Twenty Questions - Finn 9

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, but have asked follow up questions after he was done. Here are his responses:

20 questions: answered by Finnegan on 1/23/2018

1. What is your favorite color? Blue and black
2. What is your favorite toy? Nerf gun
3. What is your favorite fruit? berries
4. What is your favorite TV show/movie? Ninjago / any Star Wars
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? pizza
6. What is your favorite outfit/thing to wear? Under Armour
7. What is your favorite game? Monopoly Jr
8. What is your favorite snack? Chocolate
9. What is your favorite animal? Dragon and alligator
10. What is your favorite song? Believer by Imagine Dragons
11. What is your favorite book? Ninjago
12. Who is your best friend? Xavier P
13. What is your favorite cereal? I don’t have one, I don’t like cereal
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? football
15. What is your favorite drink? rootbeer
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas, because you get to see your family
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Kiki
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Chocolate mini muffins
19. If you could pick anything, what you would eat for dinner on your birthday? Spicy chicken wings (buffalo)
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Basketball or baseball player

Bonus Questions:
21. What is your favorite sport to play? baseball
22. What is your best/least favorite part of school? Best: lunch Least: music

I love how thoughtful he was this year. Some answers were what I would write and some weren't. Here are some follow up comments and my thoughts.

1. His favorite color has been red for a very long time. I guess things change.

4. He really couldn't think of a TV show. I think this was just one he eventually thought of, not necessarily a favorite. I thought he was going to pick a show on You Tube, like Ethan Gamer TV. Mac supplied (through the shut office door) the movie, but Finn agreed they are his favorite.

6. I KNEW that was coming. He is on a bit of an Under Armour kick right now!

9. I asked him why they were his favorite animals and he said just because! Well, there you have it.

10. I knew this was coming, too. Thunder by Imagine Dragons is his very close second favorite right now.

11. I don't remember the last time he read a Ninjago book. I suggested Percy Jackson (which we've been reading together) and he said he didn’t think of it, but it is his favorite.

20. I love this answer. I think he has a long way to go, though!! It's great to have dreams :)

21. I think golf is actually his favorite but given the time of year, he isn't thinking about it. But he does like baseball, too. Basketball has fallen back a bit on the list.

The last picture of my eight year old before turning nine early the next morning:

For his birthday, he chose to spend an extra night at the hotel instead of getting to have a friend come home after school and going out to eat. I think he chose well! Also, nine is tough. He's halfway done with us! Waaaaah! I mean, halfway to 18 at least. So sad to think about that. It truly does go so fast!

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

Pool Party!

Finn and Korri decided again this year to have a joint party at the hotel in Delano. But I told them if that's what they wanted to do, only one cake and it would be a swimming theme cake. They both agreed, which kind of surprised me. Doing two cakes last year was super tough.

So I've been SUPER busy the entire month of January but I was EXTRA busy the week of their party. I found a really cute snorkeling cake that they both agreed on for their birthday cake for the party. Great. BUT I only started looking into it the weekend before, which didn't leave me much time to plan and get the things I needed.

Oh, well. Jim would say I was behind the eight ball, but because he thought that I refused to let him be right and remained calm and kept ticking along! LOL I guess it probably helped me because I wasn't very stressed. Anyway, both kiddos picked chocolate cake, which is weird if you know Korri at all, but different fillings. Finn picked chocolate (duh!) and Korri picked strawberry (there's her normal self!!).

Here is the inspiration cake:

So I put Flat Finn on the bottom layer with the chocolate filling and I put Korri on the top layer with the strawberry. There are things I would have done differently (the frosting didn't cover very well and I don't know why!), but it did turn out pretty good and it was fun if nothing else.

And I had fun with the theme for decorating, too:

I used relatively new beach towels for table runners, which was a nice touch (since the tables were a little stained). The Pool Water punch was a big hit (blue Hawaiian punch, pineapple juice and ginger ale!), even though the container leaked. You can see the rest of the clever decorating. I like doing that stuff. Not sure what we'll do next year, but I think I'm going to make their cakes ONE their birthdays (so I can do individual themes that they pick) and then order cupcakes for the party! We'll see!

