An update on Grandpa

My grandpa has seen better days.  Today, he is an outpatient at the Riverton Hospital, getting a blood transfusion.  The last two weeks he has been residing at the Legacy Village Rehabilitation Center because of a hospital stay, and a feeding tube (he never passes the swallow tests).  The two weeks (or maybe just 10 days) before that, he was in the hospital.  He had a bad infection, stemming from a UTI because of a catheter and had two heart attacks and got a pace maker.

Phew.

The months prior to the last several weeks haven't been so great either.

But, there he is, plugging along, unwilling to give in or give up.  He keeps fighting, to stay with us for another day.

I'm not the best grand-daughter - it's really hard for me to visit.  It's hard for me to see people sick and weak - I want my memories of them to always be strong and healthy.  Knowing that my grandpa isn't doing well is also hard because when he decides it's finally time to leave us (hopefully not too soon), then that's it for me in the grandparent department.  I realize that I'm pretty lucky that at 39 years old, I've still got a grandparent alive to learn from and love.  But, it's touchy for me none the less.

Since January, I've been writing my grandpa letters.  I have written a letter every single week, not missing one.  He is my pen pal, only, a pen pal that doesn't write back.  It's a little one sided I suppose, but I sort of like it that way.  I know he likes to read, and I it's a good way for me to talk to him, because I've struggled with that my whole life, too.

My grandpa is stoic.  He is strong and brave.  He is faithful and courageous.  During my life, he has shared opinions, wisdom and stories of his life with me...mostly through my grandma but on a good day, he can tell some tales.

On Monday, we were driving home from swimming lessons and I had the following conversation with Quinn.  It's a little morbid, but he's four and a half and like all almost 5 year olds, he only speaks the truth.

Q: Mom, is Great Grandpa at home or still in the place?
M:  He is still in the place, but he is doing okay.  Should we go and visit him?
Q:  Yes, we should visit him.
M:  Should we draw him some pictures to decorate his room at the place?
Q:  Yes, I want to make him a card.  How do you spell, "I'm glad you're not dead!"

(Elliott and Wyatt laughing hysterically)
M:  Well, maybe we should say, "I'm glad you are still alive, instead?"
Q:  No, mom.  I'm glad he is not dead.

Well, Quinner.  So am I.

So.  Am. I.

Random thoughts from a four year old

Quinn says some funny things.  He's probably the funniest person in our family.  Here are a few of the things he's said this week that were pretty amusing.

At bedtime:
"Dad, when guys sing songs sometimes they say 'baby', but they mean girl."



In the car:
"Mom, why do some boys and girls kiss each other on the mouth?"
"Mom, have you ever kissed dad?
"Why would you kiss dad, he has the stinkiest farts in the whole world!"



In the bathtub:
"Mom, which animal is bigger an indominous rex or a blue whale?"
"Which animal is bigger, a blue whale or a mosasaur?"

Quinn plays soccer!

This is the first year my littlest buddy is playing an organized sport.  Starting with soccer, when your dad is the coach, and your bestie cousin is on your team is a pretty good introduction to competition.  Ross is an excellent coach and Quinn is pretty competitive apparently - more so than I ever thought was possible.

The first couple practices, he melted down a little.  The first game he wasn't sure what to do and only RAN when we all yelled at him, "QUINN....RUN!"  But, since then he has been a goal scoring machine and last week, out ran and hustled a giant bully of a girl (who, by the way, was not a 4 year old) and even scored a girl on her as she tripped him and knocked him down.

It's so exciting and fun to watch him get excited and have fun.  Let's face it, kids a couch potato who loves TV, french fries and riding in shopping carts so to see him have energy and run and be enthusiastic is really really great.

Quinn is FOUR!

Oh my goodness!  You, my dear Quinn, are four years old.  Time sure flies, doesn't it.  You have been asking about and "Mom, I be so excited for my burfday" for weeks and weeks.  It got to the point that every morning when you woke up, you asked how many more days until your birthday, September two!

Well, when that birthday eventually arrived, you didn't believe me, or the boys, that it was actually the day.  I think when we had your party in the evening, swimming and pizza and cake and ice cream at Great Grandpa's house, you finally believed us.  And, then, in true Quinn fashion, stressed out about the amount of attention you were getting and sort of ran away into Grandpa Huber's family room to escape some of the chaos.

