You want to beat up WHO!?!?

This past summer, the kids went to Vacation Bible School while I was at home with James. It came with a music CD that all the kids got, and we have been listening to it in the car. I love watching William sing in the rear-view mirror, and know he enjoys the music as much as the big kids.

William and I were running errands today, and he always is full of questions. Some, I have to admit, I don't pay attention to. This one, though, was a bit different. He asked me "why do they want to beat up Jesus?"

Um, what??

Since it is the season of Lent, and we have been talking about Jesus on the cross, and suffering, I immediately went there in my head and thought that it's so great that our talks have hit home with him, and we need to be kind to others so we don't hurt Jesus. Oh, okay. So I explained that some people don't like him, and we should all love him and not beat him up. Sounds good right?

A bit later, I hear him singing this song. Ah, yes. I see it now. LOL Joke's on me. I'm not sure I want to change the words, because it's so darn cute, but then again, it's really not. I am still giggling.

I just turned my back for a second....

Famous last words. No, this is not lipstick, but nail polish. I couldn't stop laughing. He looks so cute!

Monday Cuteness

Look at me! I am just about 8 months old! I have 2 teeth juuust about ready to come in, I don't sleep much at night, I love to smile and absolutely am the sweetest baby to anyone who will come and talk to me. I can sit by myself for minute or two, until I am distracted by something shiny.

Well hello to you too! I am Patrick, AKA Toothless. I am just about 8 1/2 (I know this because they announce my half birthday at school). I love any kind of electronic device. My passions right now are Ninjago, Mario (anything), and Mommy's games on her cell phone. I am easily distracted by books and will sit down in the middle of the room to read a book if it comes across my eyes.This is William. My big brother. I can't seem to get him to stop kissing and hugging me. It's very sweet, and all, but sometimes I wish he would go back to his Cars cars and Ninjas.

Yep. It would be nice to have some personal space. But, on the other hand. I do love him lots and lots. William is 3 1/2, and is always telling Mommy about the letters he sees. He loves to quote movies, and yesterday he asked Mommy to do a "pinky promise" which she had never taught him. He loves to play "spinjitzu" with Patrick's lego guys, and gets very frustrated that Mommy has super-glued some of them together. Be sure to play with him when you see him, since I am not big enough yet.

Hello! I'm Emma! I am 7 years old, and I just lost my first tooth. I am killer with a marker, and you'd better watch your paper because I will have something drawn or written on it quicker than you can say "let me find you a scratch paper for you." I just came home with a FABULOUS report card, and my teacher loves how well I can read. I just read my first set of intentions at Mass this month and I did so great! I am not sure what my favorite joke means, and neither do my friends, (How do you make a tissue dance? Put a little boogie in it!) but I will keep telling it because it always has a good response!

And how is your Monday going??!?!?

First Tooth!

Emma lost her first wiggly tooth on an apple today! She was so excited!

The tooth fairy is going to be busy with these kids for the next few years. :)

It's only Tuesday

Well, hello there! And how is your week going? Mine is just starting, but I keep checking the calendar to see if it really is only Tuesday, because it feels like it's GOT to be Friday. Please! Oh, and what has been happening here? Well, let me tell you. Not a lot of sleep, first of all. James has decided that an hour and a half is his maximum sleep requirement at one period of time, and that is mostly at nighttime. Oh yes, it's been interesting. I'm a bit foggy this week, but who am I kidding? I have 4 kids! What's that line? "I'll sleep when I'm dead." LOL Soo does not apply to me.

Last night, William (who has not sat in his seat for a whole meal at ALL lately) decided, in the middle of dinner, that he was going to wear underwear. Now, I thought it would be just a phase, but he took his diaper off, put the Lightening McQueen underwear on and put his pants back on. All by himself. I decided I would humor him, a bit, so we did some potty trips. About 50, in the course of about 3 hours. I kid you not. Each time, he actually went wet. And he even told me when he needed to go. I thought, okay, it must be time to do this and I need to just let him take the lead. Okay, no biggie. Put him to bed in a pull-up (to the tune of "I just don't like this bed!!!" Seriously?!?! Stalling tactics,) knowing that he would probably not keep it dry, but thought, we'll see what tomorrow brings. Sure enough, wet pull-up. But, he says he's ready to try. My ONE rule I give him: DO NOT GO IN THE BASEMENT. Oh yes, that's his "go stinky" area. No bathroom down there, and I can't watch him as well. "Okay, mommy." What does he do?? You saw this coming, I know. We are walking out the door to take the kids to school, and he asks me to change his diaper. Oh man. No sleep momma was NOT happy. So, the guilt is back, and I am not going to attempt this issue until I can devote at least a whole day to it. Sigh.

While I was up with James at the wee hours of the morning, I hear talking in the big kid's room. Um, what?! So in I go, and apparently, Patrick had gotten up at 3AM, thought it was 6 and started to get dressed. That sweet boy was being so obedient, but at the wrong hour. He woke Emma too, and she's not a morning person, so that was interesting.

