(More than) Fourinarow.net

No!  We’re not talking about babies!!!!  Sheesh.

We’re talking Derby.  Pinewood Derby.

This year, again, Jack’s car made it to the final six.

And then he was out.

Dammit.

But, Dan did say (I was busy shuttling others to and from the Y for hockey and skating) that Jack handled the “loss” very well this year and that he gave a great exit interview.  So, I guess we’re winners after all!

(We didn’t win the beauty contest, either, although I don’t see how.  What’s cooler than a Great White Shark?!?)

Now that our school’s big dinner dance and auction is over, I am finding myself with a little bit of free time on my hands.  So, I thought I’d catch you up on the goings-on around here.

Last weekend, Dan took Maria, Luke and Jack to Feed My Starving Children for a service project with the Boy Scouts.  (Yes, I know Maria is not a Boy Scout, but she had an invitation and with all our talk about it beforehand, she wanted to participate.)

What an excellent, excellent program!  I wish I had gone, and will definitely go next year.  Dan said everything moved right along, ricky-tick.  The kids were great, the program was first-rate, the kids all learned a lot and they all did well with their assigned jobs.  And, on the way home, the kids decided that they wanted to donate more to FMSC.  So, when they arrived home, Dan helped them set up a savings envelope.

This past weekend was our school’s biggest fundraiser of the year – the auction and dinner dance.  Since I didn’t have to buy a dress this year (thanks, Sis!) and Dan and I were very interested in how a couple of the auction items would do, we attended.  We had a great time, although we didn’t stay out too late… I think my Spanx somehow made the beer I drank go straight to my head.  By 10:30 or so, I was done in and needed my bed.  Sounds like we missed a few antics on the part of some friends, but then we also saved some dough on the babysitter.  And, when you’re paying for FIVE kids, every minute counts, right?

Coming up this weekend is the Pinewood Derby.  Oh, how I dread the Derby.  Not only is my house full of sawdust, paint fumes, graphite, putty and Tungsten weights, but I know what’s (potentially) coming.  The last two years, Jack’s car has done GREAT.  Last year he came in 6th place.  Out of 40.  Pretty good, right?  Well, not good enough and there were tears and howls of frustration.  As there had been the year before, despite trying to prepare him.

This year, I’m determined to avoid all that.  Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m that lucky.  I had a talk with Jack about it recently.  I explained that while he’s working hard on the car and it will look great and probably do well, he may not win.  So, I said, let’s practice.

Me (pretending I had a microphone): Jack, the car looks great, but you didn’t win.  You’re out of the race.

Jack: But… but… but  (bursts into tears).

I figure if he can’t get through the role-play without tears, we’re screwed come Saturday.

Finally, in other news, Andrew has learned a new trick.  I went to check on him when he was supposed to be napping the other day and instead found him standing up in his crib, babbling and completely naked.  Not a stitch on and everything thrown out of his bed.  I guess nothing comes between him and his crib sheet.

Wow.  It has been a long time since my last post!  This morning, at 3:58 a.m. the baby for whom we had the shower made her arrival!

I guess I don’t have too many excuses for not posting, except that every time I sit down at the computer to write, I end up reading instead.  And then, POOF!  My time is gone.

Although today is sunny and 43, we have had some snow recently.  And so, we have had sledding and igloos:

Front of Igloo (Built, of course, by Jack)

Back of Igloo.  (Yes, I know it looks like a dog peed all over it, but that is yellow “paint”.  I suggested to Jack he use another color, but I was overruled.  Unfortunately.)

Do you see that look of utter joy?

Nothing better than SNOW!

Lovin’ it.

Looking for Luke?  He was playing hockey at the time these were taken.  And Maria?  She was in her spot, with her Snugi, in front of the TV…

So, my good friend Erin is having a baby.  Soon.  And, after three boys, she is having a GIRL!

Oh, brother!  I mean, sister!  We can’t help spoiling her already.  While the kids were in school this morning, some moms came over to my house for a Pink Party.  (None of those hand-me-downs have enough fluff or sparkle to them!)

The “cake”:

The spread:

The Honoree:

The guests:

The quilt:

The decor:

Pinterest strikes again!

So… I just downloaded the pictures I had on my camera and I realized that I hadn’t done it in a while.  Nor, obviously, have I posted in a while.  So, here’s a quick update and then I’ll be back soon with more goings-on.

Christmas Clothes from Troy!

Fancy Christmas Manicure

First Time on Santa's Lap

Captain Jack Sparrow in the Christmas Play (What? It's Kindergarten!)

Just Before We Lost Him on the Tree Farm

Found a Tree and Andrew. Whew!

2:43 a.m.

“WAKE UP!!!!!  IT’S CHRISTMAS!!!!”

This was Luke.  Who charged into our room, turned on all the lights and hollered for us to get up.  At 2:43 a.m.

“Luke!” We said in unison, “It’s only 2:43!”

“Oh, I looked at my clock and thought it said FIVE 43.”

Damn digital clocks.  Clearly the hopeful child simply read his 2 backward.  This never would have happened with an analog clock.  (Of course, those don’t come in the shape of a Lego Star Wars storm trooper.)

With only about 3 hours of sleep under our belts, we weren’t about to get up.  We told Luke to climb into our bed (wouldn’t want him tempted by the gifts under the tree on the way back to his room) and told him to go back to sleep.

Very close to the actual 5:43 this morning, we were re-awakened by our oldest boy.  Soon he was joined by all siblings capable of getting themselves out of bed.  There was no going back at that point.

And 30 minutes later?

It was all over.  I didn’t even have time to grab my camera.

Am I finishing my last bit of wrapping?  Am I making my husband’s lunch for tomorrow?  Am I relaxing on the couch with a nice glass of wine?  Reading my newest book?

No.  Dammit.  Thanks to Pinterest, I’m spending the few precious moments of quiet time I have doing things like this:

Star Wars snowflakes.  I must be out of my mind.

Remember this post?

Well, it all actually turned out okay:

But I still don’t want to do it again anytime soon.

Luke turned 7 yesterday.  Which means my oldest three are 7, 8 and 9 now.  Holy shit, you’re thinking.  Yeah, so am I.

Since Lego is his life right now, it’s all Luke asked for.  Oh, and Nerf.  Because, you know, we NEED more Lego and guns around here.  Since we are absolutely SWIMMING in both, I tried to temper things.  Dan and I stayed away from Lego and bought him a hockey jersey.  It was a hit (or should I say ‘check’?)

He did get his fix from Grandma with a new gazillion-piece Alien Conquest Copter set (which kept him and Jack busy for hours last night).  And, his West Coast aunts sent him a Star Wars Lego alarm clock – also a huge hit (at least until it starts waking him on school days.)

And then there was the cake:

This definitely makes up for the Firetruck, don’tcha think?