Since I am so far behind anyway...

How'd you like to hear about the first day of school? OK, so it's a rhetorical question. I obviously wouldn't have asked if I didn't intend to tell you and frankly if you didn't want to know - well you wouldn't be here now would you?

Everything started innocently enough. He got right up, put on his clothes with no fight, ate all of his breakfast and grabbed the 462 pound backpack and headed for the door. On the way to the door he reminds me not to forget my camera, he wants some good shots (his words, not mine) of the day.

Who the hell is this kid? Freaking future creative director or something... see and it always, always goes back to the whole thing about nuts and trees.

So Mr. Creative Director steps outside and the facade begins to crumble.

He: It is still DARK out here!! We will not get any good shots, I don't care how special the new camera is.

He: It is humid Mamma. I hate that. It makes me feel gross.

He: I don't want any pictures, just forget it. I don't care.

Me: HOLD IT NOW!

He: Dissolves into hysteria complete with flailing arms, flopping body, dramatic sighs strategically placed for total emphasis of the abject misery he is currently in.

All this Tony-worthy drama because it is 6:30am on a Tuesday morning, in Florida, in August which translates to dark, nasty, humid, yuck. He IS NOT new here, this is SOP. The only time we love it here is those few gorgeous days of 10% or less humidity and a temp at 70 or under... the rest is, well, gross.

I try to divert, cajole, bribe, plead and am close to hysteria myself. The clock is ticking and the ONLY thing I am asking for today is ONE LOUSY HALFWAY DECENT PHOTO. Doesn't he understand? Doesn't he GET it? In less than an hour I will be ALONE, utterly and completely. The house won't have multiple TVs on with him in a room away from any of them building things and narrating with his constant soundtrack of effects. The animals will actually go lie down and sleep meaning I won't have an obstacle course to deal with. There will be no whining, no strange noises that when queried about their origin will be attributed to "nothing Mamma". The phone can ring and be answered without any interruption... except for the trembling of my weepy voice missing my loud, dirty, rebellious boy and all the hugs, kisses, and "Hey Mamma lookit this-es" that I got so used to over the long hard summer.

It is a happy day to be certain. He is in second grade and excited. He has several of his buddies in his class and he loves to be at that school, loves to learn and it is exactly where he should be. It is a good day for me too, I need to have some alone time to try and get a grip on my life and make plans and accomplish things.

He looks so tall and grown up today, full of purpose, hope, excitement. The baby has all but vanished from him, chubby cheeks gone. The legs that were once so fat that we were worried he would never be able to hold his own weight now long, straight and strong. Chubby little fists have grown into beautifully graceful, long fingered, little boy hands... and I am blessed that he still holds mine in his as we walk together to school.

Scouts is once again underway...

Here is our Wolf in his uniform. It is crazy how much he has grown since last year. Thankfully though his shirt is still too big and his shorts still fit him... for now at least. Rob and I are both Assistant Leaders this year lol. Rob is still waiting for his patches to be sewn on his shirt. That will happen once my hands have healed from sewing mine on! Those suckers fight back!

The first "real" den meeting was hysterical. We were working on the first achievement which had the boys doing crab walks, flips, etc. We finally decided breaking them down into "platoons" would make it much easier to accomplish all we needed to. Unfortunately none of those pictures came out well...everything is a big blur. I don't know why I expected otherwise with 20 something 7 year olds cavorting about like demented wood nymphs.

I did manage to get a few pictures of our opening ceremony for your entertainment though.





They are a great bunch of kids, no matter how crazy they get. We have some new kids this year and they all seem to be really quiet. I hope they are just nervous and the quiet wears off lol!!

Ever see something so funny

that you HAVE to take a picture?


A friend of ours gave us a hammock swing the other day. I had to run a basket to UPS and as I was leaving I heard Jack begging Daddy to put the swing up. When I got home I looked out the kitchen window and saw Jack sprawled in the swing oblivious to everything and singing. I snatched up the camera to try and take a pic from the window but it wasn't working out. Then I snuck outside but he caught me. It was still a funny photo op until I saw him thru my viewfinder...


Ever see something so gorgeous it takes your breath away?




