Twenty Questions - Korri 12

Starting at age three, I've asked Korri 20 questions around the time of her birthday. I chose NOT to direct or influence her initial answers (or try really hard not to). Here are her responses:

20 questions: answered by Korrigan on 2/08/2023

1. What is your favorite color? Mint/pastel green

2. What is your favorite toy? Schleich horses

3. What is your favorite fruit/veggie? Fruit: mango Veggie: carrots (oh, pickles!) Nevermind, I don’t like carrots!

4. What is your favorite TV show/YouTube channel/movie? TV Show: Heartland; YouTube Channel: Me (Mariah Elizabeth) or Gypsy Equestrian ; Movie: Hamilton

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Home: Mac and Cheese; School: Cheesy bread, no, no Taco in a Bag; Restaurant: McChicken

6. What is your favorite outfit/thing to wear? Clothes (mom: smarta$$), anything I feel like, big hoodie, black leggings and brown Ugg boots

7. What is your favorite board game/card game/video game? Board Game: I don’t like board games, oh, oh Trivial Pursuit Family Edition; Card Game: Mantis, oh I forgot, Cards Against Humanity-Family Edition; Video Game: Flappy Dunk and Super Smash Bros

8. What is your favorite snack? Extra Cheddar Pirate Booty and Double or Mega Stuffed Oreos, but not at the same time

9. What is your favorite animal? horse, duh

10. What is your favorite song? I hope you Dance by LeAnn Womack or Counting Stars by OneRepublic

11. What is your favorite book? The War that Saved my Life, and Goddess Girls Series but the best is Keeper of the Lost Cities (KOTLC) by Shannon Messenger

12. Who is your best friend? Lauren Cardinal and Lilly “Billy” Steen

13. What is your favorite cereal? Fruity Pebbles

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Winter: Ice Skate; Summer: Horse Riding

15. What is your favorite drink? Root beer and Dr Pepper

16. What is your favorite holiday and why? Christmas, family and presents

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Rainbow ombre comforter and 4 pillows (2 baby pillows and 2 regular pillows)

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? School: egg and bacon breakfast pizza; Home: strawberry toaster strudel

19. If you could pick anything, what would you eat for dinner on your birthday? Unhinged Pizza buffet 🙁

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Horse Riding instructor and a stable manager

Bonus Questions:

21. What is your favorite sport/activity to play? Horse riding

22. What is your best/least part of school? Best: The end of it…no, math…and seeing momma!; Least: Language Arts

If you are curious as to what her responses were last year, click here to link to that post!

She was a stinker this year in answering these questions, as you can tell by some of her answers! Also, many of her answers didn't change from last year, which I think is a testament to her growing up. ANd I know I am very late in publishing this, but we did do the questions the week after her birthday! My comments:

7. She was stumped, so I did "remind" her of some of the game we play and then she "remembered."

10. I love her eclectic music preferences.

11. She reads a lot, which is why I think her answer was all over the board.

17. She added one pillow from last year!

19. Sad face because the one in Delano closed!

22. Interestingly, math was her least last year and now her favorite this year! I work at school, so she sees me throughout the day. And also, I may be crying a little over here! She's really very sweet.

Korri is really a great kid. She's friendly and kind. She is an excellent student. She helps others and is a good leader and example for others. She is very self-confident and is very loyal to her friends. AND she is super stubborn (gee, I wonder where she gets that?!?). She struggles with being disrespectful at home. She is either the most helpful OR ends up in her room for not listening (nothing in between). She LOVES animals and mostly takes care of our 2 guinea pigs and our dog. She is my person and I am hers. She loves spending time with me; either watching horse shows or helping me with KoKo Cakes, which I cherish and hope never stops. This girl is going to go far in life. I can't wait to see it!

This is the last picture before she officially turned 12:

This picture says a lot: she likes to be fancy (crown) AND loves horses (sweatshirt)!

