Cub Scout Olympics

Bug had the Cub Scout Olympics today.  They had a few activities set up for the boys and the siblings.  it was lots of fun.  first up for the Wolf 2 group- the obstacle course.  The boys had to weave thru trees, around small pylons, then spin around 5 times (picture 1), then jump the fence (picture 2), jump rope 5 times, scale the picnic table and finally 5 five cones down before crossing the finish line.  Bug came in 3rd for his group.

The second event was target shooting (with a water bottle).  The kids earned points for shooting down Lego figures.  Standing figures were worth 1 point and riding figures were worth 2 points.  Each boy had 2 rounds of shooting.  Bug knocked them all down in the second round.  He came in 3rd place in this event.

Taking aim in the first round

The 3rd event was the discus (Frisbee) event.  The boys threw the Frisbee 2 rounds.  Bug came in 3rd in this event too.

next, the boys moved to the standing long jump.  They had 3 tries and the best jump counted.  Bug came in 3rd on this event.

in flight

taking off for his second attempt

The next event was throwing a softball- they had 3 attempts to throw and the longest distance counted.  I forgot to take pictures during this event.  Bug came in 2nd place in this event.

The boys then moved on to the tennis ball toss- they could not understand that they could stand close to the bucket, but whomever threw from furthest away would be first.  Bug did not place in this event, but he had fun.

Each of the boys received ribbons for placing 1st-3rd (as applicable) in each event, but all the boys received green participation ribbons.  At the end, I told Bug I was proud of him, but proudest of the ribbon for participating.  The goal is take part.

it was a good day, a hot and trying day, but a good day.  Bug is one proud Cub Scout Olympian tonight.

Love and hugs,
Deb

relaxing 24 hours- for someone in our family

We made a fast run to another city to meet up with a friend who was giving us a trampoline.  We drove 6 hours one way, arriving at the hotel 10 minutes before the pool closed.  So this morning, we got up and I took Bug down to the pool.  He showed me how much he learned at Y camp.  He can now swim across the pool without stopping.  He is on his way to the next level in the swim bands at the Y.

Showing Mam and I how he floats on his back

floating on his stomach

After swimming, Bug had some educational video game playing while I showered and Mam and I packed up the hotel room.

meeting with T who drove 12 hours one way to bring the trampoline.  She was also visiting a cousin in the city, so it worked out very nicely for all of us.

She and I work together, but have never met.

You can see parts of the trampoline behind a sleeping Bug.  I guess the swimming first thing in the morning wore him out.  He slept for 2 hours on our trip home.

We got home, unloaded the van (rented) and put all the trampoline pieces in the backyard.  Now to find 2 friends to help me put the trampoline up.  Bug wanted to bounce on it tonight.  I guess I have a plan for this week.

Love and hugs,
Deb

The first day of second grade

Today is Bug's first day of school.  I thought you might want to see the last 2 years' first day pictures first though.

Kindergarten- the adventure begins

First Grade

And finally- this year- second grade

He wanted a picture with Pablo on the first day

Hanging at the bus stop.

We waited 20 minutes for Bug's bus, it never came.  So I drove Bug to school this morning.  As I was leaving the school parking lot, his bus pulled on the lot- 28 minutes after Bug should have been picked up.  Another bus driver told me they were running 20 minutes late. 

Bug comes home around 3:15  today, I can't wait to hear about his first day of school.

love and hugs,

Deb

We went to the zoo- how about you?

Bug and I headed to the zoo after his doctor's appointment this morning.  We were only a block away from the zoo, and we had not been to the zoo all summer.

Our happy little family

Bug is now taller than the tiger statue. He just keeps growing.

The new cat exhibit allows you to look thru full length windows at the animals- these are the tigers.  Bug's  a happy little man when he gets to see the Tigers.

so tall

Silliness

He likes the wolves too

and the cheetahs.  I think this is one of the last times Bug will be on the carousel- he was not as enthusiastic as he has been in the past.  Thankfully the train is still a huge pull for him.  I am not sure I am ready for no more trips to the zoo.

The river otter swimming right at us.

Another picture of the river otter.

Some looks back at Bug over the years:

Zoo- 2009

Zoo 2010

Zoo 2011

Zoo 2007

Tomorrow is the first day of school- lovely pictures to share from the bus stop

Love and hugs,

Deb

2 days before school starts- some family fun

We were able to head out to the aquarium today.  I supposed to have an appointment with the doctors at Childrens for an assessment of Bug, but the doctor was sick, so the appointment was moved to Wednesday.

So a last minute substitution to our day and one we have not done in almost 2 years. 

Bug was happy to be at the aquarium.  with school having started in most areas around us, we had the aquarium pretty much to ourselves.  There were people there, but nothing like coming on a school holiday, summer weekend or even a summer day before school starts.

Green moray eel curving around Mam's head.  She has the same picture of me and the Moray.

Bug up against the measuring chart of the HUGE alligator on exhibit.

It is like 15 feet long

Giving coins to the croc fund. 

Bug in the sting ray tunnel.  He is never too sure about these tunnels

The sting ray- I really, really like these animals

The tortuga (turtle) Denver.  it was just after feeding time, so all the animals: sharks, sting rays, fishes, and the turtle, were looking for any food they missed.

Denver and one of the sharks

Dancing sting rays- they really did look like they were dancing thru the water. 

When we went to the amusement park, Bug wanted to get his face painted, but the line was so long.  There was no line at the aquarium, so I let Bug get his face painted.

My Bat Boy.  He was so happy.  His stickers on his shirt are from the dentist this morning- he had 2 teeth sealed to prevent cavities.

Over 4 foot tall. I will have to dig up some pictures from previous visits to compare in another post.

And Bat Boy in the new penguin photo area- these are statues.

After the aquarium, we had lunch at the pizza place overlooking the plaza and then we headed to the book store.  I love bookstores.

We bought some books, headed home, rested a short while and then headed over to school for meet the teacher evening.  Bug met his second grade teacher, visited with his kindergarten and first grade teachers and dropped off all his school supplies.  One more day of summer fun and then school starts.

We are off to the zoo tomorrow, our planned finale to summer.  We'll be home mid afternoon for some rest, then dinner, bath and bedtime in preparation for school starting on Wednesday morning.

Time is flying by. 

Love and hugs,

Deb