Lately...

I've heard so many funny things recently. Last night Brody told me I was "freaking him out." When I asked him to go to the bathroom before bedtime, he looked at me and said, "are you serious?" When I said I was serious, he said, "how serious?" I made a statement to Finley the other night about Santa at the dinner table to which she replied, "are you kiddin' me Mom?" Daddy took you to the dr yesterday and Dr. Reichert asked you where your baby was. You said she was at home, which I can't believe you left her. So then he asked you why she didn't come along and you gave him this look of duh? and said, "because she can't drive silly!" You guys are just like little people and can now have full conversations with you, complete with sarcasm, sass, and so much more! Brody has now completely changed his mind on what he wants for xmas, conveniently 2 weeks before of course. He no longer would like the remote control dino that he was previously crazy over, and he says he no longer cares for Xmas in Toytown Geotrax either. He now wants Fixing Thomas by Thomas Trains. Nevermind that it's a $120 item. He has expensive taste. So when I asked him A) where did he even see this and how does he even know about it, he replied with, "in a commercial mom!" And it was said like "duh, I can't believe you didn't know that...." and B) how is Santa going to know you want this now instead of what you told him you wanted last week when you sat on his lap? His reply to this was simply, "whatever Santa doesn't have time to make at the North Pole, he'll just buy at the store. He has to buy some things mom, he can't make everything!" Then during prayer time, Brody opened the prayer with, "Dear God, I am thankful for the Fixing Thomas Train that Santa's going to bring me!" As if he knows it's coming! Quinn is even becoming more and more verbal lately. You can really make out a lot of words, her newest is water. She's really putting together a lot of 2-3 word statements also. She tries to sing the ABC's but it comes out more like, "E B D B E B D"...but it is sung to the tune of ABC's so you can totally make it out. So cute. She loves to say "top mommy" when I'm doing something she doesn't want. She loves to tell her brother and sister no also. Brody loves her but he picks on her a lot and she lets him know that that will not be tolerated. When I try to get her to say Finley, she says, "no mommy, mimi!" That's what she calls Finley. Mimi and Bodee. Yep, it's a very vocal and loud household lately. Never a dull moment!

She may be the youngest, but she is still the Queen!

Even if only her in own mind! She thinks she runs the house and will go head to head with anyone who has another idea. I have said terrible 3's for the twins but she is living proof that the terrible two's do in fact still exist! Tantrums are in abundance lately and defintely holds the title! She can be so sweet one minute and so mad the next. If she wants something, she just walks right up and takes it away. I saw you tonight just go storming over the chair Brody was on and try to take it right out from underneath him! Needless to say this goes over very well with your older brother and sister. I can't count how many times I've heard Finley cry today over something her "younger" sister has done to her. You do look up to them, and most times I think it's out of frustration b/c you want to do what they're doing, but you can be nasty sometimes. You do let Finley change your diaper and read you books, she even tries to put you in timeout occasionally, that doesn't fly so much. Worth a try right Finley?! You still love your naptime and bedtime. You are the latest sleeper in the house and I think you would sleep even later if they didn't bust into your room and crawl into your crib in the am waking you up...and you are NOT a morning person either! You have to ease into your morning. And no matter who goes to get you out of your crib, you want the other person. If Daddy goes into the room when mommy's working, you want mommy, and vice versa. I joke that you don't realize at all that you are a "third baby." You always want to be held and would be content to be carried around all the time. You love to be read to, about 40/books a day, and if you don't drop everything the minute you want to be read to, it's a problem! You still are obsessed with Baby Einstein. Specifically Baby MacDonald. You love for anyone to sing "Old MacDonald" but you want to dictate which animal you sing about first. If I start singing and I say the cow first, you go, "No, bah bah." Meaning you wanted to start with the sheep first. Everything has to be your call. You are an okay eater. Sometimes you shovel it in, sometimes yo don't. Just has to be your call. You love to look "pitty" and wear hairbows, shoes, look at yourself in the mirror. You are learning so many words now and I can't believe you are going to be 2 this weekend. Time flies! Of course mommy has planned an adorable bumble bee themed party for our queen bee and I know you will love it! Oh and I almost forgot to mention the one love of your life...the binky! Or your "b" as you call it! The plan was and still should be to take it away at 2 yrs old as I did with the other kids...but whenever I mention said plan to you, your response is always "no!" We'll see how long third baby gets to keep her "b."