He is just so stinkin' cute sometimes. Of course you can't hear him screeching at me in pictures....

Jack and Blake have a playdate....

Via Webkinz.com lol

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

Tuesday's child is full of.....

ENERGY despite hardly sleeping a wink all night! He was up at the crack of dawn and ready to roll! I dropped them off and then had to actually take care of some orders but made it back in time for lunch. The kids were already at the trading post swapping quarters for popsicles (as you do) so I wandered around the site in the relative quiet of the steamy afternoon.

I saw a sign for the chapel and wandered that way. There in the clearing was a little A-frame chapel. I peeked in and was surprised to see a gorgeous stained glass window! It was completely unexpected and yet fit perfectly in the surroundings.


I sat on one of the dusty benches, listening to the birds squawking in agitation at the invasion of their home as the laughter and shouts of the mass of boys were carried to me on the breeze. It's funny how you think you know what life will bring, the things you plan and hope for. You know some will be good, some will be bad and some will be really, truly great. As I sat there looking at the window, listening to the day's soundtrack I was overcome by just how amazing my life was right now, right at that minute. Amazed at how the twists and turns brought me to be willingly out in the hot, nasty heat in a glaring yellow (SO not my color) shirt surrounded by sweaty, loud, sticky little boys - and how happy and complete this made me feel. Even now, looking at the pictures and remembering the week makes me smile. It was a week of growth for everyone, parents and scouts alike, and I am so glad that I was able to be there.

I should probably explain a couple of things....

You will notice as the week goes on beads begin appearing in various quantities on the totems and in some pictures some of the kids have things stuck to their shirts. You'll see day-glo cups in all the pics and will begin to notice a pirate theme emerging.

Beads - Each day the kids earn beads for various things. Each program they go to awards a certain number of beads, if they do something good they can get extra beads (or if they are bad they can lose beads). To get them to drink water they get a bead for each water break they take. If you are a hot, tired and frustrated mom who is tired of little boys not going potty you can get a bead for each spider you kill and flush in the bathrooms in the hopes they will finally pee.

Stickers - The stickers represent the characteristics of a good scout. If someone notices a cub going over and above they can award the child a sticker. If a leader is being a smart-ass she can award the Positive Attitude sticker to another leader who doesn't understand why parents don't send quarters for the Trading Post with their kid making the broke leader feel bad and rather like a change machine passing out quarters that she has "borrowed" from her own kid.

Cups - Each scout/staff receives a cup to ensure that we are drinking water. These cups are also a dirty trick that can cause a leader that may have certain artistic skills and be stationed in say, oh, Crafts for example to somehow end up decorating all the other leader's cups before they will let her come out and play again.

Wagons - In addition to their purely utilitarian function, wagons have many exciting additional features! Boys being rowdy?? Have some push while others pull the heavy wagon through the soft Florida sand.... they tame down pretty quickly. Have a bossy kid? Let them "lead" the group whilst pulling said wagon. They will begin to remember there is no I in team in record time. Have a tired leader? Well, we had four tired leaders and no one would let us ride in the wagon and the boys said they wouldn't pull us so we didn't test that feature.

Pirates - I have been in this Pack almost a year and I have no idea what the deal with pirates is. I know that we all love it and there is nothing cuter than a bunch of wee pirates running around... the dads look cool too. I do know that this year I will be getting myself a way cool pirate outfit too - or at least a hat!

It's Monday and the adventure begins...

(To view the photos larger/download photos just click on them)

So as I said, we were up and out and on our way to pick up Ely in no time flat. For once I was on time, early even... that should have told me right there that it was almost time for it to all go south lol.

We arrive at Ely's and Jack bolts to the door and knocks excitedly and loudly much to the dismay of the neighbors and a fat kitty trying to sneak up on a lizzard. The door flies open and it is obvious that Ely and his Dad have overslept. No problem, I am early, you have plenty of time say I. (Insert mental pat on back and ignore the brain's whispered warning about pride and falls) Ely gets ready and the boys sit and play Ely's new DS for a few minutes while Dad gets the rest of the gear together. (Note the handcuffs in the picture... they spent 10 minutes taking turns handcuffing each other before they lost the key LMAO)

Finally we head to Big Red who almost seems excited herself to be a part of the big day. More gear loaded, more pictures taken, boys piled in and belts snapped, Jack's favorite 80's mix blares and we're off. Life is good, traffic is good, we are early and...what's that? My phone? Diane is calling? What... why... Hello?

