Family Fiesta

We spent a terrific four days down in Virginia visiting my family and I'm not sure where to start...

Phase 1: Getting to be a grown up

Dan's parents were also in town so they babysat a sleeping Finley so the rest of the clan could go out to celebrate my sister-in-law's birthday at a sports pub in Crystal City.

Phase 2: Toys, Toys and more Toys!
My parents sunroom has a spectacular array of toys and Finley is always thrilled to explore what's new and what's still there from his last visit.  This inflatable steamroller was an excellent new addition!

His cousin Natalie enjoyed giving him a "push."

This baseball table has been in the family for years and recently refurbished by my dad and I was amazed Finley was tall enough (and coordinated enough) to play on it.

Phase 3: Cousin-mania!

Owen (one month younger than Finley) and Natalie (1 year in May) came over on Sunday to help celebrate their Grammy's 60th birthday.

The fridge farm revisited (http://findingfinley.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-family-fun.html).

Phase 4: Birthday!
It was Mixter mania as we celebrate my mom's birthday all together around the dining room table.  Here's our end of the table.

And the boys didn't need much prompting to help blow out the candles on Grammy's cake.

Phase 5: Mulch!

Yes, mulch.  Finley LOVED moving around the mulch in the bed near my parents' driveway...when in Rome! Thankfully Caitlin, Dan and others were willing to get in there with him.

He showed off his frisbee skills, too.

Phase 6: Pancakes...every morning
Yes, most mornings of our trip Finley requested and then helped make pancakes before shoveling record amounts into his mouth.

Phase 7: Guitar!

One of the neat toys that appeared was a new, bigger guitar for Finley to play.  He played it, dragged it around, danced with it, and sang with it.

But the best was when he got a turn to play Granddad's guitar with him.

All phases complete and awesome! Overall, Finley was a treat to be around during out entire visit.  The only tears I recall was when he was drumming so much to his own tune, be bonked himself in the head with the drumstick.  Can't really complain about that, right? He was very open to being with my parents, even when Dan and I were in the room--unheard of!! He also seemed very comfortable just moving around from room to room as if he owned the place.  Not to mention that his love of my parents' cats continued--he brought them toys, poured them their food, gave them treats, and loved to hunt around for them and then call out, "Kitty, I found you!"  The cats tolerated him well enough and while Finley didn't seem to mind that they never talked back to him, I wonder if next year he'll understand that cats don't ever talk...

Thanks to Grammy and Dan-dad for being super hosts, hope to see you all again soon!