Happy Halloween!

     Hello all I hope everyone had a great October, and a great halloween!!!  Last night I picked up Quinn and we went to my Aunts then parents!  She was so cute she was Spidergirl!  I hope everyone had a great spooky month!  I think October is awesome, well besides my and Quinn's bday.  I love the fun of Halloween.  Halloween is the first holiday that really takes it's time.  Yes we have some over the summer but Halloween is the start of it all!  Then comes Thanksgiving and Christmas I am excited that November starts tomorrow but I always think October is an amazing month.  Quinn had an amazing time we went out Wednesday but thats what we do we make it work.

     I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Halloween!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

Here we are!

Aunt Ro and Quinn!

Oma and Popi and Quinn!

Tuesday's Tip: Hug your Cat!

      Today is National Cat day!  So hug your kitten!  I never like to play the cats vs. dogs game I think they are both great but today is national Cat day so love your cat and pamper them! My cat has been so important to me, she has been with me since she was little.  I got her from a humane society here in town and ever since she has never left my side.  Through my divorce, as Quinn got older she adapted to her big hugs and the chasing...

My Halloween Kitty!

     When I first moved in it was scary, a new open house and just being there at night...  Eve stayed by my side as I broke down and pushed through my long nights missing Quinn or going through the divorce.  She as always been there.  She stuck through me think and thin! She even went though a sinus infection.  She wakes me up and sleeps in when I don't have to work.  She is such an amazing cat.  she most importantly is so good with Quinn, never scratching her or biting.  She loves Quinn and so today I hug my Evy porkchop!

I love you!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

You have your cat...

Love,
Christopher

Okay I Cracked...

     So this weekend I tried and tried but finally put the heat on.  Usually the game of putting the heat on is a fun one filled with layering up with blankets and checking the temp over the next few days.  Depending on how nice the fall goes I can hold out till November or December if we get a warm fall.  The past few years however when the end of October rolls around I usually crack and turn on the furnace.  Last year it didn't go on and that was a mess.  This year it fired right up!  So I did it, i turned it back on, not very high yet but it is on.

    Now comes the battle of keeping it low...  

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Even if you are under a blanket and sweatshirt!

Love,
Christopher

Quinn is just to cute sometimes.

     The other night I was talking to Quinn at home and I told her something and she replies "for real"?  I just laughed.  She then told me something and said it again, but this time she told me, "for real dad".  I just laughed so hard.  She smiled and then just looked like her cute self.  The past few years I've talked about some of the cute things she's said and documented them but I have to admit this was a new one and one of the funniest.  Just the way she said it and how she surprised me was so funny.

     Kids do say some of the funniest things and when they say it with their little voices its just to cute.  I still laugh when my family tells me about funny stories and things I've said growing up.  Not the longest blogs but I wanted to share my cute story and how she is growing up and just picking up some funny things.

     Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

A Midweek Break

Uncle Kenny and Quinn hard at work!

Tuesday’s tip: Go slow with their homework

             As Quinn has been getting more and more homework I have been working on my own.  As she encounters her frustrations I have been trying to be supportive and just be there for her.  When she get’s upset I usually tell her she’s doing fine and we work together on it.  She is working on her letters and numbers.  There are a few that are difficult so I have her trace mine a few times till she gets the hang of it.  Quinn is left handed so that makes it more difficult because they do write differently so it is hard for me because I am right handed so I can’t just tell her to watch me.  It has been cute she gets frustrated and I get flash backs from my day!  I tell her this is the easy home work! 

                When doing homework with your child just be there to help them and keep encouraging them along.  Don’t do it for them, but don’t just let them do one example and then stop.  Homework needs a good medium and make sure you are doing it on the weekend.   Weekend homework makes your child know that even though they have the days off they still need to work. However going slow and just working with them is very important.  Sit down, turn off any distractions and just focus on the task at hand.  Encourage them and tell them they are doing great, when they do a good job or get something wright be excited!  You don’t have to reward them for every homework problem but maybe when it is all done you can do something nice.

                Showing frustration will only worsen the issue.  If you show frustration they will more.  Growing up my parents were always so good with me.  No matter how stumped I was they just kept working with me and on the issue at hand.  The key is to be in control and just not let the problem control you.  Do your own homework and find out what they are doing so when they have questions you will know how to help them.  I know when Quinn stats doing math I will.  I never was good at math so I’m sure I will have to dust up on my own skills. 

                While the work is easy however I continue to help her and encourage her that homework is a good thing and well, she will be doing it for a long time…

 

Another tip is to get the work done early so you have the night/weekend to do other things!

 

Always remember,

You are never alone.

Love,

Chrstopher

A weekend I have been waiting for...

     I wait for this weekend all year!  This is the weekend Quinn and I get our Halloween on!  Friday we had dinner and just hung out.  We didn't do much because I wanted her to rest up.  Saturday when we got up we had breakfast and did some home work.  After that we went out and got Quinn's Halloween costume!  I know everyone is excited but you have to wait to see but you just have to wait!  After we just relaxed a little and then headed out to Powers Farm Market!  We walked around and fed the animals, looked in the store, got some treats and found our pumpkins!  We spent a good amount of time there and Quinn was so happy to just walk around and look at the fun activities and different things the farm offered.

     Later that night she helped me cook dinner!  We made chicken and scalloped potatoes.  Then we carved her pumpkin!  She did really well, Quinn took out all the insides and seeds and I carved it.  Quinn was so excited this was her first carving!  That night she stayed up and watched some fun movies then had some pecan pie and ice cream!  She loved it!  Sunday was so busy, but because of how much went on I actually will be blogging about Sunday later this week.

     This weekend is one of my favorites just because I love fall and Halloween, the cooler weather, the color changes on the leaves just that amazing season NY offers and the fun spooky time and all the scary movies on!  There is no other time like it!  I like scary movies, but mainly during this time of the year.  You have to watch scary movies in October!  I mean, come on!  I just like this weekend because I take her out and we do all the fun fall stuff.  She gets so excited when we shop for a costume, I let her pick out anything and she just loves it.

     I hope everyone is having a great fall season!  Enjoy all the fun pics and always keep me posted on how your fall season is going!

Always Remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

Here is my little diva!

Here we are!  We went inside, it was so much fun!

The sheep!

Here we are feeding them!

A little Faun.

Turkeys!

Pumpkin picking time!

Quinn found it!

She loved playing with it.

Our chicken dinner.

Pumpkin Carving time!

Cleaning out the pumpkin!

Carving time!

Not to shabby!

We then cooked the seeds!

Time for pie!

  

Fridays used to be the Fun day...

     Growing up I used to look forward to Fridays more than anything, now I'm not sure sure.  Fridays usually consist of getting dinner and trying to find something to do.  Or if I have Quinn, getting her and then finding something for dinner and settled down.  I usually am over worked and tired by the drive home and when I get home mostly in a bad mood.


     I can just remember running home to watch TV and not have a worry in the world.  Now I usually sleep in Saturday because of how tired I am!  Tonight I can't tell how tired I was.  I didn't really get dinner because of a late start and feel just pulled in so many directions.  Maybe I need a vacation from my self...

     I know I've talked about R&R but I just think it is time for some for me.  Well just makes me laugh when I used to have such an easy Friday, guess that's just part of growing up.  I can't wait to update you on the weekend!  We have such a busy one!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,

Christopher

Tuesday's Tip: Sometimes all you have to do is ask...

     Last week I emailed Quinn's Mom to see if I could take her Monday for half the day.  She said that would be great and to see what time.  I ended up getting her at 8:30 and we had a great morning.  We had breakfast and then went home to just relax.  Quinn got me a cute card and gift card for my birthday!  As a single Dad I blog about how hard it is and that you have to work together with your Ex for the child's sake.  I was nervous because I haven't asked in a while and technically this day is not one that is mine but it was really nice she let me have her.  I think she got some things done her self which is good too.  Being a single parent has been difficult we have had times of disagreement over times and different things but you should always at least try and ask.  If she said no, I would have been okay.  I would have done the things I had to do around the house but I was so excited she did say yes.  I hope over time I can see her even more.  I guess all i will have to do is ask...

     Ask for different days or times and share your kids.  I asked for a half day that way I could spend time with her and get some of my own things done as well.  I was so happy that I got to see her and our breakfast we fun.  I want to tell all my single parent friends to stay strong and please work together.  Share days and let your child see each of you.  This also give the one parent that may have them more some time to get some things done too.  I hope everyone has been having a great fall season!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

What a week!

     Well back to the ER! Again...  I think I'm gonna call this the year of the Doctor...   lol.  I joke because things are ok now...  Well Wednesday I started the day not feeling well and by midday well I was feeling worse and well there was color well, when I for kids sake, "took a number 1"  The color you don't want to see.  I left early cause of the pain and ended up back in the ER again for the second time, well honestly I think it was last year when I cut my finger so I guess it has been some time now that I think about it.  Well they did some test and they think it was just an infection.  Scans show the good old organs are in good shape and I don't have any stones floating around which I was afraid of but never felt any pain in my stomach so.

     The other good news is any test done while in the ER are covered in the one co-pay so that was good news for the old wallet.  The test were the good news, so being in the ER for only about 5 hours, not bad!  Well the rest of the week went well, taking my Rx and just lots of water drinking, and getting backed up on the blog!

     Well besides all that today is my Birthday!  Happy birthday to me!  Another year, another day of knee pains and moving slower...  This coming up weekend I have the munch, I'm so excited we have a big weekend planned!!! Well since it is my birthday I think I'm gonna leave this post at I hope everyone is having a wonderful day.  If this post comes out late well my birthday is Oct. 13 so your late if you wish me happy birthday on Monday!  JK I'll take a happy Birthday in July! lol  Enjoy the week!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christoher

Tuesdays Tip: Don’t get upset when they display your flaws…

         As Quinn has been growing up I have seen some trates from both sides but I have seen ones that I relate to.  I see her testing the waters like any other child, but I see her do things I have one done in my life time and I have seen her display them  the way I would to.  How she acts or gets upset.  I used to get upset and think she was trying to just not listen but the I realized that some of the things she does I did the same exact way so now I have moved on to just controlling how I get upset and working with her.  I remember when I was young I was quite the little one.  I remember pushing my parents to the limit and just always questioning them why.  I see that in her sometimes and I don’t get upset because how we act can be related with our family tree.   Now we are all different but some small things do pass down I feel and believe. 

                I just remember one, she is a kid and testing the waters and also to just keep working on explaining how to act in certain times.  Like the importance  of sharing and making sure we play with our friends.  I have been working on just letting her know not everything is her’s and we need to play fair or people won’t want to play at all.  I gave her a glass of my drink over the weekend and she said “mine” and held it tight.  I explained that was my drink and I was sharing it with her.  I do fear with the way people are it will take some time.  Our culture is so into just sometimes looking out for ourselves I feel it’s an uphill battle.  I just keep pushing the fact that things aren’t importing that toys and our stuff is nice but we share them and objects are not to be praised. 

          

We work hard for them and can enjoy them but we shouldn’t worship them.  I will work on the sharing with her as well.  It takes time and just learning how to play fair and that once you do you can have fun and everyone will win!  I can remember my parents explained how important sharing was.  Also how that parents and family work very hard to support  the family and not to be spoiled.  I grew up in a nice home with food on the table every night. We didn’t have cable or a lot of toys but my brother and I  had a very good home and would play with the neighborhood kids.  My parents gave us what they could and showed us the value of that. 

As I help raise Quinn I am doing this as best I can.  When she throws a temper tantrum I can see my past and that I used to.  I just try to relax her and let her think about it.  I let sit and just cool down in her room if she gets upset or fails to listen but I don’t yell or scream at her or get upset.  I can remember my parents letting me cool down and would have me sit and just think about what I did.  Taking away privileges or a time out is much better than losing your cool and showing them how upset you get.   Remember some of their traits came from you.

So next time you see your little one expressing something negative remember how you were once a child and keep your cool. If they do something just correct them and explain to them.  Also  if there are others around tell them maybe they need a time out, sometimes Quinn things because there are other around nothing will happen but I give her a warning and she listens.  She doesn’t want a time out around others.  Think back to how your parents handled you and try to pass that on. 

 

Always remember,

You are never alone…

Love

Christopher.

Happy Birthday Quinn!

     This past Saturday we celebrated Quinns Birthday!  We started off the morning by going and getting apple cider, and other treats from an apple farm down the road.  Quinn loved it, after we got our treats we went home and cleaned up the house and got everything ready.  My Mom and Dad, Brother, Aunt, Hughey, Vinny, Courtney and Alyese came over to celebrate Quinns day!  We had snacks then pizza for dinner and ice cream cake!  

     Quinn opened her presents and had a blast!  She got all different great things! Dolls, cloths, art crafts, DVD's and I got her a little radio.  She played with Alyese and had such an amazing day!  Well when I was working on the blog I deleted some of the pics by mistake Ugh!  I did get some saved, so I do hope you all enjoy them!

     Sunday we spend the day paying and just relaxing.  Quinn played with her Lego's!  She got from my parents.  Quinn also did some homework!  She has been writing her name and different letters.  She is doing so well, I am so proud of how hard she is working.  

Happy 5th birthday Quinn!

Always remember,

You are never alone.

Love,

Christopher 

Here is everyone!

Presents!

Alyese and Quinn opening presents.

Lego's!

Quinn Blowing out her candle!

The girls!

Vinny and Alyese

Quinn and Daddy.

Here is Quinn doing some homework!