Middle man with a plan!

You may be the middle child, but you are scheduled to a tee! Clothes aren't such an issue anymore, as long as you can get dressed the minute your feet hit the floor in the morning. And then you run into our room and ask to watch cartoons, not in our bed as we always suggest, but you want to watch them in the family room. Then about 30 min later, you must eat. And a lot of times you insist that it be "eggs and potatoes," you would eat that every morning if you could. Then you go downstairs and play with your trains...and the routine continues. We jokingly call you "rain man," but you must follow a plan. It's not always the same plan, it just must be the plan you talked about. If we tell you we're going to do something, we'd better do it. This week you strongly wanted to decorate the house for Xmas so we promised we'd do it this past weekend. You asked every hour on saturday until Dad drug out all the decorations and then you were completely happy when it was all done. You love decorating the house for holidays. The minute we took the halloween decorations down, you asked if we could put the Xmas tree up! You are the most sensitive thing in the house worrying about everyone else. You always have a compliment for my cooking, my clothes, everything. So sweet. But don't think for a second that you aren't 110% boy lately...wrestling, spitting, running and jumping everywhere. The name calling has even begun...everyone is either an eyeball, a meatball, a poop nugget or a terd! You love to pee standing up now, this is a recent thing, mommy loves cleaning up the floor as you're still working on your aim! You love your little sister, I'm pretty sure you're crazy about Finley too but Quinn has your eye currently. You are constantly following her around wanting to hug and kiss on her all the time. And for those of you who don't know Quinn...this doesn't go over well. She's not exactly the warm and fuzzy hugs and kisses kind of girl...not unless she's in the mood and it's her idea that is! So she does not want you touching her so she is constantly saying, "No Buddy." That's what she calls you. And then she follows it up with a growl...which means she means business! But you are good about letting her stand up on a chair and watch you play trains. I think you even share one occasionally. You are still the best eater in the house and often proclaim at mealtime, "mom, you make good meals...Daddy...no good!" And then you bust up laughing! Daddy wants me to mention how great of a fisherman you are. He says you are an awesome caster! He's determined to turn you into an outdoorsman and you love it! You love to do anything outside...dig in the mulch, ride your bike, draw with sidewalk chalk. You are currently pretty obsessed with Santa and you are trying hard to not get coal in your stocking. You profess almost everyday that you are going to "be good all day." Your list for Santa gets longer and longer as you want everything in the Toys R' Us catalog including but not limited to: an RC dinosaur, Christmas in Toytown Train, a new bike, golf clubs, fishing lures, a tackle box, Thomas Trains, and basically anything else you see with dinosaurs or trains. You're loving everything to do with Xmas, the decorations, the lights, hot chocolate, Frosty the Snowman and even Xmas music. Mama Julie bought you a xmas tree for your room and you take Finley by the hand every night and you shut the door and turn out the lights to go look at your tree. It's so very cute!

She's a teenager already!