Oh, and while the water guns were a neat idea for a take home gift, it maybe wasn't the BEST idea to use during the party because EVERY body and thing was drenched. Oh, well. At least we're at a pool.

Thank you to everybody who came and made the Bigs feel so special. The only down side is the party room is super small so we can't include everybody we want do. Bummer. But they had a wonderful time! I mean, swimming in the middle of January is a nice treat, given the frozen tundra we live in!

The only picture I got of the two of them together:

Well Childs: 9 and 7

On Wed we had Finn (9 year) and Korri's (7 year) well child appointments after school. They changed dismissal from how I remember it...so we were a little late, but only by a few minutes. And Jim and Mac met us there and checked us in. Perfect. I really didn't have any concerns going in but I always like to see how they've grown.

We started with Finn.

Height: 51" 26% (49" or 25% in 2017)
Weight: 70lbs 72% (62lbs or 69% in 2017)
B/P: 102/60
BMI: 19 or 87%

His height percentage went up for the second year on a row!! I really hope that trend continues. I mean, I know it is only by 1% but I'll take it (and it is so far from where we came!). They tested his vision and hearing but I wasn't in the room for it and they didn't say anything, so hopefully they were fine.

Next was Korri. She's my rock star at appointments (I think she likes the accolades that come along with being brave!).

Height: 49.75" 83% (47.5" or 87% in 2017)
Weight: 72.6lbs 97% (60lbs or 95% in 2017)
B/P: 98/58
BMI: 21 or 97%

So, while she's slightly heavier, Finn is still taller by an inch and a quarter! I told him it won't be long until she catches up with him! Both grew TWO INCHES this year. Seems like a lot to me!

Korri remains on her same growth chart for BMI, so the doctor isn't concerned. I wish it would go down but we do what we can and the doctor just thinks that is how her body is (which I can relate to!). We talked about Korri's dry skin, as she's started getting rashes from the dryness. The doctor said to do what we've been doing but to add Aquafor or Vaseline if lotion stings. (Korri told me this week that the rashes have gone away, yay!).

And I think that was it! I mean, easy peasy. I asked about Mac's constant running nose and cough and she does NOT think it is allergies but rather cold after cold. Hmmm... He also has dry, rashy, itchy skin, so I'm not 100% convinced it isn't allergies. She said in the winter it is usually either pets (which we obviously don't have) or dust. I might put him on a low dose of allergy meds to see if it improves. Or I'll wait it out. We'll see.

Dr. Bies said you know we've had a good winter when Mac didn't know her when she came in! LOL No offense, but I hope we don't see her again until July ;)

Student of the Month

We have another student of the month in our house! (Finn was SOM in Jan of Kindergarten). I write with great pride and joy that Korrigan was student of the month for November! Her teacher picked one student from her classroom. Here are the words she wrote for why Korri earned this honor:

Mrs. Erger is nominating Korrigan Thomas for student of the month in her first grade classroom. Korrigan is always listening when the teacher and other classmates are talking. She is respectful and shows that she cares about what others have to say. She also shows these great listening skills when she is in the audience at an assembly. She makes everyone feel welcome and always includes them in games and activities, which makes her a great friend. She has been a kind classmate to the new student in our classroom and is always willing to help. Keep being a great example to others, Korrigan!

I almost cried when Korri gave me the note last week. I mean, she doesn't have any major issues at school, but she does struggle (more with the social stuff than academic). She often doesn't want to go to school and says how "hard" it is and how she "h word" school. But this shows what I've thought all along...she is doing great and is probably focusing on a few small things that don't come super easy to her instead of all the good, easy things she does do! I mean, she was the "All Star" in her class last year, so she/we must be doing something right!!!

Uncharted waters

Finn and I embarked on a new adventure to anybody in the Thomas household...a visit to the Orthodontist! Neither Jim nor I had braces, so I don't really feel this is "fair" that we have to go at all! I mean, send somebody who caused all this fuss to THEIR parents!!

