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.

At least there were no serious injuries, right?

For those of you (bless your dear little hearts!) who have been reading my blog or know me, you are aware of the ups and downs I had in the past year. (And, for those of you who have no idea, you should be so grateful that you have been spared my whining.) I feel like I missed a year, and missed out on doing so many things with the kids. One of the activities that Tommy is very involved in is the scouts, and in particular the pack and den meetings. He even used to take William with him. The trouble is that he is a very active little boy, and I know that he often caused some trouble. Even though I knew this, it was still hard to hear a story from someone recently about a pack meeting. I met a new person, and when I was introducing the kids to them, the comment was made about William that just hasn't sat well with me. "Oh, I know William. He came to a pack meeting and was tackling everybody. The Cubmaster had to finally tell Tommy to come over and get his 'hellion' because he kept jumping on everyone. I remember William."

Now, I realize that it doesn't sound too bad, just that I have a naughty and active kid, but it was a very hard year, and Tommy was bringing him to the meetings to help me (keep my sanity). I know it shouldn't bother me, but calling my kid a "hellion" in front of everyone, and THAT is what is remembered about him just irked me. I know that my kids aren't always well-behaved, and with everything that happened (and I realize that this person didn't know all of that) it pulls at all the guilty feelings that I had and continue to have when I am not doing a good job as a mom.

My kids ARE kids, and I know they are busy and sometimes naughty and wear things that I am not proud of (oh, Emma, where did you find that shirt?), but I just wish sometimes that mommy guilt would shove itself in a corner and grow cobwebs for at least a week. Or something. And, the next time I feel the need to do something similar, I will remember these feelings.

New Year, Same Mumbles

• I always know better than to make New Year's resolutions, but I always have a small thought in the back of my mind that I *might* do some changes. Eat healthier, get to bed earlier, etc. Who am I kidding.



• It only took a week, but Christmas is finally packed away. James was not a big fan of me putting him down this week, so it was quite slow-going. I think the tree going down is going to be the hardest on William. He is really going to miss the Christmas season, but most especially the music. He keeps playing "Here Comes Santa Claus" and I don't have the heart to tell him to turn it off. I mean, seriously? Do you want to tell that sweet boy that the Christmas season is over? When our neighbors started taking down their blow-ups in their yards, he got all upset and was ready to go knock on their doors and ask them why they don't like them anymore. It was so cute.
  


• This will probably need a longer post, but I am in need of getting a chore chart of some kind for the kids. I think it needs a combination of me letting go of control, but also giving them the responsibility around the house so I am not feeling so overwhelmed. I don't know if they will actually do what I tell them (whether from forgetfullness or disobedience) and if I am relying on them in order to do the next thing, I feel that I am going to be disappointed if they aren't helping me. It's so hard to get a good balance: I need to teach them and they need to learn and get more responsibility, etc. It's going to take some planning and following through on my part too. Maybe I can delay it a bit longer until my James will sleep better?



• Speaking of James, that boy is not a fan of food. I mean, seriously? What kid doesn't like bananas or apples? He literally gives me a disgusted look with the first few bites, and then tilts his head back to avoid the spoon. I don't understand it. Tommy says he has more tummy/reflux issues than our other kids. Poor little guy.



• On the flip side, James is one of THE happiest babies I have had. He LOVES faces, and when people look at him and talk to him. It's hard to get him to take a nap when we go places because he is so excited to have company. I hear all these little "aww's" behind me at church because he is smiling at the people behind us. He laughs at the kids' antics, and sometimes it's just regular stuff that makes him laugh. It's a deep belly laugh just like Tommy, which just melts my heart!

"Who made you?"

Emma was outside playing the other day, and when she came in, she very casually mentioned her conversation with our little neighbor.

Emma: He says his mom made him.

Me: What?

Emma: I asked him who made him, and he says his mom did.

Me: Well, what did you say to him?

Emma: Well, I told him that God made him.

(Tommy said he overheard the little boy say that they don't go to church.)

It's the little things that help me to know they are listening!

Your Pie, Sir!

Congratulations to my Patrick, who sold the most popcorn of his pack! The 3 highest sellers got the honor of putting a pie in one of the leader's faces: the Cubmaster, the Committee Chair (Daddy), or the assistant cubmaster. Patrick's choice was not Daddy, because "that would be mean" but the Cubmaster. As it turns out, all 3 boys chose our cubmaster. He is such a good sport!

There was no hesitation! Go Patrick!

Two things we learned today:

1. William is learning to share his frosty.

2. James liked it too.

(Mommy discovered chocolate on the baby's bib after we got home. William said he gave him 3 bites.)

Toothless Cutie

We had a bit of excitement during Mass!

Happy 2012!

Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful 2011. We have had so many blessings, and we are so grateful.
I will never be as eloquent as my dear husband, but I am so happy and feel that the Lord has blessed us so much.

Our new year was toasted with what we call "kid wine" and a touching toast by Tommy.

Looking back on 2011, there were so many ways that God showed how much he was taking care of us. As I think back on the events of my pregnancy especially, it is impossible NOT to get emotional. I am sitting here trying to find the words and I just can't find them. All I can say is that God is so good.

We are especially grateful for the safe delivery of this little man and the joy that he spreads throughout our family. God bless our family, and all that 2012 brings us.

Happy Birthday, Emma!

It's so nice to have Emma's birthday during the Christmas vacation because we can always have a nice family gathering, especially with the extended family that are in town.

We took a chilly day trip to Mount Vernon with Jimmy, Alex and Hayley.

It was beautiful to see everything all decked out for Christmas.

James was super good, and didn't mind the cold day.

This sweet lady was "Lady Washington" answering questions and telling stories. It was extra nice to visit her and sit down because it was warm inside.

Patrick was able to earn a Scout patch during our visit there. He also got in free while wearing his uniform!

William played Angry Birds while we waited in line for the mansion, where we got to go up to the third floor, where the cuppula is.

This gingerbread house was just lovely!

We then went to Pap's house and celebrated some more.

7 years old!

New bed!

My William has moved into a new bed!

This firetruck bed was Patrick's, and he just loved having it.

William wasn't too thrilled initially with the new bed (he kept saying, "it's not good, Mommy.") and seemed to enjoy the rug we put down in his room to play with his cars, but I think it had grown on him. The Lightening McQueen sheets helped a bit. :)

I told him he had to stay in his new bed until the sun was up and Frosty is down (Frosty the snowman in our front yard). It was adorable to see him in the morning at our door, telling me that "the sun is up and Frosty is down. Can I get up now?" Sweet boy. I am not sure I am ready for such a big kid step, although the next step is way bigger: potty training! One step at a time, mommy.