Let it Snow - Day 2

I am thrilled to report that Day 2 of fun in the snow . . . was actually fun! We properly layered everyone up, went outside, and had a great time. The sun is shining today, and it was much more comfortable outside. Holden and I made it a little over an hour; Daddy and Quinn played for 2 hours! :-)




Is this the same Holden from yesterday? He was Mr. Smiles today!















This may have something to do with Holden's improved attitude today . . .

Daddy basically carried him around the yard! Ha! ;-)








Quinn . . .

Let it Snow!

We got snow!!! :-)

The white fluffy snowflakes started last night and continued into the morning, before changing to sleet. The boys were in awe of all of the white stuff. Holden's first word this morning was "whoa"! ;-)

After breakfast, we bundled up and headed out for round 1 of playing in the snow. Round 1 was not a lot of fun! I think that we were all too fast and excited to get properly dressed and out the door. We did not do the best job in layering. The boys got cold and wet . . . followed by tears and whining. We managed to make it an hour, but it was a challenge. Brant and I found ourselves saying, "We will stay outside and have fun!" Yes, we forced our cold, crying children to have fun in the snow!

Rounds 2 and 3 went much better. Holden stayed inside (he was just not a snowbird today!). We took our time getting Quinn layered and prepared (and bribed him with hot chocolate if he went out and had fun!). I'm excited to say that he went sledding with Daddy and had a great time!














Evidence of Holden's lack of enthusiasm over the snow . . .



I did manage to get a little smile from him . . .

*It looks as though we'll have more sledding weather tomorrow. We might have to make Holden give it another try! ;-)

Guess Who?

Someone is officially registered for preschool in the fall. Guess who?

And, considering the fact that tears filled my eyes while dropping off the registration form, I have a feeling that I will be a big 'ole mess in September!
*Quinn (4's class) and Holden (2's class) are both enrolled in church preschool 2 mornings a week, starting in the fall.

Holden must be thinking:

Is my brother really cool or really crazy?



Ha, ha! ;-)

All Boy - Even in the Kitchen

Yesterday morning I had Quinn's preschool conference. Even though I've never had a bad/negative conference, I always get nervous going to these things. I feel like I'm the one being tested/evaluated. Please tell me that I'm not the only parent that feels this way! ;-)

Well, Quinn is doing really well. The teacher called him "a delight" with "wonderful manners". *All of those manners drills at home are finally starting to pay off!* She said that he loves school, loves his friends, and is full of enthusiasm. The "full of enthusiasm" part can sometimes be a challenge. He gets so excited about whatever they are doing or learning that he can have a hard time waiting his turn. His patience is growing, and he is doing better at waiting to participate or answer the question.

If you don't know Quinn, he is a total character. He is never boring, does not have a shy bone in his body, and has yet to meet a stranger. His teacher spent most of the conference time telling me funny little stories about him. My favorite one involves the kitchen center. It seems that Quinn LOVES to spend time in the play kitchen (she said that almost all of the boys love it!). However, even in the kitchen, Quinn is all boy. He "cooks" for maybe 2 minutes, and then there is always an explosion, a fire, a crash, a mean monster that invades and steals the food, etc. I had to laugh. That is my son . . . perfectly! Ha, ha! ;-)

Jesus is in my leg and my stomach, too.

Quinn has a really great Sunday School and church preschool class. He is learning a lot about God and Jesus, and we are trying to reinforce those lessons at home. He wants to talk about God/church/Jesus often. Because this is our family's scrapbook, I wanted to journal a couple of those conversations. They are too cute! May he stay this interested and innocent for a long time!


On the way to preschool this morning . . .

Quinn: "God and Jesus are daddy and son."
Me: "That's right."
Q: "And, they are in the sky together."
Me: "Well, yes. But, really, they are everywhere. They are in your heart and always with you."
Q: "They are in my heart?"
Me: "Yes, they are. If you listen, you can hear them. They will tell you how to be a good person and help people and love everybody."
Q: "Jesus is in my leg and my stomach, too. But, I can't hear Him in there." ;-)



A few weeks ago during nap time (when Quinn was supposed to be sleeping) . . .