Your dad and I cannot believe you are four years old.  Watching you grow and learn is the most fun thing every.  You are such a smart little fart, with a pretty strange sense of humor and we all cannot help but marvel sometimes, at the kid you are turning into.



You like to say prayers, with help.  You like to tell horrible knock-knock jokes.  You love to sing and dance and we find you humming some of your favorite songs regularly.  You are so good at playing with toys and using your imagination.  You still love animals and DINOSAURS, but are slowly moving towards Lego's, super heroes and more big kid things.

Speaking of dinosaurs, you are still pretty obsessed.  Grandpa Karl calls you "Blue" or "Charlie" because those are the names of your favorite raptors from Jurassic World, a movie you watch almost weekly.  You even have dreams that you are a raptor trainer and can ride on their backs and make them smile.  Generally, there is a dinosaur figurine in your hand or a book close to you.  Your practically a Dino encyclopedia and listening to you say names like, "Therozinosaurus" is pretty fun.

Countless times a day, you walk up to me and say, "Mom, guess what?"  I play along and act interested and surprised with my response of "What?", and you yell with a giggle, "Chicken Butt".  You also sing the first line of Sir-Mix-a-lots, Baby got Back, "I like big butts and I cannot lie" all the time.

Your favorite foods are Little Cesar's pizza and McDonald's chicken nuggets.  And yogurt and bacon and crackers.  You are a complete couch potato and cannot start to function in the mornings until about 10 am, after you've had your fill of screens and sunny delight to drink.  You love kindles and ipods and ipads and can navigate most games pretty well.  You also love to jump on the trampoline and tackle your brothers, usually knocking them down in the process.

Though you won't admit it, the return of Uncle Willie from two years in Lithuania made your life complete.  His lap was your throne before he left and even though it took a couple weeks, his lap is once again where you perch yourself whenever he is around.  The two of you play lots of fun games together.  He asks you every time he sees you, even when you are sitting on his lap, if the two of you are friends.  You laugh, give him a sideways glance, and tell him no.  It's pretty funny.



You also play other games with him, that only the two of you seem to get.  A week or so ago, he was hanging out with us after school and he said in his high pitched funny voice, "My favorite house is the 7-11."  You, repeating that same tone said, "My favorite house is a....bush!"  That got the whole car rolling with laughter.

You love the shows paw patrol, the lion guard and wild kratts.  You love Darth Vader.  You think that the hulk is pretty incredible, but flash is your favorite superhero.  The thought of going to Disneyland in a few weeks is blowing your mind and you are loving preschool, which makes me so happy.  You love to run errands and go to target and get Slurpee's and go to the zoo and eat churros.  Pretty much, you are the coolest sidekick around.



I am so happy to see you growing up, getting bigger and stronger and faster and smarter.  There was a time, when two kids were going to be the only kids in this family, but goodness gracious, I'm so happy I listened to those voices from heaven telling me that there was someone special who needed to be in this family because that was you and I don't know what we would do if you weren't here.

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Quinn's first day of preschool

Friday, August 19th was Quinn's first day, of his second year of preschool.  He is in the 3-4 year old group, even though he will turn 4 on September 2.  Being the oldest has it's perks I suppose, there is a little girl in his preschool class who is turning three on August 31.  I'd rather my kid be the oldest than the youngest, that's for sure.

He is also the biggest.  No shocker there.

We lucked out and signed him up with the same teacher, Mrs. Beuhler, that he had for the mini 3 group from January - May of this year.

He was nervous at orientation, but when it was time to go on Friday, he was ready.  He knew what to do, and did it well.  Most importantly, he was happy and excited to tell me all about the first day on the ride home.  Hooray, Quinn!

3 weeks of summer

As much as I complain about year round school, the reality is that in a lot of ways, it really works well for my kids.  I found myself, the whole month of June, pining and whining for days off, ready to just check the boys out of school and be done with it.  But now, as we have only a few days left in our summer, I'm really tired and realize that I don't know what I would do with the boys if they were home for 3 full months.

Elliott starts 4th grade on July 26.  Wyatt will start second grade.  But, they only go for three weeks and then, we have summer number 2.  But summer number two will be without cousins and grandma's and uncles because they will all be back at work and at school.  But, at least almost every where we go, will be empty.