You may be only 3, but you're 3 going on 13! The drama has officially begun. Fights with your sister, emotions that turn from hot to cold all in the same minute and of course you already know everything! With all this being said though, you are still a great girl. Yes, you do fight with your sister, but you can also be the most loving thing in the house and will usually give up anything you are playing with to Brody or Quinn if they ask. Keyword being "usually" and of course Darla is the exception here. Yes, she's still in the picture. Not as much lately and she has a "friend" that is now a separate appendage in your other arm. Messy Marla goes everywhere also. So not only do we have to worry about keeping track of one baby when we go places, now it's two! You are not such a great eater lately. You used to love milk and want to drink it with everything and today you told me that you don't like milk anymore b/c "it pretty much tastes like dog food." Exact words. I don't know where you come up with some of the things you say but it is hilarious! Your imagination is a force to be reckoned with lately. You can come up with some of the tallest stories we've ever heard and you can tell them with a straight face that would make anyone believe them. Anyone who doesn't know how silly you are that is. The latest is your "pink house" that's down the street, it comes fully equipped with pink and purple ponies in the yard that you and all your friends ride. Of course it's not always unicorns and rainbows at this so called pink house b/c tonight you told me that your baby fell down the stairs and cracked her head open and her eyeball fell out, but you replaced it with a candy eyeball...and low and behold...problem solved! So yes, the imagination is neverending but hilarious nonetheless! Despite your fights with Quinn, you love to be her mother. You can fully change her diaper on your own and it's hilarious. I can't even believe she actually lets you do this but for some reason she lays more still for you than she does for anyone else. Every morning you and Brody wake up first and then come and in and watch cartoons. The minute you hear her up, you run in her room and crawl in her crib and play with her. You read books to her and she sits on your lap, although she is practically the same size as you! It is so sweet. You take her by the hand and walk her through the house to show her things. Granted these things aren't always things she should know, like how to unroll the entire roll of toilet paper onto the floor or how to climb out of her crib...mommy put a stop to this lesson really quickly! You are so agreeable with Brody also. You run the show, but you let him make the decisions about what you play with and what movies you watch most of the time. You two can be found mostly playing with his trains b/c you know that's what he loves. You just like to take care of everyone. You guys do have your disagreements, but mostly you are a great big sister! I am amazed at the things you are learning to do everyday. The way you articulate what you are trying to say with your hands is amazing. The words you come up with and the inflection in your voice is hysterical. You watch everything closely and use it as a learning opportunity. You are catching on a little to this santa thing this year. We put up the Xmas decorations last night and you asked me what the "big socks" on the mantle were! So I explained the whole process to you and now you've got it! I've asked you recently what you wanted Santa to bring you and last week your response was, "I'd like my own ceiling fan for my room b/c I get hot at night!" At least you're practical and I might actually buy you one b/c every night you start out in footed pajamas b/c it's freezing outside, and you come in halfway through the night wanting to change into a tiny nightgown in the dead of winter! You are obviously hot blooded or hormonal...could be either one at this pt! You also told me this morning that you'd like a pony to ride and we could keep him on the deck so he doesn't run away. The only thing remotely normal that you've asked for recently is a Dora bike helmet, an art easel, and a pink guitar...the last is debatable but I'm sure you are as musically inclined as your mother so of course I'll buy you one...sarcasm implied :) You do have one hidden talent though, you are the gassiest girl in the house! We've nicknamed you "Tootin' Tina!" You can clear out a room faster than Whalen sometimes! And you laugh and think you're hilarious, we may have to work on that before you get older...it could get embarassing in high school!

Then and Now....

We should have known then what you'd be like two years later...still angry! :) You are going through this phase where it's your way or the highway! You growl at everyone when you don't get your way, or as if to say, "ha...I'll show you!" You are still a pretty good eater, you love pizza, waffles, french fries, salad, broccoli, grapes, strawberries, toast, cereal, bologna. Your dad says you will not eat any fruit for him no matter what or when he tries. You are obsessed with books! You want us to read the same book over and over all day long and if we don't, you get very mad and either hit us in the face with the book or throw an absolute fit on the floor. Your fits of rage lately were somewhat funny at first b/c they are so dramatic in nature, and then they became obnoxious and we had to do something about them. So we've started timeout...you are not a fan! You do know what it is and that you don't like it though so goal accomplished there. It usually works just to threaten it. You are determined to strong arm your way through the house. You just go up to your siblings and knock them right down and growl, take whatever you're after, and run with it! You have no fear and you don't like to be told no. Your temper is almost comical because it comes out of nowhere and quickly escalates into a tantrum like you've never seen. You throw, kick, hit, growl...whatever is necessary. You are getting so smart and are starting to memorize parts to songs and books. You understand more and more everyday. You pretty much know and understand where everything in the house is at this point. You may not know how to say it but you can get to it when asked, if you want to that is. Everything is on your terms. You love to carry around the stool that Finley and Brody use to wash their hands, it gives you access to whatever you want to get to from mommy's nightstand (glasses, remotes, alarm clock, phone, nail file) to countertops (pencils, phones, keys, sunglasses, crayons). You've even used it recently to get into the pantry, with your sister's assistance opening the door of course, to get out an entire bag of chips and proceed to have a snack party on the kitchen floor! You've figured out how to open the refrigerator door and can help yourself to cups at all times. You know you're not supposed to have your binky and your blanket, otherwise known as your b and your nonni, other than at naptime, but you sure do go in and get it at your convenience. You like to be held a lot lately. You love to sing and be sung to, read and be read to. I pretty much just think you just want any attention you can get. Somedays I think you think that you're an only child :) There are three things you love in this world...your binky, your sister's doll (Dirty Darla), and your cousin Lennon (aka Butta). The relationship you share with Butta is hilarious. You guys are in the same school at class and it is so cute. You love it when you see him and likewise. I think you guys are happy to see a familiar face in the am. He's no more disciplined than you are though so I'm sure you two are two peas in a pod at school...I feel sorry for the teachers :) As soon as Butta leaves, you say, "Butta Bye Bye?" You are so sad when he leaves you. I do love that you love eachother, it's like he's your twin and you need one. I hope you guys are always that close.

