Tiny Dancer

Quinlin started dance class in January. I had to wait until she turned 3, so we got her into the class mid-season. When she started, she was very hesitant, shy, unsure of herself. About a month and a half into it, she loves it. It's Saturday mornings, and it's hard to get out the door sometimes, but once we're there, she's good.

I found the secret to our success is getting there 10 minutes before class starts. This gives her time to go in, find the square she wants to start on right away, and time to warm up a bit (when we first started, she took the first 10 minutes just sitting there watching, now she actually participates).

Sean went with me to the first class. The kids go in the dance room alone and the parents sit outside and watch through a window. Sean found some of the other women to be too chatty and catty so doesn't like to go and watch. Me? I love it. I don't know if it's because she's my little girl, or because she's my last, but I like to go and watch and take everything in. I either sit in the back with the other mom's or sometimes stand on the other side of the room and watch through another window (I can actually hear better when I do it that way). I don't want to miss a thing.

She really has gotten the hang of it and even does some of her moves at home when we're playing. They have the cutest sayings that make the kids remember and cute little songs that make them interested (so I don't forget, the legs in the air is popcorn, shaking the head is- I like dance class- shake your head yes- I don't like stinky shoes- shake your head no, point together clap, step and point- too cold, step and point- too hot, Good morning, good morning, good morning all over the world!)

The big recital is in May and the whole dance school is doing dances to a theme of books. Quinlin's class is an ode to the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. All I know is I just spent $45 on a yellow feather costume for her to be a chicken (and they jump out of a soup bowl in the beginning).

Here's hoping by the time that recital rolls around that she'll be a happy little chicken. I have visions of the class dancing and her being a chicken in a little ball on the side of the stage not doing anything.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Ice fishing season has officially concluded for us this year. Sean was very busy in January/February (hence my absence and unmotivation for blogging, maybe?)

This is his absolute favorite time of year. Though sitting in a shanty on ice with a hole doesn't sound all that fun to me, it is absolutely the best time for him. He participated in 3 tournaments this year (all out of state) and I am proud to announce that I am married to a winner!

The first tournament, he and his partner, Andy, came in 4th place (and also won biggest fish). The second tournament, he took first!!! and the final tournament, he came in 9th (with his old partner Dan as Andy couldn't make it due to a work commitment).

I am so proud of him on how well he did. But, don't get me wrong, it was hard on the family having him gone. For two of the tournaments, he left at 4am on Wednesday and didn't get home until about 9:30pm on Sunday. Made for two little ones missing their daddy, one wife missing her better half, and one 16 year old needing to help more around the house. By the time he came home (and came home safely) we were all ready.

In addition to winning some prize money, he won the cost for his entries into next years tournaments and also qualified for the National Championships in December. I believe they take place in Minnesota. Not sure if he'll be able to go or not, we'll see.

Anyway- some highlights from the events:

I love this image. They knew they had it won!

Quinlin- 3 year well visit

Quinlin had her 3 year well visit last night. Can I first add how much I love our pediatrician??? Like really love her. She is so kind, sweet, good with the kids, personable, etc. She walked into the room and mentioned that she loved our Christmas card we sent her, asked how Sean's ice fishing was going, talked to Owen and asked if she could still fix anything (and gave the example of the basketball hoop). I love how much she knows our family- that we don't feel like just a number in the wide clinic system.

First the important stats:
Height-3 feet, 2 inches or 38 inches (65%)
Weight 35 lbs (84%)

She is on a nice curve of slimming down a bit which was nice to see. I can definitely tell she's getting taller and thinning out. She's only 2 or 3 pounds lighter than Owen- haha. Owen at her age was 32 1/2 lbs and 37 1/2 inches. So she's a tad taller and weighs more than he did.

She did so well at the appointment. She got her blood pressure checked for the first time:

Her doctor checked her out and thought everything about her was fantastic (of course). And then we all chuckled when she asked if I had any concerns and I didn't because the 3rd child is always the breeze. You finally feel like you know what you are doing!

She looked like such a big girl in her little gown. She was so funny during the appointment too- kept telling Owen it wasn't his appointment and that he needed to not be on the exam table. After the doctor was finished, we went down the hall for her vision screening. She had to stand on a line and look across to a chart, cover one eye and tell the nurse what she saw. I was a little nervous that maybe she wouldn't be able to answer, but then I remembered what a smart girl she was. She knew everything- every star, moon, circle (though she said the letter O for circle), flag, mug, etc. And then I thought, why did I doubt her? She's a superstar.