Twenty Questions - Finn 14

Starting at age three, I've asked Finn 20 questions around the time of his birthday. I chose NOT to direct or influence his initial answers. Here are his responses:

20 questions: answered by Finnegan on 1/10/2023

1. What is your favorite color? Orange and green

2. What is your favorite toy or thing to play with? Lego  

3. What is your favorite fruit/veggie? Fruit: raspberry Veggie: organic romaine lettuce

4. What is your favorite TV show/YouTube channel/movie? TV Show: BattleBots or Lego Masters; YouTube Channel: MandJTV Plays; Movie: Dumb and Dumber

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Home: tacos; School:Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza; Restaurant: Chin Dynasty Plate with Peking and Orange chicken with white rice from LeeAnn Chin

6. What is your favorite outfit/thing to wear? Hoodies and comfy pants

7. What is your favorite board game/card game/video game? Board Game: Monopoly Jr; Card Game: Cards Against Humanity-Family Edition; Video Game: Legend of Zelda-Breath of the Wild

8. What is your favorite snack? Nacho Doritos

9. What is your favorite animal? Smilodon Populator (a prehistoric saber-tooth cat)

10. What is your favorite song? Anything by Rainimator, such as Falling

11. What is your favorite book? The Warrior Car series, all of them

12. Who is your best friend? Xavier P, Martin K and Vinny B

13. What is your favorite cereal? Cocoa Puffs/Cocoa Roos

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Summer: golf; Winter: ice skating

15. What is your favorite drink? Sprite

16. What is your favorite/least favorite holiday? Favorite: Christmas or my birthday, Least favorite: Halloween

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Kiki

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cocoa Roos at home or breakfast pizza at school

19. If you could pick anything, what would you eat for dinner on your birthday? Tacos with cilantro lime rice, made by me

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Nothing, store worker

Bonus Questions:

21. What is your favorite sport/activity to play? golf

22. What is your most/least favorite part of school? Best: Choir; Least: Band

Click here to see his answers from last year: Twenty Questions - Finn 13

A lot of his answers were the same as last year (without him looking at those answers first), which I think is a testament to him growing up and likes and dislikes are more constant now.

Some of my comments:

3. he specially said organic romaine lettuce...I think because they he doesn't have to worry about washing it (we get the pre-washed stuff!) LOL

4. Movie choice...thanks Dad!

9. He's always been very specific on his favorite animal! Who knew?

15. Last year it was 7UP! LOL

19. He made this meal for a project at school and LOVED doing it.

20. He's never had thoughts on what he wants to be when he grows up. At what point should I be worried?!?!

This was the first picture of Finn as a 14 year old. 

I can feel the teenager attitude. Actually, it was early, he was tired and the last thing he wanted to do was have mom take his picture. But he still let me!!

That's Finn in a nutshell. He has his own opinions and ways of doing things but is very willing to help out, even when he doesn't want to. He doesn't lose his temper very often but when he gets overwhelmed or feels wronged, he has very big and strong emotions. He gives the best long hugs. He will be found in a baggy hoodie and athletic pants 95% of the time. He does excellent at school and while he only has a few really close friends, he's friendly with almost everybody and they are with him in return. I hope the rest of the teen years will go as smoothly as the first one did! (yeah, right, but I can hope!)

He had a really good well child appt. He's very healthy and the doctor is very pleased with where he's at. She did point out that his height percentage has dropped (to 12%, and at 10% is considered Short Stature) but she also said that he hasn't really entered true puberty yet, so if you factor that in, his percentage is actually higher. If he hasn't started growing by his NEXT well child, she said we can look into some options and that I'm NOT to worry about it in the meantime. I'll try not to?!?!

We have really had some struggles along the way, but man, he has turned into such an amazing kid. I love having conversations with him and listening to his insights. There's so much going on in that brain and is usually so willing to talk about feelings and behavior. Honestly, we're so lucky. I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Twenty Questions - Mac 8

Starting at age three, I've asked Mac 20 questions around the time of his birthday. I chose NOT to direct or influence his initial answers. Here are his responses:

20 questions: answered by MacKeegan on 07/19/2022


1. What is your favorite color? Purple or bright green

2. What is your favorite toy? Lego

3. What is your favorite fruit/veggie? Fruit: Oranges or blackberries; Veggie: lettuce

4. What is your favorite TV show or YouTube channel/movie? TV show=iCarly, YouTube=Tewtiy or Unspeakable, Movie=he doesn’t have one (although he asks to watch Turning Red all the time)

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Chicken patties

6. What is your favorite outfit/thing to wear? Clothes…Under Armor

7. What is your favorite game/video game? game=Monopoly Jr; Video Game=Balloons Tower Defense 6

8. What is your favorite snack? chips

9. What is your favorite animal? cat

10. What is your favorite song? "Raiders" - Minecraft Parody of Closer by the Chainsmokers"

11. What is your favorite book? Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

12. Who is your best friend? Chase and Oden

13. What is your favorite cereal? Fruit Loops

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play soccer

15. What is your favorite drink? Pop: Sprite, Other: milk (he also wanted to say "champagne" but I didn't think that was appropriate!! LOL)

