Happy Birthday Finley

Finn turns four today!  Happy birthday little guy, we hope you have the most amazing day!


Finley, at 4 years old you:

*are always on the move!  You have two speeds: Rambo and Asleep.


*are truly one of a kind. Your sense of humor is amazing.  You are always making us laugh.


*are sweet, full of spunk, ornery and have way too much energy!

*weigh 36 pounds (75%) and are 41 inches tall (60%). 

*wear a 3T/4T clothes and a size 11 shoe.

*are not a very good eater, unless it has frosting, jam or butter on top.  Then you only eat the top and are done.  You still refuse to touch a veggie (I don't know where you got that).  Sometimes I can trick you into eating them by telling you they are candy.  My favorite is when I told you the black beans in your soup were M&M's.  You happily scarfed all of them up

*know your ABC's and can count to at least 30.  




*love story time at night.  When it's your turn to pick out the book it is always a story about cars, trucks or trains.

*your favorite movie right now is Tarzan.  However, you get roped into watching Enchanted with  your sister more often than not.

*your favorite past time is playing with your cars.  You are all things boy!  If the toy doesn't have wheels you aren't going to play with it.  Unless, that is, if you decide your car needs to run it over.


*love your older sister (most of the time).  You two play very well together, but I will say you know how to push her buttons and you are good at it.


*love going to school where you can play with your friends, run around outside and drive their trucks.  However you really miss your sister now that she is in Kindergarten.  That was a big adjustment for you. 


*are a handful!  The only time you sit idle is when you are sleeping.  You are constantly talking, asking questions and annoying your sister.  We wouldn't want it any other way.


We love you to pieces buddy and can't wait to watch you grow over the next year!

Kindergarten Cutie

I'm not sure how it's even possible that I am writing this blog post.  I just dropped my sweet baby girl, my afternoon snuggle buddy, off at kindergarten (FYI...I can barely see the screen as I type this)!

I am anxious for you my darling girl, but I know you will do great.  You are not one bit nervous about this, you've got it in the bag (I wish I could say the same about myself, this is far harder for me than you).  As I send you off this morning with your wiggly teeth and can do attitude know that your life will be changing forever.  Kindergarten is kind of a big deal, it's the gateway to your big girl years.  As I let go of your little hand with the perfect purple polish that you insisted on me painting last night I know that you are a strong little girl what will pave your own way through kindergarten - with lots of sparkle and laughter of along the way. 

I cannot wait to see your progress over the next year.

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My teacher's name is: Mrs. Seamer

The school I go to is: Pleasant View Elementary

I am: Class of 2029

I am 3ft 11.5 inches tall and weigh 60 pounds

My best friends name is: Zimri

My favorite color is: purple

My favorite song is: Twinkle Twinkle

My favorite TV show is: Mickey Mouse

My favorite movie is: Enchanted

My favorite book is: If you Take a Mouse to School

My favorite sport is: Football

My favorite thing to play is: Barbie and put puzzles together

Something I really like is: Swimming

My favorite food is: Ice cream

When I grow  up, I want to be: A fairy, princess or veterinarian

If I could be granted one wish, it would be: To live in Vero Beach, Florida (I couldn't agree more, maybe we should get working on that)

A super power I wish I had: Ice Power

One thing I'd like to do this year: Jump in leaf piles

Mommy and Daddy love you more than you will ever know my sweet baby!

Mrs. Seamer.  Olivia is already in love with her.

Little brother is very sad that this day has come!  He will miss his big sister at pre school.

Summer Time Fun

We've been having such a fun summer, I am so sad to see it coming to an end next week.  How is it possible that my sweet baby girl is going to kindergarten???  Before I have another meltdown, let me change the subject and load some pictures of how we've been keeping busy.

We try to go for hikes once a week.  The kids love exploring.  They've discovered lots of different plants and animals.  We've even been able to watch a baby deer from about 10 yards away.

We've enjoyed a lot of lunch dates with Momo and the extended cousins.

We also found out that the first Saturday of the month Home Depot allows kids to come in and complete a project. 

The Little Farmers

Olivia and Finley spent last week in Wisconsin while Scott and I had the opportunity to explore New York City alone.

They had a great time.  They got to visit the farm, drive cement trucks, eat ice cream and meet 25,000 brand new baby chicks.

Finn didn't quite understand how to hold the chicks at the start.  He might have strangled a few of them.  It's survival of the fittest around Finn...the smart ones learned to run from the kid in the red shirt.

But got the hang of it after a while.

Olivia was gifted an Elsa costume from Auntie Tina.  We've been singing and dancing all week long.

No trip up north would be complete without a stop at Igor's cheese factory.

Finn is such an animated little clown.  It's hard to get a picture of him when he isn't goofing off.

Hiking Adventures

We have taken the kids hiking twice this summer.  They love getting to explore, lead us through the woods and warn us of upcoming danger (especially spiders)!


They do a great job.  Most of our hikes last about two miles.  Olivia can make it the whole way.  Finn usually gets a piggy back ride the last quarter of a mile.


The best part: picnic lunches afterwards.


The view from the scenic overlook at Illiniwek Park in Hampton.