Emma's newest thing is to wake up and hang out in her room. She will not get dressed until the last.possible.minute. and then says it's my fault for her not being able to do all her morning chores. Whatever. Our mornings are not the most calm when it comes to the young lady in the house. (On a side note, could you add a prayer or two for my Emma? I think we need to have some things change around here, and I need some guidance to make it better. TIA!)

And one more thing. My home has been overrun with the newest mania, Lego Ninjago. Have you heard of it? Well, if you come to my house, William and Patrick will tell you all the names and show you all about it. Oh, and apparently it's pronounced Nin-JA-go. Patrick has never really been into Legos, so I am happy he is enjoying this. He's not a fan of putting the things BACk together, once he has put them together and they come apart, so he asked me to super glue them together. Really? I guess I can do that. Of course he wants me to put it together too. LOL He is all involved in this, and has even done a power point presentation about the ninjas. Let me say that again: Patrick has a power point presentation about all of them. He started it all on his own and has done a pretty cool job. His computer class is teaching him way more than the typing tutor that I did at my school, all those years ago.

So, that's my week so far. I'm sure there will be more to tell. How's your week going? Oh, and have I mentioned that I totally lose myself on Pinterest??? Yeah, I know. Join the club.

Pinewood Derby Races

This year's derby was so busy with Tommy helping to set up, and then me helping to judge that I barely got photos of the day. Here are a few hightlights.

Most Well-Engineered car! Cubmaster Waddy had a huge list of car categories for all the boys to win some kind of award. It was REALLY hard to pick the best of each, and to make you feel like you picked the right car for it. I felt a bit unsure about some of them, but when it came time for the awards, the Cubmaster was amazing in his description of the car relating to the award. I was so impressed each time he brought a boy up and made him feel so special.

His cousins came to watch the races, and though they missed Patrick's crack-of-dawn-saturday-morning race, they still enjoyed all the fun.

Cole's Tread Assault, from Lego Ninjago.

I was lucky enough to be one of the judges! I promise, no nepotism involved. I loved seeing all the neat cars. They boys worked really hard on theirs.

He won 2 of his 3 races. So proud of him!
These are cars from the 3G division: Geezers, Guppies and Gals (IOW, the parents and siblings division). Tommy/William's car is Finn McMissile on the far right.

My Sweet Patrick

When dropping him off for school yesterday, he got out of the car and walked away. As he was walking he turned and blew me a kiss. I blew him one back, and I watched him turn and walk by the van again. I think he thought I didn't see him, because he came by and blew two more kisses at me. Sigh. Melts my heart!! He's never done that before.

My First Blog Award!!

“Liebster is a German word, meaning dearest or beloved, but it can also mean favorite. The idea behind the Liebster Blog Award is that it is given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers in order to create new connections and bring attention to these wonderful blogs!”

A wonderful friend and blogger, Maryan, awarded me with my first blog award! I am tickled pink to receive a nod from such an amazing lady. We first met when I was a student at Seton, and I love that we have kids that are the same age. She is one of the most delightful ladies you will ever meet, with so much creativity, love and pure JOY that it is so contatgious. I often wish I was a coffee drinker so I would have an excuse to go to her house and spend some time chatting.

What to do:

• Add the award to your blog (I hope I did it right).
• Thank the giver with a link back to them.
• List your top 5 picks and let them know they have been given an award by leaving a comment on their blog
• Hope that your followers will spread the love to the blogs you've spotlighted.

I am not *exactly* sure how to tell how many followers a blog has, so I am going to give you my favorite blogs.

• Whenever I feel like I need some practical advice, or feel that I am not alone in my motherhood daily life, I go to my friend Shaunae's blog. She and her beautiful family used to live in my neighborhood and we always enjoyed spending time with them. She always has a smile on her face (which is exactly what I need some days) and is so calm with her kids. I am thankful that God has put such a lovely lady in my life.
• I love the blog by Karen, and would love to know her IRL. She and her beautiful girls always make me smile. Her blog always seems to touch on the subjects that I want to discuss and she has such a good perspective on things. Her blog name has the best term for what we as moms do all day. And she has the cutest hairdo. :)
• Another blogger I would love to meet is Mallory. She has 3 boys just like me! I love that I am not alone in some of the exciting things that boys do. Her insight on issues always encourages me to do more research and read more books. Reading her blog makes me think of my sisters who are waay smarter than me.
• The blog I go to for liturgical year inspiration (right after my sister Jenn) is a lovely lady I met through Jenn named Carole. Her blog is so beautiful with all the daily readings, saint of the day, and liturgical year activities. I am just struggling with getting a regular dinner on the table for my kids, let alone something that goes along with the saint of the day, so I love that I can live vicariously through her beautiful blog. Oh, and did I mention that she lives in Wales??? (Oh dear. It just occurred to me that her blog is private, so you may not be able to view her loveliness. Oh prunes.)
• For another blog with beauty (and with more than 20 followers, I'm sure), I go to see Beth who is amazing with her camera. I love her lovely photos, especially when they have her adorable kids in it. She has a very touching story, and has inspired me so much. Oh, and the name of her blog?? Soo adorable!

I have other blogs that I enjoy, but I think that these are the ones which I enjoy the most. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.