She: (panicked, as she does) "Where are you?? You're never late (LMAO, she truly believes this to be true) is everything ok???"

Me: "Uh, we are getting on 19 now. I am not late, we have plenty of time. Kristin said to be there by nine."

She: "You are kidding me! You were supposed to be here at 8:15 for the staff meeting!!!!"

Well phooey.

No biggie, we headed north "singing" vintage Thomas Dolby ("Europa"), Erasure ("Chains of Love") and of course MARRS ("Pump up the Volume") at the top of our lungs. The singing for some reason distressed Ely, I can't imagine why lol.
















We arrived at Camp Soule exactly when I planned to despite the fact that technically we were half an hour late. I drove around the circle and dropped the boys off at their respective dens - Den 1 for Jack and Den 2 for Ely.

After parking I reported for duty and discovered I would be in Crafts which was headquartered in the Dining Hall - no a/c but lots of fans!! We had a free period (and I hadn't realized yet that I could pretty much come and go as I needed/wanted) so I stood out on the porch and watched the dens heading to the Council Circle for the morning ceremonies and flag raising. It was a beautiful morning and a beautiful scene watching the bright green and yellow shirts bob against the blue of the lake on their way to celebrate the day.

















I caught up with the boys at lunch and they were remarkably chipper for having been to three programs already! Sweaty, laughing and covered in dirt and paint they shouted over each other to tell me all about knots and cave painting as they swapped parts of lunches and ate cookies before carrots. After a recap the main topic of conversation - or pestering depending on your mood - was when oh when would they get to go to the Trading Post??

Now the Trading Post was GENIUS. Everything in the place was 25¢ and the menu was a little boy's dream come true: every imagineable color of freeze-pop, giant dill pickles, bugles, Slim Jims and so on. Jack thought he had died and gone to heaven with two freeze-pops (purple and orange, his fave combo) in one hand and giant dill pickle in the other...yeah, I know that's nasty but he likes it and the smile you get for letting him be gross is worth it all! Now behave and listen or I will come over there and make you eat freeze-pops and dill pickles too!




































I decided that crafts could wait a few minutes and followed "Our Boys" out to the fishing dock. I caught up to them just in time to hear wee man squeal and see a fish flying through the air!! I don't know which was funnier the look on Jack's face or the speed with which the other boys came running... a couple ran over so quickly that they didn't realize they were dragging poor unsuspecting fishies from their forgotten rods!











The next time I caught up with the kids was at craft time that afternoon. They were the last group in and by the time they came tumbling in I realized just how much I had missed them and made a mental note that next year I wanted to be a Den Leader. The first day they were making their totems (name tag/bead hanger) and Den flags. The boys were running late and didn't have time to do their flags but they had a blast with the name tags. (And yes, that's me in all my yellow glory, not so much my color)

I will be honest and admit that at the time I did not understand how it could take more than thirty minutes for the boys to yank on shoes, socks and shirts after swimming. I will take this opportunity to publicly apologize for my stupidity. As I would learn later in the week, thirty minutes was a feat of unparalelled greatness.
















And just like that, the day was over. I heard the whoops and Den yells drifting over on the afternoon seabreeze, felt the steamy day cool a bit, saw the sun wasn't quite so bright and knew that the afternoon thunderstorms and the boys were on their way. I couldn't wait to get in the car and hear all about the day, and what a day it was!

On Monday Jack:

Learned how to tie ten different knots,
Made cave paintings
Learned how to play marbles and won two games
Had lunch with his Mamma,
Fished for the first time, caught two blue gills and baited his own hook
After aborting the swim test he hopped right into the pool, swam like a fish and was bumped up a level on the first day
Learned how to shoot a bb gun and
Learned how to shoot a bow and arrow!

I am exhausted just typing it! Oh, despite Mr. Hurley's iron-clad guarantee that the kids would be passed out in the car on the way home Jack was up until almost midnight, too excited about Tuesday to sleep!