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas because we get lots of presents and spend time with family

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Huge Llama

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Strawberry Toaster strudel or fudge mini muffins

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Spicy chicken wings (but he went to Uptown this year and had a bacon cheeseburger)

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Father, or a cat, I don’t want a job

Bonus Questions:

21. What is your favorite sport to play? Soccer or basketball

22. What is your best/least favorite part of school? Best=seeing my friends and math, Least=bullies


If you are curious as to what her responses were last year, click here to link to that post!


He really wanted to say two or three answers for each question. I eventually had to press him to come up with his FAVORITE!


I don't really have a lot to add or comment on about his answers. As they get older, I think they are able to really think about their response instead of just saying the first thing that comes to mind. It was REALLY hard for him to just pick 2 friends as his best friends, which I think is a great problem to have!


Here is a good pic from on his birthday with the crown Korri made for him before leaving for camp:




Mac is a lot in a lot of ways. He is so loving and snuggly, which I cherish, especially since he's my baby. If I ever want a snuggle buddy, he's happy to oblige. He gives random hugs and kisses and says "I love you" all day long. He's super smart and LOVES math and tolerates the rest of it. He never stops moving...unless he's on screens. He doesn't pay attention to anything ever and is constantly breaking things, running into things, losing things, etc! He is super helpful...when he wants to be. He annoys his siblings ALL. THE. TIME.. and at every chance he gets. He adores the ground Finn walks on...most of the time. He has some potential attention and sleep issues that we are going to be looking into (but we just had his well child appt today). He is big, like the biggest. He's the 97% for height and 96% for weight! Don't mess with him!


Here are his stats:
Height: 54.75" or 97%
Weight: 81.2 lbs or 96%


Last year:

Height: 52.25" - 97%
Weight: 72.8lbs - 97%


He grew 2.5"!! And can't wait until he doesn't need a booster seat any more, which at this rate will be before his next well child appt (you need to be 57"). And he's very consistent in his growth. The Dr was very pleased with where he is on his charts.


He is ready to cut his hair!!! I asked him if he would wait until after school pictures this fall so we remember how long it was. He agreed, but begrudgingly. We'll see if he lasts that long or not. I'll be sad to see it go because I really think it fits his personality, but I won't miss checking to see if he got all the shampoo and conditioner out or reminding him to brush it!!



This was the legit first pic of him on his birthday and the fact that there's a screen literally in his face says a lot:

Twenty Questions - Korri 11

Starting at age three, I've asked Korri 20 questions around the time of her birthday. I chose NOT to direct or influence her initial answers (or try really hard not to). Here are her responses:

20 questions: answered by Korrigan on 1/31/2022

1. What is your favorite color? Mint green

2. What is your favorite toy? Schleich horses

3. What is your favorite fruit/veggie? Fruit: mango Veggie: cucumbers

4. What is your favorite TV show/YouTube channel/movie? TV Show: My Perfect Landing; YouTube Channel: Gypsy Equestrian (horses) and Maraih Elizabth (art); Movie: Hamilton

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Home: pizza rolls; School: taco in a bag with Doritos; Restaurant: pepperoni pizza and dessert pizza at Unhinged Pizza

6. What is your favorite outfit/thing to wear? Black leggings with pockets and a hoodie with brown UGGs

7. What is your favorite board game/card game/video game? Board Game: Life; Card Game: Incoherent Family Edition; Video Game: Sandbox

8. What is your favorite snack? Ice cream with a tiny bit of strawberry sauce

9. What is your favorite animal? horses

10. What is your favorite song? Live Like You Are Dying, by Tim McGraw

11. What is your favorite book? Keeper of the Lost Cities series by Shannon Messenger

12. Who is your best friend? Lauren Cardinal

13. What is your favorite cereal? Fruity Pebbles

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Winter: Ice skating; Summer: swim

15. What is your favorite drink? rootbeer

16. What is your favorite holiday and why? Christmas, because we get to spend time with family and celebrate Jesus’ birthday

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Blanket/comforter and three pillows

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Skinny pancakes

19. If you could pick anything, what would you eat for dinner on your birthday? Unhinged Pizza

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Horse trainer/working with horses

Bonus Questions:

21. What is your favorite sport/activity to play? Horse riding

22. What is your best/least part of school? Best: band;  Least: math and science

If you are curious as to what her responses were last year, click here to link to that post!

Korri, Korri, Korri...what can I say about our amazing, strong-spirited Baby Grill?! You know that saying about how your daughter is going to change the world...but you have to survive raising her first? I don't feel this way ALL of the time because I genuinely love spending time with her and enjoy her personality...but some times...watch out!

Here is the first picture of her ON her birthday:

I deeply believe that you shouldn't aim to be your kids' friends (that's not your job as their parent!)...but I love her so much and she really IS one of my favorite people on the planet. Maybe I won't call it "friends" now, but I think maybe that will change once she doesn't live with me anymore!

Here is the second pic of the day:

We got our nails done with Sasha!! So fun. And I love that she wore the crown :)

I wonder what the next year will bring!

Twenty Questions - Finn 13

Starting at age three, I've asked Finn 20 questions around the time of his birthday. I chose NOT to direct or influence his initial answers. Here are his responses:

20 questions: answered by Finnegan on 1/11/2022

1. What is your favorite color? Purple and green

2. What is your favorite toy or thing to play with? Lego  

3. What is your favorite fruit/veggie? Fruit: Strawberries. He wanted to know if cucumbers were fruit, which they are, so…cucumbers! Veggie: Romaine lettuce

4. What is your favorite TV show/YouTube channel/movie? TV Show: Beyblade Metal Fusion ; YouTube Channel: SB737 (Minecraft YouTuber); Movie: Sing 2

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Home: tacos or pizza; School: orange chicken or red sauce with meat pasta; Restaurant: Cream Cheese wontons and Peking Chicken with white rice from LeeAnn Chin

6. What is your favorite outfit/thing to wear? Anything dry fit, things that are a little baggy

7. What is your favorite board game/card game/video game? Board Game: Life and Bermuda Triangle; Card Game: Cards Against Humanity-Family Edition; Video Game: Zelda Breath of the Wild and Minecraft Dungeons

8. What is your favorite snack? Chocolate ice cream, or peppermint nougat

9. What is your favorite animal? Golden eagle and deathstalker scorpion 

10. What is your favorite song? Anything by Rainimator, such as Falling

11. What is your favorite book? The Warrior Car series, all of them

12. Who is your best friend? Xavier P

13. What is your favorite cereal? CocoRoos

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Summer: Football in the backyard; Winter: go sledding

15. What is your favorite drink? 7UP

16. What is your favorite/least favorite holiday? Favorite: Finn’s birthday, because of all the presents only he gets, Least favorite: Halloween

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Kiki

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cherry Frudels at school

19. If you could pick anything, what would you eat for dinner on your birthday? Huge chocolate ice cream cake with hot fudge drizzling down it

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? I don’t know, YouTuber (Minecraft)

Bonus Questions:

21. What is your favorite sport/activity to play? Football in the backyard

22. What is your most/least favorite part of school? Best: choir; Least: Band

This is our first set of questions answered by a teenager! He definitely thinks through his answers. He also liked breaking answers out into different categories because I think it's hard for him to pick just one of something because it depends!!

Click here to see his answers from last year: Twenty Questions - Finn 12

This is the first picture of Finn as a teenager. This was my post on Facebook regarding my baby becoming a teenager:

Today is a day I have many strong emotions about and while I'm not surprised I have them, I am surprised at how big they are.

On January 6, 2009, I prayed for him to live 13 hours and would have given anything to KNOW we'd be here today celebrating 13 YEARS and teenage-hood. AND we are so blessed that he's healthy and honestly, a great kid. Like, seriously. So thankful. So happy. So grateful. So hopeful. So blessed. So many things.

To the boy who brings us so much joy. Who made us parents. Who arrived early just so he could meet us. Who gives the BEST long hugs. Who has all the feels and feels them big. Who is laid back and chill until you push a little too much. Who is our miracle.

My eyes are misty, but I think you understand why. First picture as a teenager from this morning.

We honestly couldn't be prouder of the young man he is becoming. I know we have a lot of teenage years ahead of us, but I'm hopeful that we'll get through them together. 

Love you Buddy Boy!!

Twenty Questions - Mac 7

 Twenty Questions - Mac 7

Starting at age three, I've asked Mac 20 questions around the time of his birthday. I chose NOT to direct or influence his initial answers. Here are his responses:

20 questions: answered by MacKeegan on 08/02/2021

1. What is your favorite color? Blue (and orange)

2. What is your favorite toy? Legos

3. What is your favorite fruit? Oranges/clementines

4. What is your favorite TV show or YouTube channel/movie? TV show=iCarly, YouTube=Wisp, Movie=The Boss Baby 2 and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Chicken Patties, popcorn shrimp and pepperoni pizza with french dressing

6. What is your favorite outfit/thing to wear? Clothes (lol)...then jammies

7. What is your favorite game/video game? game=Trash; Video Game=Luigi’s Mansion 3 and Minecraft

8. What is your favorite snack? Salt and vinegar chips

9. What is your favorite animal? Cats and ants

10. What is your favorite song? Anything on Kidz Bop

11. What is your favorite book? Dragons Love Tacos

12. Who is your best friend? Reagan

13. What is your favorite cereal? Basic 4

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Sled

15. What is your favorite drink? Pop: specifically 7Up and root beer

16. What is your favorite holiday? New Year’s, because we get to stay up

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Nothing

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Chocolate chip granola bar

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Unhinged Pizza or homemade Chicken wings

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Video game creator and tester

Bonus Question:

21. What is your favorite sport to play? Basketball

22. What is your best/least favorite part of school? Best=recess, Phy Ed, Least=The end of the year because I miss my friends and teacher.

Mac's answers were very thoughtful this year and a few surprised me. Here are my two cents:

1. He "forgot" about orange and asked me to add it later! Blue is new though.

4. Wisp is a Minecraft YouTuber. I had to look it up. Also, the juxtaposition between his two favorite movies is pretty funny!

6. He said "clothes" as a joke, which I thought was hilarious.

7. Trash is a card game he plays with Grandma. He got Luigi's Mansion 3 for his birthday and has enjoyed playing it with his very limited screen time.

10. He and Finn listen to Kidz Bop every chance they get!

12. Reagan (whom I used to babysit) has ALWAYS been Mac's favorite person and I asked if he had any other best friends and he said, "nope."

13. It's daddy's favorite...?!

16. First time he hasn't said Christmas!

21. No hesitation with this one!! He's basketball obsessed lately.

22. He loves moving his body!! And for his least=LOVE! But that is him to a "T" He loves school and his friends.

Click here to see his answers from last year: Twenty Questions - Mac 6

He still LOVES anything spicy but didn't answer with any this year. He also still LOVES screens but we've been severely limiting screen time this summer and while he asks me "what can I do" one thousand times a day...he's fine not being on screens all the time.

We had Mac's well child appt on July 21. He is growing like a weed, which we knew since everybody who seems him comments on how much he's grown!

Height: 52.25" - 97%

Weight: 72.8lbs - 97%

Basically, he's one healthy, growing kid. He's decided that he's growing his hair out so he can put it in a pony tail. I'm surprised that it doesn't bother me more than it does but him needing to brush it everyday is a constant battle!!

Here's a picture of the birthday boy on the morning of his birthday. We made it special with donuts and hot chocolate!

On his actual birthday, we had a "mini" party which included Reagan coming over!! Here are the two besties being silly like usual:

After a LOT of discussion and changes of mind, Mac picked "dragon" for his "theme" and for his cakes. Here are both of his cakes: 

He's one lucky boy to have enough people in his life to celebrate with TWO parties. We are also so blessed to have him in our lives. He never stops...talking, moving, touching, laughing, snuggling, asking questions, giving kisses, telling lies, invading personal space, telling us how much he loves us, jumping on everything, dribbling a basketball and being the best and most annoying little brother! God truly broke the mold with this kid.

