Bend It Like Fionny

Friends, it has finally happened.  I have officially become a Soccer Mom.  I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later, right?

Here's the scoop.  Our little guy is a newly minted Soccer Tot.  He is technically a "Teddie" which is the cutesy name they give to the 18-month to 3-year-old soccer players.  In case you are skeptical about the ability of bunch of toddlers to play sports effectively, let me ease your mind.  There isn't a whole helluva lot of soccer happening during Soccer Tots.  There is plenty of running.  And lots of laughing.  Sometimes a kid even kicks the ball, although it's usually by accident.  But soccer?  Nah.  In fact, this is how you could find Fionn during much of our Soccer Tots practice earlier today.

Yep, those are the bleachers.  And that's my kiddo climbing on them.  Sigh.

But, hey, that's okay.  Actually playing soccer is not the real draw to Soccer Tots.  The real draw to Soccer Tots can be summed up with one glorious word.  Stamps!  Stamps!  Stamps!  (It's still one word, people!  I just said it three times!  Ha!).  

Let me explain.  Due to the brilliant genius of whoever launched the Soccer Tot program, there is a stamp given at the end of every class.  Actually TWO stamps, although the coach always acts like it's a special treat to get two (but I'm on to him already).  Here is a pic of the kids lined up in front of the coach, acquiring their stamps.  That's Fionny in the camouflage shirt, front and center.  Is it just me or does Fionn look impatient even from behind?

 

And here is the result. 

Stamps have reached their target (two chubby hands).  That, my friends, is a picture of one happy Buddy.  He stared at his hands the whole way home.  

And just because it's super cute...Here is a video of Fionn saying the word "orange."  I just love the way his whole mouth wraps around the word, and I swear he makes it 18 syllables somehow.   Ah, I rue the day when he starts speaking proper English. 

We are off to Colorado tomorrow to spend the long weekend with some friends (and some ski slopes).  13 adults, 2 kids.  This should be interesting.  Wish us luck!

Making Merry in Minnesota

Happy New Year, friends!  Wow, so it's officially 2012, huh?  Hard to believe it sometimes.  In many ways, it seems like just yesterday that we were celebrating the advent of 2011.   I mean, was that seriously 12 months ago that we enjoyed a fantastic dinner over at Katie and Robert's house, followed by me falling asleep on the couch for a "power nap" before the NYE ball dropped in NYC?  Falling asleep on the couch while waiting for the ball to drop?  Sounds like something I did just yesterday.  Oh yeah, that's right.  I did.  Haha.

But then I stop to think about all the things that have transpired in the development of our boy since last Christmas, and well...a full year seems about right.  I mean, gosh.  This time last year, Fionn had just learned to crawl.  Now he is running and climbing and dancing (without much rhythm but whatevs).  This time last year, Fionn wasn't talking at all.  Now he is able to say complete sentences ("I want milk!  I want bread!  I want cookie!" Notice a trend here?).  It's really incredible to think that our little kiddo who is definitely a BOY now instead of a baby was very much a little squirming 7-month old this time last year.  It's just plain nuts!  Here is a quick flashback.  (Cue the doodle-do, doodle-do, doodle-do sound from Wayne's World).

I mean, he had NO HAIR!  Pure craziness! But the obsession with aluminum cans has remained consistent.

But anyway, enough about the new year.  Let's talk about Christmas circa 2011, why don't we?  Because it was pretty awesome if you want to know the truth.

Well, look-a-there.  A Crimmins Family Christmas photo circa 2011 (taken on Christmas Eve).

This year we traveled to Minneapolis, MN to spend a week with Conor's family.  It was a fantastic fun-filled week, complete with surprisingly mild temperatures for Minnesota.  High temps were in the 30s.  Practically balmy, eh?

Uh.  I beg to differ.  It's freaking cold, people.

Our trip to MN was a nice mix between relaxation time and high-energy activity.  Similar to our trip to Mississippi in November, we scouted out activities for Fionn to do every morning in an effort to wear him out before his post-lunch nap time.  It worked like a charm, thank you very much.

First up on the agenda?  The Children's Museum in St. Paul.  For those of you who might alight upon the Twin Cities area, the museum was an excellent place for kiddos, full of places for Fionny to explore.  He especially enjoyed the water station, pictured below.

Does this apron make my butt look big?

But, most importantly, Fionny loved sharing the experience with his Biggest Boy Cousin, Griffin Bailey.  

Griffin, nearly 8 years old, is the eldest of the Crimmins Littles.  There are eight total (At least that was the count at press time.  You never can tell with these Crimmins folks, I tell ya.).  Although Georgie and Ellena were not able to be present this year, the other Littles were out in full force about which Conor could clearly attest.

Traffic alert!  Looks like there's a pile-up on Uncle Conor.

The highlight of the trip was definitely watching the interaction between Fionny and his cousins.  It was just the best Christmas present ever to eavesdrop on their giggles and chatter as they ran around the house together. 

Tee-hee-hee!  Stop it, Liam!  No, don't stop it.  No, really, stop it!

Gracie, showing her Packer pride.

This is a paid endorsement.

 Of course, it was also wonderful to spend time with Conor's mother, Jean, and his 5 siblings who were in town for the holiday.  A special thanks to Jean and Erin for hosting us for the entire week.  The fridge and pantry were stocked with Fionn-friendly snacks and meals, and we greatly appreciated it.  What was probably not so appreciated by Jean was Fionn's new nickname for his beloved Grammie.  After being told many times not to go near Jean's ashtray because it was "icky," Fionn began to associate the "i" word with his Grammie.  Pavlov would agree that it was an inevitable connection to make.  So for the rest of the trip, Jean became Grammie Icky.  And well...we just tested the resilience of the nickname by showing Fionn a picture of his Grammie.  He immediately said "Icky!" and smiled.  Sorry, Jean.  I think it might be sticking.

The week in Minnesota with our beloved Crimmins relatives was the perfect bookend on a fantastic year.  Thanks so much for everything, 2011!  We can't wait to see what 2012 will bring!