Finley Turns 4

 

Our baby is growing up! It's pretty clear we are all so happy to have you as part of our family. You are funny and sweet, and all of your older siblings love teaching you things. They fight over your attention. No one views you as the annoying little brother. They all want you to like them, and they want to help you learn and grow.

We've had quite a year! After the pandemic hit the U.S. in March, we've been staying pretty close to home. Our main outings have been to run around Grandpa's property and spend time at Nina and Poppi's house. You were supposed to enter preschool this year, but we decided to withdraw you because of all the risks. Anica and Mikan are doing virtual school at home, and they are helping fit in preschool homeschool lessons for you as well. You know all of your letters and can count very high. You also have been studying U.S. state shapes and locations using our Stack the States app, and you can identify all 50 states by shape! It's pretty incredible. You know more than most people three or four times your age in that area! 

You've also developed a love for fishing, and caught your first fish by yourself this summer. Your favorite song right now is "Watermelon Sugar High" by Harry Stiles. You also like to quote Mater from the Cars movie: "You don't know...Wasabi!" You say it all the time, and it cracks everyone up. 

Your party was Super Mario Brothers-themed and we set up mystery boxes around the backyard for you to find. Nina, Poppi, and Sophia came over to celebrate. We didn't invite a lot of family because we are still in the middle of the pandemic here. It has been hard telling you that all the playgrounds are closed. You're a little young to understand what is going on, but you are getting good at wearing your "ninja mask" whenever we need to be in public. 

Your favorite things to do each day are play "Super Mario Brothers figures," play with your Hot Wheels cars and tracks, run races outside, and play basketball (or just about any sport). 

Funky Kong dress up                                            Slip n slide body paint party at Nina and Poppi's

Somewhere you learned that DJs spin records, and you like to do your signature dance move "spinning my records" during every dance party. You also like to do the regular floss and "armpit floss."

                                                                    Your Diddy Kong costume made by Drexler