An Excited Little Boy!

Mike took Quinn to the dollar store to do some Christmas shopping.  He picked a few gifts out for me and then picked a couple out for himself.  At the dollar store, Mike said that he got down on one knee and explained to him to not tell me what my gifts were.  Quinn agreed and stated that he understood.

In the meantime, I took Paxton and went to Wal-Mart.  Mike and Quinn had arrived home first.  They decided to wrap the presents.  Then we met for lunch at Red Robin to use a gift card that was given to us.

Mike wanted to run an errand by himself so now I had both boys.  It was nap time but wanted to bring the groceries in first.  I was busy putting things away quickly when I hear in the other room a ripping sound.  I had to look to see what he was doing.  Sure enough, he was opening the gifts.  I asked what he was doing.  He stated, in a very proud voice, "See Mom, I didn't tell you but I show you instead."  How he said it made me laugh.  I couldn't be mad at him.  What a clever little boy!

He runs into his bedroom and by the time I got back there, he already had another present opened.  I didn't know there was more.  I told him to stop and he listened.  There is one present left that remains unopened.

I don't dare wrap any presents and put them under the tree.  If I do, I think that I'm just asking for it.

I told Mike this story and he thought it was super funny.

Halloween

The boys had an appointment with the doctor to see how they checked out on having pneumonia.  They were still sick of course but they checked out fine at their visit.  I decided that it was probably okay to take them trick or treating.

Mike had to work this Halloween and wasn't able to be with us to go trick or treating.  Quinn had been excited all week to go and has been practicing his "boo" to scare people.  When it was time to go, he didn't want to.  He had just woken from his nap and was still feelings groggy.  I wanted to get out there and going before it got too dark, cold, or they just weren't interested anymore. 

Since Mike couldn't make it, Wyatt, Kirsten, and Grandma Karen came trick or treating with us.  It was so nice to have them there.  Wyatt carried Quinn most of the time since he was being uncooperative.  We took turns carrying Paxton.  I was going to bring the stroller but they said they didn't mind carrying the boys.

Once they left, I got the stroller out since there was no way I was going to carry them for the rest of trick or treating.

 I didn't get any pictures of them while they were trick or treating.  I had them put back on their costume when we got home so I could get one.  Quinn actually dressed up as Spiderman.  It was too bad that no one could really tell since he was wearing a coat.  He was kind of bummed about that.

Paxton wore Quinn's last year Thomas outfit.  He was darling in it.  It was perfect to wear over his coat.  I made him wear a winter hat and then put his train hat over top.  It worked well since the hat was too big for him anyways.

The boys were so cute trick or treating.  Quinn had to be the one that rang the doorbell.  They would stand there in anticipation.  If they said they could take as many pieces as they wanted, they still would only take one or two.  It took them forever to decide what they wanted.  Most were really patient with them.

There were a few doors that scared them in their decorations or loud abrupt noises.  Sometimes it was the dog there were afraid of.

Each year trick or treating gets more and more fun with kids.  I hope next year will be even better as they grow!

Halloween Party at the Church

We couldn't get Quinn to dress up again...no big surprise!  Instead, we just painted our faces.  Quinn wouldn't get his face painted without us getting it painted too.  I had a skeleton shirt already for them so I just had them wear that.  I think it turned out pretty well.

 Paxton was kind of dressed up as two things.  When he didn't have his jacket on he was a zombie skeleton like the rest of us.  When it was on he was a skunk. 

I was hoping his paint would like it was on purpose for the skunk.  Since trunk or treating was outside he was a skunk during that time.

Playing in the Leaves

I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. I hate the fact that the weather is changing and around the corner is snow. I definitely hate raking those leaves. I love our trees except for this time of year when they are so messy!

It was a beautiful and decided I was going to try to tackle this annoying tedious task.  The boys made it more fun.  I love their spirit and energy.  I love seeing the little things through their eyes.  They looked at this like such fun.  Immediately, this changed my attitude.

I was nervous having them outside being sick.  They needed to get out and run around.  They were running circles in our house.  I can't believe how much energy they have for being sick. 

I had started coughing and not feeling well.  I thought I had to be awake anyways; why not do something?  Mike had come home and told me to not overdo it.  He was so concerned about me.  He stayed outside and helped.  He had a lesson to plan.  He had just gotten off work.  He wasn't feeling the best either.  This little act showed he loved me. 

