Sunday Funday!

Sunday the day after the Klondike we had a busy day!  We did homework in the morning and worked on our reading and writing.  We also did an art project!  Later that day we just played with our toys and watched some TV.  It was still so cold out so we had to be carful.  I want to take her sledding but have to wait till it gets warmer.  I plan on posting the other days soon, but here are a few cute pics to hold you over.  I hope everyone had a great weekend as well.

Here she is playing more don't spill the beans!

Just good old fashion toy playing!

Always remember,

You are never alone...

Love Christopher 

A mid week break

Quinn Playing Don't Spill the Beans!

Can't wait to update everyone on this weekend!

Tuesday's Tip: Don't look for warmer weather unless you get on a plane.

    This week marks the second week of over extremely cold temperature.  With numbers being in the low teens at best it is extremely important to keep warm!  In the mornings the temp reached in the negatives!  Hopefully this will be the last week.

    Now I know I don't have to make tips about staying warm, but since it is so cold you might want to also think about lowering your thermostat.  I know it sounds crazy but honestly if you keep your house warmer it will work harder to stay in the low 70's.  I know you maybe calling me crazy but, if you keep your house in the mid 60's the house won't cool down as fast and thus your heating bill won't be as bad.  The warmer the house is the more it has to work to keep it that way.  I usually keep mine between 65-67.  When it is  65 the low is usually 63.  I usually keep it at this level when its night time and during some hours of the day.  I found at 67 the house would cool faster and the furnace would keep coming on.  Lowering the temperature a few degrees or moving the time frame so its a little colder longer will make a big difference.

    Now I advise you don't keep it to low you freeze!  But for the next few days I altered mine to make up for all the times it has to kick on.  Hopefully this cold front will end shortly and things will get back to normal.  In the mean time keep an eye on your house temp. Also notice how often your furnace is kicking on.  You do have to keep the house somewhat warm so things don't freeze remember!

So keep up with the weather and adjust accordingly. 
PS keep in mind you may have others in the home that may not agree with this or you lowering the heat so be careful!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

The start of a good weekend.

     The weekend has come and gone, it was a good weekend it was the annual Boy Scout Klondike.  I can't wait to post the pics and update you on that.  Friday I picked up Quinn and we went out to dinner.      It was a while since we went out for fish so we were due!  We went down to the nutcracker and Kay, Quinn and I had dinner.  With the weather still being cold we stayed in and just got ready for bed.  It is still in the teens and Saturday was considered warm with it being about 28 degrees.

     I can't believe how big and independent Quinn is getting, she does so much on her own now and every week I feel I do less and less.  We got Quinn down and I used the snowblower to clean out the driveway.  It really is awesome to just have that machine.  After I got the driveway done I just relaxed because of how big the weekend was going to be.   Having to be up by 7ish I headed in early.

     Quinn and I started to get deeper and deeper in the home work world.  Friday night I looked over her work this weekend.  Were working on more reading, counting and crafts.  I have flash cards for Quinn and every time we get together we count.  Counting is great because it keeps her thinking and you don't need flash cards.

     Well I hope to get the pics up fast of this weekend!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love
Christopher

A late but important post!

     So I know were almost through January but I have to post about Christmas!  I had Quinn Christmas this year into the next day.  I picked her up up around 11 am and we were off.  I was so excited because all Quinn's gifts were wrapped and she was so excited to come home to open them!  Quinn came in and was so excited, she ran over and just saw all her gifts and started opening them.  She started with her stocking and then moved on to the tree.  She got some dolls, board games and a Wii.

     After my parents, aunt and brother came over and we had dinner and opened more presents!  We had a great day and celebrated the joy of Christmas.  Quinn, Kayla and I had such a good morning and it was so nice to just have the day with her.  As the day went on Quinn's Godfather came over, Paul and we exchanged gifts and said hello.  Later that night we hung in and just played the Wii and enjoyed the company.  My Dad and I started off with Wii Golf as Quinn hung out with Oma.

     The past few years I have given Quinn a few board games and well given them again.  The past few years after the divorce was not easy.  I had a hard time finding funds to get a few gifts for her.  It wasn't the easiest of times and I had some board games I found on sale and some given to me by friends I wrapped them up and she opened them, I think I did this two years.  Candy Land and Shoots and Ladders.  I explained this tradition to Kayla, but told her this year we would keep them upstairs now.  I know it seems crazy I told her how a few years ago where we were and how far we came.  With things better for us now I feel so happy I can just give my daughter gifts.

     I am sorry this post was so late it has been such a busy new year start!  I also have a lot of pictures to share!  Christmas this year was so nice, Quinn had a lot of fun and thats all that mattes.  With the holiday over I am glad to say Quinn has some new upgraded toys!  I will say for a while she did need some upgrades and now she has some great ones!!!  I hope everyone had a great holiday and spent it with loved ones.  With the new year going fast I will keep everyone updated sooner on big events, or at least I will try!

With all the pics to look over I will keep my writing short.

Enjoy the pics!
Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

Here she goes!

Kayla and Quinn

Merry Christmas!

The two board games I have given Quinn for years now, and finally get to play.

Candy Land! Opened for the last time!

Kayla and I

Opening some gifts together!

Chuck came out to say hi to!

Oma playing Candy Land with Quinn.

Just hanging out.

Ken and Chuck hanging out!

My rents!

Here we are!

Aunt Ro and Quinn.

Here is Paul and I.

Paul and Quinn, of course she covers her face, what a punk she is sometimes! haha

Dinner time! We had potatoes, ham, veggies, and bread.

The ham.

The dinner.

Dinner time!

Time for some Wii Golf!

Oma and Quinn just hanging out.

We're finally back in business.

     A special thanks to my Dad for getting the snowblower back up and running!  With some parts on order and a lot of labor with help from my brother the snowblower is back in the garage ready for use.  If we get snow, this week again it's going to be again very cold.  The past few weeks we had to manually clean out the driveway a few times, it gets tough because some of the days the snow was heavy and the snowblower was giving start up issues as it was.  Not hoping to have to buy a new one my good old dad got it apart at Christmas and all set this weekend.  So we are back, not that I want snow, but now I'm ready!

     The weekend was good and the winter blues are still here but this next weekend I have Quinn and there is a lot going on so I am excited.  With lots do to and many pics to take I hope everyone stays tuned!

  Well just a short blog tonight but with good news I just wanted to say things are getting better for the winter battle!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

It's not all about the TV

     Last night Quinn started off trying to get the TV on.  I told her that tonight we were going to have some dinner then play without the TV.  She's been watching a little more TV than usual and part of it is because it is cold out so I let it go.  After dinner we played cards and just had fun, it was really nice to just play games without having to zone out at the TV.  The time went by and Quinn didn't even think about it.  We played Go fish and had a blast.

     Sometimes we get wrapped up in TV because it keeps kids busy and quiet.  Honestly it does, but sometimes you have to play board games, or pay with their toys they have around the house.  Don't rely on TV to be the only thing they want to do.  Last night was just pure fun and Quinn found how much fun she can have without the TV.  There are somedays just watching TV and laying on the couch is nice I knew it was time when she tried to order me to get the TV on.  It was almost like she needed it.  Well she survived without it!  As the weather getss nicer we will spend more time outside but for now we just have to remember that keeping TV to a little won't hurt.

So as we hang out next time I think it will be easier and easier to slow off the TV.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful new year!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

A Mid Week Break

We took some time off from the TV to just play some cards tonight...

The weekend has arrived!

     As I sat watching my little one play her Nintendo Wii, she is doing so well.  Kay and I got her one for Christmas and she is loving it.  I think she loves bowling the most.  It is such a good game for her to play because its fun and she can do the motions.  Quinn watches me play my video games and I let her try but it is hard to work the controller.  She has so much fun now that she can enjoy her game.  Friday started off the weekend great.  We got some dinner and just relaxed in watched some TV and stayed in.
Saturday I made Quinn an egg and turkey wrap and we started off the day.  Oma and Popi watched her  while I ran a few tasks.  They had so much fun with her, that night we made chicken and cheesy potato's.  Then we just relaxed, the weather was nicer out but because it warmed upt it was very wet and muddy outside.  Sunday I took Quinn to church, it's been a while since she's been and we were both excited to go.  She headed down to church school with her friends and I waited upstairs as the service went on.  After church Quinn and I went shopping and got some things to fix the stove, she was so cute and helped me the whole time.

    Quinn worked on some homework this weekend as well, she's working on her reading.  I put down some words for her and she is not starting to read.  I'm very excited maybe someday she'll read my blog!  She got frustrated but we worked on it and by time the weekend was over she ended up doing great and getting many of the words right.

     When we got home I fixed the stove and then cleaned it, I don't want to clean it again for a long time it was not fun...  We hung out and played with her toys and then I cleaned up.  Sundays I try to get the house in order so I can relax the week.  We had lunch and then just cuddled on the couch before we had to go.  I dropped her off and then hugged and kissed her.  The weekend went buy so fast but this weekend was nice because we have been going out a lot and traveling so to just stay in is fine with me...

I hope you enjoy the pics!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher
 

Breakfast time!

Homework time!

Playtime! She loves the Wii!

My little girl.

Just playing with her toys.

How she can make me sad and proud in one moments time.

     Last night I was talking to Quinn and I asked her what she though about if I picked her up early one day from school.  She went into her usual suggestion which is cute.  She figures things out sometimes and tells me how it goes, or thinks.  She said her Mommy can pick her up and I can get her after.  I laughed and said it would be early and it would just be mine.  She said she wants her Mom to pick her up, but then said she still loved me.  I held her as we rocked and listened to music.

     I can remember when I used to pick her up from daycare how excited she was I know she doesn't mean what she says.  I guess she just likes when her Mom gets her.  I could be because I haven't picked her up enough but I talked to her about it and who knows maybe I will.  Dropping your child off at school is fun but nothing beats picking them up.  The day is over and they run to you as you get them, it hasn't be easy her Mom doesn't reach out tom me when there is time off or a snow day I get her like the divorce decree says.  I guess she's growing up and as I looked over at her last night I just couldn't believe how big she's getting.  As a single Dad the hardest part is just watching them grow up and not being there every day.  It is something a parent like I thinks they get over, but never do...

     So she told me she didn't want to pick her up but she tells me she loves me...  She makes me sad and proud all in one moment.  Ohh to be a single Dad...


     Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

A Mid Week Break

A late Merry Christmas!

Tuesday's Tip: Stay inside!

     Today is suppose to be one of the coldest days the NorthEast has seen in years if ever!  Monday was -5 with a wind chill of about -18!  It is suppose to feel like -30 they say today.  Most schools are closed and a lot of events as well.  Your exposed skin can get frost bitten in 5 minutes of being outside.  My advise, if you don't have to be outside, don't!  Sometimes its nice to just stay in and enjoy a good movie or TV show.  Don't risk being outside and for kids and older people it can be very dangerous.  So to any parent keep the kids inside!

     It is going to warm up and they say this cold front will be the last one for a while but for today be careful and stay safe and warm!  Let the cold front pass and play inside with your loved ones!  Keep the house warm and watch for any frozen pipes.  If you get snow, maybe wait a day or so, unless you have more than a few inches.  Then bundle up and be safe.  Protect your ears, cheeks nose and throat.  Those areas can get frost bitten the fastest.

     So enjoy the global warming of -30 and put a movie in!

Also please pray for those who have less than us or are fighting the cold without shelter.  May they find a warm place to keep safe.

Always remember you are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

Quinn is now International!

     Just before New Year's Quinn, Kayla and I went up North to visit family.  I know I am behind on some introductions and I will explain soon.  Well before I show you the fun pics here is a pic of us in Canada!  No we didn't sneak across, and no passports or birth certificates were needed.  So how did we do it you ask?  Well I'll let you wonder for a while before I give you the answer...  So it's official she is now and international traveler! 

A Lazy Day

     Sometimes we all need lazy day's today was just one of them.  Starting a new work week tomorrow with no holidays it was a good day to sleep in and honestly just rest.  Last night I went out with some friends and did some midnight bowling!  The lights are off and they have music playing, videos going and everyone just has a great time.  It's been so long since I went bowling and it was just so much fun to get out again and hit the lanes.  So today was just a good day to rest and relax, I didn't have Quinn this weekend so I just decided to take it easy.

     I would say for all single parents on the their off to take some time to relax.  Don't clean unless you have to, just lay around and enjoy your time off.  It was warmer out today, but still to cold to do anything outside.  I did a small workout but I can remember when I first moved out days like this would drive me crazy.  I wouldn't know what to do and would feel like I was just getting cabin fever.  As time drew on I adapted and just got used to it.  I will tell any new single parent, on days like this to just find something to do.  I will tell others to keep going not to let lazy days bring you down.  Find something to do on the days you don't have your little ones.

     I can't wait to update everyone this week on what's going on and even some of the post from last year I didn't get to.

So stick around, it's going to be a good year...


Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

Trying to get the year going..

     So how is everyone's new year going so far?  First weekend down!  So far well I've kept to what I said I'd start.  Well the snowblower is yet still down so we've been out clearing the driveway by hand which has been my work out!  I woke up today and couldn't move so the Gym was out.  So far a few days in and no gym, for good reasons.  So were suppose to get more snow This Monday/Tuesday so I have no idea what's in store.  As for this relaxing weekend besides going over to help my Aunt move some things I think it's going to be a day of small shopping and getting things for the house.  We need a coat rack at Bed, Bath and Beyond so that maybe the purchase of the day.

    I did receive a cute phone call from Quinn yesterday.  She called to tell me she loved me and she is excited about this year.  She is going on spring break with her Mom, and this summer I am taking my first week off with her!  I will post about the details soon.  It has been a good start so far as a single Dad but there are bumps along the way.  I just wanted to check in and tell everyone I hope their year is starting off well and to keep your New Years resolutions alive!

Stay strong.

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

We start off cold!

     So here we are day two and its  about -25 with wind chill.  What else is new!  So the snowblower is still in the shop aka parents garage apart waiting parts.  So the manual labor continues!  It will continue to snow this week so I hope the parts come in and we get moving!  So far this year as a single Dad things have been good.  Trying to work with Quinn's mom but sometimes the takeoff can be bumpy and well thats how it goes.  I don't know what this year will bring but I will make sure to keep all my readers updated and as I get the bog together and updated I'm excited to hear more stories and what is going on around.

     So as we bunker down yet again we start off the new year frozen...  Maybe we'll get a break, probably not...

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher