FERDINAND AND FINLEY

During COVID-19, Finley and I continue to learn so much about each other. For example, there has never been any doubt about how much Finley likes to read but I see it on a whole different level now. She not only loves to read; but also, she carries all of her stories with her...she talks to characters when she is not reading; she retells stories with her own spin; and she makes connection with life based on what she has read. It blows me away. I feel very fortunate because I love to read too - we can get so lost in books. 

One of Finley's many favorites is Ferdinand. Upon reading the story (which somehow I had never read prior to Finley), it is no mystery why Finley loves it so much. Finley, like Ferdinand, is an observer of the world; enjoys her own company; is perfectly content doing her own thing; and likes to sit under trees and take in her surroundings. 

Here we are sitting under a tree like Ferdinand...smelling the flowers.

#Ferdinandwarriors

*and yes, Finley, is wearing a Christmas pj top #COVID19

HOP HOP HOP

Readers, Finley is already questioning how an Easter bunny could hop up the stairs to hide Easter eggs on the second floor and how that same bunny could visit so many kids houses in one night but that didn't stop her from icing Easter egg cookies and searching high and low for her Easter basket. (It was hiding in the same spot grandma hid mine circa 1982:). xoxo  

#easterbunnywarriors

LET'S GO OUTSIDE

Finley and mommy have loved being together during these uncertain times. We are so grateful. At times, the challenge of "momming" full-time and working remotely full-time has been a little "tricky." Through it all, Finley has been so flexible with her schedule and patient with me. Thank you. Today I reverted back to our old schedule and she was much happier and at ease- so that is what we will go with moving forward. Work will get done when it gets done - Finley's happiness is the most important thing to me. I love you.

I completely digressed. This post was supposed to be about how much I love reuniting with the outdoors again since I've had Finley and particularly during COVID-19. We love to explore our surroundings as we distance socially.

Looking for worms 

Lunch with mommy twig, toddler twig, and toddler twig's friend

Empty green fields on a windy Sunday afternoon (aka, the day Finley and I discovered that it can, in fact, be too windy to fly a kite)

Shadows

#youandmeandthegreatoutdoorswarriors

GRANDMA AND PAP-PAP SURPRISES

Although we have not seen grandma and pap-pap since the COVID-19 closures, we talk about them often and what they are doing in Greensburg. We cannot wait to visit them and play with their dinosaur mat and to take trips with them to Idlewild so that we can ride the balloons (preferably the purple one) when the "sickness goes away."

Also, sometimes they surprise Finley with presents that keep her going during this time.

Without further ado, readers, please meet Finley's swing set

#peekaboo

Vrooooooommmm

Again, again, again!

#backyardwarriors

SECRET: "RAWR" MEANS HELLO IN DINOSAUR

Although we cannot go out much, please feel free to walk by and you will get a raucous hello and/or RAWR from Finley, sock dino, and Lovey!

#welcomingwarriors

p.s. One of our COVID-19 favorite books, is RAWR - where we learned the secret that RAWR means hello in Dinosaur. (This has led to FInley telling me all sorts of secrets such as "did you know that penguins like to swim? Did you know that monkeys like bananas?"

CHAIR PARTY

Welcome to the chair party. What's a chair party, you ask? A party with all of Finley's stuffed animals  (and baby Annie) on the rocking chair while we read books, of course!

Thank goodness for Piggie and Gerald.

#selfiefailwarriors

BREAKING THE RULES

Among other things, social distancing means no hair cuts, wearing pajamas all day, going barefoot, and running in and out of the house...it also means lots of smiling and mommy and Finny time. The days are long but we are so grateful.

(Sometimes it even means no pants!)

#tushontheloosewarriors

BATH HEAD AND SOCK DINO

Finley's curls post-bath/pre-bed. Check out those funky dinosaur pjs, thanks cousins!

Finny's metro pj look...

The detail-oriented reader may notice that Finley has a new friend in her hand...it's sock dino! Welcome sock dino to the crew on 44th street. It only took mommy and Finley about 5 days to knit it together. Social distancing is exposing us to many new art projects. Finley was a great cheerleader, and he still isn't done (no ears, eyes, tail, or plates on back...) 

But mommy, how does he see?

Mommy and Finley love to joke around about how sock dino is always looking to his/her left. Thanks Aunt Judy for such a thoughtful gift.

#threadingtheneedlewarriors