He was right.  I got tired fast and started fading.  I needed to save my energy for the boys so I didn't finish raking the leaves.  Mike had made us lunch and that was a good reason to break.

Quinn running and jumping into the pile of leaves.

Quinn saw me rake the leaves.  Once the leaves weren't really into a pile anymore, he would take the rake and pile the leaves back up.  I was impressed.  He didn't ask for my help.  He just did it!

Halloween Party at Grandma Karen's house

Quinn is really funny about Halloween.  He says he wants to be Spiderman or Thomas the Train but when it's time to actually get dressed into his costume he doesn't want to wear it.  In a way, it's kind of frustrating.  How am I supposed to help a child when he himself doesn't even know what he wants?

We had a Halloween Party over at Grandma Karen's.  The plan was to be Thomas the Train but at the last minute he changed his mind and wanted to be Spiderman.  I couldn't get him to put it on.  I wasn't about to fight him over it.  It just wasn't worth.  I just brought them with us.  He put it on for about 2 seconds.

Karen had lots of games planned for the kids.  They had a ball with all of them.  They played fishing, the doughnut hole game, and frosting cookies.  I think there were more games but my mind is failing me now.

You have to know that during this time the boys were super sick.  I took them to the doctor and they were diagnosed with walking pneumonia.  I was so glad to have a diagnosis because looking at them they didn't seem that sick.  They would just run around like there was nothing wrong.  They would work themselves up and then just cough and cough.  Night time was the worst.  I was worried to take them out.  I didn't want to expose them to anything else while there immune system was down.  Uncle Wyatt and his Kirsten came to visit during this week.  I figured our house and Grandma's house was okay.

This was the week that Mike also had to student teach.  It was a busy busy week.  The week before and the week after wasn't all that bad.  Mike wasn't supposed to student teach until the next week.  That would have worked better for us since Wyatt wouldn't have been in town.  Hopefully by then the boys would feel better too. 

I remember staying up late so Mike could bounce ideas off of me for his lessons or so that he could practice.  A lot of times we wouldn't get home until way late.  I wanted him to do the best that he could.  We really want this.

 This is basically how they treated Wyatt the whole time he was here; as their personal punching bag.  Wyatt was really patient with them and seemed to enjoy playing with them.  These little boys are so full of energy so it was so nice to have Wyatt there to help them get it out.

Ha Ha!

Quinn was setting out cereal pieces for Paxton on the floor to get him to follow him. Quinn wanted Paxton to play with him. It reminds me of Monster's Inc. where Kitty (I think that's his name) is setting them out for Boo to get her to go to sleep.  I think this is clever of Quinn especially because it worked.  I had to document one of the few times these boys were actually getting along. ;)

Quinn and his dance party

 

Quinn had just finished watching Calliou.  Calliou went to preschool that day and had a dance party.  He decided that he needed to have one too.  At first he got me and Paxton dancing and then asked for me to take some pictures of him.  By the time I took the pictures his dance moves were extinct and he was mainly just running around.  I thought it was still cute.

 

I tried downloading a video but it said there was an error. 

 I think he's trying to do a flip here.

More funny things...

Quinn has been talking a lot about houses lately.  This is how a typical conversation goes...

Quinn: I want to build a house.
Me: What's wrong with our house?
Quinn: It's cold and old.  We need a new one.  I don't like this house.
Me: Oh, how are you going to build this house?
Quinn: With a hammer (while making the gesture of hammering) and a flashlight.
Me: What is the flashlight for?
Quinn: So, I can work while it's dark.
Me: Where are we going to build this house?
Quinn: On our front lawn.

Quinn doesn't forget either.  He keeps asking and asking and asking and asking....  Finally, I asked if he wanted to build a box.  He settled for that.  He did a good job hammering too.  I was quite impressed.

Quinn and Paxton were taking a bath a week and a half ago or so.  Mike came in and asked Quinn, "What does Mommy sound like when she gets mad?"  In his best mommy voice he says, "Go to your room!"  Then Mike asks about how Daddy sounds when he gets mad.  "RAWR RAWR RAWR RAWR" while shaking his finger.  Then Paxton; "Wah Wah Wah" and Quinn "ER, I'm mad or I don't like this."  Maybe you had to be there but this was quite funny at the time.  He did he tried to mimick each person's voice the best he could. 

The other day, I can't remember why he said it or what was going on, he came in and said Well, Well, What do we have here?  When he's angry he says rawr, rawr, rawr and he says ok ok when he was asked to do something and doesn't want to.

