Party for a ten year old boy?

Skyler doesn't really want a party. But I have a feeling he has the preteen moodies and is going to decide last minute he wants one. Or maybe my ideas just aren't that great. I had two really fun ideas that he booed. One was Double Dare, do you remember that game show? And the other was a video game adventure where you play the pawn, so it will be like an obstacle course. Give me some ideas if you have them. Thanks

Adam at 4 Months

Our little guy is HUGE. Only 4 months and roughly 18lbs, he is following in his brothers footsteps. He is the cutest thing ever and I love it when he smiles, which he can't resist to do when I kiss him no matter what mood he is in. I just love his little laugh and his fat feet. He is my baby and he knows it. I just can't seem to let him "cry it out" at all. Any fuss and I am there. I know I am spoiling him but I can't help it. Knowing he is my baby, the last of my babies, I have a need to love and kiss and hug and tickle and snuggle and sniff and squeeze all my love of babies into him. I adore him and am so glad we have him. I tell Shay all the time, thank you for letting us have him, Shay really wanted to call it quits after the twins. But he loves him tons. I tell my Heavenly Father the same, thank you for him, and my other kids as well. His little smile melts my heart. We love you baby Adam, thank you for joining our home!

Pinewood Derby-One Year Of Blogging Anniversary

The Pinewood Derby was my first blog post at the beginning of last year. It is so exciting to me to know I have gone a full year and posted so many fun things to help me remember. The only things I remember when the twins were little are things we have pictures of, or I wrote in my Journal, so I know this will be very valuable one day. I know some of you said you can get it printed out, please let me know how or where, Thanks.

Now moving on...This years Pinewood Derby was postponed a couple of times and finally they set a date. But we didn't find out about it until the day before and Shay happened to be out of town. So here I was with a block of wood and a nine year old, wondering if I could do this. Skyler and Shay placed 4th last year, almost winning third place but losing by a smidgen, it was super close. I don't know how many of you have almost tasted victory just to have it pulled out from under you, but I have (Settlers of Catan anyone?) it makes you crazy for a win. So this is the situation I was left with.

I called a neighbor who's son won last year and he kindly brought me all his tips and secrets to winning. Skyler wanted a Cheese wedge, so we painted it super cool like Swiss cheese with a mouse driver. Then we got to work on the wheels, on the axles, on the alignment, waxing and shining and sanding. Added the weight and we were ready. I felt good about it.

On the way to church I started getting nervous. I started thinking about how horrible it could be. Last year a kid had started crying and telling his dad how awful he was because his car didn't win one race. I could see that happening, "Moms aren't supposed to make pinewood derby cars, your the worst mom ever" with tears and frustration. So Skyler and I talked and he seemed very forgiving of how bad we might do, but before I felt we might do alright, now I wasn't so sure.

I started thinking about Judgement day and how I have always had confidence that I would be alright, but as I was getting close to the real judgement on my Pinewood Derby car, I realized maybe I was fooling myself. So I was not only nervous for my car, I started to worry about my eternal welfare as well.

Then the racing started, I felt nervous, but tried to stay composed. Shay had got an early flight and made it just in time. This eased my intensity some. Skyler won his first race. Phewf (that's what Elly says) That is all I asked for. I felt great. He won his second race and his third. They announced Skyler and Cam (the boy he is sitting next to) are in the finals and will compete for first and second place. What? Our car is going to take first or second...I couldn't believe it. I began thinking that maybe I am not going to be doomed on Judgement day, I just have to keep doing my best.

As you see below in the photo finish, Skyler's car took second, but it was a close second. I was very happy and so was Skyler.

Some Do's and Don'ts for Picture taking

Don't Put your child in a tree, where they fear for their lives. It doesn't make for a good picture.

Unless you bribe them with candy.

So many don'ts I don't know where to start, my g's showing, Shays huge belly with my hand lovingly placed as though he is the one carrying our child, the double chins. This whole scene, just Don't do it!
Much better although we still have double chins, only so much you can do for those.

Whoa, let the kid get on the fence already. Ask your husband not to stand like a droid.
And wala you have a nice picture! (minus the sticks in your husbands hand)

I hope you have learned some useful skills, so next time you take your family out you can have nice pictures to remember the day.

Nerdn' It Up

Skyler is a bit, well, nerdy. This is how you see him most of the time. Reading a book, asking to read a book, looking for a book to read. Because he reads so much, he has a much bigger vocabulary than I, not only at that age, but now as well. Last night he was finishing up his homework and told us about his day at school. "I was in class and got in this mathematical state, I was in it for a long time and when I came out it felt really weird."

Maybe your nine year old tells you his state of mind. Maybe he isn't as nerdy as I think. It really doesn't matter. We love him, super nerdy or not.

Easter

Mr. Tubbers

Janers taken care of business

Three pretty girls

I love Easter for many reasons, My Savior, Spring, forgiveness, and family pictures. We always spend mor time getting ready on Easter Sunday. And Shay didn't have meetings so he could help. I even think most of my kids obeyed the no candy before church rule, but Jane was complaining of a stomach ache on the way out the door.

Londontown

Westminster Abbey

Dragon and clock at the entrance to London city

Big Ben

Loved this

Another Clock

London Eye, River Thames, Big Ben and Parliament

Adam and Double Decker Bus

Me and telephone booth

So much to tell a week in London with Shay and Adam. It was nice, intense, exhausting, adventurous, jet lagged, rain free, beautiful, dirty and lovely. We tried to get used to the time change right away, but the fact that Adam wouldn't let me sleep on the way over and wouldn't go to Shay (he was lovely both there and back by the way, he just wanted me) made it where I had to sleep once we got there. Our hotel was great and let us check in at 9 am. Thanks Hilton Croydon. The people had lovely accents that I enjoyed thoroughly. And every one was super nice and helpful. Although I was a bit worried because the airport wasn't such a friendly place. Everything seems to be about the price it is here except in pounds sterling which is about $1.70 so things are a little pricey. I tried not to think about it and just had fun. We visited all the sites including: Hyde parks speaking corner, where Shay had a discussion with a Socialist, we had an ice cream in the park and sat in expensive seats (you have to pay 3pounds each) but we didn't pay, the guy let us off nicely when we said we would leave right away. Buckingham Palace. We rode the Underground or Tube, where I made Shay carry the stroller down 185 stairs only to have to ride an escalator up to the platform. I loved the train and the constant MIND THE GAP. I thought that was funny till I got Adams stroller wheel caught...Mind the Gap wont you already! We saw St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Went on a bus tour, river tour and a Jack the Ripper walking tour, which was interesting. Went to lots of museums, Tate modern, British museum, National museum. Went to a game store and bought settlers expansion, traders and barbarians and a carcassone expansion. Went to lots of little stores and bought gifts. Everything is old and small. Had a wonderful dessert in Covent Gardens at an Italian place. Went to China town, Piccadilly Circus, sang Morrissey while riding a double Decker bus, bus driver crashed, but only minor. Wonder if it had anything to do with my singing? Went to Antique Market where everyone oohed and aaahed over my cute mohawked baby. Took lots of pictures of clocks. Got Adams picture drawn in the park. Ate Lunch and people watched at Trafalgar Square. Asked the bobbies where to buy Nappies, bought nappies, bought lots of chocolate bars, ate lots of chocolate bars. Bought Skyler some Cajun Squirrel potato crisps (chips are fries) that the twins actually liked, yuck. Looking back I think I am enjoying it more or as much as being there. I am sure there is more but it is dinner time, Cheers!