Needless to say, I was NOT looking forward to the visit today, but since Finn's birth, I was told it was coming. It was time. The reason really is to get a benchmark for the future and see where he's at right now (but I didn't know where he was "at right now"!).

The appointment could not have gone better. The orthodontist basically said the issues Finn has are minor and he'd like to see us back in about 6 months to see if there has been improvement or not. And the issues Finn has are from thumb sucking NOT his early birth! The orthodontist said those issues at birth seemed to have correct themselves (Finn had facial and mouth asymmetry and narrow/crowding). I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulders that I didn't know was there.

Finn's issues are normal child issues and the orthodontist thinks they may correct themselves as his mouth grows, since he doesn't suck his thumb any more! Praise God! Now we'll just wait and see. And to make things better, Finn loved the office, people and the visit (no pain!!). So that helps for future visits.

Korri has the same issues as Finn (or so I was told by our dentist), so we'll be back there in a year or two for her. But I have a feeling hers are going to be more severe because she sucks her thumb for frequently and for longer duration than Finn has/did. Argh! Oh, well, could be worse. We'll deal with both when the time comes.

Jim's Vows

I knew what I wanted to say to you today when I found our wedding album this week. The album was buried in the garage from when we moved. Some people might think that’s a bad thing. However, I think it is somewhat appropriate because we didn’t just continue to exist at that point in our relationship as great as it was in that moment; we moved forward and grew stronger and closer. As we committed to in our original vows, we’ve been together during, and gotten through, ups and downs. As time has gone on, I believe that we have chosen to exist in the present and planned and looked forward to the future, while remembering and learning from the past. I want to thank you for being as good of a wife and mother as you were and are my best friend. As we celebrate and enjoy this moment, I promise to you that I will continue do my part to make sure that today is better than yesterday and for as long as we have tomorrows, that tomorrow is better than today. I love you.

Why I Said I Do

Renewal vows for 10th Anniversary
By: Stacy Thomas
10/06/2017

Jim, my love, my life, my partner, my true best friend. After many (MANY!) years of NOT being married, I thought I got married for ME. I wanted a husband. I wanted a nice house with a big yard. I wanted somebody to do things with. I wanted to have a baby (or four!). I wanted to experience what everybody else experienced...a loving union between two people.

Then I realized I said I do for you. To love you. To serve you. To support you. To laugh with you. To cry with you. To fight with you. To make up with you. To give you a loving wife. To give you children. To give you a happy home. To help you succeed in all things you do.

And after 10 years, I now know that marriage is HARD work. It isn’t a wedding. It isn’t about what you want. It isn’t what you get in return. It is choosing to be together every single day. Every single hour. And some times, every single minute. Marriage isn’t 50/50. It is 100/100. Each of you giving all that you have all of the time. It is choosing to love each other during those times when you don’t necessarily LIKE each other.

I promise to fight WITH you for ME, for YOU but always for US. I am nothing without US. God says, “Two are better than one, if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” A good strong marriage is about two people who won’t give up on their original promise to each other and to put the other first. Marriage isn’t for me. And it isn’t for you. But it IS for US.

I loved you SO much on our wedding day. But I love you so much more now in such a deeper way. I can’t imagine loving you more than I do right now. And yet, life has taught me that I will. No couple is perfect. But a perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other. I love you, my bestie. My imperfect partner. My everything. My forever.

Dentist Fail

This morning was Mac's first dentist appointment! Yes, I know he should have had it in July when he turned three, but give me a break. However, in hindsight, I wish we had done it in July!

I was NOT looking forward to taking him, based on his behavior at his three year well child appointment at the doctor. I had my cleaning yesterday and the hygienist recommended I not over communicate with him about it. Kind of like, the less he knows, the less he will freak out. So I didn't. It also helped that Finn and Korri were going after school, so I just said they were doing it too.

My worry was all for naught. Like he did AMAZING! It helped that his hygienist was super good with him.

He got to pick strawberry toothpaste and after his cleaning, he noticed a silly tooth monster, whom he loved! He didn't love that the chair reclined, but I just had him sit up until it was down and then lean back.

