Finn Henry

The Runner by Nicky P

Finn has been asking about Danny for weeks now. Whenever we ask him what he thinks we are doing today he almost always answers “seeing Danny?”.

Yesterday we finally managed this as we met all the cousins for a play in the park. Everyone has a great time. They ran races, chased birds and climbed on everything and anything.

In May it could have been a cold and windy business but instead the afternoon was made by clear blue skies and a warm breeze. You couldn’t ask for more.

This morning Finn said he wanted a drink. I was indisposed at the time so I said I’d get it for him in a minute. He took himself into the kitchen, selected one of the plastic cups that live near the water filter, put it under the water filter tap and lifted the tap to put water in it. Without spilling a drop.

Later on Finn asked if Danny was coming. I explained that we had to wait for Aunty Fee to ring us. “But my dad rang to Uncle Fig last night.” he said. Yes, I agreed, but the arrangement Dad made with Uncle Fig was for Aunty Fee to ring us today. And with that he went back to playing on the computer. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised but I was by Finn’s ability to discuss something he wants really badly with me and accept the answer without becoming upset.

Finn suddenly seems so mature. I’m sure at some stage today he’ll revert to the 3 year old stereotype but for the moment my very grown up little kid has me feeling a combination of fear and pride that is quite new.

I looked out the kitchen window a little while ago and saw Finn lying in the empty half of his clam shell sandpit, gazing up at the sky and telling himself a story. It was beautiful.

Now he’s in his cubby with Thomas and Annie & Clarabel engaged in some adventure.

That’s what being a kid is all about.

Not Happy Mum! by Nicky P

When Nicky was awake in the wee hours feeding Leila I heard what sounded like Finn’s voice floating down the house. When Nicky came back to bed she told me Finn had been awake and insisting that the dogs come and eat all the feathers in his room.

Given that Indiana and Emmylou will eat pretty much anything it was strange that they declined these imaginary feathers. But then I guess the rules are different in the wee hours.

He made it (almost) all by himself by Nicky P

It’s been well over a year now that Finn has been all Thomas obsessed and for much of that time he has had very strong opinions about how tracks are built.

For most of the time these opinions have been expressed verbally and with some enthusiasm. However in the last couple of months Finn has gotten the trick of fixing broken track and also adding a few new pieces.

Recently he has jumped to building entire tracks which are wonderful to behold. It doesn’t seem there is any plan in place before he starts (he is only three after all) and just adds his favourite bits (bridges, junctions and so forth) until it goes near a loose end and then he somehow completes the track. Not only is it less work for his train-exhausted parents but these tracks are varied, wonderful, and exactly what we wants.

Thank you Nicky (I have stopped calling you Mum because I am so big) for cuddles. Thank for you making train tracks for me and my engines. Thank you for taking me to the park and letting me slide down the pole even though I have no concept of my own safety. Thank you for my lovely blue eyes.

Most of all thanks for being lovely and being my Mum.

In the early hours Finn came to our bed as it seems another Wiggle was sleeping in his room again. It wasn’t Jeff this time but I can’t remember who it was . Either way he climbed into bed with us and, after some initial wriggling, settled down and slept for a couple of hours.

All of which might sound unremarkable however it is the first time he’s managed to actually sleep in our bed since he was very small. Normally Finn kicks and wriggles so much he gets to go back to his down bed and kick Blanky Bear instead.

DSC02400 by John Robertson

We bought Finn a book of five Hairy Maclary story and they are currently a big hit. Especially the one with the bones and Rumpus at the Vet.