Just a few of my Finley favorites...

There is so much to say about you lately. First off, you haven't been yourself in a while now. I've been worried about you since this past summer when you had swollen lymph nodes. Then you were diagnosed with strep throat at the beginning of the month. Right after you were antibiotic free from that episode, I got a call saying I had to come get you from school b/c you had a fever. Back to the dr we went b/c I thought maybe your strep throat wasn't resolved. He swabbed you again for strep but it was negative, then he looked in your ear and found a nasty ear infection in your left ear, probably from the strep drainage. What was funny was that when you asked you if your ear hurt, b/c you never complained of any pain and it's pretty painful, you responded with, "No, but my boob and my eye hurt!" What 3 yr old says boob? The same one that uses big words in sentences and never ceases to amaze us with her revelations everyday...that's who! You are so smart and funny but when you're sick, you become lethargic and sad and I don't like it. I want well, funny Finley back. The one who is the life of the party. We miss that girl. You are starting to come around for sure. Today you told me at naptime that I should just put Quinney down first and then when she's asleep, you two can get up b/c you don't really need naps at 3 anymore...this from the girl who forfeited her nap yesterday only to fall asleep on the couch at dinnertime and sleep through it! It's clear you still need naps but don't want them. You are such a great sister to Quinn. I think it comes from mothering Darla all of these years but you are a great big sister. You showed me how you can completely change Quinn's diaper all on your own this morning. She just lays there and watches you in awe. I can tell she watches her big sister and looks up to her so much. One deal breaker between you two though is when she wants to take Darla...all bets are off then! You aren't much of an eater these days. You're only going up a size in clothes b/c of the length, if your pants aren't adjustable waist, we don't have a prayer of you fitting into them. You are so skinny! You love shoes and getting your hair done. You are a girly girl and want to wear necklaces and bracelets, get mani/pedi's, and play with babies. You don't appreciate your brother's roughhousing at all! You still boss him around pretty good and lucky for him, he listens. He looks to you for all the answers. The other night I overheard you telling him in the car that "our grandma Vicki lives in New Melle." I don't know how you know some of the stuff you know, it amazes me. Everyone loves you and your facial expressions too. We had parent night at preschool not too long ago and they just go on and on about how good you are. Being there to observe you guys that night was very interesting for us b/c you have always been the one to be more outgoing and social than Brody, but that night you hung back and let him do most of the talking and singing. It was the total opposite of how you two are at home. You are a bit of a tattle tale and are always claiming that you had nothing to do with said bad behavior and you are the one that actually told Brody not to do it in the first place! Needless to say we know that there are two sides to every story.

A Day Out with Thomas Train and Brody's rituals...

Papa Greg and Mawmaw Julie were nice enough to spring for tickets to go see Thomas Train and actually get to ride on it! Needless to say, this was a dream come true for a 3 yr old, Thomas train loving fanatic named Brody! We packed up the car and headed over to Granite City, IL for the morning and they had all kinds of Thomas activities going on: Thomas tattoos, bounce houses, little trains to ride, Sir Topham Hatt, Thomas pictures to color, tons of Thomas trains to play with on tracks everywhere...but the biggest attraction was an actual train with Thomas on the front! When it came time to board the train, Brody started crying b/c he was scared of it and didn't want to get on, but he came around once we were all in tucked in our seat. It was about a 20 min train ride and he liked it. Finley even loved the day and they each got "A Day Out with Thomas" tshirts as souvenirs. We ended the day with lunch in the ghetto at Crown Candy Kitchen. I wouldn't drive there alone or at night, but during the day it was nice and great food. Thanks Mawmaw and Papa for a great time as usual!