Hunter's birthday

I fell a bit behind and have so much to post about, but don't want to post about anything else until I dedicate a post to Hunter for his birthday.

Sweet 16!!! Can you believe it? His birthday was toward the end of January and we celebrated, very mellow this year. Sucks to be grounded on your birthday. But- and I agree with Sean- it's just another day and maybe it will help in learning the lessons of life.

His birthday was on a Sunday and his grandfather on his dad's side picked him up on Saturday for a small little family party with that side of the family. Before he left, my parents came over and we celebrated as well.

We had a little cake and sang to him and then he was on his way. He returned the next day and I had to take Owen and Quinlin to a birthday party and he didn't want to go. So- I, sadly, feel like we didn't really do anything special for his big birthday. I did get him his favorite dinner and we did eat our cake. But- that was it.

He is slowly getting off the grounding. I gave him his cell phone back; it was too difficult being able to get a hold of him (we eliminated a home phone a few weeks ago) and with Sean traveling for tournaments, I needed to be able to be in touch.

In the meantime, for the officialness on the blog, happy 16th birthday to my amazing, kind, caring, sweet, funny, smart son Hunter. I am blessed beyond belief and we wouldn't be on our path of life without him. 16! We love you!

Owenisms

New Owenisms (so I don't forget)

January 6, 2013
in response to not wanting to nap...  "I'm not even tired and neither is my penis".


January 8, 2013
discussing how far away my sister lives. "Does she live further away than the blimp?"

I wonder what makes his mind work sometimes


January 23, 2013
"Grandma- if you make me nap I am walking home"
of course, he doesn't realize it's a 15 minute drive.

Oh Hunter, Oh Hunter...what am I going to do with you?

Well, sophomore year started well, and then this quarter happened. And truthfully, he did well. Minus one class. The one class that the teacher is the hardest on him, the one class where he needs to learn responsibility and accountability. The one class where I think he realized for the first time that he can't just "get by". That he has to work- and try- and study.

Report cards come out on Friday. I believe he pulled a 3.0 (if what he's telling me about getting an A in gym class actually happens). A 3.0 is great. I'm happy with a 3.0. What I'm not happy about? That it could have been much higher except he got a D in American Literature. He failed a big paper- that he knew was a huge portion of the grade. Basically, he could have not gone to class all quarter and probably still have gotten the same grade in the class. It's so frustrating. I believe his final grade is a 68.42%. Granted, report cards have not come out, but I know the grade isn't changing. We have access to view them daily on progress book. Thank goodness. I stalk it. Like seriously stalk. Daily.

Well, because he got a D, he got grounded. No ipod, no computer unless it was for school work, no PlayStation 3. And what happened? We went out Saturday night and left him alone for the night. Guess what he did? Played the PlayStation and went on the computer. When we asked him about it, he lied and said he didn't play any games. Then 5 minutes later, came back and admitted he lied and that he played about 5 or 6 games Saturday night because he was bored. The thing is? we already had him busted. Sean's co-worker ratted him out because he saw him online playing on Saturday.

So- for lying, he has now lost his cell phone and snowboarding. He had ski club today and is missing it. Not sure how long the grounding will go on for, we may need to throw him a bone here or there. But, I don't know what else will get through to him that this is not OK. It's clearly him being a typical teenager. But it's the lack of disrespect that I cannot handle. And the fact that I do not, nor can trust him.

He woke up for school yesterday saying he didn't feel well. Sorry- are you lying? do you really not feel well? How can we tell you are telling the truth? He did look miserable. But, you know what? we sent him to school anyway. Karma's a bitch. The school called about 9:00am and the nurse said he had gotten sick and we needed to pick him up. Sean went and got him (Sean was home with an ear infection and Owen was home with croup). He went to his room and slept most of the day. Still didn't feel 100% this morning, but off to school he went. It's the first week of the grading period, I cannot let him get behind.

But- the good to all of this? I think he's a good test taker. So far, for the mid terms that I have seen, he got a B on his Literature (go figure) exam, an A on History, and an A (I think) on trigonometry. And- he took a pre ACT test and scored in the range of 25-29 with most scores being above 90% of his grade level. I know he's smart, he just needs to apply himself.

And learn to tell the truth.

Quinlin- age 3

This photo was taken on Saturday (photographer Five Eleven Photography). Swoon.

I die of the cuteness. I had pictures taken of Owen too, just waiting to get an image back as a sneak peak.

Happy birthday Quinlin!

3 years ago today, my precious little girl was born and I suddenly understood what everyone said about the amazing experience of having a daughter. Happy birthday, Quinlin! My beautiful, smart, funny, feisty, fabulous little girl.