Anyway, in three weeks, we have crammed in a lot.

Fireworks.
Summer NBA games.
2 days of grandma camp, with no moms
Lagoon.
This is the place state park.
Swimming in the day.
Swimming in the night.
Soccer practice.
Cub Country.
Parade float preview.
Lots of lunch (lots of little Caesar's pizza).

We've got a few activities left to complete before summer #1 is officially over, and then we will put the list on hold for a couple of weeks for round two.

An update :: Quinner

Lately, this boy lives in a land that dissappeared 65 million years ago.  To say he is in a dinosaur "phase" is a gross understatement.  Take yesterday morning, for example (Side note:  it wasn't really yesterday, it was last week.  It's taken me a while to finish this post.)  After we took the boys to school we watched his BBC documentary kids show about dinosaurs.  When that was finished, we "read" dinosaur books in silence.  He doesn't need me to read him the names because, he's a dinosaur and he knows all the names.  After that, I convinced him to get dressed, in his new glow in the dark Indominous Rex dinosaur t-shirt from target.  Then, as we do a lot of mornings, we watched dinosaur videos on YouTube before it was time to go to school.

Then, there is all the coloring, of dinosaurs.  Painting, of dinosaurs.  Reading of dinosaur books, and the fact that on most days, he only speaks Raptor to me and asks to be called "Blue" (his favorite dino from Jurassic World) instead of Quinn.

This kid, he's a great boy.  He's a little strange, talks like a 10 year old, and is a pretty content kid.  He loves his Uncle Willie, calls his brothers, "The boys" or "The Brothers", loves to talk about zombies and animals, and wookies, in addition to dinosaurs.  Yesterday, Willie took the boys in his car on the Huber family cemetery trek for Momerial Day and Quinn came home so excited that he got to go on a road trip with Uncle Willie.

Last week, he finished preschool.  The Mini-3 program that he participated in from January - May was so good for him.  He was painfully shy before school, and still had moments of being ridiculously shy and nervous when I dropped him off on most days, but I was so proud of him that he did it.  And, more importantly, that he loved school.

When he finished last week, I asked him what we were going to do now that school was out for the summer.  He replied, "I guess I should take swimming lessons."  I guess he's right.  I mean, if he can tackle school on his own for 4.5 hours a week, he can surely sit on the edge of a swimming pool and kick and blow bubbles, right?

This kid and I have some long days every once in a while, like today, where we lay on the floor in the office taking selfies and wondering what to do.  But, for the most part, we fill our days with activities and conversations that I wouldn't trade for anything and I feel pretty lucky that I get to have him as my side kick.  He likes to pull weeds, tells me when it's a beautiful day, and willingly washes his hands.  What more could I ask for.

A Dapper Trio

Over the weekend we were shopping at the Salt and Honey Market, mostly to check on my inventory because I was a vendor at the show.  While there, Wyatt decided that he wanted a bow tie, as part of his birthday presents.  We obliged.

On Sunday morning, he started to get dressed and then Quinn decided to jump on the bow tie bandwagon and, thanks to the last couple years of dressy Christmas presents from Grandma Judy, we were able to find a bow tie for Elliott, too.  I must say that these boys of mine, especially when the big boys have fresh haircuts, end up being a pretty dapper trio.

And as we all came down stairs ready for church, I realized that we were all dressed the same - navy blues, so it warranted a front porch selfie before we left the house.

The Mighty QUINN :: leaving his mom in the dust

Milestones.  There are so many firsts with a child, aren't there.  Some we photograph.  Some we lock in our memory.  Every single detail captured.  The smells, the conversations, the clothing, the feelings.  We try to remember everything before it just becomes a dot, a speck of dust in the grand scheme of our lives.  As a mom to three growing boys, I do my best to try and back off and let them live, while still taking as many pictures as I can, and capturing as much in my cruddy memory as possible.

Well, today was the day.  Today, my little buddy started preschool.  Everyone knows that this little boy has me wrapped around his finger, but I truly enjoy his company and like having someone with me every day.  But, he too must grow up and growing up he is, too fast if I may say so myself.

