEAM)

Our niece Kayla is just finishing up her first year of Fast Pitch Softball. In honor of local Softball League's, her team was invited to the Storm Sunday Game (Padre Farm Team) vs the "Inland Empire Team" (Dodger Farm Team). They were presented on the field before the National Anthem and had a chance to run the bases (waiver needed to be signed, this is California) at the end of the game.

Lake Elsinore Ball Park

American Pastime, Tailgaiting

Grandpa, Kayla and Uncle Todd

Kayla and Team Mate

The Stands

Reggy - Storm Mascot

The Players Run Midnight Rocker!!! (Kayla's Team Name)

Side Note: Finn and I wanted to go in support of Kayla, however running after Finn at one of Kayla's games is hard enough, let alone a professional game. I also wanted Todd to be able to enjoy quality time with his niece and his parents.

Sunday Funday at SeaWorld

With Todd off to see the Padre's Farm Team (Storm) in Lake Elsinore with his niece Kayla and his parents (photos to come), Finn and I decided to visit Sea World with Aunt Devon and Tiago. (Thanks to Aunt Mickie & Uncle Charlie, we have a two year passport, Christmas Gift, thank you, merci, muchas gracias!)

I know you all hear about our frequent trips to Sea World, but in good traffic it is only 35 minutes away and offers not only sealife entertainment but an educational value as well.

When we arrived we were able to see the Sea Otter Feeding and listen to the Otter Trainer talk about diet, habitat and characteristics of California Otters vs. Alaskan Otters. We were then off to feed the Bat Rays. Yes, I did say "feed" Bat Rays. I left the feeding to Finn and Aunt Devon. If you are familiar with Bat Rays, they suck in the fish like a vacuum, I always feel like they make suck in more than the bait fish.

Finn waiting for the right moment. Bait fish in hand.

Brave Aunt Devon and a hungry Bat Ray

Tiago was not too enamored by the Bat Rays.....Shamu more his style.

Aunt Devon and Tiago in the tunnel below the Shark Aquarium.

Bad parenting moment 3,136.......while I was busy trying to get the shot below, my son decided to hop over the exhibit guard rail and enter the exhibit.....alarms sounded....I knew we were seconds away from being swarmed by security. Visions of the perfect photo left my mind...replaced by my inner voice screaming "RUN". You may ask, what have I have learned from this moment........bring duct tape next time to secure Mr. Finn to my side during the "Shark Experience" exhibit.

Mr. Finn seconds from jumping the rail.... and entering exhibit!

Sleeping Seal

Now, if I were going to enter an exhibit...

this would be the one for me, not the Shark Exhibit.

Mr. Finn and I at Shipwreck Cafe

The following photos were taken at Bay of Play - They have recently remodeled and I highly recommend for parents with small children. Great way to end the day and to ensure an early bedtime.

Finn trying unsuccessfully to get Tiago out in the middle

Water Fun

Do you think Mr. Finn got water up his nose?

Pure Joy

Aunt Dev, Tiago and Finn at Believe Shamu Show
Video Below, Enjoy!

Sunday Morning

How do you know Summer is coming? Grandpa arrives at the boat in your driveway at 10am on a Sunday morning with a ladder, tools and a smile.

Grandpa lets Finn check the guages & throttle control.

Finn has been on a growth spurt lately but I had no idea he was catching up with Granpda.
Have you figured out yet that I love this photo for another reason?!?!?!?
The hands people, the hands.....little hands on big hands.
It's all about the hands.

A MAN, A BOY AND A DOG

On Wednesday, we decided to celebrate Earth Day at Dog Beach. Normally, Todd and I would have no clue as to which day of the year Earth Day fell upon .....but when you have a child in school, it seems every possible birthday, holiday, or world event is celebrated.

We LOVE Dog Beach, dogs are free to run, chase and swim (which is not possible on regular beaches). Draw back, it is very hard to keep A Man, A Boy and A Dog out of the water, so home they will come with sand, sand and more sand.

A Man, A Boy and A Dog

Finn exploring the paths along the beach......

The Last of the Setting Sun can be seen on the hill behind....
we are always in awe of the Earth's bounty.
Happy Earth Day!

BELATED BIRTHDAY....

Before you all get in a tizzie, the decision to throw Finn a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese was a last minute event......as in, made the reservation Thursday evening and party on Sunday. My own sister texted me Saturday night and was shocked to learn we were having a party for Finn Sunday. The reasoning, Finn kept asking when his birthday party was going to happen, he wanted to blow out candles with his cousins.

We were hoping to pass on the "themed party" this year, it didn't work out that way. We thought that by keeping the party to just family it would keep it small, but we forget that when you add Todd's family and my Family together you get a stampede!!!!

Finn picked out his own theme....can you guess?

Pirates, Beware!!!

The Grandmother and Mother of the Birthday Boy

The Grandmothers of Finn

(pretty good looking pirates)

Finn dancing with Chuck E Cheese

The Grandmothers and Baby Chloe

Blue Screen Dancers

Finn totally getting into the groove!!!!

Tiago and Aunt Devon Driving

More Birthday Pirate Cousins

Ladies Man at the Wheel (Finn's BFF)

First gift....how appropriate at a "Pirate Party",

a Pirate Ship from Aunt Dev, Uncle Pato and Tiago

Cousins, Cayley 4, Caitlin 2

Crazy Cousins with Tickets

(Patty & Devon)

Video below is the actual "Happy Birthday Song" and Finn finally "getting to blow out candles" with his cousins!!!

Studio Shots for Easter

Time to let the professionals take over, my little Canon PowerShot can only do so much. Don't get me wrong, I love my Canon PowerShot....after countless drops, living at the bottom of my purse, abuse by Finn...it always works when I turn it on.

However, there is a time when you must step back and let Kiddie Kandids bring out the big guns......and this is what you get.

Kirra 12, Finn 3, Kayla 10

Mr. Finn 3

Kirra, Finn, Kalya
Easter 2009

And yes Allie, I will make sure to send you the one.

Easter Part 1

Our day began very, very, very early. Finn normally wakes up at 7am, this means the Easter Bunny must be done hiding eggs by 6:45am. I stopped whinning about losing sleep after I saw the look on Finn's face when he saw the Easter Bunny had visited our home. You will see in the following photo's, that for Mr Finn...it is all about the Chocolate Foil Bunny. He learned last year that chocolate resides under the foil.

All About Anticipation

Ahhhh....the Chocolate Foil Bunny

Finn couldn't stand it.....in the middle of the hunt,

he had to sit down and open the foil chocolate bunny.

Can you figure out who else wanted it just as bad?

The Demise of the Chocolate Bunny

Oh Samson, next year we will get you a carob one!

The Easter Bounty

Easter Basket for the Grandparents

Easter Baskets for Kirra, Kayla and Baby Chloe

After the hunt, it is rush rush rush trying to get everything in the car for the next event of the day. Part Two - Easter Breakfast on the Beach.