life in general

hello monday {pinewood derby}

This weekend we attended the Cub Scout pinewood derby.  Let's see, so far we have made 5 pinewood derby cars . . . just 1 more to go.  And I guess I should clarify -- Scott and the boys have made 5 pinewood derby cars.  I have no involvement in this process.  Except for the spray paint.

We tried to set Payton's expectations going into it.  Seeing that we are in a new pack, we didn't know what the competition was going to be like.  Not that we are competitive in this kind of event . . . . It's just that after Payton took 1st place at his first pinewood derby he may have expectations that the streak should continue.

His car did well.  He won most of the races in his heats.  And when all the races were tallied he came in at 5th place.  There was some disappointment on his part, because - hello?! - he had seen his car win so many races.  He didn't quite get it, so we had to explain the whole process.  I think that by the time he got his certificate and blue ribbon, everything was good again.

(I have to apologize for the varying tones of yellow in these photos -- it was a church gymnasium, afterall)

Hello pinewood derby car.  His certificate said "Best Scout Theme".

Hello anticipation.  He has a front row seat with the rest of the Pit Crew.

Hello excitement!

Hello rankings.  After everyone raced, they narrowed it down to the top 8 cars to race again.

Hello fancy schmancy race track.  This thing had an electronic start gate and finish line.  It is wired to a computer and all the racing times go straight there where a program keeps track of all the rankings.  Pretty hard core.

Hello cheers.  The race track operator told the kids that their cars will go faster the more they yell.

Hello awards.  Payton completed all the requirements to earn his Bear along with 1 gold arrow point and 2 silver arrow points.

Hello tradition.  In this Cub Scout Pack, they have a face-painting tradition.  When you earn your Wolf you get one set of stripes.  For the Bear, 2 sets of stripes.  Guess we'll have to wait and see what Webelos brings.

Hello mother's pin.  This is one of my favorite parts of being a Cub Scout mom.  I didn't know there would be a pack meeting following the derby so I was glad that I wore layered tops!  If you've ever been pinned by a Cub Scout you'll know how important that is.

Hello cute Cub Scout.

I'm linking up with Lisa Leonard's {hello monday} prompt

cubbing down under

Last weekend Payton got to attend Cub Scout Day Camp.  This is year number 4 of day camp for our family.  We love it.  The boys have a great time making projects, playing games, and doing things like archery that they don't normally get to do.  I was kind of sad that I didn't get to go as a helper, but circumstances wouldn't allow for that.  Next year.

When we picked up Payton late Saturday afternoon he was fillll-thy!  Oh my goodness, so so dirty.

But he had had an awesome time.  He was so excited about all the cool stuff they had done.

archery / marshmallow blow guns / hike / obstacle course / climbing wall / bommerang craft / build a toolbox / build a crossbow / animal masks / relay races / rain stick / duct tape water bottle holders / cricket / flag ceremony / skit

I was a little concerned how he would do in the 95+ degree heat over the 2 days.  We are used to bringing jackets to day camp (in July) and dousing the boys with bug spray.  Here we traded the bug spray for sunscreen spray.

The camp was held at a church building - a stake center with a big field & pavilion on the lot, and a park (with splash pad) across the street.  It sounds like many of the classes & crafts were indoors so they had plenty of opportunities to cool off.  Not to mention running through the splash pad as part of the obstacle course.

Friday night they held a campfire for families to attend and watch each den perform a skit.  Payton's den was so disappointed when a group ahead of them performed the Cub Scout classic, "Invisible Bench."  That was their skit too!

So they improvised and turned theirs into the "Invisible Couch."

Cub Scouts is a party!  You just have to embrace the 9 year old boy silly/quirky/loud/high-energy spirit.

cub scout carnival

I've been a den leader for a bit over a year now, which means its time to recycle previous den meetings for the new bunch of boys.  Yesterday it was time for the Cub Scout Carnival!  It is my very favorite activity and I think the boys love it too.

Each boy is asked to come with a game or activity.  They can take ideas from their Cub Scout books or do something totally original.  We set up in the back lot of the church and once everyone is ready we walk around as a group, stopping at each game/station to let the boy who brought the game tell or demonstrate how to play it.  Once that's through it is open play time!  We invite the little (and older) siblings to come play as well . . . the more the merrier.  :)

I put Conner in charge of the snack bar.

I think he really enjoyed having that authority.  And unlimited access to the Twizzlers.

At the beginning each kid was given 10 tickets which they could use to purchase popcorn, Twizzlers, peanuts, and lemonade.  It was perfect.  Everyone got some of everything, without going overboard on the snacks.

Anna was in charge of the petting zoo.

This is the game Payton put together . . . marble sharp shooter

Lots of creative games were shared, including this one inspired by "Minute to Win It" . . . 

How fun is this!

The water balloon launcher was a big hit . . . 

here are the boys waiting to catch, or rather dodge, the water balloons

And my favorite of all . . . the pie eating contest!  The rules are simple: try to find the gummi bear in the whipped cream without using your hands.

Love this victorious fist pump . . . 

The younger siblings love playing too . . .

Everyone had such a great time.  Most of the kids played 2 or 3 times.  (Except for Payton -- he prefers to stay out of this one.)

Another successful carnival.

Now to plan next week's activity.  I think we will learn how to fold a flag and perform an outdoor flag ceremony.  That's just as fun, right?

i think you're missing something here

Last week we had a big fundraiser for our Cub Scout group.  It was a garage sale / bake sale.  And it was a huge success.  