I was so happy with how the appointment was going. Until the dentist came in. Mac had SIX teeth with cavities on them. Please keep in mind he only has TEN teeth!! I was shocked and honestly felt like the a terrible mom (I didn't feel like the worst mom until later). But I shouldn't have been. I mean, the kid eats sugary snacks All. Day. Long. And while we do a pretty good job brushing, the sugar still sit on his teeth all day. AND bad teeth can be genetic and Jim has really soft teeth and has had problems with them his whole life. So, we made an appointment for next week to try to get the fillings started. If it doesn't go well, the dentist will refer us to a pediatric dental facility that is capable of putting patients under. Fingers crossed.

Mac says he loves the dentist, so I'm glad for that. We'll see how he feels after the appt next week. Plus, he got to (finally!) pick out a toy from the toy basket, which  make anything better.

Fast forward to Finn and Korri's appointments. I picked them up a little early from school to be sure we got there on time. Neither kid was excited about the appointments but after some grumbling and "I'm not going in," they both got started. After walking back with Korri, I stayed in the waiting room with Mac. I was a little upset they didn't call me back when the dentist talked with them because well, I'm the mom. Oh, well.

They both did very well for their cleanings. However, the grand total of cavities between the three of them was FIFTEEN! Korri had 4 and Finn had 5. I mean, what?!?! This is where the feeling of being the worst mom rear their ugly head. They brush their teeth twice a day. They use Act mouthwash Every. Single. Day! Holy crap! I get a pit in my stomach just writing about it.

So, now over the next few months, we get to go back in for filling appointments. Argh!!

Oh, and Finn got a referral for an orthodontist. I mean, I'd been told since he was born that he had issues and he'd need either surgery or orthodontics, but it still hit me like a ton of bricks.

It was just too much all at one time. I couldn't even fully process all of it. So it wasn't so much a "dentist fail" as a "dental health fail."

A Last First

Today was a last first in the Thomas household: our last first day of preschool! Mac started preschool!

He was SO ready. He didn't know why he couldn't go last week with the Bigs. It is so hard to push them out of the nest but it makes it so much easier when you know they will fly. And he flew!!

Last night he picked out his own clothes (in Flat Me style):

He ended up going with shorts in the morning instead of the baseball pants, but still, quite the first day outfit!! I guess I should just be happy it wasn't a skirt. LOL

It just about killed me to have to wake him up (something Stay-at-home moms don't have to do very often!!).

He was a little grumpy but once he got ready and ate some mini-muffins, he was happy and ready to go.

Is it just me or does he look really old?

But you can tell he was ready. I even got all three in one picture!!

Here comes the bus and there goes my baby.

I did okay emotionally because he was SO excited. But in contrast to the pictures by the front door where he looked so old...he looks so small getting on that big huge bus!!! For the record, he sat with Finn on the first day and will sit with Korri on Thurs (that is the schedule the Bigs came up with!).

He was all smiles when he got home and was super amped up!

Mac picked pineapple to bring for his shared snack so I emailed his teacher to ask if I should send spoons and cups along with it. In her response back to me, she said, "Hope he enjoyed preschool his first day! He did a good job." Awww...good to hear because I was thinking about him the whole time: what's he doing, is he playing nice, is he listening, is he getting along with others, etc.

Patio furniture

Our deck was useless this summer. Our indecision about what to do to make it functional lead us to do nothing and therefore not use it at all. There is no shade. No block from the wind. It is barren.

But we are having a grilling party this weekend and I didn't think it would be hospitable nor comfortable to have our guest standing on the deck the whole time. So after the Bigs left for school yesterday, Mac and I went to Menards to see what patio furniture they had. My mindset was "anything is better than nothing." When I got there, I found some really cute sling back chairs that I liked, but that would be more for the fire pit area. I wanted more of a dining/lounge patio set for on the deck. And even with my "buy now, buy anything" mindset, there was NOTHING there. And not because they'd clearanced it out. It was either not what I was looking for or it was junk. Argh!!! This ALWAYS happens to me.