Leading up to three has been amazing. We had some rough go's in the terrible two's, and I know she's well on her way to becoming a threenager, but she really has grown into this amazing little girl. No more toddles, but a full blown little girl with her own, large personality. 

(example- image below- you want a picture? Ha- not posing)

And she is beautiful- so incredibly full of inner beauty.

Though have you seen this amazing hair?

She is so incredibly sweet, hilarious and so caring. She is very maternal, and very protective. She really has come into her own. She's opinionated and independent. 

• She's been potty trained for about 2 months now, and has done fabulous. She really picked it up like it was nothing and there was no turning back, and also no need to. A few accidents here and there at night time, but nothing to speak of. Thank you to Miss Essie at school for getting this girl trained!!!
• Not much has changed between 2 and 3 growth wise. She is in 3T clothes and size 8 shoes. I know she will be getting into size 4's pretty soon (at least for shirts). 
• I am not sure how tall she is as her physical is in a few weeks, but I'm guessing she 's about 34 or 35 pounds. She is getting pretty tall and losing her little chubbiness. 
• Her hair is darkening up a bit- and is soooo long (it gos down to her shoulder blades- would you have guessed?)
• Friends are starting to be very important to her. She loves her friends at school- Claudia, Olivia, Joseph (who in fact gave her a Tinkerbell doll for her birthday this morning), Matthew, Nora, Morgan and she of course, loves Troy. 
• She loves her dollies, her animals, her teeny tiny blankets (aka baby washcloths that she uses for her dolls), Eeyore. 

And as tradition, I did the birthday quiz with her asking the same questions I plan to ask each year. I've been asking Owen the past two years, so time to start with Quinlin. Here are her responses at age 3:

The Quiz

1. What's your name? Quinlin Olivia (our last name here)
2. How old are you? 3 (proudly holding 3 fingers)
3. Where do you live? at home
4. what is your favorite color? purple
5. what do you want to be when you grow up? a robot and a mommy
6. who is your favorite person? Mama
7. who's your best friend? Owen and Daddy
8. what is your favorite tv show? Dora
9. what is your favorite food? Steaky! (aka steak. this girl is definitely my daughter)
10. what is your favorite drink? milk
11. what do you like to do for fun? play 
12. what do you like to play outside? well... we didn't quite answer that one. She has enjoyed sledding a lot this year, but she didn't really come up with an answer on her own.
13. what is your favorite song? How I wonder (which I believe is Twinkle Twinkle)
14. what is your favorite movie? Tangled
15. what is your favorite book? Pete the Cat

Happy birthday little girl! Celebratory and party post to follow!

December 2012- A long picture filled recap

Well- life has gotten crazy. Between work, the kids, and lack of motivation, it's taken me a while to keep up with my blog. So, to make sure I am still documenting, I am backtracking a bit and need to recap the month of December, minus my trip to NY which I already talked about. And after going through all the pictures, I need to get out there and buy an actual camera. It's a shame, the kids are only little for so long, and I feel like many of the memories will be in blurry pictures.

1st weekend of December, we put up our Christmas tree. We moved it to a corner in the room opposite to where we have always put it and liked it so much better. The room seemed bigger and not as cluttered as it did Christmases past. Owen enjoyed every minute of decorating.

Quinlin could care less.

And notice how all the ornaments are mysteriously 3 feet tall?

Isn't the tree pretty?

We went to see Santa

We had a holiday party- yet I didn't get pictures of the people, just the food I prepared? odd, right? We had about 45 people come over throughout the night and had a great time.

Santa came to Owen and Quinlin's daycare- and this time Quinlin wasn't scared. He liked his beard much better.

We went to the rainforest

Quinlin decided to set up a picnic for her friends

She then told me it was lamby's birthday, so she fed and him and read him books and sang him songs

Isn't she pretty? She finally asks to wear dresses

My parents came over to celebrate Hanukkah

The kids were spoiled

Quinlin loved her jewelry...but kind of looked like a drag queen?

We did a ton of sledding and drank lots of cocoa

Christmas was finally here and we went to Sean's mom's for Christmas Eve

  

 Then to our house that night where Santa arrived

And then our house looked like this

Quinlin got a kitchen from Grandma...and Sean was stuck putting it together (and not very happy about it)

 It's nicer than mine

Ice Fishing has begun. Say goodbye to my hubby any chance he can get to get on the ice. 

 And then it was New Years. We had the neighbors over to celebrate.

 and the after effects of staying up until after midnight

I'm sorry this was such a long post. I need to do better about posting more timely. Month long recaps are hard!