Monnig X Man

Me at the Magic House

2009-04-19T19:46:00.000-07:00

Mohawk

2009-04-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

Mohawks are always fun.

Easter

2009-04-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

For Easter, we drove to TN. The day we arrived, a huge windy storm had hit just hours before. Trees were blown over- roots and all. Dad and I had a blast climbing and sliding down the fallen trees.

The weekend was nice outside and Parker and I died eggs and made sugar cookies with Oma. Oma's church held an egg hunt. I was pretty picky about which eggs I picked up. I only liked certain colors, and some had morning rain on them, so I chose not to pick up the wet eggs. Only the best eggs made it into his basket.

The Piasa Bird

2009-02-15T22:03:00.000-08:00

Xavier slept for a good part of our visit to the National Great River Museum in Alton, IL. He was awake long enough to be frightened by the Piasa bird and the Eagle. We checked out Lock and Dam #25, and tried our hand at steering a barge.

From what I understand... the Piasa bird was seen on Seymore Bluff just north of Alton by area native Americans. The chief was wearing a deer hide and was attacked by a falcon type bird with antlers. The tribe fought off the bird. And drew the bird on the side of the cliff. You can still see the bird on the Great River Road today.

Mardi Gras

2009-02-15T21:56:00.000-08:00

My first Mardi Gras! It was very cold. But I got lots of candy and beads at the St. Charles French District's Family Parade.

All Boy!!

2009-02-08T21:55:00.000-08:00

Xavier has grown up SO fast. He is no longer our little baby but instead our big boy. His favorite things are football, pumpkin pie, and party cake (which Oma has all of).

This winter, he has enjoyed his time in gymnastics. He showed his friend Lydia some of his skills at her birthday party by jumping in the big foam pit. A little shy at first, Xavier is quick to warm up and very independent and opinionated.

He is curious and has complete trust in his big brother. Thankfully for us, his brother does not lead him astray.

Well here are a few pictures of Xavier in the eight inches of snow, checking out Eagles in Illinois, and at the YouZeum in Columbia.

Xavier also enjoys singing and cooking. Here is a little midnight surprise he started for us. He was showing us that he could draw a circle.

Anyway our boy is having a great time and is talking nonstop about it. On Mondays and Fridays he still hangs out with mom and has become a master at computer games - thanks pbs, fisher-price, and playhouse disney.

Halloween

2008-11-03T11:35:00.000-08:00

Halloween Rocked. We were dragons. We went to the Harvester Christian Church for hotdogs, pretzels, popcorn and then we did activities with Radio Disney! Next we went to Harvester FBC for their games and rides. LATE that night we went to our friends party.

We have checked out area farms. My favorite two phrases right now are "Pumpkin Patch" and I like to show off my "Football Shirt".

In the photos you can check me playing at Theis farm, in costume at Boo at the Zoo, and me sitting at the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

Gymnastics

2008-09-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

I began gymnastics today! We had to save Batman by crawling up a ladder then jumping off a building. Pushing over buildings (foam), jumping over buildings and through hoops. Then we were off to rescue Spiderman through hola hoops, across a balance beam.

I had a lot of fun but was pretty shy.

Children's Hospital

2008-09-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

We just got home from Children's. The hospital was amazing and more like an awesome playground than a medical building. We met with the Doctor and decided we would just continue to watch the lumps on the neck to see if they grow bigger or begin to bother Xavier.

My dad is a slow poke

2008-08-07T14:54:00.001-07:00

So, my dad is not any better at posting blogs than mom! Pictures will be coming, but let me update you! I have had an exciting week. I can identify body parts, sort colors, recognize colors and some letters. I am speaking more clearly and with purpose.

Mom took me to the Doctor this week. We have found small lumps on my neck, and are having tests run to rule out cancer and leukemia.

Today I played at Parents Day Out, and as normal have spent the day trying to keep up with my big brother.

Missouri Botanical Garden

2008-07-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

I wish my garden was this cool! We played on the Niki art. In the Mark Twain Playground, and the Tree exhibit. They were all my favorite. I liked playing peek a boo in the art. At the tree area I smelled the scent boxes and though most of them were yucky. The slide led right into a leaf pile which I would throw into the air. I dressed up and performed on the video monitor. At the playground I explored the market, played in the water ground, and learned how a lock and dam worked.

National Parks

2008-07-07T18:25:00.000-07:00

I don't understand the excitement around National Parks. I do understand I get to run, and touch bugs, and be loud! So I guess they are pretty cool. This summer we went to Stone River near Murfreesboro, Tn. I hung out on the sitting logs practicing my balance.

At Russel Cave, AL, I ran in the cave and yelled to hear my echo.

In Little River Canyon I took my shoes off and hung out! We splashed in the water and of course threw things.

4th of July

2008-07-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

At Oma's we shot off rockets, played on the tractor, and fed the horses. Emmy bought us a slip n slide. The water was cold and I was scared to try to slide on it. Then my dad jumped on and showed us how it was done. I had so much fun I did not want to stop. But Oma and Emmy gave me a cookie and cleaned me up.

My Second Birthday!

2008-05-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

We headed out of town for my birthday! We started our trip into Louisiana Missouri where I played trains for a long time at the Whittle Stop. We then went to Hannibal where they were having a festival. I ate a lot of food at the Mark Twain Dinette and then hung out with dad throwing rocks in the River. We explored the Mark Twain Cave! That evening we camped outside of Springfield, Illinois.

At the Lincoln Library, I ran everywhere and played with toys in Martha's attic. I continued to run all around downtown Springfield seeing architecture jewels including a Frank Lloyd Wright house. I even broke out in song with Head Shoulders Knees and Toes on the sidewalk right in front of the State Capitol.

But I was exhausted and fell asleep on my dad during supper. I was re-energized by the time we found our tents. Mom and Dad decorated my cake with sparklers. I like cake. We made smores and Parker and I played ball before we went to bed.

I was still pretty tired after my packed birthday vacation. So I slept on the way home while mom and Emmy took in the road side attractions of Rt. 66.

New Artist

2008-04-04T19:52:00.001-07:00

We have a new little artist in the Monnig household. He tagged the refrigerator, kitchen cabinets, file cabinet, and doors so far. Thank goodness for the magic easer.

The Artist
bedroom door
file cabinet
The Supporter

Easter Trip Home

2008-03-30T20:02:00.000-07:00

We decide to take a different route home other then the interstate. Parker wanted to stop at the Wells Creek Crater in Erin, TN. Parker really enjoyed visiting the Meteor Crater in AZ this summer. We continued on to Fort Donelson in Dover. It was the North's first major victory of the Civil War, opening the way into the very heart of the Confederacy. The adventure continued on through the Land Between the Lake, Elk & Bison Prairie. It’s a drive-through prairie to view the wild animals. The daylight was fading and onward home we went.

Google Map Link

Easter in TN

2008-03-30T13:01:00.001-07:00

For Easter the family headed to TN. Friday was a day filled with soccer, frisbee, football and baseball. While there Parker and Xavier enjoyed an Easter egg hunt at the local church Saturday afternoon. Easter day started with a big family brunch. Following the meal the Monnigs had their pictures taken.

Easter Egg Hunt
Resting after the hunt.
My new friend Gator.
I can do it. I can climb this tree.
Daddy's boy.

22 Months

2008-03-05T14:01:00.000-08:00

I am now 22 months old! My favorite thing to do is whatever my big brother is doing. I think he is great. But don't worry. If he makes me mad I tell him exactly what I think then try to sit on him.

If I am by myself I enjoy playing with cars and making sounds, sorting shapes, coloring. But I prefer to have mommy and daddy read to me or watch a Baby Einsteins or Go Diego movie.

I am very verbal but no one seems to understand me. My favorite question is "Where is Parker?" I throw my arms up and tilt my head. We play hide-n-seek a lot. I cover my eyes and count to ten and then run around the house trying to find him. We both like to run out and yell BOO! when someone walks in the door.

I can sound out purple, apple, and banana! But usually I just grab my mom or dad's hand and walk them to what I want then point. Sometimes they don't understand. So, I drop my head to let them know they are WRONG! Sometimes I even have to exhale really big to show my disappointment.

I can sign drink, food, sleep, bath, thank you. But I forget a lot. When I hear the refrigerator open I am usually running so fast to the table to get in my chair that I forget to ask for food. I insist on using silverware. I like to pick my foods up with my hands and put them onto my fork.

I don't like to wear socks or even pants. But I do like to wear my jacket and shoes to bed.

Just recently, I began walking myself to the car and getting in my carseat all by myself. We get in the car to go to library classes and MOPS .

But one of my favorite things is to waive goodbye. BYE BYE!

Moving

2008-03-05T13:57:00.000-08:00

We are moving the boys sites to the blog spot so they may be able to be more involved.