I sent a couple pictures to Jim, but I felt defeated. Then my wise and wonderful husband suggested all of us going to 2nd Shade in Minnetonka. I'd never heard of it but I've learned that when Jim has an idea, to go with it. We schlepped to Minnetonka and found the Mecca of patio furniture. I mean, the rooms and the patio sets just kept going and going. And the service was really spectacular.

I surprisingly wasn't overwhelmed, even though we were there for HOURS. After walking through the entire space, in my mind, I'd narrowed it down to two: one was used but the style we liked and the other was new and had a table that could be used as a dining table with little ottomans tucked underneath. Jim and I talked and we agreed that for only a little more money, the new one was exactly what we wanted. Jim also wanted an umbrella to help block the sun and we found exactly what we wanted (it is lighted!)!

So, when can we get it because, well, our party is in four days! Luckily the patio set was in stock and they could promise delivery by Saturday. The umbrella had to be ordered but that wasn't required for the party so that was fine. I was doubtful that'd actually deliver it on time (I feel like those places over promise and under deliver...pardon the pun) but low and behold, they delivered it this morning!!! Like less than 24 hours later!!

I'm so happy with it and can't wait to use it on Saturday. The kids LOVE it and we already ate dinner on it tonight. I guess the lesson is to just do something rather than nothing!! Come on over any time to check it out and have a drink with us on it!

MaryEllen even got in on the action!

I plan to go back to Menards tomorrow to get the sling back chairs I liked:

Now we'll be all set...for NEXT summer, hopefully. And for Saturday, of course.

Back to School!

Well, I had very mixed emotions about school starting. I mean, the Bigs had gotten to the point where just the sight of the other would cause WWIII. So they were ready. And I was looking forward to a little non-fighting hours in the day. BUT...I LIKE having them around. I like talking to them throughout the day. I like having their help with little projects and things.

And it didn't help my emotions that my "I love school and rules and friends and desks and backpacks and everything else that relates to school" girl was having some very strong feelings about NOT wanting to go to First Grade! What? I mean, this girl LOVES school. I knew it was just nerves and maybe her being a little upset that none of her best friends were in her class this year. But she's a social butterfly so I knew she'd be okay.

Open House went really well (other than running around like chickens with their heads cut off because we had THREE to go to!!) and both Finn (3rd grade; Mrs. Halverson) and Korri's (1st grade, Mrs. Erger) teachers seemed really NICE. There's a lot to be said for kindness in school. And both kids seemed to click with them. MUCH better than last year when I cried for two weeks after getting Korri's teacher assignment (which, in hindsight, was actually a great fit for her) but I digress!

Last night we did baths and set out clothes in "Flat Me" style:

Korri cried a bit at bedtime, but everybody went to sleep fairly quickly, which is always a blessing on the night before the first day of school.

All the worry was for naught. The Bigs jumped out of bed. Brushed their teeth. Got dressed. Ate breakfast and were ready in like 10 minutes! And now I've gotten first day pictures down to a science, so we were ready and waiting for the bus, which amazingly for the first day of school, was on time!

Perhaps my favorite part of the morning was looking back after taking the bus pictures and seeing this:

Mad did not understand why HE wasn't going with the kids on the bus! Poor guy. His first day isn't until NEXT Tuesday.

And the best part of the day was when they got off the bus and both had huge smiles on their faces:

Here's to an amazing year of learning and growing and happiness. I can't wait to see what they accomplish this year.

My First Vikings Game Didn't Disappoint

Our friend's, Laura and Matt, invite us to a charity event called Brew Love that benefits the Ronald McDonald house. They have amazing silent auction items and we always make sure to bid a few things to give to such a worthy cause.

This year, my amazing hubby bid on (and won!!!) a Vikings preseason package! We didn't realize how amazing it was until we got home. They tickets were on the 45 yard line in the SECOND ROW!!! As in, right behind the players. In the middle of all the action. Four tickets were included and our friend Isaac and Andrea could come with so it was all set and I was beyond excited.

Jim's mom was kind enough to come watch the kiddos (since the game was a Thurs night, which makes it a little tougher to find somebody to watch the kids). Included in the package was VIP parking. So, after dealing with horrible traffic due to FOUR major sporting events going on (I know, great planning), we pulled right and walked across the street to the stadium. I mean, honestly!!

