Pay a Little, Get a Lot

This week was my favorite kids consignment sale here in DFW.  I always work a volunteer shift so that I can shop the presale before it opens to the public.  They are very picky about what they accept to sell.  I like that because everything I buy looks almost brand new and the prices are great.  It really helps to find good deals on clothes when you're shopping for two kids.  I like the thrill of the hunt at the consignment sale.  You go in with a big group of women and make a beeline for the things on your wishlist.  There's always a ton of clothes, so I went first to another room and scored a Radio Flyer wagon.  I wanted one for going places like the zoo and Arboretum for the kids to ride in.  Mia is five, so I didn't really think that a double stroller was a good investment for us.  The wagon I got is one of those that has high wooden rails on the side.  It's perfect for what we want to use it for.  It was in great condition.  Even the wheels were clean like it was barely used.  I also bought Quinn a little basketball goal that he seems to really enjoy.  I got a few other fun things for the kids, too, but I mostly bought clothes.  I already can't wait for the fall sale.  It's so much fun!

Bounce!

Mia went to a pirate-themed birthday party for one of her school friends at a bounce house place here in Dallas today.  She always enjoys those places.  It was Quinn's first experience with a bounce house.  He didn't know what they were.  I thought he would be intimidated by so many older kids jumping around in them like Mia was at his age.  Someday maybe I'll stop thinking he'll react to things the same way as his sister.  He wanted to go in them, too, and was determined to do it!  Once he got his "sea legs",  he was bouncing away like the others.  Wes went in there with him in case he needed help.  Quinn loved it.  His favorite thing was the enormous inflatable slide.  Wes would carry him to the top and slide down with him.  Daddeo got a work out that day!  Mia had fun playing and celebrating her friend's birthday.

Q liked his sword and pirate hat from the party.

Mia enjoyed it, too!

 

Movie Night!

There was a kids' fishing derby at Kidd Springs Park today.  Wes took Mia, and her friends Pearson and Riley went with their parents, too.  The kids didn't catch anything, so they got bored quickly from what I was told.  The dads were left holding their fishing poles.  Haha!  The three amigos went off to play, and Julie got some good pictures of them.  Mia looks like she's doing an impression of a lion roaring in one of them.  Hehe!

Later that evening, Mia hosted movie night for Pearson and Riley.  They came over to play which quickly turned into an impromptu rock concert in our living room.  It was awesome!  They just made up a song as they went and had a blast.  After that, it was a pizza picnic with a movie.  They then colored some masterpieces before their parents came to pick them up.  We hope to have them over again soon!

This is what Mia did instead of fishing.  :)

 Movie night!

 

Pizza and a Haircut

Today was a fun...then not so fun...then fun again day.  In the morning, we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast which is always a tasty treat.  Mia left her stool in the kitchen, so Quinn helped himself to some of the leftovers later on.  After nap time, we headed out to get the kids' hair cut.  Mia hasn't had her hair cut since school started in the fall because she wants to have "Rapunzel hair".  Quinn had never had his hair cut.  Mia has gotten several haircuts and always does great.  I thought she would go first to show Q what to do, and then he would get his done.  Unfortunately, Mia decided to refuse to get her hair cut.  It was the weirdest thing.  She thought we were going to cut all of her hair off.  She all but threw a tantrum about it when it was her turn.  We still got it done, but it was difficult.  I wasn't worried about Quinn, though.  He's usually cool with whatever.  He's a pretty laid back fellow.  I was so, SO wrong about how he would react.  He had a complete 17 month old meltdown.  He buried his head in my chest and screamed and cried the entire time she was cutting his hair.  It was completely unexpected.  I was covered in baby snot and goldfish crackers by the time it was finished.  We had promised Mia a trip to Chuck E. Cheese after haircuts.  We probably should have cancelled it after their behavior at the hair place.  However, they were both upset by the experience, so we went to try and have some fun after that catastrophe.  The Chuck E. Cheese we went to was super packed.  Wes and I were completely exhausted by the time we left, but the kids had fun.  Overall, I'd still count it as a good day!

Quinn wanted to go back for seconds after breakfast.

 He was not happy after his haircut, but he looks adorable!

Pizza and games made them feel better.

 

Growing Boy

Quinn is starting to have interests in particular things.  He recognizes his favorites and is drawn to certain toys.  He really likes Elmo.  He doesn't pay much attention to the other Sesame Street characters, though.  He's big into superheros, too.  He knows the difference in Batman, Robin, Superman, and Spiderman.  However, Spiderman is his favorite.  I don't know why he is drawn to that character in particular.  Maybe it's because he's red like Elmo.

He also eats like a horse.  Q has always had a healthy appetite.  He's not big for his age.  He's just a growing boy, I suppose.  Quinn eats pretty much whatever we give him.  He especially loves Mexican food.  He can devour an enchilada.  It's impressive.  Our boy also likes salsa as well as other semi-spicy foods.  He'll pick the bell peppers out of queso and eat them.  He also begs his daddy to share jalapeno Cheetos.  I worried about him eating that stuff at first, but it doesn't seem to upset his tummy.

Loves playing with his Batcave

Chowing down at El Fenix

Party Pics Part 2

The magician made balloon animals, etc. for each party guest after his show.

 The party wore out Baby Brother.

 By the end of the party, the kids were just running around and beating each other with their balloons.  Haha!  Only a couple popped. :)

 

Mia's 5th Bday Party Part 1

When I asked Mia what kind of birthday she wanted, she was very specific.  She said, "I want a Barbie party with dark pink and black!  Not light pink because I had that at my ballerina birthday party when I was three."  I found some cute printables to use that incorporated a Barbie silhouette.  We had the party at our nearby rec center.  A magician came by to entertain the kids as well.  We had Chick-fil-a nuggets and fruit.  I highly recommend it.  No prep because if you tell them when you're picking it up, they will have it still warm when you arrive.  It was a hit!  Mia has made several friends at her new school.  It was nice to meet them and their parents.  Mia loved her party.  She said it was very "fashionable".

Playing with Papaw the night before the party

 Everyone enjoyed the magician.  I must say that he was pretty good.  I enjoyed the show, too.

 Mia got to be his lovely assistant for a couple of magic tricks since she was the birthday girl.