Finn's Room

Wouldn't you just LOVE to have a good picture of your room when you were 4? I remember my room in my tweens, but not too much before that. I have seen some tiny, blurry pictures (oh, those cameras from the 60's), but they don't show much. I try to take some pictures of his room every now and then so he can look at them later. And, even cooler, him showing them to his children.

I am obsessed with Finn's room. I would be totally embarrassed to admit how many times I've redone it. I, literally, spend hours thinking about how to make it look better, work better, feel better. I am SUCH a homebody - my space is extremely important to me and I want Finn to feel that his room is special and important.

Check out the new, retro blue typewriter I just found for him. I had been looking for one FORever - very hard to come by. This one is a Coronita! (Just like the tiny beers,) Doesn't it look like heaven over there on that little brown table with the light streaming in on it.? He's learning to read and write and it seemed like just the unschooling thing to give him a new "toy" for practicing.

Can you see the costume rack? He has SO many costumes and I just couldn't find a way to keep them accessible. Then it dawned on me to just put up a towel bar and hang them right there. I love the way it looks when you walk in his room and see those super bad red Superman boots (Thanks Grandmary!). Are those things awesome, or what?! We also have an old trunk that looks like a pirate treasure chest. It's stuffed full of props and costume gadgets. I'm such a geek that when I tidy up his room I always leave the Merlin hat peeking out of the dress-up chest; I just love the way it looks - all blue and silver and magical.

That karate picture is his newest costume (and interest). When we went to Chinese New Year celebration he was really into the martial arts performances. We got some books at the library and then rented the Karate Kid movies. Those movies are SO good! I had forgotten how cool they were. Finn could spend hours playing karate. I do mean HOURS. He and Jack get on the trampoline and kick and trip and HIYA! all day long.

HIYA! to you too, sensai.

Love,

Michele, Jack and Finnigan the Curious

The Boys of Summer

My "baby" has signed up for tee-ball and is intent on playing.

We're thrilled, of course, but I am finding it hard to believe that he's old enough for organized sports. At first I thought he was just into the uniforms because he is VERY into dressing up. But he stuck to his guns even after he got all the gear and said he really wanted to play on real team with other players.

I was all teary with the cuteness of it. I had to call my best friend, Martine, from the field. She has an only boy and knows just how I feel about my "baby."

I have such wonderful memories of Little League. Well, my brother playing; girls weren't "invited" back then. They certainly are now! Hooray! Those long summers full of sunburns, summer crushes, snow cones, Cokes and corn dogs. I can remember every candy offered in the concession stand. I can remember my brother and all his friends; how they looked when they played, what team they were on.

One of the boys that my brother played Little League with died recently. When I heard the news I could just picture him at that old field. He was tall and gangly - all arms and legs. I bet Finny will look just like that in a few years.

Good 'ole Charlie Bennefield...safe travels, old friend.

Finny and Jack are so cute practicing together. Finn and I play a lot during the week, but there's just nothing cuter than a boy and a Daddy playing ball. Sigh.

I hope to always be totally supportive of Finn's interests and desires. I think it's so easy when it's something cool like tee-ball. I hope I am as enthusiastic and gracious when it's, oh, I dunno, the Army or something like that which bothers me personally. I hope to always trust that he knows what's best for himself. I know at my core that it's my job is to love HIM, not what he "does" (or doesn't do for that matter). I suppose these are the things that separate the men from the boys, so to speak.

Hope y'all can come watch a game. Finn will be the beautiful one hitting home runs. I will be the mama with tears in her eyes yelling the loudest. Oh, I bet jackdaddy will have "something in his eye" too - he's that kind of sweet Daddy.

Love,

Michele, Jack and Finnigan the Curious

For the love of thrift!

I just looooove thrifting. I swear I'd rather find an amazing deal in a thrift store than have 1,000.00 to spend at Crate and Barrel. (OK, that's pushing it, but you know what I mean)

Yesterday I found a MUCH longed for pair of Ugg boots. Jack was going to get me some when he was in New Zealand and/or Australia, but apparently they're all assembled in China now and he said they felt "different" that the ones Finn has. Boo hoo. But THEN I went to my favorite thrift store, Savers, and THERE THEY SAT just waiting for me. Old-school ones made in New Zealand and almost brand spankin' new. My heart was pounding as I reached down to see what size they were...HOLY TOLEDO...MY SIZE!

I said a heartfelt thanks to the thrifting goddess and gave them a big hug.

I've barely taken them off once since.

Now Finny and I have matching boots. Since he refuses to wear matching dresses I think this is a good compromise.

Love y'all!

Michele, Jack and Finnigan the Curious

My Arctic Explorer

Isn't he gorgeous?

And look at that fancy plane he gets to ride on!

DADDY'S COMING HOME!

Jackdaddy is on his way!! YIPEE! Is that one crazy bus thing or WHUT? I'd like to drive around Austin in it That will take him out to the airfield where he'll wait for a few hours and then a big, big plane will come and get him and take him to Tazmania. He'll sleep there (avoiding the devil) and then home to us.

Sweet sweet home.

Jack had to say good-bye to that little penguin (the one on the left), but there's a child here, JUST as cute, who's counting the minutes until he's home. (Not to mention one tired mama.)

Y'all come on by, the whole family will be here again!

Love,

Michele and Finnigan the Curious

Uncles and Aunts!

Oh, how grateful I am that Finny has these people in his life.

Aunt Mara and Albert came rockin' into Austin and our lives. Filled us right on up up with love and food and music. Special thanks to Albert for learning "Summer of 69" - the punk version - on the fly.

Aunt Mimi has been on Slices and Ices duty as well as on "really good gift" duty. She helped us decorate Mema's tree too.

Uncle Roo came in from Denver and played for hours. And hours. And hours. We ate out, went to the movies, jumped on the tramp, shopped at Target. Roo bought not one, but two, remote control helicopters!

I know Finn will remember these times. If not consciously, then in his bones for sure. The feeling of people loving him, caring for him, PLAYING with him. Those feelings will infuse him and he will grow up feeling special, adored, honored, enjoyed.

We are so lucky.

Thanks to all of you travelers for taking time out of your lives to come and be with us. I know how it is to spend all your free vacation time leaving your home to go "home." I know "home" is not here for any of you (anymore), but I hope we helped you feel homey while you were here. You certainly made our home feel more real.

We are so grateful to you. Truly.

Love,

Mama Holt and Finnigan the Curious

My favorite quote

The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing but burn, burn, burn like fabulous roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Awww!"

- Jack Kerouac

I'm woefully behind on posting. I'll try to get to some tonight.

Happy New Year everyone and THANK YOU SO MUCH

for all my birthday wishes and presents. I feel very, very loved.

Mama Holt