T T Q & S: October 2015

This scary lion had a blast tonight! We couldn't have asked for better weather. The rain held off and it was a perfect, windy and cool evening for the kids.

I originally wanted this lion to be a flamingo, but Target sold out of them before I could seal the deal! Luckily my friend Natalie had a cute lion on hand for Ms. Quinn to wear :-) We headed to Camp Shields (just down the road - where Natalie and her family live) and started walking the neighborhood around 6pm. Quinn was so interested in what was going on, how people were dressed, and who these crazy people were! This didn't stop her from loving all the candy. Her first stop she tried taking the entire bowl that the gentleman was giving out :) She caught on pretty quick. After a couple times going to the door with her and saying the magic words, she had it under control. When we would let her down, she would reach for her pail and head right on up to the door. Sometimes a bit hesitant depending on what the people were dressed as. I can't blame her!

I have to admit, Halloween has NEVER been my thing, but after tonight - I'm hooked. Kids make it so much fun! Here are a few pics of our pumpkin carving last week that dad surprised us with and our roarin' lion with her "incredible" friends tonight ;)

Bringing the pumpkins home from the store. She lifted these heavy pumpkins for about a half hour straight. Move them to one place, move them back, move again, etc. I wonder if she was sore the next day! :)

Finished product. Good work DAD!!!!

HALLOWEEN NIGHT!

Natalie and Paxton (13 months)

Gabriel (4) striking a pose :)

The gang

Ella (6), Natalie, Paxton, Quinn, and Gabriel

Not the warmest welcome for Quinn. She wouldn't go up to this man for candy. ;)

Tuckered out, past our bedtime, and just wanted to sit in the middle of the sidewalk and look at all her yummy candy she worked for!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE BROWNS!!!!!

Once again, this post is overdue. I promise someday (Beth) that i'll be more on top of blogging. Maybe when we get back to the states things will be busier, therefore, more things to write about!

Quinn is SO much fun right now. She is learning new things everyday and it makes for nonstop entertainment. At her well child visit last week, she weighed 23.7 lbs (61%), 21.89 inches long (86%) and head circumference was 49cm (99%). Her vocabulary is expanding every week. In her own special way she says: all done, neigh, moo, quack quack, tickle, meow, ma ma, da da, bye bye, night night, no, puppy, plane, book, more, baby, eyes, hot, and cheese. I might be missing a couple...

She loves to go outside and play with her bikes, balls, and help me water the flowers. We still go to the park daily (or twice a day). Without a yard, we sure are thankful for that place! It's just a couple minute walk for us. I told Tony last night as we were planting new flowers out in front that although it's been a nice break to not have mowing, weeding, trimming, etc...I am very excited to have a yard at our next house! I love doing yard work..it's my escape and my zen time :)

Quinn plays with her blocks allllll the time, but now after Tony bought her a pack of cars, she's been all about those lately. Of course, he is loving that. She likes books for about 2 minutes. Then she just wants to pull them all off the shelf and read them herself. It's pretty cute. We've been joining more play groups around the island, which has been really fun for both of us. Quinn's all time favorite friends are Gabriel (4) and Ella (6) who live close by. We go over there quite a bit and she never wants to leave! Thank you to my friend, Natalie, who asks if Quinn can come over and play. It's nice to have a little break sometimes :)

Quinn loves to eat, loves to sleep through the night, and is a complete mystery when it comes to naps. Maybe it's because I won't just "give-in" but I do like somewhat of a schedule - but I think this transition time is hit or miss for awhile until we both get it figured out! She won't nap twice in her crib, but will take a cat nap in the stroller or car seat. Many times I know she's exhausted, so I lay her down upstairs, but she won't have it. Bring her to the stroller, she's out in 2 mins. What a stink!

I could go on and on and on about this sweet girl. She is determined, stubborn, and is full of kisses and hugs. Wouldn't trade her for the world.

Warning: a lot of pictures ahead. These will give you a good idea about how busy this little one is :-)

"Ah duh" mommy. (all done)... So she stands up in her high chair. We got the chair last year from a local store here in Okinawa and didn't realize it didn't have a strap until we got it home. She figured it out in no time!

Really safe, Quinn. Real safe.

Her friend at the park. I needed to run home quick to get something so instead of taking Quinn I asked him if he and a couple of his friends would watch her for a few minutes. I came back to see this and it melted my heart. I gave each of the 3 boys $1. They were happy. So was Quinn!

posing for the camera.

Her bestie, Ella after the soccer game. She wanted to go home with them after this. She always tries to get in their van and never wants to leave. Does Quinn even like me when they are around?? :) I'm not too sure. HA!

Loving the new, but old tricycle from Ella

I wasn't feeling well this morning that this all happened. I decided to just pick my battles - and this was not one of them. She loved it.

Thinking she's big stuff!

Dad got her a pretty cool and legit golf club. It feels real with a large plastic head. It's a training one instead of a toy. Go figure. ;)

Trying out mustard dip and pretzels. She loves sitting on the counter and eating. I like it sometimes too, because it's less to clean up afterwards!

Hot morning in Okinawa. We went to the convenient store down the street to buy some candy for my friend Meleah to send back home. No shirt, with shoes, and fine service.