Pinewood Derby 2012

Always a memorable event.  This year we (by we I mean Eric, the boys and Grandpa Bateman) probably spent the least amount of time on their cars and did the best speed wise.

Jackson came in 1st for the Webelos with Zane a close 2nd and Leighton 3rd.  The recycle bins survived the evening by special balancing.

Jackson's "Boss" mobile

Leighton's "Lego" creation

Amazingly, Boston came in 3rd out of all the cars that raced for the evening.  His of course was the "Yankee" car.  Notice that Boston didn't win the big hair award?  This little guy, Jake, takes the cake.

Jackson won 3rd overall for the scouts.  He was thrilled and just as shocked as the rest of us.  We managed to make some pretty fast cars but aren't quite sure how we did it.  The twins were a little sad at the end of the night because they realized it was their last "official" pinewood derby.  They will be 11 next year and moving onto Boy Scouts.  Time is going way too fast.

Spring Break at Huntington

We spent the last weekend of spring break in California at Huntington Beach with the Corvino's and Borski's and had the best time!  I will let most of the pictures do their own talking but just a few highlights:

Seeing Autumn, Andrew and Max get in the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

Observing Doritos being eaten after they were deposited in cracks (use your imagination).

Watching Eric try to lift Dan with his legs.

Playing endless catch and baseball on the beach.

Boogie boarding.

Relaxing in the sun.

Watching Kennedy read and read and read.

Marty daring and paying kids to do things for him.  For example, Kennedy shouting in The Grove (upscale shopping plaza), "Mommy, I made a boo boo!"

Trying to eat the 96 hot dogs Marty thought we would consume in one meal.

Eating maple bars with bacon on top and apple fritters.

Dancing & singing around the fire.

A push up contest (I may have won).

Enjoying the beautiful sunset.

Lunch at the Farmer's Market.

Driving in the California traffic.

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We are lucky to live so close to the beach and have amazing friends.  There's no better place than the beach to enjoy each other and enjoy the simplicities of life.  Wishing we owned a place ON the beach.  Maybe some day.

10th Birthday Party

Friday the 13th we partied it up at the movie "The 3 Stooges," ate dinner at the Chicken Shack, and came back home for cake and ice cream.  Jackson & Leighton had the best time with their friends and even allowed Boston to come along.  Jackson was very concerned with having a party on Friday the 13th, that it would be "doomed" but everything turned out great!  10 year old boys are easy to please.  They pretty much entertain themselves with farting, burping, singing, acting goofy - resembling the 3 Stooges.  They just like to  make a lot of noise.

My birthday wish for them is to continue to be the sweet, innocent, smart, loving boys that they are and to never grow whiskers on their soft cheeks!

Waiting for Centuries

Jackson walked to the van today after school with a big smile on his face.

Jackson:  "I've been waiting for centuries for a day like today!"

Me: "What happened?"

Jackson: "We got a new boy in our class named Kameron.  I finally found a friend just like me."

Me: "What's he like?"

Jackson:  "He likes the same things as me like art and he even picks his nose!  And best of all, I'm not on his creepy list!"

Me:  "He picks his nose in class too?"

Jackson:  "Well, he only does it in private but he told me he does it."

He was on cloud 9 and I couldn't be happier for him.  He struggles with friends and acceptance at school because of his habit of picking his nose. Seriously.  He's been to the school counselor and she showed him ways to itch his nose and rub it to avoid picking it.  99% of the time he doesn't even realize he's picking it.  I compare it to biting your nails.  Unfortunately, nose picking isn't as socially accepted as biting your nails.

About a month ago, his teacher (bless her heart) told him that if he could resist picking his nose for 1 week, he could be the Student of the Week.  When he told me this I was excited for him.  I asked him if he thought he could do it.  His response, "I don't think I can."  I am hoping and praying that day will come soon but so far...the picking continues.  Every time he does it he has to deduct $10 from his check book.  I just hope we're not waiting for centuries :)