Twenty Questions - Korri 10

Twenty Questions - Korri 10

Starting at age three, I've asked Korri 20 questions around the time of her birthday. I chose NOT to direct or influence her initial answers. Here are her responses:

20 questions: answered by Korrigan on 1/31/2021

1. What is your favorite color? Mint green and aqua

2. What is your favorite toy? Hoverboard (American Girl Dolls are second)

3. What is your favorite fruit? Soft blackberries

4. What is your favorite TV show/YouTube channel/movie? TV Show: Pony Sitters Club; YouTube Channel: Mariah Elizabeth; Movie: Greatest Showman

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? tuna wrap from Subway

6. What is your favorite outfit/thing to wear? Comfy clothes/Under Armour

7. What is your favorite game? The Game of Life

8. What is your favorite snack? Strawberry Ice cream or oranges/cuties

9. What is your favorite animal? horses

10. What is your favorite song? You’ll Be Back from Hamilton and This is Me from Greatest Showman

11. What is your favorite book? Goddess Girls and Land of Stories

12. Who is your best friend? Lauren Cardinal

13. What is your favorite cereal? Fruity Pebbles

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Winter: Sled with my family; Summer: swim

15. What is your favorite drink? rootbeer

16. What is your favorite holiday and why? My birthday because I turn an age older and I get to pick what we eat

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? a pillow and my pink blanket with a foot pocket

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Toaster Strudels

19. If you could pick anything, what would you eat for dinner on your birthday? Pepperoni stuffed crust pizza

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Professional horse rider and a mom

Bonus Questions:

21. What is your favorite sport/activity to play? Horse riding

22. What is your best/least part of school? Best: Art;  Least: Music

If you are curious as to what her responses were last year, click here to link to that post!

Now that they are a little older, I really enjoy doing these questions with them (it was like pulling teeth when they were younger with a lot of "suggestions" from me! For what it's worth, here are some of my comments:

2. She just got a hoverboard for this birthday and she's still learning how to use it, but so far, everybody but Finn loves trying to ride it!

4. I did not know how "Mariah Elizabeth" was, so this is what Google told me: A YouTuber that is known for her squishy makeovers.

9. We looked back on her previous years' answers and every year but when she turned 3, she picked horses! Not a big surprise, I guess.

10. She's loves musicals! A girl after my own heart.

19. She actually picked Casey's pizza and when I asked her, she said because she forgot about stuffed crust!

20. She has said this or some variation of it every year except when she turned 3!!

Korri, Korri, Korri. What can I say about Korri. She is the kindest and most thoughtful child while at the same time being the most stubborn and challenging! We've really worked on being respectful this year and I hope it is sticking, even a little. She just wants to be the center of the action and her brothers just don't want her to be!

She is VERY social, which has been a huge challenge this year of COVID-19 and quarantining. She was able to go to school in person this fall but we switched to Distance Learning in mid-November. She has struggled a lot with missing her friends and not physically being at school. She was elected to the Student Council this fall and gets to do the weekly announcements for all the Distance Learners, which I think makes her feel special and connected. While I LOVE having the kiddos home, we are all looking forward to when they go back to school in person...hopefully soon!

Even though I wonder some days if I'm going to survive raising her, I know she is going to grow up to be an amazing adult who makes a difference in the world. She truly tries to lift those around her up and help whenever she can (as long as it isn't her brothers!).

And while I didn't take a specific picture, she was opening her presents at the exact moment she was born 10 years ago (10:39 am):

Here's to another trip around the sun and to seeing what you accomplish this year (and hoping for more time with friends and family as COVID slowly gets under control...God willing!!).

Twenty Questions - Finn 12

Twenty Questions - Finn 12

Starting at age three, I've asked Finn 20 questions around the time of his birthday. I chose NOT to direct or influence his initial answers. Here are his responses:

20 questions: answered by Finnegan on 1/11/2021

1. What is your favorite color? Neon orange and neon green

2. What is your favorite toy or thing to play with? Lego

3. What is your favorite fruit? blackberries

4. What is your favorite TV show/YouTube channel/movie? TV Show: Pokemon, oh wait, BattleBots ; YouTube Channel: TechZone; Movie: after lots of thought...Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Home: Adult Lunchables (Hillshire Farm Snacking Plates); School: pizza rounds with French dressing; Restaurant: burrito from Bugambilias

6. What is your favorite outfit/thing to wear? Under Armour and/or DryFit

7. What is your favorite board game/card game/video game? Board Game: The Game of Life; Card Game: Uno Attack; Video Game: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 

8. What is your favorite snack? chocolate, any kind

9. What is your favorite animal? birds

10. What is your favorite song? Anything on Kidz Bop

11. What is your favorite book? Percy Jackson series...anything by Rick Riordan

12. Who is your best friend? Xavier P

13. What is your favorite cereal? Frosted Mini Wheats

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Summer: driving RC car outside; Winter: snowboarding

15. What is your favorite drink? Rootbeer

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Kiki

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Frosted Mini Wheats

19. If you could pick anything, what would you eat for dinner on your birthday? Chori pollo or LeeAnn Chin (but he picked potstickers this year!)

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Drawer like an illustrator, no color, just pencil

Bonus Questions:

21. What is your favorite sport/activity to play? Football in our backyard

22. What is your most/least favorite part of school? Best: getting done each day...or math; Least: Distance Learning

My two cents (for what they're worth, which isn't much! LOL):

1. I feel like his favorite color changes every few minutes, which is good, but drives me nuts when trying to figure out what colors he likes!

4. He honestly didn't know what "TV shows" were! 🙈 He came up with BattleBots after I gave him several suggestions. I honestly don't think he watches Pokemon much any more. The movie was hard for him to think of one, but to be fair, he probably hasn't BEEN to a movie theater in over a year!

7. He got Life for his birthday so it was probably top of mind, but we all do love playing it!

8. When he looked at his answers from last year AFTER he was done with this year's, he said. "Oops, I forgot about Nutella and pretzels!" Which I think is actually his favorite.

14. He wanted them separated into seasons, which makes sense. Also, he hasn't actually gotten to drive his RC car outside in the summer because he got it for Christmas AND he got a snow board for his birthday but has used that several times already. Snowboarding is a sport where being a little shorter is an advantage!

17. KiKi is a blue "lovey" with the head of Winnie the Pooh that he got when he was a baby. I've since bought five others or so but told him no more! LOL

19. His answer literally made me laugh because I said but you picked potstickers! He said he forgot about Chori Pollo!

20. Again this year, he had a really hard time coming up with anything for this one. I rememeber being a kid and wanting to be lots of things. I think he's just a deeper thinker than I was! I do see drawing of some sort in his future, even if it is as an architect.

21. Because he LOVES playing football at school but HATES getting tackled. He's safer in our backyard. LOL

22. I feel the best was a total "tween-ager" response so I forced him to tell me his favorite subject. Also, his least made me sad, but they should hopefully be going back to school before too long.

If you are curious as to what his responses were last year, click here to link to that post!

This was the last picture I took of him before he turned 12 because I forgot to take my usual "last picture" at bedtime the night before. This was two days before his birthday and we were visiting Great Grandma Smith and Great Grandma Walsh...which made my heart so happy. I also wanted to post this picture because it shows where we are right now with the social distance and masks. But a safe visit is better than no visit (although I would have given anything for a hug from both of these amazing ladies!!):

And this was the first picture I took of him on his birthday as a 12 year old:

 

Side note for those of you who know me well: he was given the option and it was his CHOICE to still have Christmas up for his birthday! He's so handsome and growing up way too fast. He's on a "long hair" kick and while I know this isn't actually very long, it drives me nuts because it is so shaggy. Hopefully one day soon, I can bring him to a salon to get it shaped up a bit...or a visit with Auntie NaeNae!!🙏 It isn't deemed "necessary" at our house right now.

A few weeks before his birthday, I asked him what he wanted for his birthday cake. He said he'd think about it but finally a week before, I was like, I need an answer, Bud! And you could hear my heart break into a million pieces when he said, "I want a chocolate/chocolate Dairy Queen ice cream cake." I tried really hard to not make it be about me and held my tears in and pulled myself together...and picked up the phone to order him a DQ cake. I mean, it was WAY easier NOT making him a cake, but that isn't the point. Oh, well. Korri saw my disappointment and said not to worry, her birthday was just around the corner! And the cake was actually decent:

He got a lot of Lego sets and has put them all together already. He and Mac rearranged their bookshelf so they could use it was Lego display instead. Also, before you create a scavenger hunt to find a present for your child...make sure they will LIKE doing said scavenger hunt! Jim and Korri created a really cute one but Finn HATED it because he felt like he was being tricked. So, no more scavenger hunts for presents for him. He asked for and received a snowboard for his birthday. I was shocked at how quickly he took to it and figured it out. This video is the second of third time going down the hill on it:

This is our last year of being teenage-free! I can't believe we are knocking on the door of having a teenager. While the days may go by slowly, the years just fly by. Finn has really matured a lot this year and has learned to control his reactions much better. I think he understand responsibility and while he doesn't WANT to do what we tell him, he usually does. We have really focused on kindness this year, especially with being together so much due to COVID and I can see him making an effort (albeit a very small one!) to include Korri and be kind to her. Hey, I'll take it.

