Pool Party!!!!

We had a Pack Pool Party in July. The rec center we went to had two huge waterslides!!!! Jack did not go down them but *I* did lololol Oh how I dread the day I become uncool!! Those boys sat on the side of the pool and cheered, hysterical!

Pics below.... yeah, don't get excited. I know that Gwen took incriminating photos of me on the waterslide but they won't be showing up here thank you very much.

Jack and I do love a good sunset...

Saturday was a sad and empty day. The poor boy was exhausted but already pining for his friends. We went to Dorian's and were all supposed to go to the beach and watch the sunset. The plans changed to a cookout and then fell apart all together. Jack and I were headed home when I realized he was crying.

"All I wanted was to go to see the sunset Mamma."

We raced out to Indian Rocks Beach - our favorite beach. Quiet and clean, usually not too crowded and then only with locals. We parked at our usual place - not telling - and hit the sand. Jack had a couple of army trucks with him and got busy with one of his most favorite activities. That boy loves to dig and make roads - especially at the beach!

While he created his city I people watched. I also noticed a rather worse for wear egret walking with some irritation up and down at the water. He wanted his dinner and there were too many people around for him to get it! A family nearby had sparklers and yet another with a brand new baby were dipping their toes in the water. The breeze at the beach is always a pleasant bonus, it was a gorgeous peaceful evening.

Jack was getting frustrated because we didn't have his buckets along. He ended up making friends with a small boy of probably three and they dug together. Neither spoke the other's language but still they communicated in the international language of boys, cars and dirt!

We spent a couple of hours out there just being silent and listening to the day say goodnight. I love those moments with my son. Just being there together, each doing our own thing but still together. Life can be so busy and hard sometimes that we forget what is truly important. Thanks Jack, for making me change the plan once again!

And then it was over...

Just like that it was suddenly Friday. The day was PACKED with fun and Pirates.... no, I still can't give you an answer about the pirates. The boys played games, played on the waterslide, took their swimming tests and tried to qualify for the Jr. Shooting team.

Uh huh. Yeah. Shooting. As in guns. As in my baby had a BB gun, that he himself loaded, in his hands. And then he shot it. Jack was shooting a gun. There's the proof...

Know what? He OUTSHOT his den! Took him twice as long, my precise wee man, but he qualified on his first try. Do you have any idea how conflicted I feel about that????


Oh well, whaddaya gonna do?

Daddy came up when he got off work for the closing ceremonies. Each den did a skit and there was a pirate invasion. It was tons of fun and we are so ready for next year!!!!

Thursday's child is....

FINALLY starting to get tired!

I had to work again this morning but made it to camp for lunch. When I arrived, everyone was congratulating me and seemed to know what had happened the afternoon before. I missed them calling Jack up at morning Council Circle and telling everyone what Jack had done the day before. Poor Jack was embarrassed. Later I asked him why....

He: "Mamma, I did the right thing but I did it the wrong way!"
Me: "But you did the right thing. That's all that matters my love."

The afternoon was fun. The highlight was the pancakes. Oh the pancakes! Who knew what a glorious load of fun could be had with batter, syrup, coffee tins and fire?!?!?!

Now, I claim heatstroke for what happened next. It's my story and I am sticking to it. Thursday we had Jack's first sleep over. I don't care what anyone says, it was a hoot! Dorian and Ely came home with us and we had Happy Meals and then Rob blew up the air mattresses and put them in Jack's room so that the floor was completely covered. Can you believe he was actually shocked when they wanted to JUMP on them LMAO????

The boys were as good as they could be and all in all it was a blast. I got a taste of a house full of boys and it was too much fun. I do have to confess though that I am very, very greatful that the good Lord in all His infinite wisdom only gave me one. I have no desire to spend the rest of my life in an institution - either penile or mental - and I most certainly would if I had the herd of boys I had originally hoped for!

