Pack Meeting

We had our first Pack Meeting tonight.

They taught us a song.

John received his Bobcat.

The parents received their Bobcat pin.

Then the parents painted the boys faces. Each color and line represented something like honor, courage, etc.

Don't they look cute, I mean cool.

Den yell.

John also received his Pine Wood Derby badge.

Having now sewn badges onto a shirt, I must say a few things:

1. I can sew badges on a shirt!

2. Don't look to close at said badges.

3. Thank heaven for invisible thread! Think fishing wire, it's the best!

4. Trick; first attach badge with fabric glue. Makes sewing it on easier.

5. Obviously men designed all these badges. Because if a woman had designed them (cause we are the ones that sew them on) they would have all been square or rectangle. I mean seriously! Have you ever tried to sew a on circle badge? Remember it has a bumpy edge!

Kindergarten Zoo Trip

I got to be one of the chaperons for Alison's Field Trip to the Zoo. We lucked out and had a beautiful sunny, 78 degree day! I had 4 kids in my group. They were all well mannered and we had fun seeing the animals.

From top left: Blaise, Ella, Alison, Jackson

One of the boys saw me putting my sunglasses back on as we were leaving the Penguin building. He said, "You are really pretty. You should leave your glasses off." So sweet!

Dinosaur Science Fair

The second graders have been learning about Dinosaurs. In class

they did research and wrote about one of their choice. John chose Deinonychus which means "terrible claw". They had to make a visual aid at home for the Science Fair. For one hour they were in the cafeteria and all the other grades came in to look at their projects. Each student had a comment sheet for people to say something to them. John felt very proud because his sheet was filled front and back and even in the margins!

John could not decide between two different projects. So he made both! A fossil of Deinonychus' claw and a diorama of a pack of Deinonychus eating. They hunted in packs you know.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was very special this year. I love that the kids can write now and make me such wonderful cards! I received many compliments like: my mom is good at making macaroni and cheese and cookies; my mom has pretty hair; thank you for making me happy; thank you for taking care of me; you are as pretty as a princess; you are smart, you know how to do pluses (addition)!

John made me this beautiful clay pot. It proudly sits on my bathroom counter and holds my ring at night.

Alison made me hand prints and lovely cards.

Mark took us to Olive Garden for dinner. I am so thankful for these wonderful spirits I have the opportunity to raise here on this earth. I am glad to be their mother. I am also thankful for a wonderful, loving husband.

Cub Scouts

Since John has turned 8 years old, he is eligible to join Cub Scouts through our church. His very first activity was the Pine Wood Derby Race!

This is my favorite picture! I love seeing my two guys working together.

John's Hot Rod

His first race. Lane 3. 2nd place.

Waiting for another race to start!

One happy Cub Scout!

Receiving his certificate for "Best Hot Rod".

Standing proud with his good friend Ryan McBride.

Having grown up with girls, I had never been to a Pine Wood Derby race before. It was so funny to see the boys having fun with each other while they waited for their next race. I think these races are more for the dad's then the boys. The men were all grouped together talking about how they sanded, glued, measured just the right angle, weighted, and graphited their cars. I mean how their son's did all that. Some even went as far as telling the judges that a particular lane was not exactly the same as the others. This was all done in between grabbing their son's car to add more graphite to the wheels. Graphite makes the wheels go faster. I learned this. I have also learned that you can't just use WD40 or some other type of oil because that is heavier than graphite and that would slow your car down. So now we know.

John was very apprehensive. It was a new experience and he did not know what to expect. He kept me glued to his side. Seriously. They have all the scouts sit in a row together inside the roped off race area. They were nice enough to let the "rules" slide and I sat by him until he warmed up. Fortunately, he was in the first race. Watching his car drive down the track was all it took. After that I was able to move to the other side of the ropes and watch the races with the rest of the parents. The leaders really went all out to make it special for the boys. They had monster cookies, trail mix, and antifreeze punch for dessert. It was a lot of fun.

Mom + Mono = Bad Blogger!

The first part of February I tested positive for mono! How you ask? We asked the same thing! Since it is the "kissing" disease, and no one else in my family had it... I know what you are thinking and the answer is NO, I did not kiss someone outside of my family. Anyways, I am just starting to get energy back. So this is me telling all of you I am sorry for not updating you about Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mark's birthday, my birthday and everything else that has happened to date. I will repent and get going on it, next week...

Art Night

The kids school held Art Night tonight. All of the classes make something to put for sale to raise money for the school to have special art projects. Like a professional artist come and work with all the students to make their own painting, etc.

John made a poem about his favorite color and a collage with it in his class. His class also made a really cute lemonade stand/ puppet stand! I was outbid by $5 so we did not get to bring that home. We were bummed, but we might just make it ourselves.

John with his poem.

John's poem.

Alison's class made magnets. Her class also made fingerprint animals on a frame around a mirror. It was cute.