(More than) Fourinarow.net

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?

Last weekend I ran away from home.  Literally.

I left Dan with the kiddos and flew to Dallas to join my very best girl friends.  Where we all participated in a half-marathon.

Several ran her first half.  One her last half.  One her second half.  And, two spectated (which, in the weather we had, was harder than running!)

We also managed to fit in some Tex-Mex, good beer, pasta, margaritas, more Tex-Mex and some wine.

Despite the very crappy, cold, wet weather, I could not have had a better time!

Thanks, girls!

Maria:  What’s for dinner?

Me:  Hamburgers.  Will you check the pantry for some buns?

Maria (looking in the pantry):  We don’t have any.

Me:  Shoot.  Call Dad, then, and ask him to pick some up.  He went to get the car (from the repair place).

Maria (taking my phone and walking into my bedroom for privacy):  Okay!

~Minutes Later~

Maria:  Dad left his phone here.  (She heard it ring when she tried to call.)  But, I left a message…  Oh!  Hahahaha.  I guess that was dumb…

Me:  …

Maria:  By the way, he got a call.

Me: …

Maria:  Oh!  (Doubling over in laughter) I guess that was me!  Hahahahahahahahaha.

Sheesh.  And?  Turns out we did have buns in the pantry.

Kids.

I saw this adorable onesie on Pinterest and thought, “I could do that!”

How cute would Andrew look?!?

But then, I forgot all about it.  Until I came across it again, only it was a version in which someone had made a t-shirt rather than a onsie and used felt instead of paint.

Well, this morning was ugly and dreary and I felt like doing a project.  So, Andrew and I headed over to Hobby Lobby for a few supplies.  I found everything I needed except for a brown shirt.  I needed a brown shirt.  Turkeys are brown.  Not black or white or orange or blue.  Or, heaven forbid, pink.

We tried JoAnn’s.  No dice.  Michael’s.  No again.  I called several screen printers in the area, thinking they might sell blanks.  Nope.  Finally, doubtful but desperate, we headed over to Wal-Mart at my sister’s advice.  And I was able to find a brown turtleneck.  While I’m not a big fan of the turtleneck, a) it is cold here; and b) I won’t be the one wearing it.

Now, I know pride is one of the seven deadly sins… but, ISN’T IT CUTE?!?!?!?

Isn’t even cuter with him in it?