Ball, ball, ball, ball, ball

This is what we hear all day long. Ball, ball, ball, ball. Quentin is really becoming a pitcher. There are 8 million balls floating around the house now so he can bounce them, play catch and most important throw them (with both hands to hedge our bets). We had a prior tennis career so there are tons of tennis balls in this house. We've added a galactic ball we picked up at some trendy toy store for blue blooded grandmothers, and a football and basketball he was gifted from family so he's really got the sports covered. I looked into golf clubs but they tell me it's too early. Apparently you have to learn how to walk before you hit the links. I thought, that's why they invented golf carts. Tiger started at 2 after all and is younger than me with how much money? Exactly. We aren't practicing enough!

He is also now standing solo. You hold on to his waist for balance so he doesn't smoke that genius melon he's carrying on his shoulders and what does he do in return? He keeps brushing your hands off so he can be "independent." Hmmm, must get that from Carrie. So he gets your hands off him and then raises both hands to the ceiling in a Rocky-esque pose to clear up any confusion that he is champion of the world. He then looks up at the ceiling, no doubt reveling in the fact he's so cool that he loses his balance and you, being the number one parent of the year, are there to catch the newly minted independent Q that two seconds ago was too cool to need help. The thankless job of parenting. He's already a teenager before turning a year old!

He is also terrorizing the dog with his "walker" which is a fancy name for wheels with plastic handle attached that allows him to lean a bit and cruise around the house walking. He loves it (mostly because he feels so cool doing it). He makes the vroom noise while doing it - so awesome! The dog is trying to get out of the way and play at the same time. This translates into him getting slammed into or over repeatedly. Honestly how fast can a 100 pound dog maneuver in a house with a clumsy 11 month old Q-roadster vroom, vrooming all over the place with furniture everywhere? Not to mention the floor, a virtual mine field of Q's toys and the dog's. Did we mention there were balls everywhere in case you want to fall on your duff cartoon style? It's a pretty entertaining scene. So much so we made the observation yesterday that the TV doesn't even come on any more. Well, that may be a little bit of a stretch. Let's face it football is still a priority around here. LinebaQer needs the education. He hasn't quite grasped everything surrounding the game yet but he is clearly picking up the basics. He will dominate the pee-wee league. He's only a few short years away from becoming MVP.

Tonight is the big pumpkin carving spectacular. Think Charley Brown's Great Pumpkin but with a Qster theme. The carving begins this afternoon. We should have some great pictures or not so great depending on how things turn out by tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Here is a picture we took of Q busting out his "warm" clothes. Look at me and my long sleeves. They are spectacular!

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to

Our trip to Kansas City was a great success. We had a some snafus along the way, like my better half forgetting her ID in the car, but her best half figuring that out before he left the car in the parking garage. Or maybe my better half forgetting her designer sunglasses on the plane and her dreamy husband haggling with security, the police and the Southwest personnel to track it down and let me retrieve them. Success! Disaster averted! Q, as usual was very good on his umpteenth trip. He will have qualified for a free ticket by the time the year is up. Fortunately we don't have to buy him a seat yet. He is still heading up to Minneapolis for the ladies trip in November and will also fly home for Christmas so he has another good 4 planes left to board. He is getting to that seat kicking, pulling the person's hair in front of us and taking the occasional swat at that just sticking out melon in front of us but other than that he's behaving quite well. Southwest is now flying direct from Tampa to Milwaukee and we realized this weekend that there is more leg room on their jets than traditional carriers because they do not have a first class section. They take that extra space and give each row another six inches or so of leg room. And they don't charge to check luggage! That's great for a growing Quinny. We are starting to fall for Southwest (ticker LUV and now I know why).

While in KC we threw a little impromptu birthday party for the Q-meister at the "Other Place" with mixed results (see photo). The place was infested with Iowa fans (in Kansas?) rooting their vastly overrated team on against a 4-4 Michigan State squad where they barely pulled out a win throwing a TD on the final play of the game. Clearly, national championship caliber. With all the excitement of Iowa going down early in their fieldgoalfest it was pretty loud and Q is one to want to run around these days so he was getting a little tuckered out. The important thing was that Iowa sneaked out a victory and Q got to spend some much needed time with family members he doesn't get to see too often. Everyone was very nice in showering him with clothes, a mini basketball and football (he can chuck it these days), some much needed toys and a book to help him learn his colors. We had a cake and he got a chance to make a wish and blow out his one candle. He'll get another shot at in a couple of weeks when the Sconny relatives fly into town and we will all meet up in South Florida.

Poppa Steve and Q's Nana were gracious enough to sacrifice putting off a long drive to babysit Quinny on Sunday afternoon while Carrie and I were fortunate enough to finagle some Chief's tickets from Amber and Corey, who hosted us for the weekend, early riser (read Q screaming at dawn) and all. It was a much needed 4 hour break for Carrie and I, this being only our third event Q-less. It, predictably, downpoured the entire second half but the fellas stuck it out moving from our seats in the 18th row all the way up to the fast clearing out first row. Not bad for an NFL game even though the Chiefs took a shellacking losing 37-7. Believe it or not ponchos were selling for a garage sale-esque $2. Andrew helped us out by playing hooky from his basketball event(s) so we really do understand the importance of family and how everyone takes one for the team sometimes. Brett and Audra were also able to attend and we even got to see cousin Jayne, but not her awesome man-cave. Just not enough time in the day... We wanted to thank everyone for their good cheer, sacrificing and incredible job of hosting from Amber and Corey who do know how to treat a guest. It was like staying at the Plaza Hotel.

I could go on and on but I know most of you should be working right now not reading about Q's travels. The picture was a classic. He had enough. He already opened up his gifts and had been sung to so all he needed to do was pose for some pictures and blow out the candle but he was D-O-N-E, done as the picture, ah shall we say screams? Enjoy!

Pumpkin Patch

In the spirit of celebrating fall, our mutual favorite season, we took the Qster to the pumpkin patch in Hyde Park last weekend to introduce him to pumpkins, hay and scarecrows. Carrie and I have always had our little traditions for the holidays and each year we have carved pumpkins. A pumpkin is an expensive commodity in Florida with prices starting at $10 and going up to $25 for a normal size pumpkin. At this event those were the prices. They had plenty available. We skipped the buying part in hopes we can find a better deal closer to Halloween. They don't last long in the fall heat anyway so you can only get a few short days out of them after you carve them. We took some snap shots of Q in the pumpkins and on the hay bales they had set up. Once he got acquainted with the straw he thought it was pretty neat.

We are heading to Kansas City for some fun this weekend where he will truly get introduced to fall and get a chance to see all the leaves changing. With his impending birthday coming up we are going to get a chance to see Carrie's family because they have decided to make the drive and help us celebrate. Our friends and Carrie's cousin Amber and her BF, the Coredog were gracious enough to host us at their house. We are all going to attend the Kansas City Chiefs game on Sunday if the weather behaves. Carrie's parents will get a chance to spend some time with their favorite grandson while we attend the game. It will likely be too cold for him to root for the one win Chefs. Carrie and I are excited to spend some time with good friends and hang with some adults for a change of pace and it's great to be able to see so much of our family in one place without a holiday being involved.

I have put up a picture of Q wearing his Sunday best bathing in pumpkins and sunshine.