I kept putting it off, (do you know what some Thermoses cost?!?) but they didn’t let it go.  So, when I found some very plain (i.e. no characters) Thermoses for about $4 each, I bought them.

The kids were thrilled.  They went home, grabbed the Sharpies and went to work personalizing their new, super cool Thermoses.

They asked for something in their Thermoses on the first day of school, but that was only an hour.

They asked for something in their Thermoses on the second day of school, but that was only a half-day.

They asked for something in their Thermoses on the third day of school, but I had nothing to give them.

On the evening of the third day of school, we had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner.  The kids held themselves to a single serving so that they could bring the leftovers to school – in their Thermoses – the next day.

And so they did.  I dutifully heated up leftover spaghetti and meatballs (for Jack), spaghetti and sauce only (for Maria) and meatballs only (for Luke.)

On the way home, I asked Jack about the sauce on his shirt.  Of course, it was from the meatball that didn’t quite make it to his mouth, but did make it down his shirt and onto the floor.  I asked Maria about her lunch and she told me she was too full to eat her spaghetti (birthday treats of some sort had been consumed during lunch).  I asked Luke about his lunch and he said it was GREAT!

The next day (Friday) we were back to the basics, but the kids were thrilled when we had tortellini on Sunday night and they could use their Thermoses again on Monday.

Once again, I heated leftovers and filled their Thermoses and sent them off to enjoy their hot lunches.

On the way home, Jack told me that his tortellini was gross and hard.  Luke said his tortellini was cold and wet and DISGUSTING.  Maria said her lunch was too short, and after eating her Oreos she didn’t have time to eat her tortellini (which she thought was a good thing considering the boys’ experience).

“I’m never using that Thermos again!” Luke declared.  And Jack and Maria chimed in with similar sentiments.

Anyone need a Thermos?  I’ve got three.  Custom decorated.  Perfect condition.

I can actually hear the hum of the air conditioner.

Weird.

That’s Jack’s anaconda.  Did you know that if you look at both width and length they’re the biggest snake in the world?  And that the mommies have up to SEVENTY live babies?  Thank goodness I’m not an anaconda, although right now it sure feels like there’s more than just one sweet little baby in there.

Here’s a picture of Maria’s class display:

And some things the preschool boys did:

The science fair was interesting, and impressive.  We not only looked at the projects our own kids worked on, but we looked ahead to what the older kids did, so we’d know what we’re in for.

Pretty scary when you find a couple of moms in the eight-grade area doing a little jig because it’s their last science fair.

Jack has taken his project and run with it.  He chose to do his project on Anacondas (much to his father’s dismay) and the diorama he created is wonderful.  While I think there is NO WAY any second-grader could have done a better job, Dan assures me that we’ll see some other things at the fair that exceed it.  Humpffff. Chalk it up to pregnancy brain (or laziness), but I failed to take a picture, otherwise you could see for yourselves what an outstanding artist my first born is.  I WILL take some pictures during or after the fair so you can see, but for now, you’ll just have to trust me.  It’s AWESOME.

The preschoolers are not to be left out…  They have been working hard on a large display of various animals that live in different parts of the world.  As I was the mommy helper on Wednesday, I was bestowed the honor of stuffing and stapling giant penguins.  For THREE HOURS.  I’m still having trouble using my hands since completing that task and am beginning to wonder if I’ll ever get all the feeling back…

Maria’s class has been studying teeth (hers are VERY clean lately) and I’m looking forward to seeing the fair display they’ve been working on for the last couple of weeks.

My project?  Apparently I’m gestating a dinosaur, although I doubt he’ll be ready to make his appearance in time for the science fair.  No… he’ll probably wait until he simply BURSTS THROUGH MY SKIN one day.  Seriously, I don’t know if it’s because I’m so old this time around, or if it’s because my body is worn out from the first four, or if I’ve just completely lost my mind and forgotten what it’s like, but I don’t see how I can be this big and still have SEVENTY NINE more days left.  While I certainly don’t want this baby to pull a Sam and come 8 weeks early, I’m desperately hoping he doesn’t try to wait the whole SEVENTY NINE more days.  (Don’t expect pictures of this project in progress.)

Earlier this week, Luke (my 4-almost-5-year-old) had the sharing bag for preschool.  He was asked to bring something related to Thanksgiving.  Do you know what he brought?

This:

One of his teachers told me later that Lukie pulled the picture out of his bag and proudly announced to his class, “I am thankful for our new baby!”

(He also proceeded to tell everyone that it’s a girl, which may or may not be accurate!  I hope for the kids’ sake it is a girl… there will be a lot of confusion and disappointment if it’s not.)

Despite this being child #5, this is a new experience – to have all my kids so interested and so excited about this pregnancy and the new sibling they’ll have come Spring.

So, I’ve been slacking on the blog. But not to worry!  I’m here today to update you on all the excitement occurring in our household!

You saw the pictures of my beautiful new Godbaby, but here is one now of my new niece:

Her name is Abby and she is now the youngest of the grandbabies on Dan’s side of the family.  Think this little girl will be spoiled?  (Hint:  her mother is the youngest of 6 and is the only girl.)  We will be seeing this beauty in just a few days.  The kids cannot wait!

Speaking of not being able to wait, yesterday we celebrated Dan’s THIRTY-NINTH birthday.  (Is he old or what?)  As soon as the kids were home from school, I had them blowing up helium balloons, wrapping gifts, decorating a banner and baking a cake.   We wanted to surprise Dan.  The problem was, there was too much waiting time.  Dan doesn’t get home until 6:30ish and the kids were finished decorating by 5.  They were in their hiding places with their party squeakers and party hats, ready to go long before Dan was due home.  Jack called him several times, so I’m sure Dan had NO CLUE what was going on.  But, we had fun!

Lukie's ready!

Surprise!

Dan didn’t get to blow out his own candles and his gifts were unwrapped for him.  But at least he got to eat cake!

Also this week, my little boys started preschool.  Sammy for the first time.

The backpack is as big as he is!

Brothers

Back home after the first day. Love that crown!

I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that we are finally at this point. How I dreaded the decision to change schools! How I hated that my kids would have to go to yet another new school.

But, it was the right decision. Absolutely. Jack asked me on the way to school today if we were going to stay at this school. When I told him yes – for a long, long time – he said, “good!”

I was happy with the school they attended last year. But, somehow, this school just fits us better. It’s close to home. It’s our parish school. We can walk. The kids’ classmates live very near by… and so do their parents! I feel like the families here are just more like ours. We belong.

Of course, then again, no one really knows us yet…

Motley Crew

Here are a few pics from the weekend.  The highlights were swiming and visiting Grant’s Farm.  Cousins are so awesome – so wish we had more time with all the cousins on both sides of the family!

Cousin Joey, poolside

Samma Jamma

Cousin Matt

Sean feeding the goats

Goat feeding on Maria

Paige and Sam

Jack and One Big Horse

As I dropped him off, he told me to pick him up right after mass.  I was doubtful, as “early dismissal” is usally 11:30.  Again there had been no note.  He had, however, been correct about his clothing, so I thought it at least warranted a phone call to the school.  He was right again.  Pick up was between 9:30 and 10.  Not much of a last day.

The house is a wreck.

The kids are a mess.

The TV is blaring.

And apparently the lunch menu consists of cookies and milk.  Not to worry – there are two varieties of cookies, for a well-rounded meal.

Summer has begun.