Me: "You know that you are supposed to be laying down, still and quiet."
Quinn: "Yes, I know. But, I am riding on a donkey and talking to baby Jesus (Big Teddy)."
Me: "Okay, well, baby Jesus is sleepy. Tell Him goodnight, you love Him, and that you'll talk with Him later."
Q: "Okay."


Yet, again, another picture of Fireman Quinn (complete with Jesus in his leg and his stomach!) . . .

Warmer Weather

We have been lucky enough to have a few days of nice (not freezing and rainy) weather. We have been able to comfortably play outside and have fun. Can you tell that the boys are thrilled? *And, I am thrilled that we are not couped up inside. My boys need the fresh air and the room to run! It makes ALL of us happy!









Yes, Quinn's current obsession is dressing up as a fireman. Every day for the past week or so, he has put on all of his "gear" and put out "fires" around our house. ;-)

And, sometimes, he even lets his little brother dress up, too. Now, that is love!

Have I mentioned . . .

that Holden LOVES Spiderman?







Well, he does! :-)

Kitchen Renovations (Part 2)

Last week, we were able to complete kitchen renovations, part 2. Part 1 was the cabinet refinishing last fall. Part 2 included countertops, tile backsplash, faucets, and little odds and ends (extending the bar, bar stools, switch plates, etc.). We LOVE the results!

*Now, of course, our "to do" list is not completed. Will it ever really be? But, the old girl (what I lovingly call our house) is looking good! ;-)

Before:









After:

Yes, New Year's Finally!

Yes, I am just now posting about New Year's Eve and New Year's resolutions. These first couple of weeks in January have been busy (good, but busy!). For New Year's Eve, the boys and I went to a party at the Fitts' house and had a terrific time. The kids ran around and had a blast. I had a fun time catching up with some great MC girls (Elizabeth, Charity, Maridith and Donna). . .



As far as New Year's resolutions for 2010, I have 3. They are being quicker to listen and slower to speak, taking my time/keeping my patience (what's the big rush, anyway?), and getting our home more organized and efficient. As far as the last resolution, I have already tackled 2 closets that were incredibly full of junk (I have 2 more to go!) and have organized our entry area from the garage.

Now, the entry area is TINY; however, that is how we almost always enter our home. I was getting frustrated finding a place for everyone's stuff (socks, shoes, coats, bags, etc). I LOVE those great wooden built-in organizers/benches/etc. However, I just don't have space for that. So, I happened to see a very simple and inexpensive solution in a magazine (Parents, I believe) using a shoe organizer over a door. Now, it is not necessarily the prettiest thing around town, but I LOVE it.

I lovingly refer to it as "the system". Now, when we enter the house, the boys know to take off socks and shoes and put them in "the system". When it's time to go outside, they know where to go and what to do, too. I've also been storing extra socks, gloves, diapers, and hats in the compartments. I can foresee putting sunscreen, bug spray, etc. in there when summer comes! :-) This little $7 investment has been wonderful! If you have a small area like I do, I would recommend it.

*To pretty it up a little bit, I tied some bows to the top. Brant jokes that I'll tie a bow to anything that doesn't move! ;-)







*If you have any other great organizing tips, I'd love to hear them. Meanwhile, I'm off to tackle another closet!

Like a REAL fire-MAN!

My cousin, David, is a fireman and EMT in Georgia. Last weekend, he sent the boys REAL firefighter's helmets. The boys (especially Quinn) LOVE them. Quinn runs around the house excitedly proclaiming, "I look like a REAL fire-MAN"!
*He puts the inflection on the "man" part of fireman. It's too cute! ;-)
**Many thanks to David!

Birthday Party

Holden's 2nd Birthday Party was last Saturday at Marbles. He shared his big day with his buddy, Wesley. Wesley is the son of one of my best friends from college, Maridith. Wesley and Holden have birthdays just a week apart, and we have been able to party together for 2 years now! How fun! ;-)









Cake Time . . .












Party Fun . . .