OBX 2010

We had our annual Quinn Family Vacation in the Outer Banks, NC in early July. I think I laugh more during that week than any other of the year. I look forward to it every year.

This year was particularly special because Garrett and Anna got married while we were there. Their photos are amazing. Our friend Meredith took the pictures and they are amazing. You can see them here, or here on her blog. Here are a few snapshots that Shauri took.

I'm trying to post some funny videos from the week, but it takes forever to do it on Blogger. If anyone wants to give me some hints, I'd be happy to take the help.

He Makes His Daddy So Proud

The last time we were in Michigan, Lisa and Ben were playing with us at Grandma's house. She took him home (down the street) to take a nap. Ben laughed the whole way and Lisa kept shushing him so he wouldn't wake up the baby. They pulled into the garage and Lisa said, "Okay Ben, let's go take a nap." She turns around and just then, Max pops out of the back of the van and yells, "Surprise!"

Lisa's jaw dropped and she said, "Max! I am going to beat you." His response? "Looks like I beat you, Lisa."

Ha! Meanwhile, we were looking all over the house for Max. Luckily she pulled in with him before we had time to panic. When she told me the story I laughed so hard and I told her she must call Abram immediately. I mean, "looks like I beat you, Lisa."? I can't think of anything more Abram-like to say in that situation.

Proud daddy moment #2. We were at a friends house and all the kids were outside playing hide and seek. Max came in and his pants were soaking wet. He has been potty trained for a long time, so I was pretty surprised. I asked him what happened. Why didn't he come in and go to the bathroom? His response was, "I was hiding and I couldn't come out or she would have found me." I knew Abram would love that story. Talk about commitment to the game.

I had this conversation with Aviva last night:

A: Mama, Heavenly Father give me a treat?

K: I don't think He has treats Viva.

A: Yes He does (with attitude, of course)

K: No He doesn't (with the same attitude, of course)

A: Yes He does, the bread and water.

That was pretty cute. It got a big smile out of me.

Aviva loves nursery. She talks about her teachers all week long. They're clearly doing a good job because "Jesus wants us to be happy" is her favorite phrase. She loves to interject any time she thinks it is relevant to the conversation, which is more often then one might think. All we can do is agree though. Jesus does want us to be happy.

Brothers and Sisters

Poor Leo. He was so content all by himself. As terrifying as his brother and sister can be, he gets so excited to see them. To see anyone really.

Leo is my only baby who didn't wake up screaming both in the morning and from naps. He just sits and plays and talks to himself until I come get him. When I walk in and he sees me, he gives me a smile that takes up his whole face. His body tenses up and he starts shaking, he is so excited to have me pick him up. I just love this little baby so much.

Aviva thinks he loves her that much too. I know because her favorite activity is to lay on top of him, get right in his face and say in her baby voice, "You love me, yes you do. Yes you do, you love me."

Max's favorite thing about Leo is when we, or anyone else, tell him that Leo looks just like him. He is eating the big brother/little brother thing up. Here is a photo Lisa recently sent us of Max and Keely. We showed it to Max and asked who it was. His answer, "Aviva and Leo." He laughed and laughed when we told him it was him and Keely.

Daddy's Notes (June 6, 2010)

Kristin and the kids have been out of town for about 10 days. Here are the things their absence has made me appreciate even more:

1. I miss kids running to hug me when I get home from work. Max usually drops whatever he's doing, runs to me, and screams "Daddy!" I miss that.

Aviva does not usually have the same organic reaction that Max has. She only really gets into the act after she sees Max doing it, and the reaction I give him. Her unnatural enthusiasm reminds me of Kristin and how hard it is for Kristin to fake emotions. Aviva can run to meet me all she wants, but she can't make herself smile from ear to ear like Max does.

But with Aviva, once she hugs me, she won't let me go. That's real. And I miss it.

2. I miss Leo smiling at me whenever he catches my eye. He may fuss from time to time, and he may be a bad sleeper, but at lest that kid knows how to smile.

3. I miss Max asking me a million times to play Batman with him. Not sure I miss playing Batman.

4. I miss their inability to focus when getting in the car. They must hate getting in the car, because they cannot get in the car without me asking at least 10 times each to get in their.

5. I miss hearing footsteps at night when Aviva comes running to our room to tell us she has to go potty.

6. I miss when, after Max has been asleep for a while, I'll invite Aviva to come hang out with mommy and daddy. How she jumps off her bed silently (knowing that if she wakes up Max it's all over!) and reaches for my hand. How she cuddles us on our bed and pretends to want to do whatever it is we're doing (usually watching Phil Dunfey do his best Abram Ellis impression).

7. I miss Max rolling his eyes. At practically everything I say.

8. I miss Max saying "yes ma'am" to get his sticker chart filled up. I miss not hearing Aviva say "yes ma'am."

9. I miss Max, Aviva and Leo's mommy. She's my best friend and I miss everything about her.

"Wucy wants a Tookie"

Max has a hard time with his Ls. And with this Rs... okay, and his Cs and Ks. I have a friend who says she can never deny Max when he asks for a "Tookie." So sometimes it really works for him. And sometimes not.

We were with his friend Collin who stopped him and said "Why do you keep calling me Tollin?" Max gave one of his infamous eye rolls, sighed and explained "I talk different." It makes me laugh, but it also makes me want to hug my baby and tell him he talks just fine.

Daddy's Notes 5.13.2010

Dear Posterity: sorry it has taken so long to update Daddy's Notes. But frankly, most of these are Kristin's stories and I'm telling them second-hand. She will likely (in classical Delsa fashion) have corrections. Until then, I get to write history.

1. Max doesn't want to be a dad. Max told Kristin the other day that he didn't want to be a dad. When pressed, he told her it' s because dads are too silly. Kristin said that silly dads were fun, and asked if Max was glad his dad was silly (yes) and fun (yes) -- Phew! But then Max said that the real reason he didn't want to be a dad is because he doesn't want to be bald. Ouch.

Too many bald men in his life (me, Grandpa Bob, and Grandpa Walt). I guess maybe it's a legitimate fear.

2. Maxwell Jeremy Ellis. The other day Max went to the bathroom and he closed and locked the door. Aviva was following Max around and was upset that Max had locked the door on her. Their conversation through the door went something like this:

A - Maaaaax. Mr. Max. Open the door Mr. Max

M - No.

A - Max Jeremy, open the door NOW!

M - NO! Don't call me Jeremy!

A- Mr. Jeremyyyyyyyyy....

3. Yes sir, Yes ma'am. Kristin has decided to whip the kids into shape by way of stickers. Every time one of the kids responds to a request from us with "Yes ma'am" (or, from one of my requests with a "Yes sir"), the kids get a sticker for their Yes ma'am/Yes sir chart. If they fill up the chart, they get a new toy. They only need 100 stickers each. So far, they've been at it for two weeks and they've each got about 15 stickers. Should take a while.

4. Leo is happy. Even when he's sick -- and sadly, that's been regular the last few weeks, with ear infections, an allergic reaction to pencillin, etc. -- he's a smiley kid. He especially loves his mom and has a special smile just for her. I wish I could describe it, or capture it on film. But he really does speak to Kristin with his eyes and his smile.