To say that I was nervous, is a gross understatement.  This boy of mine, he's nervous, like me.  He likes to stay home, with me.  He's never had a babysitter except for his grandparents.  He isn't the most brave in social situations.  But, I've been trying to avoid projecting my hangups onto him and just trusting him, that he can do it.

He went to sunbeams on Sunday after never staying in nursery for his entire life.  It was shocking and wonderful.  Ross and I were all smiles, all day.

Tuesday, we went to meet his teacher, meet the other kids, and do a mock one hour session of school.  He did great, but didn't stray too far from my side.  And, when we talked about going to school on Thursday by himself, he told me that he wasn't going to do it.  I've been nervous for days.

Today however, was the day.  We talked about school all morning and ironically, the episode of Wonder Pets he watched in the morning was about a puffer fish that didn't want to leave his mom to go to school.  When we had about 40 minutes before it was time to leave however, it was game on.  He got ready, found his bag, his jacket, his gloves, got his shoes on, went to the bathroom without a bribe and said, "Come on, Mom!  Let's go!"

We got to school 15 minutes early.  We did a mock run of the bathroom, just in case he needed to go at school.  I gave him the same talk I give the big boys before I drop them off every day: be good, be kind to everyone, don't pee your pants!  As soon as the teacher opened the door Quinn ran in, followed instructions by hanging up his coat and his school bag, and sat down to play with toys.  I stood there, like a dork, and realized it was time for me to go.  I had him give me a high 5, and I was out the door, back in my car.

I called Ross.  I started to cry.  My baby, in every single way, was now, officially a big boy and as happy and joyful as it made me, I was desperately sad.  I sat in the car for 5 minutes or so, just to make sure he didn't come running back out to me, and then I left.

Phew!

I made sure to get back to school with plenty of time to pick him up.  When the door was opened, he saw me, smiled from ear to ear and ran out the door.  I had to send him back in to get all of his stuff and as I put his jacket on in the hall he said, so proud, "Mom, I did it.  I went by myself and I did it!"

Yes little buddy, you did.

you may have done it for a slurpee and a doughnut, but you did it and I couldn't be prouder.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

On Sunday night, it snowed.

On Monday, it snowed.

On Monday night, it snowed.

On Tuesday, we had a lot more snow.

Children, mine included, love the snow.  They seem to forget the fact that they are cold, have frozen snot on their faces and soaking wet pants and socks because....SNOW!

Yesterday, when the big boys got home from school, they geared up and headed outside with their little brother.  I dare say, they frolicked, they had so much fun.  When they came inside, they were laughing and having a great time.

Snow, for as much havoc as it wreaks in the lives of adults by way of commuting, shoveling and snow blowing, is truly magical for kids.  Quinn, in particular, has really loved the snow the last couple of days.  I guess this is the first year he's really old enough to play and trudge through knee high snow and last year, we didn't get any so this is pretty amazing to him.

I need to remember that magic the next time my boys are driving me crazy.

The boy we call Quinn

This third child of mine is a different kind of kid.  When I say, "I love you!" he replies with, "No.  I love Grandma!"  When we talk of his grandma's he gets confused.  My mom is here, in the flesh.  Ross parents are serving a mission so Grandma Connie only appears ocassionaly via Skype.  We often have conversations about grandma's that go:

"I have two grandmas.  Grandma Judy and the white haired one.  What's her name again?"

I say, "Grandma Connie.  Grandma Connie is dad's mom and Grandma Judy is my mom."  He replies with, "No I want her (I think her is plural in his mind for both grandmas) to be my mom."

He says lots of funny things, none of which I can remember right as I'm typing.  He has....


********

I started writing this post about Quinn a couple of weeks ago.  I never finished it.  Now I'm to tired to even try and think about what I was gong to write in the first place.

Since that time though, we have accomplished something that I really never thought would be a reality.  This kid finally pees in a toilet.

It took almost three months of work and fighting; trying and then taking a week or two off and trying again; and several periods of 24 hours where nothing came out of his body except maybe a booger or two (can you believe that this little boy could go 24 hours without peeing?).  But!  BUT, one day, nearly three weeks ago it clicked and he's never looked back.  Not an accident, not a slip up, not a problem!  He has been wearing pull ups, I think mostly because they are like a security blanket but he finally chose to graduate to the Captain America big boy pants and no one could be more proud of Quinn than Quinn.

