QT Time!

Everyday was QT time for Ethan.  I would pick him up daily from school and without hesitation his first question was always, "Can we go to QT, mom?"  I don't know why he ALWAYS asked because I hardly ever said yes.  I guess he figured it couldn't hurt.  Literally sometimes I would say as he was climbing in the car..."No QT today."  I imagine all know QT (Quick Trip)--like a Circle K or 7-Eleven.  My kids all love QT.  I think they get it from their dad??  My kids will say (when we're a mile from home), "I'm thirsty."  My answer is, "We're almost home."  Marcus' answer, "Let's stop at QT".  Needless to say, I am not the favorite parent :)

Madilyn was taking pictures of Ethan as we waited for our oil to be changed.  I'm guessing this was late 2010.

Again, Madilyn taking when he wasn't paying attention.  Pretty good shot for a little girl.

For Ethan's last birthday (7th) his Aunt Jeri gave him $20. She told him to buy something he wanted.  He promptly asked me to take him to QT. He put all $20 on a QT card , so when he asked me every day if he could go, he could tell me he had his own money!  Yep, all $20 went to QT.

This SATURDAY last year was Saturday, March 12.  Parker, Madilyn and I went to Cade's first birthday party.  Ethan and Marcus had Ethan's "daddy day" together.  Parker was getting to go with Daddy to New York for a week, so Ethan got to have a whole day just spent with Dad.  Marcus' first question that morning to Ethan was, "Where do you want to go?  You can go anywhere.  Castles and Coasters?  The Zoo?  A Movie?"  Ethan's answer, "Can we go to QT, Dad?"  They started out at QT and then went to Castles and Coasters.  At Castles and Coasters Ethan won prizes that he brought home and gave to his brother and sister since they weren't able to be there.  It was very thoughtful of him --and something he did on his own.  Ethan absolutely loved this day!  We look back at it as tender mercy.  We didn't normally schedule all day with Dad, but we are so happy we did.

Since his passing away I sent a little note through QT's customer service link and thanked the two stores closest to us for always letting Ethan feel welcome and pay for things on his own, etc.  I had to share how much he loved that.  A couple months later I received a letter back from the CEO of the QT.  He wanted us to know he put Ethan's story in the company newsletter that went out to 12,000 employees.  He wanted us to know that he started out as a cashier there and always has put emphasis on paying attention to the children because they are the ones watching and listening.  I am still wanting a copy of that newsletter, but keep forgetting to ask about it.  I am not sure the "story" they put in there because I can't remember what I wrote??