New Earrings

 After waiting a LONG 6 weeks, Merete was FINALLY able to put in new earrings today. She chose a pair she got from her friend Nora. They're small flowers: pink rhinestone petals with a white 'diamond' in the middle. I realize you can't see them that well in the photo, but she didn't want to post for another picture. Finn was sad she didn't pick the ones he got, so she's promised to wear those tomorrow. In case you're keeping count, she has 27 pairs of new earrings. I promise I won't send you a photo of each new pair.

As you can see in the photo, she's growing out her bangs.This is yet another thing that's making her feel even older to me. She actually has an opinion on her hair now. And, she brushes it before school. Big changes.

She also told me that I shouldn't post this picture since she thinks she looks silly in it. But I like her laughing.

My Future Frat Boy

This morning on the way to the bus I chuckled because Finn was walking in his usual mode: hands in pockets. But, he didn't have front pockets so they were in his back pockets. He was trying to pull the pockets forward, so he lost some casual points.

At the bus stop he played football with the older kids. When he got on the bus, his favorite older boy - he's in 5th grade - sat down in the seat with him. Finn looked out the window and broke into the biggest grin I've seen in awhile. I think he was feeling pretty good about things. It was super cute. He's trying so hard to be this relaxed, cool, big kid, but he's really just an excited little guy.

The other morning he asked me one of his profound questions for which I don't have answers: "Why is music invisible? Wouldn't it be better if we could see it?" While I was thinking about how impressed I was and how to answer him, he followed up with: "Why do I like party songs so much?"

I'm guessing we can all come up with a decent answer to that second question, but really, I think he's practicing for his future days of hanging out on the porch couch at his future frat house. (And, really, how did Matt and I end up with this kid? He certainly isn't learning this stuff from us.)

In honor of Finn's love for a good party songs, Merete and I are working on putting together a compiled list of Finn's favorites. Feel free to weigh in with songs I may have missed or a good title for the CD. Here's the current list:

• Nickelback – This Afternoon (the party song that started it all for Finn)
• Pink – Raise Your Glass (my favorite line he sings: "we do school for cool" - even if it is a bit different than the real line)
  
• Katy Perry – Firework, E.T. (or really, anything Katy Perry - imagine him walking around saying "kiss, kiss, kissy kiss me")
  
• Beastie Boys – Brass Monkey (yup, bad parenting moment when we decided it would be a good idea for the kids to listen to Beastie Boys)
  
• Andy Grammer – Keep Your Head Up (yes, isn't quite party-like, but he sings it all the time and it matches his overall approach to life)
  
• Hot Chelle Rae – Tonight Tonight (seriously, no comment needed - but he likes this song because the guy says "whatever" which makes him giggle)
  
• Rascal Flatts – Life is a Highway (thank you, Cars)
  
• Beyonce – Single Ladies (who doesn't want a ring from Finn?)
  
• Glee – Gold Digger (should I be worried this is on the list?)
  
• Black Eyed Peas – I’ve Got a Feeling (isn't every night a good night for him?)
  

Who needs sleep?

Merete had her friend birthday party yesterday/ today. The festivities started at the pool. This is the pool's last open weekend this season so we lucked out. It was also the first sunny, warm day in almost two weeks; it's been rather rainy here.

Her actual birthday is August 26, but we've discovered that celebrating once the school year starts the odds of friends being able to come is better.




She had five friends come: Sophie, Clare, Nora, Emily and Beatrice. Nora managed to hide from most of the photos, so it often looks like there are only five of them.










After the pool we headed to the house where Merete opened presents and the girls generally acted crazy.









Then pizza and cake for dinner, followed by painting picture frames.













The highlight for the girls was probably the sleepover part. Not so much for us. At 1:30, I finally went down and threatened to call parents. Merete reports that scared them all and after that there was no more talking and they all fell quickly asleep. Guess I've learned that's a good strategy to use at 10:30 rather than once Matt and I have lost patience.

This morning I was a bit of a grump. Oh, well. After chocolate chip waffles the girls were happily playing and insisting they weren't a bit tired.




When asked if her party was a success, she says, "YES!"

How to throw a rock

Today at the bus stop Finn showed off his new throwing style. Apparently it allows you to throw much farther and faster. And, it looks cool.

Carnival

Matt's out of town in LA visiting Liz and her new baby, Skylar. Looking for things to do, I ended up at a local carnival with friends. There were rides, crafts, and unhealthy food. Merete's favorite ride was the Ferris wheel, which Finn refused to. Finn's favorite was the Dizzy Dinosaur. Think spinning tea cups, but instead you get in a big dinosaur looking thing.

While there Finn made a craft:



I think it's supposed to be a sort of picture frame. I asked Finn if he wanted to put his name on it. He said, "No, I want to write 'craft' so people will know what it is. "So, this is his craft. I asked him what it was, how to use it. His answer, "I don't know. It's just a craft."

So there you have it. Finn's craft.