Brody does still love Thomas but he's into so many other things these days. He's become downright silly. He calls everyone names like meatballs, salad, etc. He loves to act like a dinosaur and growl and stomp around. He even plans on being a T-Rex for Halloween. He loves to wrestle, Finley doesn't share this love for wrestling and doesn't appreciate being tackled to the ground. He's finally become a typical boy! He's peeing standing up now which is hilarious. He's fairly obsessed with his penis. He's squirmy and can never sit still. He hates to sleep and go to bed! He has a ritual that has to be done everytime someone leaves him or he has to say goodbye...it's a hug, a kiss, knucks, a high five and he has to say, "I love you more than my luggage, goodbye, bye...." Everyone must do this or he gets so upset if you leave w/o it. His teachers at school get a big kick out of his ritual. The funniest thing he does, and it all comes from there being sock lint in the bathtub one time, is everytime he takes a bath, he bends over and spreads his butt cheeks apart for you to look in there and asks, "mom, do I have any pee, poop, or fuzz?" I laugh everytime but you have to partake in your rituals! I'll miss them when they're gone! You love to buckle yourself in to your carseat, but can only do the top buckle. You love to dress yourself and it's a major issue at some times b/c you don't always pick weather appropriate clothing. You are obsessed with the layered look right now. Several shirts are necessary even in hot weather. He's really good at artwork. I would never tell his sister this, but his art projects that come home from school are always a lot more involved than Finley's. You can tell he spends a lot more time on them than she does, maybe just b/c he's more interested. He always pays attention to what you are wearing also. He is always giving my compliments on the food I cook or the shirt I'm wearing. He notices everything! He loves his baby sister more than anything. He's so good to her and is such a great brother! He's always helping her find her blanket and find her binky for her. He's pretty good at sharing with her, depending on what it is. She watches everything he does and loves her "budee." He loves the movie ET and can do the impression of ET saying "ET, phone home" shockingly well. His teachers actually call him ET. He loves to cuddle and is whiney at times, but man is he cute and loving most of the time! If you follow his rituals and habits, he's good as gold!

Punkin Patch 2010

Whoever heard of picking pumpkins in 90 degree heat? It's been uncharacteristically warm this October and it's totally throwing Brody's wardrobe off! He's been wanting to wear thermal long sleeved shirts and hoodies since mid August, even in the heat of Destin, FL. So pay no mind to the fact that he's wearing his long sleeved shirt in the heat...at least it was holiday appropriate...that's all we can ask for these days! Pumpkin picking was decided at the last minute this year, Mommy had an unexpected day off and we thought we try to go. We met Mawmaw Julie, Papa Greg, Aunt NiNi, Lennon, AJ and the Burke Family at Theis Farms on a hot sunday morning. It was WAY CROWDED. I state for the record that my husband was right...and yes, that tasted awful admitting that and hearing it come from my mouth. He actually suggested that we do like we did last year and wait until a weekday and go when it's less crowded. I thought it would be fun to do things like normal and go on a weekend...I'll listen next year but only about this one thing :) Quinn had her usual scowl face on for pictures, that's her new attitude these days, and Finley only wanted to carry Darla around (we would later figure out that she was suffering from an ear infection so we'll excuse her this time). So we actually spent more time driving to and from the patch then we actually spent there picking out pumpkins. So after a couple of slides and a lot of whining about being hot, hungry and being tired of walking, we decided to head home. Better luck next year! I thought 10/10/10 would be a lucky day....guess not!

My Tiny Dancer takes ballet!

Finley started dance tonight for the 1st time, I'm not sure who was more excited, mommy or Mawmaw Julie...oh yeah, and Finley too of course! I think you were a little nervous going into tonight, you fidgeted your way through dinner and then told Daddy you weren't going, but you got dressed and braved it like a big girl. You went right in and participated like a champ even though you are the tiniest one in the class. It was all going really well and you were loving it...until you got hit accidentally by a girl in your class who was much larger than you were. I didn't see it happen but you came running out the door balling saying your arm hurt. All the while mommy's thinking, "Great, I just paid $49/month for you to attend for 15 minutes and then refuse to come ever again after tonight." But you pulled it together, and put your tap shoes and went right in for tap and tumbling. Of course mommy truly believes you are the cutest thing in the class...your skill remains to be proven but I'm sure after much practice, you'll be a star....you already are in your family's eyes.