No more diapers.  I've spent the last nearly 9 years changing someone's diaper with only a 4 month reprieve between Wyatt turning three and Quinn being born.  That's a lot of stinky butts in my general direction.  It's quite the accomplishment and I'm happy for both of us.

"Mom!  I fink I need to go pee!" - never a happier phrase than that one kiddo.

Hooray!

Quinner: 36 months, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Oh.  My.  Goodness!  You my little buddy are three years old today.  Where has the time gone?  You've been so excited for your birthday for weeks now.  Excited to be turning "free" and for presents, and for a party.  I hope that today doesn't disappoint.

You are fun and crazy and strange and delightful.  Three year olds really are fun, you are fun too, especially when you aren't angry at someone or screaming at us.  We've been making a list of fun things about you the last week or so, because there are just so many funny things you do and say.

Oga bar = granola bar
noculars = binoculars
"That's mines"
"Where's the boys?"
"I want you carry for me" "carra me"
wizard = lizard
flushie = slushie or slurpee
"I fink its a ...."
paytatoes = potatoes
tang tang = orangutan
borilla = gorilla
pupa bear = polar bear
"Elliott don't needs one!"
"Stop wooking at me"
Angel Jeronia = Angel Moronia
Lifabeanea or Southuania = Lithuania
Sundawe Wight = sunny delight
"Allf of them"
"the mud pots smell like bacon" (from yellowstone)
"My can do it!"
Acation = vacation
seeum = museum (like "lets go to the dinosaur seeum")
hobby hobby = hobby lobby
"Can we go to target?"

You love to sing and dance.  You love music.  You are OCD obsessed with washing your hands about 20 times a day.  You can run and jump and bowl over your brothers in a single tackle.  You love to sit on someones lap, watch tv and play with animals and cars and dinosaurs.  You've sort of moved beyond gorillas lately and are super into dinosaurs.

Whenever I tell you that I love you, you say, "No.  I love Grandma!"  Or, if I say, "Are you my buddy?" you say "No, my grandma's buddy!"  We have a great time hanging out together, and even though you love your brothers, well, love to beat up your brothers, you seem to really like being just with mom while they are at school, too.

Here's a quick list, as answered by you, of some of your three year old favorites.
animal: tiger
color: blue
song: Say Geronimo
store: target
food:  Caesars pizza
drink:  sundawee light and chocolate milk
dinosaur: t-rex
tv show: spongebob squarepants
best friend: Jack-Jack
who loves you?:  Grandma Judy
toy: animals
minion: Kevin
movie: Minion movie



You are growing up so fast.  It's amazing to me how not so long ago you were a little squish and now, you are a sword and gun wielding, ninja playing, bike riding giant monster of a kid.  Growing up is a pretty amazing thing, isn't it.

Love you lots.
Happy Birthday.

Grandma Camp: Lagoon

For several years now, my mom has been trying, with no success, to convince us all to go to Lagoon with her.  We haven't done, using young kids, the hot summer, and general disdain for the place as our reasons for not going.  This year though, the kids are finally really big enough to go on nearly all the rides, walk instead of be carried or strollered around, and so we all relented.

July 13 was the day for Lagoon.  Grandpa Karl opted out, he's allowed to do that sort of thing, but Ross and James came with us and it was a lot of fun.  It was also extra great that Ross came because, you see, he enjoys riding rides.  I do not enjoy riding rides, instead opting for food and people observation, and perfecting my pack mule skills.  I am an excellent pack mule.

As soon as we arrived we headed to kiddie land.  Now, I haven't been to lagoon since I was 15 years old.  As Elliott did that math last night, he realized that I haven't been 15 for a very long time.  Lagoon was nothing like I remembered it to be.  It was clean and fun.  They have a really fantastic kids ride section, all new, and the kids had a great time.

We arrived around 2:30 in the afternoon and after about an hour of kids rides, Ross, James, Elliott and Wyatt headed out to ride the roller coasters while the rest of us stayed in kiddie land to drive cars and fly helicopters and ride in boats.  After a little while Ross called to say that they were bringing Wyatt back to us.  Ross coaxed him onto two wild rides and he'd had enough.  When his dad left, and Wyatt was with the women folk, he told us that the old white roller coaster was, "TERRIFYING!"  The kid rode Space Mountain at Disneyland when he was 4, but he's gotten much smarter now.