I don't know where he gets this stuff but I think it's hilarious.

The Train Show

 

Quinn absolutely loves trains.  Of course, we had to go to the train show.  I told Quinn about it and he kept track of when it was on his own.  He would look at the calendar every day in anticipation.  The morning of the train show he woke me at 5:00 saying it was time to go.  I told him to go back to bed since it didn't even open until 9:00.  He waited outside my door until I got out of bed.  He called this our date.  He would say, "Mom, do you want to go on a date with me?" 

I wanted to take Quinn alone without Paxton.  I knew Quinn could stay all day if I let him.  Paxton would tire and get bored easily.  Grandma Karen met us there.  She took Paxton and Quinn and I was able to stay till a little past nap time.  He agreed to not have stories read to him so he could stay a little longer.  It was a good thing I packed us a lunch or else we would have been starving.

Last year he just loved watching the trains go round and around.  He would run with them to keep up with them.  He was so cute about his excitement.  He had a few people engrossed in watching him because of his enthusiasm.  This year was a little bit different.  He thought the trains were cool and enjoyed looking at them.  He didn't have near the energy that he had last year.  He found a table where they sold electric trains.  They had one set up and they let kids try them out.  Once he learned of this and figured out how to run it; he was in love.  He would not move from that station no matter what.  He spent hours there.  Of course there were other kids that were interested in it too.  They would come and go.  I told him when there were other people he had to move and let them try it and then he could go right back to it.  He was very good and obedient about it.  It was a good thing I made friends with those at the booth.  They had a bench so I sat there with him and waited.  I knew he loved it so much that I didn't mind sitting there.  The whole day was for him anyways.

To get Quinn out the door I told him he could go ride the train.  He was super ecstatic about that.  I put Paxton in and he was okay with it until the train started to move.  He cried the whole time.  I didn't dare take him out just in case something would happen.  I don't think they wanted me to anyways.  He had to endure the ride.  Paxton went home right after this.  Quinn was a lucky duck and they let him ride the train twice.

Things of Quinn

Sunday, Sept. 15
After church Quinn had to go potty.  He got out of the stroller and ran to the nearest tree.  He was peeing before I realized what was going on.  I didn't want to stop him midstream so I told him to hurry.  He was pointing it every which way and making it obvious he was going.  I could see the stream.  It was shooting straight up.  I'm surprised he didn't pee on himself.  Good thing it was quick.  It was a 100 yards from the front doors of the church and just off the walkway.  Lots of people were around.  I tried to not point notice to it.

Monday, Sept. 16
Quinn told me that he doesn't like his baby (Paxton) and asked if we could take him back and get a new one.  I asked him what was wrong with this one and he responded that this one was mean.  I just laughed.

Yesterday at nursery we were talking about loving our family.  They asked him how he loves his family and he responded by giving hugs but then added on that sometimes they get mad at me. 

Then today as we were walking into a store he yells at the top of his lungs that it stinks in here.  It was obvious they were trying to make it smell good.

I am realizing we are getting into Quinn will tell all and I am bound to be embarrassed.  These experiences aren't bad.  I'm just waiting...something juicy or ultra embarrassing has to be around the corner.

I took Quinn into nursery today.  Paxton turned 18 months yesterday.   I tried to drop him off too.  Quinn was super needy and kept asking if I would stay with him.  I told him I would stay for a bit.  I knew I would need to if I had any hope of Paxton staying too.  When I tried to sneak out they both started to cry hysterically.  Luckily, Quinn calmed down easy but Paxton kept crying.  They kept distracting him.  That only worked for so long.  Quinn said he needed to go to the bathroom.  At the same time, they brought Paxton to me too.  After Quinn went potty he wouldn't go back to nursery.  I had both of them in Sunday School.

I took both boys back during snack time.  I was able to sneak away without either crying.  Later I could hear Paxton crying.  It wasn't too long before they brought him to me.  Quinn stayed for the remainder of church.  I understand why Paxton doesn't want to go to nursery.  It took Quinn a long time to go as well.  Quinn hasn't had a problem for the longest time.  It was weird that he refused to go and was so needy toward me.  Mike started a new job where he works Sunday now.  Our routine is a little off.  It makes me wonder if that is having an effect on him.

Sunday Sept. 22
We were reading books before nap time.  I was reading a book called When I Grow Up...  I asked him what he wanted to be when he grows up.  He replied, "A bird!" I asked why.  "So, I can fly!" Funny kid! 

Oh Yeah...Fun Land Baby!

We are participating in the Idaho Falls Reading Program. Quinn earned 2 coupons for a free ride at Fun Land In Tautphaus Park. We redeemed our coupons yesterday which I am glad because we never got a chance to use them last year before they expired.

Quinn was super excited for the plane ride.  He loved every minute of being inside this fuel jetted ROARING plane!  He was super glad Paxton was going to join him for the ride too.  At first Paxton thought it was a great idea too.

Here Paxton definitely does not know what to think of it.  He's trying to be a trooper.

Here he likes the speed and thinks it is fun.





Now he hates it. The speed suddenly changed and is going way too fast. His giggles have now turned into screams.  I am on the side trying not to chuckle because I think it is so cute.  I feel bad for him so I asked the guy to stop the ride.  I don't think he's ever been happier to see Mom and Dad.  I didn't get any pictures of him freaking out since I was trying to calm him down. 

 

Quinn went alone and loved the ride.  Right when he got off he asked if he could go again.  We persuaded him to go on the merry-go-round.

Quinn is so excited and pumped.  He can hardly wait for the ride to start.  I think once it starts it's not what he thought it would be fun.  He still enjoyed it.



We did let him go on the airplane ride again and this time he got brave.  He would mimic our actions. 



Paxton also hated this ride. He didn't even like to just sit on it.   I would've sat with him on the horse but the guy wouldn't let me.  He barely let me on the ride without a ticket.  He decided it would be okay since there was not a soul around other than us. 

 

I had to take him off the horse and sit with him on the bench.  He didn't mind that.  He just sat on my lap.  Then, he was able to relax and enjoy the ride. 

 

It was a good day to be together.  The best part was the Mike was able to join us too.  I love days like this and wish they could last forever.

 

Afterward, we went to Artic Circle for an ice cream.  That made our day complete.

A whole bunch of firsts for the boys...

Mike's brother Bryant and his family came down for a visit from Mesa, AZ.  These are some of the activities that we did while they were here.

Rigby Lake was a perfect place to take the kids.  The water was shallow enough the Quinn could still play without me worrying too much.  The only problem was that there was not any shade.  Sand and water are the perfect combination for kids.

Rigby Lake 7/10/2013

 These are actually sleds..for the snow.  They worked great at the lake.

 I was surprised at how independent and fearless he was with the water.

 

 Paxton was content to sit in the sand and just play.  He liked the water too to a point.  He thought it was too cold.  He would prefer to play in the sand though.

 He liked his feet just barely dipped into the water.  I would slowly get him wet, up to his waist, so he wouldn't over heat.  He looked so hot.

 

At the drive-in. 7/10/2013

 

We watched Despicable Me too.  I haven't seen the first one.  Even though...it was still cute.  I only got to see a little bit of it between wrestling the boys and taking Quinn to the bathroom.  The boys loved it and that's what matters.



 All comfortable in the back of the van.

 

I-Jump 7/11/2013

 

We went to I-Jump.  Quinn LOVED this.  In one area they had balls.  We played dodge ball or Quinn's version of dodge ball.  He threw them the best he could.  He did great.

 



 Quinn loved climbing up to the top of the trampoline and slide down.

 

 In the foam pit-well my picture got deleted and my time for blogging is running out.  Basically, we didn't pay for Paxton to jump.  I let him jump with us anyways.  They didn't say anything.  I think it was because he is so little they didn't really care.  It's not like he's going to do a lot anyways.  He had fun.  I'm glad he was able to jump.  It helped since we were there for so long.
 

 

Other activities that we participated in but didn't get pictures of...Laser Tag and Pizza & Shooting Guns.

 

These are just some random pictures.



 Borrowing Quinn's superman cape

He thought he was some hot stuff wearing this cape.  It was only allowed to happen because Quinn was napping at this time.  He kept making loops to the kitchen and living room strutting his stuff.

 Quinn loves his dinosaur

It seems like Quinn usually chooses something to go to sleep with each night.  It happened to be the dinosaur this time.  Whatever it is, he wraps it up.

Doing fireworks

I thought this picture was cute since it has all 3 of my boys. 

We let the boys throw some pop rocks.  They thoroughly enjoyed that.  We had a couple of sparklers left that they enjoyed as well.