Destin 2010 - Day 6

Our last day here and we don't want to go home! We moved to the house next door this am called the "Tranquility House." Although it doesn't have it's own pool, it is still amazing! More amazingly decorated than our other house and it has 3 floors with an elevator so the kids were thrilled! Shortly after we moved all of our stuff in, Hads decided to lock her and Quinn into Aunt Nicki's bedroom and we couldn't find the key or get the door handle off despite much effort. Called the landlord, no key was available. Panic had set in but then we found a ladder in the garage and Uncle Dave hiked it up to the balcony and was able to push those doors open and get to the bad toddlers who wouldn't unlock the doors for us! Crisis averted! So we just hung out at the house all day with the kids and played and napped. AJ and Nicki went snorkeling and Dave, Anna and Hads had to leave the for the airport around 3pm. We said our goodbyes :( and then got ready for dinner. We drove along Scenic 98 hoping to find something along the beach but then decided we all wanted italian so we ended up right in front of our subdivision at this Tuscany bistro. When we walked in, we were getting some stares b/c we had 4 toddlers under the age of 3 and this was a nicer, white tablecloth establishment...not the "throw your crab shells on the floor" type place we had been eating at! We debated on staying but then decided to brave it out, the food was good and everyone was mostly on their best behavior. Quinn had a minor meltdown at first but then pulled it together. Then we headed down the beach when it was dark, glow sticks and lanterns in hand to do some nighttime exploring. All kids loved the beach at night for once and had fun scouting at "crabbies" in the sand. It was a good last night in Destin. We're sad to have to pack up and drive home tomorrow am but all in all, we're very glad we came! And in the words of Brody and Finley "Goodbye Beach, bye sand, bye fish, bye crabbies....see ya next time!"

Destin 2010 - Day 5

Our last night day/night staying at "Top Shelf" House as we have to move to the house next door tomorrow am and as a result will not have our own pool after today so we took advantage of our last day and spent it in the pool. Mommy has to get as tan as possible! :) After naptime we all got dressed up in hopes of getting some good pics on the beach at sunset. After some debate upon the location of the pics and some windiness, we did the best we could with all the toddlers in tow! I think we mostly succeeded with some good shots. Then it was off to McGwire's which in my opinion, would definitely turn out to be the best food we've had so far. HUGE portions but amazing food and everyone loved it.

Destin 2010 - Day 4

Finally we're heading to the Ft Walton Beach Gulfarium....Brody is so excited to see more dolphins! But he almost didn't get to go to the Aquarium b/c he threw another fit about what he was wearing and had to be put in timeout and was almost inconsolable...luckily he pulled it together in time to leave! They had dolphin and sea lion shows all right on the beach. They also sharks, sea turtles, penguins, otters and even some crocodiles plus they had these huge windows that you could look into underwater into the dolphin tank and watch them play! The kids all had a good time. Then we headed home for some Pizza Hut....Papa Greg is always excited to order pizza from someone else (sarcasm implied) but he did like it :) Naptime for the kids, adult pool time for the adults...are you noticing a pattern here? Yes, every afternoon when the kids were napping, all the adults would either layout in the pool and drink or head to the beach and hang out. It was the only time we weren't applying sunscreen, singing, entertaining, brushing sand off, listening to whining, starting the DVD player, mediating between who gets the water guns in the pool, mass producing toddler lunches, or assisting with potty breaks! And I'm sure I missed some things in there! Anna and Dave decided they were going to take the night for themselves and head to BoneFish for a dinner alone so we decided that since the weather was beautiful outside and not as humid as it had been, that we would head somewhere on the beach for dinner. We ended up eating at Pompano Joe's and it was right on the water, it was a beautiful night and a good dinner where all the toddlers behaved...so we headed for ice cream afterwards...again! Then home to put kids to bed, adults played some LCR. Another good day in Destin! Still haven't had a raindrop yet! So much for those who warned us that it was hurricane season!