We rode the train.  We rode Tidal Wave as a whole family.  Quinn wasn't a fan.  In fact, it took Quinn about an hour before he was brave enough to ride anything, but once he figured out he was safe, he even let some of the kids who ran the rides help him in and out of rides.  That was a big move for mister stranger danger.

We ate dinner in Pioneer Village at the end of the night and then it was time for the wet rides.  No one really got wet on the old log flume, but they got drenched on Rattle Snake Rapids.  Completely soaking wet.  The big boys wanted to go again (Haley, Molly, Quinn, my Mom and I opted out of the super wet stuff) but their dad was too wet and said no.  I did bring dry shorts for them to put on for the ride home, good thing too, because when we finally left, they were still pretty wet.



I was really impressed with Lagoon.  It's small enough that you don't die running from one end of the park to the other, and we lucked out and happened to be there on a day that it just wasn't crowded.  I imagine that there are days when the lines are Disney lines, but yesterday, we just walked on to everything.

The kids were all super good.  Jack is a daredevil and wants to ride everything and he took good care of his twinner, Quinner, who is afraid of air.  They held hands and jabbered and giggled and crashed bumper cars into each other.  I hope that they are always best good friends.

I'm glad we went.  I'm glad that I have such a fantastic mom, who is the best grandma out there, doing wonderful and fun things with her grand kids to give them experiences!

And, they had dole whip.  We ate dinner at an Arby's inside the park, but they had dole whip.  And, it was delicious.

Utah State Capitol

I read an article a few weeks ago.  It talked about how our kids are being raised in a world where, as their parents, all we ask them after they do stuff is, "Did you have fun?"  even though we know perfectly well that all the things they do aren't fun, and aren't even supposed to be fun.

The article continued by saying that instead of asking our kids if we've had fun, we should ask them what they learned, what they thought about the experience, that sort of thing.  It really got me thinking and in the last little while, I've started to change the way I ask my kids about the things that we do.

I mean, I pretty much know that they've had fun, because we do fun things.  But, I also want to know more about their thinking.  It's fun to hear what they think about stuff.

On Thursday this week, we continued our Utah history adventure at the Utah State Capitol.  We started with the visitor center across the street and then, quickly realized, that pushing a 40 pound child in a stroller isn't the best way to tour the capitol.  You see, there are a lot of stairs.  A.  Lot.  Of.  Stairs.

But, we survived the stairs, and the tourists, and had some great conversations about government, how laws are made, what the Supreme Court is and does, and about what movies were made in Utah.  (there were a couple cool exhibits about movies).  I was really surprised at how much we had to talk about .  I felt like a history teacher again, and my boys seemed to be willing students.

Afterwards, we headed to City Creek for lunch at the food court and a quick trip to the Disney store for a prize.

It was a fun day.

This is the Place State Park

On Wednesday, we went on an adventure with Grandma Judy.  We hadn't been to "This is the Place State Park" since Willie was 2 years old.  Yes, that's 18 years.  It was pretty much the same as I remembered it being nearly two decades ago.  But, it was different.  There was an excellent Native American program with beautiful traditional dress and dancing.  Oh, I love tribal dancing.

There were a lot of activities, which we sort of missed out on because I wasn't in charge of the map.  There was doll making and arrow head necklace making and other stuff like that.  The people in character in the homes were fun to listen to, and the boys got to ride ponies.  We had a science lesson in the school house and learned that a pioneer barber, one with a striped pole outside his buisness, was also trained in surgery and blood letting.

Oh, and there was a train.  Let's not forget the train.  The kid that was our tour guide on the train, Parker, was hilarious.  He was good enough to do the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland, if that were something he was interested in doing.

We ate "Brigham's Donuts" dipped in chocolate and flavor burst ice cream.  We bought old fashioned candy and toys and added about 4000 steps to our daily step totals.  The weather was a little weepy...not really raining but not really clear, until it was time to leave.  It was the perfect day to visit the park.

After, we got lunch and had a picnic at the Liberty park, complete with a small tribe of attacking geese.

It was a great day.