I wanted to include the boys in the fundraiser as much as possible, so at our den meeting I brought posters and markers and had them make signs to advertise the sale around town.  I included the basic info (date, time, location) at the bottom of the poster and left the top empty for them to title, decorate, and adorn however they wanted.  They love that kind of stuff.  I even pulled a big chalkboard into the gym and wrote "Cub Scout Garage Sale and Bake Sale" so there would be no question on spelling.

While they worked on posters I thumbed through their cub scout books to update my achievement records.  Then we had a layered pudding / oreo / chocolate chip / marshmallow / graham cracker dessert that they got to assemble themselves (we had learned about landfills earlier in the meeting) . . . and I sent them on their way.  

Quick, clean up the room, gather up my supplies, sweep the floor, throw everything into the van, and get home to throw some corn dogs in the oven for dinner.

As I'm putting away everything from the Cub Scout pile I come across Payton's poster, which I had not seen previously.  

Huh.  Something seems a little off here. . . 

"get yor car spotles"

Um, Payton?  Scratching my head . . . . 

Uhhh, we're having a garage sale.  Where in the world did you come up with a car wash?

Confused.  And then I see the light turn on in his head.  "Oh."  And a smile.

Seriously?  How did you miss this one gigantic detail?!  What a goon!

I've kept the poster because it just makes me smile.  And what a great tagline - "get yor car spotles."  Sometimes I just don't know about that boy.

---------------------------------

Yesterday that cute boy (and Conner and Scott) got a much needed haircut.  

Shannon's Barber Shop, since 2000

do your best

Is yellow my color?  I think I quite like it.

 Yep, that's me.  A Cub Scout Den Mother.  

I giggle as I type that title.  I picture a gray woman, up in her years, but still full of spunk & energy, donning a scout uniform with a plethora of patches and beads, instructing a group of boys on pocket knife safety, with a plate of homemade cookies waiting to be served once everyone has shown proficiency on the subject.  Maybe that will be me . . . in a few decades.  :)

For now, I am the newly called Wolf Leader.  I get to work alongside a great lady and provide fun, learning, serving, creating activities for the 8-9 year old boys once a week.  Last week we made pine-cone bird feeders and charts to track our healthy habits like, brushing teeth, bathing, drinking water, and playing outside (gotta keep it simple for these 8 year olds).  This week we'll be picking up trash and making cards for Veterans in a local nursing home.

Really, what a great job is this!

And the uniform isn't too bad either.  I don't think I have ever had a job, assignment, responsibility, calling, etc. that has had a uniform to go along with it.  Oh, scratch that.  There were those 2 years I was a part of the FBLA Leadership in our chapter.  Picture red and black plaid, pleated, school girl skirts.  Doh! -  I guess there were those marching band uniforms too.  So just scratch that thought altogether.

 This, being the 100th year of Boy Scouts (bet you didn't know that!) they are offering a special award that the boys and adults can earn.  I'm looking into this one because I want more patches!  :)

I'm also excited because this is perfect timing for me to be more involved here.  Conner is a cub scout and Payton will be joining us early next year.  We've got almost 4 Cub Scouting years left in our family.

In the next few months I'll be memorizing the Cub Scout motto and oath, attending day camp, perfecting my Wolf ears to encourage silence & attention from the boys, trying to feel comfortable (and not silly) when I hold my fingers in salute while saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and channeling my inner 8 year old boy.  Thankfully, I've had a lot of exposure to this demographic.

project life: march

march 6 -  Ahhhh, I can feel the love.  I was gone all day at a Stake Relief Society conference and when I walked in the door I found vacuumed carpets and the lovely smell of Pine Sol.  I sooo appreciated the work that Scott and the kids went to in making the house spic and span.

 

march 16 -- I was cutting some fabric in the kitchen and Anna asked if she could have my scraps.  Soon she was all dressed up and with her toilet paper roll telescope she decided that she was a pirate.  Arrrgghhh!!  (And wouldn't you know it, it's a Tuesday!)   {note:  Tuesday is Pirate Day}

 

march 17 - it's after dinner, Scott is out of town, all the kids are in their pajamas, I'm cleaning the kitchen, and listening to the concert from the living room . . . . all three kids are at the piano, each with their own piano-playing style.

march 27 - the weather is beautiful!  (high-60's)  And we must get outside.  We packed up all the bikes and headed to the church parking lot.  Scott raised the seat on Conner's bike so it's more ride-able . . . Payton finally learned how to get going on his bike without assistance . . . and Anna is showing off her tricks.

march 30 --  Conner placed first in the pinewood derby with his car, "Thunder Cloud".  (Last year's car was named "Death Eater" in case you're interested.)  We all know that the dads have a big part in building these cars, although Conner contributed more help this year.  But next year when he's a Webelos, we're handing him the block of wood and saying, "go to it, kid."

in the thick of it

some lucky, last place finishing, pinewood derby racing Cub Scout is going to be the proud owner of this Flat Tire Award tonight.  I don't do themed cakes, so I am pretty impressed that I was able to pull this off.

 

78 flags made from white and teal fabric and a bolt of burlap have been sitting on an ironing board in my kitchen for a few days now (er, week).  Waiting for me to finish them into a pendant banners.  Just be patient, your turn will come.

 

Because right now I am in the thick of preparing for Anna's preschool Easter party.  On one hand it's nice that no one came to the planning meeting because I can just do whatever I want.  But on the other hand, some help would have been lovely.

 

What am I saying . . .  I'm sure I still would have taken all this work on myself!

I feel like I've been immersed in the "create" mode lately.  Which is good.  Because creating brings happiness, right?