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.

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.

First Day of School! First Day of School!

Today was the first day of second grade.  Last night he couldn't sleep and needed to lay in bed with me and have me rub his back and whisper Stuart Smalley affirmations to him.  It made my night.  This morning, when every single kid seemingly had  parents walking them to their classes, he just wanted to be dropped off and do it all by himself.  I asked him if he was sure and he said yes, that he could figure it out.  I was proud, but it broke my heart a little.  He and I have been in a tug of war for months - he needs me, he wants nothing to do with me.  The first day of second grade was a perfect example of that.  This kid is growing up, and I am now on standby.  Hoping maybe, just maybe, I can get a hug every once in a while.  Or maybe we can go for a drive and get a diet coke and a slurpee.

When we got in the car this morning to head to school I said to him, "So, are you excited?  Or, are you nervous?"

He looked at me, grinning from ear to ear and said, "Well, actually, I'm both!"

Me too, kid.  Me too.

First day of school! First day of school!

Here is what Elliott says about the first day of first grade:

School was fun.

That's it.

Yesterday, the first day of first grade, was easy peasy.  The kid got out of bed and dressed and ate breakfast and made his lunch and got his shoes on and brushed his teeth and made his bed without a second of hesitation, grumbling, or orneriness.

Yeah, school!

The boys and I dropped him off.  He DID NOT want me to walk him to the first grade line-up spot because he can do it himself.  He found his teacher and turned into a big kid.

Wyatt and Quinn and I went with Haley and her kids to Scheels! while Elliott was at school and minus me panicking a little bit when it was time to pick him up because the pick up line was so long (but he was waiting patiently in the spot we picked - good boy!) and I was too nervous to wait in it so I was driving around like a crazy lady trying to find a space to park and get my big boy from school because I was so excited to see him (yes, read this run on sentence in once breath, kind of frantic!) and I found him.

And he was grinning from ear to ear.

He said that the Spanish wasn't too scary and that they didn't really do a lot.

He ate all his lunch and sat with his friend Levi.

His favorite part of the day was recess.

And, he figured out, and will tell anyone who will listen that, on short days he goes to school for five hours and on regular days, he goes to school for SEVEN HOURS!

I'm so proud of him.

And, just like his day started with a perfect kid, the evening ended pretty good too.  We met Grandma and Grandpa and Willie and Haley and James and Molly and Jack (Dad was at scout camp) at Mountain Mikes for our favorite pizza to celebrate the first day of school.

Then at home, when it was time to go to bed, this big kid of mine told me goodnight, climbed into his sleeping bag (clean sheet day didn't happen as planned), and drifted off to sleep.



The difference between the first day of kindergarten and the first day of first grade - huge difference!

And, Wyatt at Scheels, because we don't want him to feel left out.

a little bit funny

yesterday driving home from an errand we saw two missionaries riding their bikes. That of course, started a conversation about going on a mission.

Mom: "Elliott, where do you think you'll go on your mission?"

Elliott: "Somewhere up in the mountains where I can ride my green bike."

Mom: "That sounds great. Where do you think Wyatt will go on his mission? It will have to be somewhere that they don't talk because all he does is grunt."

Elliott: "I know mom. He'll go to North Dakota on his mission because the people in North Dakota don't know how to talk either. They only grunt."

And, if this isn't enough advanced thinking for a three year old, he's taken to saying, "I assume" and "I suppose" with nearly every sentence.

"Grandma, I assume that this paint brush is grandpa's"

"Mom, I suppose that Grandma has sweedish fish."

Yeah, that's my boy.

41 months

This was a big week for my three and a half year old.  He had his first of many graduations.  This one was from preschool - something he'll be doing for another two years because he has a January birthday.  Sorry kiddo - your mom and dad should have planned that one better. 

When I found out last year that one of the nicest ladies in the neighborhood was going to put together a very small at home preschool to help her deaf son assimilate a little better into the world of crazy kids I jumped at the chance to add you to the group.  You needed the social time and you already loved Benjamin and I hoped it would be just the structure you needed to get some quality learning in.

Well, it ended up being the absolute best thing in the whole world for you, my boy.  When school started in January you were shy and nervous and prone to dramatics.  One of the first times at school I brought you home in hysterics because I wasn't the first mom to pick you up - you thought I wasn't coming.  Six months later however, you were wanting to walk to school by yourself and being upset when it was time to come home - wanting to stay and play and learn forever.



At graduation this week you were the star.  You followed instructions, sang the songs the loudest, and stood silently and proudly as Miss Tammi talked about all that you have learned, and all that you have taught the kids over the last few months.  You're a born leader, she said, with an imagination that took the class to the moon and back.

You have learned so much.  We are so proud of you at three years old, I can only imagine what the years ahead hold for you.  I get goose bumps sometimes when I see you learning and growing and turning into such a smart and kind little boy.  Though we have our moments, the two of us, I couldn't be more happy and proud of you.



To celebrate your big graduation day, Dad was able to come to your ceremony.  Then, we went to lunch with some of your favorite people; Uncle Willie, Haley and baby Molly.  And, if that wasn't enough, tonight you and your dad are going to a REAL soccer game.  Just the two of you.

Because you're a big boy.  And we love you.

About a boy

Elliott didn't have preschool today. The teacher's son was sick.

Wyatt has two ear infections. He's been sick for days, but decided that today was the day to be clingy and whiny and cry every second I wasn't looking at him, or carrying him, or rocking him in the chair.

Thank you PBS Kids for being our preschool this morning. I don't know what we would have done without you Word World.

Once the Chick was finally down for a nap, Elliott and I had the chance to fix lunch - chicken nuggets and french fries and garlic bread in the oven - and we had a chance to talk.

"mom" he said.
"yes, my boy" I replied.
"mom, I think that you need to have another baby. Why did you only have two baby boys? I think we need another baby."

"Oh really? You think we need three kids? I'm not to sure about that happening."

"I really think we need three kids. Because I'm three. Well, actually, I think that five kids would be good."

Then, while we were eating lunch, we had a talk about religion.  He's at the age where stuff they talk about in church is really starting to sink in.

He asked me why we go to church.

I told him that we go to church to learn about Jesus.  Then I asked him who else we learn about in church.

Without hesitation, he whispered, "We learn about the Holy Ghost.  The Holy Ghost talks to us and whispers good things for us to do in our ears."

I smiled.  He's so smart (and that may be the most detailed thing I've ever written about religion and church on this blog ever.).

just because I want you all to know...

all 25 of you who have approved your invitations to view the blog.



1) Wyatt can walk. It isn't to steady but he's getting more and more brave every day. I have video of it, but the video isn't anywhere near a computer so I'll have to prove it to you all later.

2) Last night at dinner - we went to a "real restaurant" and "ate inside" (Elliott's words) and while The Chick and I were sitting at the table watching our dad and brother play in a little arcade, said Chick started yelling, "DAD!", "Elliott!!!" at the top of his little peacock lungs.

yes - he really said their names. Many times.

3) We went to the grocery store after dinner - family home evening - and at the store, by the dairy products there is a big rack of plastic balls. You know the kind - the balls kept in a stretchy cage. We happened to stop in front, to peruse some merchandise and when Wyatt saw the tower of balls he froze, then shook a little, and then yelled, "Balls!!!!"

pretty cool, huh? He also says Bath, for those of you keeping track at home. It's amazing the progress a baby can make when he has a motor mouth older brother to keep up with.

**

That's all.

Our first game of the season

We obviously didn't make it to the Sugar Bowl on Friday night. It's okay. I've been to New Orleans. I don't need to go back. It was however, a splendid sight to see "MY TEAM" (as Ross always calls them) ring the bell of the crimson tide...even if their all white uniforms left a lot to be desired.



We did however, get to the Utah vs. Wyoming basketball game yesterday, 45 minutes early. I was certain that the tickets said that the game started at 1:30 so we arrived at 1:15. It started at 2:00. Duh! The game was not nearly as exciting or as importantas Friday nights bowl game, but it filled a huge void for me. The season of course started in November and we finally got to our first game. Oh how I love basketball. It's just one of the best things in the world.

Elliott had a great time - luckily my dad, willie, haley and james were all there to help entertain...but, even if they weren't I think it would have been fun. The Monkey ate almost an entire soft pretzel - one of those giant concession stand kind (and he licked off all the salt before he actually ate any of it...my kind of kid) and drank most of my diet coke, most of willie's sprite, and hit up every other cup claimed by someone in the family, too.



It was a good day. We've got tickets for a few more games this season - and I made Ross promise me that in another year or so, my early christmas present for the rest of my life will be season tickets for my runnin' utes. Oh, how exciting.

toddler friday: funny words

I was talking to my mom this morning about funny words my brother said when he was little. He called suspenders "spensers" and sea gulls, "gully gulls."

Lately, The Monkey has taken some vocabulary liberties of his own. Besides clicking after he completes a sentence, he does some other goofy stuff too.

He doesn't pronounce the "sh" sound with words. He will tell you to shoosh, but he won't pronounce it. Instead of shoe, its hosh. Instead of shark, its harshk. Shirt is hirt.

Nemo is "memo". Willie is "meme" and we all know that Ross is "woss.". Popscicle is "okkickle" and spoon is "brush".

There are more, but I can't remember them now.

And - I forgot my 23 month post last week. Did you notice? Bad mommy. Ill just wow you all with the 24 month/holy cow the monkey is 2 post in a couple of weeks.