Scouting

Jack has been participating in the Cub Scout program with his Dad, sometimes unwillingly, but has enjoyed the majority of it. He has finally passed on to the Bears level after going through Bobcats and Tigers. I am really proud of Andy and Jack for doing something like this that gives them something they can bond over.

Of course, poor little Alex is just dying to be a part of this as well and ends up crying more often than not when he is not allowed to participate.

They have a small den but the Pack is pretty big and they have tons of fun activities.

They had an overnight at the EAA Museum.

There was also a fishing clinic where Alex won a fishing pole.

There was also a hockey game where we all got free Admirals ball caps and the ice monkey (the guy who fixes the goal posts on the ice) even through a puck over the glass to the boys.

…. and there was a fight that looked like it may have not been staged for the benefit of the crowd.

The Reptile guys came to show them all things slithery just in case we wanted to get one as a pet. No thanks.

It has been lots of fun for the whole family for most of the outings.

Winter Wonderland

It seemed like it didn’t last for very long, but we did have some beautiful days this winter when the world seemed like a it was made of only ice and snow. We didn’t get to build a snowman  or have a snowball fight but we did get to build a small snow fort.

Andy’s sister gave the boys block forms for snow and sand and the kids found them and pulled them out o start building a fort out of the blue one day. I went out o help them complete it before a big storm rolled in to reinforce what we had built.

It is double layered and came out pretty good, but is only big enough for one small child.

Or one large adult who doesn’t fit all the way inside.

This is looking into our backyard the morning after a large snow storm that dropped about six to ten inches on the ground over night.

Now if it could just look like this but only be 70 degrees then I would be happy.

Holy Cow! Alex is 5 years old

How is this even possible that U have a child 5 years of age, much less two children to begin with. I have to admit that Alex was a hard child to have. Not only were there complications in the womb that resulted in a C-section, but he was a lot more fussy than his older brother and prevented me from eating more than a couple of things when I was pregnant in order to not throw up. I wouldn’t trade him for the world though. He has a big temper, but when he wants to love he is the most loving, sweetest child there ever was.

This is one of his first pictures in the hospital. His big brother Jack gave him the little dog, somewhat unwillingly, he thought it was his to keep. I He still looks the same to me now as he did then.

We had just a small party at the house for Alex, but we invited all the people he had on his list: Mom, Dad, Grandma, Uncle Mark, Jack, and Echo the dog.

Admittedly, he got a ton of presents, which is just crazy since they just had Christmas, but what are you going to do? His absolute favorite was the Lego Ninjago fire Temple. He about fell out of his chair when he opened it up.

Jack was super helpful and helped him open all his presents and even put some together for him.

Happy birthday Alex. I will love you always my sweetest little boy.

Jack’s big birthday party

I said there would be a big party later for Jack’s seventh birthday and here are just a few pictures.

The Transformer Cake

Making a wish.

The party animals.

Laser tag!

The birthday boy.

Good times had by all!

This was the second year we have had his party at Kids in Motion and I am not disappointed. It is harder with jack’s birthday because it is in the winter and a lot harder to find things for the kids to do without freezing to death. This is basically an indoor playground and gives the kids plenty of space to run wild. The major plus this year was that they were old enough to enjoy Laser tag, which was they highlight of their day. The plus side for me is that there is practically no clean up for me and no screaming children in my house.

Pinewood Derby Third Place Champion

Jack and his Daddy were super excited when they came out third place winners at this year’s Pinewood Derby for Pack 38. It was especially sweet being as how Jack was the only Tiger Scout to place in the top ten. All their hard work on the car paid off in the end and Jack could hardly contain himself as he ran up to get his trophy when they called his name.

Jack carefully placing his car at the starting position.

Both Jack and Alex waiting for their second run. Alex had to be physically removed after trying to put a Hot Wheels car up to race. He was not happy about that at all.

Jack was on track three. This was his best time and he got this same time twice.

Jack doing his victory run up to get his trophy. They had passed out a bunch of ribbons and his name never got called so he was getting a little down. Then the more names they started calling from tenth place on down the sadder he got. I was keeping track of his times and knew he would probably place but I wasn’t sure where. When they finally called his name you can see the resulting excitement.

The top ten winners. They all got little derby trophies. Jack is so small, but he is also the most excited.

The winner, the trophy, the car and the brother. Super racing day. Alex can’t wait until it is his turn.

Cub Scouts Go-see-it to the Radio Station

Each month Jack’s Cub Scout pack have a go see it activity and a regular activity along with a den meeting. Some times Andy isn’t able to get off work to attend with Jack so I get to go. Usually where I go Alex follows.  This time they went to KISS FM radio station. It wasn’t a very long tour as the radio station is fairly small and a lot of things are behind closed doors because they are on air, but they got to go into the studio where KISS FM broadcasts and talk to one of the DJ’s and ask all kinds of questions.

The kids all had a good time even though it was so short. They all left with a parting gift of a magnetic frame that had the radio stations name plastered all over it.

Happy Birthday Jack

Holy cow, I cannot believe my baby has turned another year older. It seemed like just yesterday I brought him home from the hospital and he was such a tiny perfect thing.

Now he is such a big boy going to school and growing his adult teeth and reading and making friends. Where does the time go?

We had a small birthday party with just Jack, Alex, myself, and his Grandma Ann on his actual birthday. Later this week we will be having a party for him and his friends. Of course, his Daddy went all out and got him the best Lego set ever (though I’m not sure who wanted it more)!

Happy Birthday Jack. You will forever be my little baby Jacko’boy.