Destin 2010 - Day 3

Daddy had the idea that we'd go to the beach this morning just as a family, so we packed up our bags, sunscreened up and took the golf cart to the beach....for about 20 minutes! Brody cried b/c he wanted to be carried instead of getting his feet in the sand or the water. Quinn had to be held the entire time b/c she flat out refused to touch the beach. Mommy was hot, and Daddy was tired of carrying crying kids and listening to all the whining. So after just a few pictures of Quinn crying the entire time, we headed home. As I said in an earlier post, the beach is always a nice thought...until you get there, then it's just poorly executed! :) So it took us a lot longer to get ready to go to the beach and to clean the sand off when we got home than we were actually there! To the pool we went for the rest of the day. Finley and mommy took a little break and went to a nail salon so Finley could her toes and fingers painted as requested. She has had such good behavior so far that she deserved the $10 reward! Her only request was that they pink and sparkly so pink with sparkles she got...and a bonus flower too. Then home for some afternoon naps so the adults could have their afternoon pool time. Brody had his usual meltdown before dinner on what he was going to wear. It's been a rough trip for Brody regarding his wardrobe....he wants to wear long sleeves, hoodies, and thermal shirts when it's 100 degrees outside. After a lot of yelling from Daddy and a major tantrum, we were on our way! Then we headed out with everyone to a japanese steakhouse called Osaka. Mommy loves japanese food so I was way excited and I was even more excited when you guys ate it and loved it. You even ate the soup and salad! As you can see from the pics, we did try to get all the kids on the bridge over our pool when we came home but that was a little complicated....you get what you get with 2-3 yr olds, a 2 yr old and 2-1 yr olds!

Destin 2010 - Day 2

Our kids leisurely woke up at 6:45, they obviously don't know we're on vacation! Then it was breakfast and out to the pool for some fun in the sun! Quinn is the resident daredevil that just dives in from anywhere or any raft, and Brody just took off and started to swim today. He had previously decided just to take up camp on the pool steps and squirt is water gun at everyone so this is a much appreciated change! Lunch by the pool and then naps for all children so we could get off the Sunset Dolphin Cruise on the Sea Blaster by 4:30. We got off to a bit of a rocky start as it was very hot while we were waiting to board and we had 5 kids under 3, one of which had to be put on a leash before the waiting had ended...not one of my 3 though. So by the time we boarded, we were very hot and sweaty and all thinking that we had better see some dolphins on this cruise! Brody was definitely the most excited as he is is very into all things dolphins right now. Luckily for Brodog, about 1 hr into the cruise, we saw more dolphins than we ever thought possible. For every degree of heat it was outside, we saw at least that many dolphins jumping out of the water. It was sunset on the water by then and it was GORGEOUS! Well worth the $50 we paid...thank god! Everyone was huddled towards the back of the boat watching them and the look on Finley and Brody's faces were priceless! Quinn, Lennon and Hads appreciated it a lot less but still had some fun. Finley even got to drive the big boat! When we got off the boat, we walked down the HarborWalk and had dinner at the Lucky Snapper on the water. The adults had some drinks and dinner and the kids spilled a lot of drinks on the table...all in all it was a good time. Brody and Finley learned from Aunt NiNi how to put a spoon on their nose and Quinney and Lennon had fun throwing things on the floor and high fiving to eachother as the dads picked it up. They had a good time together. Hads is fighting a sinus infection but has still been a trooper today! More for the rest of the week I'm sure...

Destin 2010 - Unofficial Day 1

So our "official" day 1 was spent driving in the car and it wasn't all that bad. Although we owe credit to Mawmaw Julie and Papa Greg b/c they offered to fly Quinn with them. We love her to death, but 12 hrs in the car would not have been fun for her and in turn us. So we left friday night around 2pm and spent the night in a hotel in Mississippi that night, arriving in Destin saturday around 2pm. You guys couldn't have been better in the car, minus a few minor spats over movie pics, snacks, and the occasional "mom, when are we going to get to the beach?!" Other than that, we cannot complain. The rest of that day was filled with grocery store trips and getting acclamated with our cousin, aunt and uncle we hadn't seen in a very long time! Our unofficial Day 1 was sunday, we woke up and ate breakfast and then drove a golf cart to the beach. The beach is always one of those things that's good in theory but is always poorly executed with a bunch of toddlers in tow! So it's beautiful but the reality of it is that you end up with little shade, little amenities for toddlers (snacks, etc), and you get more sand, kelp and seaweed in more places than anybody ever should! So after a short time of building sandcastles and looking for seashells, we headed back to the pool at the house. This would prove to be the best place to hang out for everyone! Everyone is in love with Brody's "max liquidator" water guns...who shouldn't be right? Then it was on to afternoon naps and then dinner at The Crab Trap. Everyone was on their best behavior that night, well maybe not Lennon but everyone else. We can't really blame Len though b/c he did spend his official first night in Destin at the ER for a bump on his head. More pics on that to follow but all turned out well in the end, but it left him a lot short on sleep. We had to follow The Crab Trap up with Marble Slab Creamery for dessert and then home...bedtime for the kids and home videos of us growing up for the adults...really just make fun of Aunt Nicki time :) Finley asked if she could "live at the beach house forever" so I'd say all in all you guys are loving it!