And the very best part about turning 12, I measured him and he is FINALLY tall enough to not need a booster seat any more!!! Finn and Korri were both asking to get measure once a week, so I finally said I would wait until Finn's birthday. He TECHNICALLY has just under a quarter inch to get to the required height, but I count that close enough (especially since he NEVERS goes anywhere right now!). Plus, we have his well child appointment in a couple weeks and we'll get an official height measurement then. Big day for Finn (and Korri, because I said she had to be in one as long as Finn had to be!)!!! The next hurdle will probably be a phone but I'm REALLY trying to hold out on that until ninth grade. We'll see. Say a prayer for strength for Jim and me!

We have also worked very hard this to year understand your emotions better and to be able to express them. He often comes up to me and says, "huggy?" and just wants a hug. I ALWAYS stop what I'm doing and give him an extra long hug. This is HUGE for him and really shows a lot of his growth. And I'd be lying if it doesn't just about make my mom heart explode...every. single. time!! He's really going to do amazing things and I can't wait to see what they are. However, time can slow down a little, if it wants. I guess that is one thing quarantining during COVID has given us, time together! I'll take it.

Twenty Questions - Mac 6

Twenty Questions - Mac 6

Starting at age three, I've asked Mac 20 questions around the time of his birthday. I chose NOT to direct or influence his initial answers. Here are his responses:

20 questions: answered by MacKeegan on 9/7/2020

1. What is your favorite color? Blue, no, actually bright orange and green

2. What is your favorite toy? Legos

3. What is your favorite fruit? Plums

4. What is your favorite TV show, YouTube channel and movie? TV show=Just Add Magic, YouTube=Unspeakable, Movie=Cars 3 and Frozen 2 (with mommy’s help)

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Popcorn shrimp

6. What is your favorite outfit/thing to wear? Shorts

7. What is your favorite game/video game? game=Uno Attack, Sesame Street Uno, Minecraft Uno; Video Game=Minecraft

8. What is your favorite snack? XXTra Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

9. What is your favorite animal? Kitty and baby dog

10. What is your favorite song? Hamilton Soundtrack

11. What is your favorite book? Sandra Boyton books (specifically Opposites and Blue Hat, Green Hat because he can “read” them himself)

12. Who is your best friend? Ben (his cousin)

13. What is your favorite cereal? Trix

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play tag, hide and seek tag and swim

15. What is your favorite drink? Orange juice and any pop

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas because we get lots of nice gifts

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Any stuffy, but I haven’t really been doing that lately

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Peanut butter granola bars with chocolate chips

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Buffalo Chicken wings

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Bird, actually I don’t really know, or maybe work at a restaurant because you get a “ton” of money but it would be really hard work

Bonus Question:

21. What is your favorite sport to play? Karate and basketball

22. What is your best/least favorite part of school? Best=snack time, Least=everything is my favorite

First off, yes I realize we are a month and a half late. Oops! At least I remembered now, right?

Mac in a nut shell: loves anything spicy and would eat snacks all day long and asks to be on screens all day long.

My feedback on some of his answers:

2. First he said "tablet" and I told him that was technology and NOT a toy. Sheesh. He does do other things besides screens.

6. This made me laugh. This kid runs around in just shorts all the time and it is like pulling teeth getting him to put on a shirt of any kind. I thought he'd say "Under Armor" since it continues to be popular in our house, but I didn't lead him and he didn't come up with it.

9. Could there be a more vanilla answer?!?! I mean, so DOESN'T like kitties and puppies?

10. Our whole family is obsessed with Hamilton but he randomly belts out songs all the time. I love it.

11. He's REALLY interested in books and reading right now. I also loves The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein and Ralph and the Motorcycle books by Beverly Cleary.

18. He also like chocolate chip mini muffins and when I make him eggs.

22. He's REALLY excited to learn how to read and I'm SO thankful he loves school. Bring on Kindergarten.

Click here to view his responses from last year.

Mac gives us a run for our money and NEVER stops talking but at the same time is the sweetest boy. We struggle with impulse control with his body and him telling the truth. He is SO smart and carries on conversations like he's an adult. I can't wait to see what he does this year in Kindergarten.