A few things I have to remember...

• Last night after Finnean's first Christmas concert (more on that cuteness later!), Michael asked him what his favorite part was about the night.  Finnean responded "Having you there was my favorite part." ughhhh, talk about heart melted.  I don't think he was even talking about me but my goodness...that boy gets me.
• Yesterday we were out shopping and Finnean said that he wanted to get himself some Cars slippers.  I told him that he told Santa that, so we just need to wait and see.  THEN he pointed out that he hasn't seen Santa this year and still hasn't told him...so looks like we are going to see Santa this weekend.   I have a suspicion that Santa is bringing Cars Slippers :)
• I was telling Michael that we needed to go see Santa and Finnean asked Michael what he wanted from Santa.  Michael responded...hmmm, I don't know some socks.  Finnean shouts from the backseat...WE ALREADY GOT YOU SOCKS!!!! Silly boy. 
• Hutchinson started saying Uh-oh!!!  SOOO cute!! But not really that cute when he is throwing random stuff in the trash.  His new favorite thing to do.
• He can pump his fist when you say GOOOO CYCLONES!  He also can identify anything ISU.  He sees it and smiles and shouts.  Did I mention that he is loud? 

I know there are more things to write but I have a little button pusher trying to help me post this!! :)

WHOA!!! Birthday Extravaganza!!

So...Finnean turned four!!  What! How can that be, you might ask.  It is true.  He is super old.  Super smart and super funny.  This is all my unbiased oppinoin, of course.  First, we will start with an update on what Finnean has been up too and then we will get to details of all that celebrating! 

 

Being four means...

-loving preschool and and loving your teacher, Ms. Stephanie.

-loving any thing that has wheels.  (You can usually find him with at least two cars in his hands.)

-being a rather picky eater.

-knowing all of your letters, writing them and knowing most of the sounds they make.

-loving baking or cooking, especially with Mom.

-playing with friends, even though it is hard sometimes.

-learning about all kinds of things.

-struggling to eat anything but breakfast.  (this trait might be the end of me!)

-bring curious.

-loving sports.  Football is a favorite.

-being obsessed with music.  Foo Fighters, Jack Johnson and "kids" music are on the top of the list.

-teaching your little brother how to be a big kid and giving him lots of love.

-enjoying I Spy books.

-loving hanging with Dad and going on adventures.

-loving "fixing" things.

-enjoying talking. A lot.

...well I guess not all four year olds love these things, but Finnean sure does!

 

 

 

FIRE STATION BIRTHDAY!!
Finnean kept saying that he wanted a fire truck birthday.  I kept wondering how I was goign to make a fire truck cake.  Then Kelcee mentioned that her neice had a birthday AT the fire station.  Perfect.  So we got it arranged...it was FREE and the kids had a blast.  Finnean invited his little preschool friends and some of his old friends.  They had a blast exploring the fire trucks and going down the kid-sized fire pole.  It was a bit scary seeing the fire fighter in all his gear but we managed.  The fire men even got a call while we were there!!  It was pretty exciting to see them put on their gear and get in the truck!  They turned on the lights and sirens as they pulled away.  They were just gone for a bit and came back to finish the tour.  We also saw where they cook and work out.  The kids did great!  It was so fun and Finnean really had a great time!  So thankful that Grandma Lisa watched Hutchinson and one of Finnean's preschool friend's Mom stayed to have an extra set of hands. 

BLOOMFIELD BIRTHDAY!
We celebrated over Thanksgiving with our families.  It was great to have everyone together.  Adam and Maddy were back from Lincoln and Ellie and Carter up from Columbia...so we had some birthday treats and called it a party!  Finnean got to help play dominoes and play with his new Symphony in B toy.  Quite possibly the coolest toy ever.  If you have a music lover, you need to check it out. 

Then we headed over to Grandpa Stevie's.  They made Finnean a really cool dump truck cake and sent him home with a super cool bull dozer.  We played, chatted and celebrated a late Thanksgiving with a spagetti dinner. 

BIRTHDAY PLAY!!
So, Finnean is a pretty special little boy.  Kelcee's brother Matthew is a professer at Iowa State in the theathe department.  He made a kid friendly play that opened the weekend of Finnean's birthday.  Matthew took Finnean backstage, showed him where we would be sitting, took him to meet the actor/actresses (one of them even colored Finnean a picture) and gave him a special cape and eye mask.  Finnean got a little nervous when then lights went down to start the play, so him and Michael stepped out for a bit.  Michael said it was a rough five minutes and thought they were going to have to go get ice cream or something BUT they came back in and we all sat together in the back row.  Finnean, of course, wore his headphones but seemed to really enjoy, Alice in Wonderland.  His favorite character was The White Knight.  It was such a fun experience.  We were thankful that Kelcee and Matt could go to dinner with us.  It was a fun date for Finnean AND he got another super cool present.   The Murphy's got him a Budda Board, a super cool "painting" toy that only uses water and it kind of hard to explain but it is sooooo neat.