My Happy Hoarder!

I have to blog about my happy hoarder before we leave to go on vacation and I will have so many more stories to tell about you! First of all, we call you the "hoarder" b/c you are. You are constantly carrying things around in bags, going through your drawers getting out clothes to carry on, asking if you can bring things home from places or take things with you. It is a constant swap meet around our house! And your latest craze is long sleeve shirts...in the heat! Granted it's getting chillier out now so it's been okay lately but it's been a few weeks and you even want to wear a thermal shirt or a hoodie in the heat! Getting you dressed lately has been a nightmare! You are more than prepared for fall! So bizarre! You are a very thoughtful child. If one of your siblings is in the very back seat of the car and you're in the middle, you are always asking if they are okay "back there." You still love dinosaurs, trains, movies, riding your bike, food, dips of any type, swimming, boating, fishing, and snuggling. You are so looking forward to the beach and you can't wait to see dolphins so I definitely hope we can make that dream come true for you. You are obsessed with anything sea related these days...ocean, water, whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, fish...anything. Since you started preschool, you're loving it. You are learning so much I can tell. You hate goodbyes. If someone leaves your life even if only for a second or a day, you have to say goodbye, give them a hug and a kiss, a high five and "knucks" and you must repeat this process at least 4 times. You get very teary eyed and emotional if someone doesn't bid you the proper farewell and do it enough times. You pay a lot of attention to detail and ask A LOT of questions. You are always the first one to pay anyone a compliment on their outfit, jewelry, hair, etc. You're always saying, "mommy, that shirt is really cute." So sweet. I could just eat you up!

Could you be any cuter???

I don't know if they get much cuter than you these days...or sweeter most of the time. You are funny, witty, smart, you pay attention to detail, you're thoughtful...I am amazed everyday at the stuff you pick up on at the age of 3. With all of this being said though, you are still a normal 3 yr old. You still fight with your siblings and throw the occasional tantrum, but it's almost always over independence and your fight to do things when you want to do them. The other biggest fight with you lately would be at the dinner table. You can hold a bite of food in your mouth longer than anyone else I've ever seen! I think you only recognize a couple of food groups: chocolate, chips, candy and ice cream. We were eating dinner the other night and I gave out my usual threat to make you eat dinner, "eat your dinner or you're going in timeout." Your response was, "I don't like the way you're talking to me at all!" And you you cocked your head as you said it and everything...I actually laughed out loud b/c it was so funny! Not appropriate I'm sure but sometimes I can't help myself...you are so my child! You like to ride your bike but not as much as your brother. You are bossy and you hate when we discipline your brother or sister, you're the only person who gets to boss them apparently. You have some hilarious dance moves and actually start ballet, tap and tumbling tomorrow night. I'm not sure who's more excited to see you dance for the 1st time, your mom or your grandma....we'll see if YOU actually like it! You live to entertain the crowd though so I can't imagine you not liking it. You use words that are way too big for you like concentrate and ridiculous. You still love Darla and take her just about everywhere. You include her in all your shenanigans. If you're in trouble, Darla is in bigger trouble. You comment all the time on what you're doing with her and how good of a mom you are to her. And you really are. You love bags packed with anything. You and your brother are like little hoarders packing all your bags full of random stuff and carting it all over the place...mommy is lucky to keep track of anything these days. Nothing is sacred! You love to get dressed, have your hair done, nails painted, etc. You are a true girl! Pink is your favorite color, right along with purple. You are a good sharer most of the time. You like to cuddle and snuggle when it's convenient for you. You love school and walk in like you own the place, they love you also. You are not a follower as far as I can tell so far. Your cousin got mad at you all weekend b/c you wouldn't do what she told you to. This was a proud moment for mommy as I want you to be an independent thinker. I jokingly named you "lumpy neck" this past month b/c you've had swollen lymph nodes in your neck and you had us worried, but after some bloodwork and a lot of observing, the dr has determined that it's nothing for now. I guess you're just skinny! You are a ham in front of the camera and we couldn't love you more.