Adam places in his class- Pinewood Derby

Adam won second place with wolves race.

Adam's First Pinewood Derby Event

Shortly before Christmas the Cub Scout boys receive a block of wood and are asked to shape it into a race car that will then compete in a Pinewood Derby. Adam and Dad worked on it little by little until the very deadline.

The major rule is to keep your car 5oz or less. We went out and bought a small scale to make sure that we were within the limits. But for some reason Adam's car still weighed in an ounce to heavy. Luckily this isn't an uncommon obstacle and someone with experience had brought a drill. Just before the races began the bottom of the car was taken out until the car weighed in properly.The final line up for the Wolves prepares to race. The kids all sit on the floor behind the flags and watch with anticipation. Adam didn't come home with a win overall but he placed in his class. It was a fun way to spend our morning. And we'll definitely be more ready for the competition next year.

Winter Updates

I takes me awhile to get everything organized and together but it's finally here. There are a lot of videos this time around so you'll want to pause the playlist until you're done watching them. Hope everyone is enjoying the new year so far.

Snow Day!

I never thought in a million years that the schools would be closed due to snow here in Columbia, South Carolina. That is just plain crazy if you ask me. But the kids are estatic! Clarissa was so thrilled that it jolted her right out of bed, (and believe me this is a miracle in it of itself) and wanted to throw on her shoes and coat and run outside to catch snowflakes on her tongue. She didn't even last two minutes. She wanted to come back in because it was too cold. (Well, it is 32 degrees out for heaven's sake : ) I liked Molly's reaction. It's been awhile since she's seen real snow. Adam eventually ventured out. He stayed out for about two minutes and then came in asking for hot cocoa. We have officially turned into winter wimps! Our New York friends would be so embarrassed.

Riverbanks Zoo Christmas Lights

Shortly after moving to Columbia I bought a membership to the zoo. I got the expanded one just so we could have unlimited visits to their special Christmas lights spectacular. Christmas had come and gone and we still hadn't visited the zoo. Finally, before the show was going to end I dragged the entire family out to see the lights. Adam complained the entire drive there, all 30 minutes. "I hate the zoo!" Todd was less than thrilled but doggone it, this is why I bought the membership. Needless to say it was really beautiful. Adam could hardly contain himself as he ran through the pathways. There were even a couple of spots where they had these bubble machines that made frothy bubbles that looked like snow. Molly thought that was just fascinating. I remembered then that the last time she saw snow she was only a few months old. I got my use out of the membership. I don't know if I'll bother again this year. Maybe I'll get a membership to the children's musuem. They don't complain about going there.

Molly insisted this was a giant cage filled with dogs. Too funny!

Molly on Christmas Morning

Molly received a really cool slide from Santa this Christmas. She loves to slide so he really thought that would be the perfect gift for her. But not as cool as the puppy set she received from her Aunt Kim and cousin Abby. Thanks so much for such a great gift! For about a half hour she kept begging to go for a stroller ride. So she and I got dressed and went out to walk her puppy. She loves it! Now when we go meet the kids at the bus stop in the afternoon, she loads up about a dozen little puppies and takes them for a stroller ride.

Clarissa on Christmas Morning

For the second year in a row Clarissa asked that Santa bring her make-up. Mom and Dad decided to add a vanity to the mix. I cleaned out the play kitchen from the closet and put in the vanity and organized all of her new make-up. She spent the entire day giving us all make overs, Daddy included : ) However, we have since removed the vanity from her room. It is now in the master bathroom with my things. Simply because I got very tired of cleaning Molly's body with fingernail polish remover. It was becoming a daily chore. The bedroom stays locked up now and she can go there and play to her heart's content while Molly is napping or whenever she just feels like being alone. And since she usually has to share EVERYTHING with baby sister, she loves being able to claim something as her very own. Now if I can just get her to stop touching my things for goodness sakes!

Adam on Christmas morning

Aunt Kim and Abby gave Adam a really cool Lego set for Christmas. It provided hours, and I mean hours, of fun that day. Thank you so much for such a great gift!

This year, Adam wasn't so sure if Santa was a real person. He was beginning to believe that it was just Todd and me buying him an extra gift. But I took him along to the obligatory visit with Santa at the mall. Adam sat on his lap for my picture and asked for a Nintendo DS. (The one thing I told Adam that he could not have and that I would tell Santa not to bring.) Well, wouldn't you know that Adam opened his gift from Santa and found a Nintendo DS. Not only did it rekindle his belief in Santa but strengthened his already rebellious spirit. I believe his exact words "I guess Santa showed you, Mom."

Holiday Parties

Of course each child had a special holiday celebration with their class. This is something you don't really think about when you're adding more kids to the family. Fortunately, each party was held at a different time so I was able to schedule each one. Molly had fun at her party with songs, crafts, sweets, and dancing. (I didn't get my pictures from Dana : ) Clarissa's class was very low key, just a special snack. I made cupcakes for the kids. She loved showing them off to everyone. And they weren't even decorated in a special, fancy way : ) I am Adam's room mother so I planned a special story and a game. They formed teams and had to wrap a present with only one hand. Adam's team of boys came in second place, proving that shouting at each other in frustration can get the job done. (First place winners were a team of girls that calmly spoke how they were going to help each other.) By the end of the week we were all excited for the holiday break.