To top it off, I'd never been to US Bank Stadium before. It was beautiful. I was most impressed with the giant doors that they open to make it feel like it is outside. Very cool. We walked around the plaza for a bit but I wanted to see inside. We got inside and found out our tickets got us entry in to the Delta 360 Sky Club. What is that you ask? All the food, beer and wine you want...for FREE!!! (Holy crap. We may have to Uber it all the way back to Waverly!!) Oh, and it opens up onto the SIDELINES! Like this:

The green on the other side of the metal is the sidelines!!! Beyond my wildest dreams.

Like I felt like I was one of the players (okay, maybe not but a girl can dream!!). We stayed there for a while and then went to our amazing seats. Our amazing view:

Words can't explain the time I had. It really was a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you so much, Jim, especially since you don't love the Vikings and weren't impressed with the stadium the last time you were there. It was the best gift you could have given me. And to spend it with such great friends just made it more special.

Now, can we do it again next year?!?!?

Twenty Questions - Mac 3

Starting at age 3, I have been asking Finn and Korri and now am asking Mac these 20 questions every year around their birthday(s). I am hoping to assemble a small album for each of them with their yearly answers. It should be fun to see how their answers change. I chose NOT to direct or influence their answers in anyway. Here are his responses:

20 questions: answered by MacKeegan on 8/25/2017

1. What is your favorite color? Pink...blue, no blue
2. What is your favorite toy? Hot Wheels
3. What is your favorite fruit? Watermelon
4. What is your favorite TV show/movie? Little Einsteins / Secret Life of Pets
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Strawberries
6. What is your favorite outfit? T-shirt in case it's hot out or getting cold
7. What is your favorite game? Playing Mario Cart
8. What is your favorite snack? Candy
9. What is your favorite animal? Sharks
10. What is your favorite song? I play Pokemon Go Everyday
11. What is your favorite book? I don’t know
12. Who is your best friend? Finny
13. What is your favorite cereal? Strawberry (he doesn’t really eat cereal)
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play Hot Wheels
15. What is your favorite drink? Pop
16. What is your favorite holiday? Have friends over
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Cozy rocket
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Strawberries
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? I don’t know, a daddy and teacher
Bonus Question:

21. What is your favorite sport to play? football 

I felt like (for the most part) understood the question really well. But he also refused to just give me an answer if he didn't understand or couldn't think of something. I think normally at this age, they will just say something in order to have an answer. Interesting. Also, there seems to be a theme: Hot Wheels and strawberries! Sounds like he has the good life :)

Also, yes, I realize I did this over a month after his birthday but I totally forgot! Oops. Third child problems, I guess. At least I remembered at some point. He enjoyed going into daddy's office alone with me and having all of my attention for a bit.

My commentary (for what it's worth):
4. He didn't answer the movie when I asked him but when I asked him TV show, he said Secret Life of Pets, so I put that down. He still gets confused about the difference between the two.
6. I have no idea where he came up with that but it cracks me up. I THINK it was because it was a cool day and I told him to wear a t-shirt so he wouldn't get hot or cold. Perceptive little bugger.
7. Finn didn't even know what video games were at this age. One of the benefits of being the third child, I guess.
8. Did anybody doubt this answer? Truer words have never been uttered.
10. If you haven't had the pleasure, please (PLEASE!) Google this song.
11. He doesn't have one favorite go to book right now like the other two did at this age.
12. Finnegan, for those of you not in the know about nicknames.
16. He did NOT understand what a holiday was and I couldn't explain it very well without giving him examples, so his idea of a good time is having friends over.
17. Little Einsteins Rocket (which he actually NEVER sleeps with but I digress).
20. Either he couldn't think of something for this one or he didn't know because he wouldn't answer until I gave him some suggestions. So, this answer might be slightly lead by me.
21. I would argue that it is actually baseball or basketball but football is on his mind this time of year.

This was the last picture of my baby before he turned 3 (he was born at 11 pm). Finn is reading a bedtime story to him. And just to make a liar out of me, he's holding his cozy rocket from question 17: