Day Trip to Kilgore

Owen and I had a date on Saturday...we took a day trip to Kilgore...just the two of us. Chippie and Dad-D stayed home with Liam. We left around 9ish and talked and sang most of the way. Owen watched some movies and I got to talk to Grammie for a bit.

Then, we met up with Grandpa (Owen is calling him PePaw). First stop was the college, where Owen busied himself sweeping the floors. Then, we had lunch at the Circle Cafe.

Owen had fun looking at the vending machines...somehow, it seems he hasn't really ever seen these. Either, we don't have them in spots we frequent, or I just never do let him out to walk around and discover them. Regardless, they provided about 15 minutes of entertainment for only 50 cents.

Next stop, was a Christmas dinner/get together with my Kilgore girl friends. Owen and I got there an hour early, and he and Kaela played together. Owen found one of her baby strollers and went to town. Kaela and he tore through the house like a toddler version of Supermarket Sweep with strollers instead of shopping carts.

Owen...racing around the corner...head down and really getting after it.

Kaela struggling to keep her solid lead...Owen is nonchalantly gaining on her.

O had so much fun with all of her girly toys, that I know Dad-D would have been really disturbed had he been there. So....unless he reads this blog post...he'll never know ;-) Although, I did try to find Owen a stroller at Target today. Thought that he might need one, and a baby Liam of his own, under the Christmas Tree. Target only had pink strollers, though. I couldn't go there.

We made it back home just after 11PM last night. We had a long, full, fun day. Owen was a champ the whole day. He just goes with the flow and enjoys seeing new things and people. I love hanging out with him!!

This morning, we worked on the ornaments that Jaleesa gave him for Chirstmas. These are so neat. The kiddos color on them with markers. Perfect for Owen's playroom tree!!!

And, we spent some time with Baby Liam. Owen and I missed this little fella yesterday. We started the morning with the three of us sitting in Liam's rocking chair reading books that Owen would pick out. Then, spent time in the playroom.

Liam is really changing a lot. He is able to grab the things he wants to explore and see closer. And, he really studies things that are put in front of him. He was realling enjoying this hand-me-down dog book that was Owen's.

Owen must have remembered it...he kept saying, "Babis, that is Baby Owen's book."

At least grown up Owen shared it with his Babis.

'cause the sharing thing is hit or miss these days with Owen. Today, it was "hit." Owen even "shared" the wagon this evening when we went to the park. It was the cutest ride EVER! I put Liam in there with him and Owen talked to him the whole ride. "Baby, see Santa over there? Baby, see the moon? Its a big, big, moon, Baby. Baby, ride in Owen's wagon? Baby, lets go to park. Baby, see mama push wagon?" I was filled with joy the whole walk. I love those moments. It makes me so thankful to have the two of them.

Life is full....a really good, fun, full.

Funny Bone & Christmas Cookies

Looks like the littlest Quinlan has a funny bone, too! Lately, his sense of humor is shining. Last night in the bathtub with Owen, he would lift his little arm up, splash his brother, and then break out in giggles. Today, he would work to catch my attention and then, when I looked over, stick his tongue out at me and giggle. And then, tonight as I was rocking him to bed, he smiled from behind his pacifier and launched it right at me--followed by big smiles and giggles from our funny guy. After he did it about 10 times in a row, I thought I should video it to share.

As an aside, you will find that he is not a big "on camera" performer....just like his brother. This is just a sample of what he was really doing in person. Oh, and the very end is just icing on the cake...the big 'un wanting in on the action and then, as per usual, not performing when the red "video in progress" light comes on. Oy.

Enjoy!

Last Saturday night, we went to a really amazing Christmas party that was hosted by our friend's daughter. Santa, the Grinch, and a ReinSteer were there to entertain the kids. But, the best parts as far as Owen was concerned were the cookie decorating stations and the art easel set up in the living room!

I thought since he enjoyed decorating the cookies so much, that he could do some at home.

So...Betty Crocker slice and bake + 8 minutes in the oven = fun!
He was so proud of his work!

Mmmm.

In between...

...Christmas shopping, constantly picking up the house, trying to keep from getting too sick, and managing the mail that comes in here daily....we play. See.

Owen enjoying a Popsicle...crazy guy. The colder it is outside, the more he wants.
Liam is sitting for longer periods of time each and every day. I have figured out that he falls to the floor on purpose....he would rather roll and scoot. But, when big brother gets to running in circles....Liam stays upright to watch the show.Ha! Owen caught me taking a picture of little brother. someone got jealous. this, my friends, is the look of a big brother who is used to being the center of attention...or rather, the focus of mama's camera!

Santa & Elmo...

Owen and Liam met Santa last week. Owen cried and was pretty miserable. But, if you ask him if he liked Santa...he will say "yes." Hopefully, that means he isn't scarred for life! Today, we went to a birthday party where the Birthday Girl was suprised by a visit from Elmo!

Skylar loved it. Most of her guests did not ;-) Owen asked me to take him to the other room....so, we colored....

then, he would go check on Skylar and Elmo...

and, then go back to play in Sky's kitchen...

He did give Elmo a high five as Elmo was leaving....Hopefully, that means he isn't scarred for life ;-)

Decorating.

Wednesday night, the Quinlan Family gathered to decorate our tree(s). We really had fun. I thought it would be neat to tell the origin of each of our Christmas ornaments as we decorated. Gerard agreed that would be a great idea....and then sat back to hear me tell the stories ;-) So, as Chippie, Owen, and I pulled ornaments out, I gave a brief history of where they came from.

But first, I pulled out the scented pine cones to put in the tree. I know its cheating; but, I think it makes the artificial tree smell better and it fills it in a little. So, I have been getting a couple of bags of those pine cones. We started putting them in the tree. Owen did one and then he snatched the other bag and headed upstairs. Gosh. He has really taken ownership of the upstairs tree...don't you think? I certainly didn't intend to have my pine cones on a WHITE tree. But, oh well. He is having so much fun that we just went with it (and then Daddy Q ended up agreeing with Owen that they look good there. Geesch.)

Here he is determining where the next pine cone should go.
"Over there. No, over there."

Getting a lift from Dad-D to get the pine cone in just the right spot.

Little Quinlan taking in the lights. He loves sitting under the tree and looking at the lights. Owen doesn't; but, will lay down about 3 feet from it just to be a part of things. He is really starting to take after me--he doesn't want to miss out on something, even if he really doesn't enjoy it ;-).

This morning we headed over to Cutter and Gracie's house for a really fun playdate! Kristie prepared Gingerbread Houses for the kiddos to decorate. It was so much fun. Owen actually got the hang of it after eating only about 5% of his candy. Not bad.

Christmastime is so much fun with little ones!

Look, Ma....

Look, Ma...No Hands! Liam is sitting up all by himself! It doesn't last long; but, he can do it!! Owen thought the sitting baby needed a hat. So fun!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this age/stage of babyhood.
Look, Ma....I am posing for a "Pick-chure." Owen is really into posing for the camera these days. He asked me for a "pick-chure". I said "go stand by the tree and I will take one." So...he did. I love his pose. He stood still only a second and then RAN back to me to see the "pick-chure." Ha!

Look, Ma ...I can scoot and roll where-ever I darn well please these days. Thankyouverymuch!

Look, Ma...I can take a nap! Yup...that's right, both boys are napping at the same time today. Awesome!

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle All the Way...

Owen's debut on stage tonight was a success (well, half a success). His mother's day out school held their annual program. Owen's class performed "Jingle Bells." Owen has been humming it and then yelling, "hey", at the appropriate part for a week or so.... Parker's mom had noticed that they were doing something with their hands while they sang. So...we kinda figured out what to expect using the clues these kids were giving us. But, the biggest questions remained....would they stay on stage??? would they cry???? would they jump up and down and wave at us??? who knew.

Owen with three of his fans, Chippie, Dad-D, and Liam, before the big show.
The class walked down the middle isle from the back of the church to the stage. There were, at least, 500 people in the audience. I have to say that I think just them making it on stage is a really big deal. Once on stage, they were each handed a set of bells. Here's a blurry photo of Owen getting his bells from the teacher.

The song. See my baby? He's the blond guy in the white shirt next to the teachers ringing his little heart out. Awwww.

Owen looking for assurance from Miss Jane.

The whole class did amazing during their first song! Not a single tear. Lots of bells rung. And the teachers sang very well ;-)

Then, Owen came to sit with us and watch all of the other kids sing. He had fun listing to them, flirting with Abby, who was sitting behind us, and clapping when the audience clapped. Then, it was time to return to stage for the grand finale.

I walked Owen up there, sat him next to Parker and Skylar, kissed him for luck, and returned to my seat. Moments later, I hear a little un crying. Hmmm...I think that is Owen....

Yup.

Thanks to Sky's big sis for rescuing him!!

Owen with his "littlest" fan.

After the program, the kids got to eat cookies. Owen was all over that!

In the event that you want even more Christmas Program coverage...click below. The first bit is me trying to get Owen to practice for the camera. Its amazing how focused a 2 year old gets on the darn camera...can't concentrate on anything else. And, the finger in the nose is just classic Owen these days...sorry 'bout that. Between the people in front of us, and Dad-D's amateur camera skills, the video is a bit difficult to follow. But, just watch for Owen in his white shirt and ignore the bodonkadonks that my sweet hubby filmed (no, none of them are mine) and the random guy that gets a few seconds of coverage in the middle, and sit back and enjoy!

Oh, the very last bit it me trying to talk Owen into going BACK up there for the end (after Sky's sister brought him to me.) Needless to say, it didn't work.

Handmade by Owen. Cherished by Mom.

Owen came home from "school" yesterday with an ornament he made. As we were walking out of school, I asked him about it. He beamed from ear to ear. So proud of it. I know he is so little and his attention span, even littler ;-), so there is a really big chance that the teacher either 1) had a really big part of making it, or 2) made the whole thing. But, you know what, I don't care. That smile told me he was proud and made me feel like he had a big part in making it and was happy I asked him about it.

Today, I asked him if he wanted to put it on our tree. We've had the trees (yes, we have more than one) up; but, I haven't had time to decorate them, yet. Since Owen is only *almost 2*, I doubt he remembers our tree from last year. But, anyhow, he said "yes." So, I grabbed the camera, un-wrapped the ornament from the zip-lock, and handed it to him. Here's what happened:

Owen inspects the ornament, finds a spot, and tries to hang it. It doesn't really stay...

He tries another spot. Then, asks me to help him make it "stuck." So, I do. We stand back and admire it together.

Then, he looks at me and says "Tree upstairs, mama?". Oh man. This is not in my plan. You see, I got a white tree last year on clearance with the intention of using it in the playroom and putting ornaments that the boys make thoughout their MDO and school years on it. I want to put some of the very special ones they make (i.e. mom's favorites) on the tree downstairs...but, wanted "overflow" space upstairs for those that don't make it to the downstairs tree, if you know what I am getting at. wink, wink. I really, really wanted this one downstairs...its his first one. Now, he wants to put this ornament upstairs.

So, after a half-second of deliberation, I quickly decide he can put it where ever his little heart desires. I say, "sure". So, he takes it off this tree, heads to the stairs, tries to climb up holding it, thinks twice as it might "broken" if he carries it, and asks me to carry him.

He then spends some time searching for a good spot on this, also bare, tree.

...then, moves it to another spot. And then, at his request, I move the ornament to two other spots on that tree that are higher up.

I have a feeling we will be moving this ornament around a bit.

Rubber Duckie, You're the One...

Rubber Ducky, you're the one,
You make bathtime so much fun,
Rubber Ducky, I'm awfully fond of you;
(woh woh, bee doh!)

Rubber Ducky, joy of joys,
When I squeeze you, you make noise!
Rubber Ducky, you're my very best friend, it's true!
(doo doo doo doooo, doo doo)
Every day when I Make my to the tubby
I find a little fella who's Cute and yellow and chubby
(rub-a-dub-a-dubby!)

Rubber Ducky, you're so fine

And I'm lucky that you're mine

Rubber ducky, I'm awfully fond of you.

Did you know the lyrics to Ernie's Rubber Duckie song? No? Niether did I. Thank goodness for google. Now, I have more than just the first two lines to sing!

Whaaaaatttt???????

We woke up to snow this morning. I looked at the forecast on WeatherBug last night before bed and it didn't mention this... How fun.

The first thing Owen wanted to do was to go outside and see Choo-Choo. So I bundled him up and put on a sweater and shoes and we went. He wasn't too sure about the white stuff; so, I was only able to put him down long enough for one picture. This one.
Poor cold choo choo. I went back out a few minutes later and knocked the snow off of him. Gerard wanted to send me with a broom to knock it off all of the flowers, too. Our poor front yard will not likely fare well. Boo hoo.

Can you guess what the next thing Owen wanted to do on the first snow day of the season was? I bet not. He wanted to keep wearing his jacket and eat a Popsicle. He has had two this morning.

Strange kid; but, we'll keep him!

Happy Snow Day, Y'all!!