I am sure that girls bring their own fun. I also am the first to admit that I am very biased. I had no idea how much filthy, smelly, squishy fun boys could be and I love every minute of it! I am almost thinking I might like being a cub scout more than they do lol!!

Wednesday's child...

Became Wednesday's man. More on that later.

I was so excited to spend all day with the kids! Our first stop was the First Aid class. The paramedic handled the pelting of crazy questions the boys threw his way like a champ. He attempted to answer each one, even if they had to do with whether or not Optimus Prime could fit in the back of his ambulance!



I love this picture of Jack and Eaon, they are such good buddies and ended up together the rest of the day. They are so funny together, both are very earnest and very silly all at the same time which makes for some hysterical overheard conversations!

The rest of the day was filled with soccer, pioneer games, swimming and crafts. each event punctuated by water in some shape or form, misters, sprinklers and full on hoses. Let me tell you something, I have found a replacement for nerve gas. There is (so far) NOTHING I have ever smelled that can compare to hot, wet, sweaty, smelly little boy sneakers and feet after a week at scout camp! I am still not sure whether to be amazed or horrified that boys that small can make smells that big!

As if the day wasn't exciting enough, Jack lost another tooth at lunch! The boys were all scrambling around trying to find it! At first I thought, "Oh my gosh, HOW sweet!" Yeah, until I realized that their desperate hunt was based on the design that whomever found it could drill a hole in it and put it on their totem as a bead!!! Gads, those boys are gross LMAO!

The day was almost over and we were headed from the pool to council circle. Most of the den was already in their places but I was lagging behind with another leader, the wagon and two very tired scouts. Suddenly I noticed the temperature drop significantly - as in I felt COLD. In June. In Florida. I looked up and saw all too familiar looking clouds (well familiar to anyone who has ever lived in Oklahoma or seen a tornado show). I sent the other leader and the boys to the Dining Hall and scooted my chubby behind to the council circle to alert the others. Just as I came around the front of the circle the clouds were coming over the tree line at the back of the circle. Angry looking black/green clouds were roiling about in what had minutes before been a beautiful blue sky. Then suddenly the clouds started sucking themselves up inside of themselves and the temp dropped at least another ten degrees.

The Scouts were ordered to get into their dens and head for the Dining Hall. I waited a few seconds to be sure all the wee ones in tot lot had gone with their dens. As I came up over the ridge to head towards the Hall I see Jack's leader in frantic tears. I didn't have to be told. I knew a kid was missing and by the look in her eyes I knew it was mine.

Now, I know Jack. He hadn't run to the lake or into the woods, he was somewhere he felt safe and chances were he had motored it to the Dining Hall. Unfortunately the panic was contagious and this being the first time ever my kid had disappeared... well I didn't cry or freak but I was DANG close. Two other dads and I did a quick scour of the area and then I was commanded to head to the Hall. I obeyed and once I got in there was my child sitting quietly in his seat not possibly the least bit aware of the hysteria building in his honor.

I quietly went to him and asked him where he went. As his story unfolded before me I found myself crying... not because he had scared me, not from relief, but from pure, chest puffing, heart bursting pride.

Apparently when the signal went out for everyone to go to the Dining Hall Jack had obeyed. He was standing in line with his den when he saw one of the wee girls from tot lot standing alone and crying hysterically. "She was getting ready to be exploded by lightning so I took her to find her Mommy." The boy who is afraid of storms went WAY out of his personal comfort zone to help another person. Film at 11, Ticker Tape parade in the morning!!!!

When Packmaster came in I told him Jack was safe and relayed the story. He went to Jack, told him not to move that he would be right back. A couple of minutes later he came back and asked Jack to tell him what happened, which he did. Jack then received about a million beads for his act of courage and gallantry (their word).

Of course the commentary also included, "You did a very very good thing Jack, it was a little crazy but a very good thing. Of course, knowing your Mom the crazy part is to be expected."

Thanks Chris, much love lol