Pinewood Derby

Mason joined cub scouts for the first time this (school) year. I know very little about it. It's been his thing with EJ. I don't hear much unless I ask questions and I've failed to do that. They meet 3x a month. It took me about 3 months to remember to put his patches on his shirt. 

It's not really part of our routine (yet) to think about cub scouts other than mtg nights. Meaning he is not ambitious about earning badges.

However, Mason and EJ have been talking about/looking forward to the Pinewood Derby. His car is the bright green one in the closest lane. The "Angry Eagle" (Owen suggested the name).

They worked on the car together, they didn't get crazy about it. Just had fun.

Each car raced 6 times, once in each lane (in case one lane was faster (ha!).
Mason's car won all 6 of his races! Shocking.

 He was thrilled. His car averaged the 3rd fastest time of the WHOLE event.

 

I had no idea they would give out trophies. Sure enough, he got one.

 

He is so often tagging along with his older brother's likings or experiencing something that Owen has already done. I am so glad he had this "first."

Working it Out

Yesterday, Avery and I went out on the town by ourselves! Everyone else was in school:) I needed to run an errand at a nearby mall. After a little shopping, I took her to the indoor play area. It was like old times (being a mom of only 1). She wasn't really sure how to play on the over-sized rubber car and ice cream cone, but another child showed up and she followed him around :) Afterwards, I treated her to some chinese noodles. Mostly for curiosity sake. She prefers all my other meals (even tacos) to my Chinese cooking :( She did eat these "chow mien noodles" and they were pretty bad as far as Chinese American food goes. Hmm...

 

I enjoyed HER and our time together and I am thankful. The day before, I was not enjoying her. I had a lot on my imaginary check list and her neediness was making it impossible to do anything! I wanted space to do my thing.

The winter is dragging us down. She loves to be outside or out (anywhere) and I don't love the cold. I also thinking she was tired of sharing me with her brothers with so many snow days in a row. Plus, she has a small cold. All that combined and she has been grouchy and impatient. She is a loud one when she wants to be heard!

All that to say, when EJ got home Tuesday, he could tell by the sound of my voice, that I was done. So after dinner, I disappeared to the basement with my headphones and music and did something productive. I cleaned all the walls and trim and vacuumed the last bits of dust in preparation for more painting. Not glamorous or relaxing, but just what I needed! I even broke open the paint for the den. I am such a dork, but I LOVE seeing a new color on a wall, even if its just cutting around the trim!

Strange therapy, perhaps, but it did the trick and I was a much happier momma the next day. This was also largely due to the fact that my house was professionally cleaned while she and I were at the mall. That does wonders to a momma too. Now if only it would stay clean ;)

Basement Reno (Week 10 and 11)

 

Slowly but surely, progress has been made.

The Ducks

I finally got pictures of Owen (#1) this season. Only took 9 games. My parents came to watch which allowed me the freedom to use my camera instead of corral Avery.

Both games this weekend, ended with buzzer beaters in their favor! The boys were ecstatic and are still talking about the game winning shots.

There are 4 boys on his team that attend our church and do not go to his school. I couldn't be happier that their friendships have grown over the season. 2 of the 3 are just as serious about sports as Owen. They make a great trio and I'd love if their friendships lasted beyond the court.

Celebrating the Chinese New Year

All the holidays we celebrate, I've grown up celebrating. To begin a new one as an adult, was a little nerve wracking. I really had no idea what I was doing. My friend Amy gave me some quick pointers at preschool drop-off one day, I peeked at some other adoption blogs and pinterest. My mom did quite a bit of research and made a trip to the party store ;) Between the basement reno and SO MANY days with all 4 home from school, I didn't do much prep work.

Our meal was a mixture of home-made chinese food and premade/frozen chinese foods. Chinese is a difficult meal to make in advance (I need more practice). Next year, we might just order take-out :)

 Ryan and Mason made a few decorations for the party.

It was fun gathering together to celebrate. We are so blessed to have family who have so warmly welcomed Avery into the family. CNY was a good excuse to celebrate all that God has done over the last year.