Rain Gutter Regatta (cub scouts 2013)

We had a great time today at the cub scout rain gutter regatta.  The afternoon started off rainy- go figure, but soon turned into a great sunny afternoon for the kids.

 

Listening to Den Leader M giving the instructions

Using pool noodles, already cut in half, an index card and straws and coffee stirrers, the kids have to build a boat to race in the regatta. 

Bug is working on shortening his pool noodle- the kids use plastic knives to cut and shape their boats.

Bug and N with their almost finished boats.  after testing them, we realized they needed some supports for sail to prevent the sails from spinning. 

One of the lesson learned from last year- turning the noodle over gives better floatability.

Testing stage.  During competition, they use straws to blow the boats down the rain gutter.

 

The Bears, all lined up.  N was put in their group, he is 18 months to 2 years younger than most of the boys.

Of course, Bug and N had to race against each other first.

N's mom is down at the end getting pictures from the front. 

The boys race in heats, Bug is racing against P here.

N racing P

N and Bug racing again.

First and second place in the Bear den.  Bug edged out N for the overall fastest boat.  Too cool for the boys!

So glad N did so well and happy for Bug that the lessons learned from last year were learned and applied.  The boys did great.

After the other dens competing (tigers, wolves, Bears, junior weblos, senior weblos, and siblings), the winners in each den compete for the overall pack champion. 

The final race, Bug against A winner take all.  Bug was in the lead, but A edged him out at the very end by this .. much. It was a very close race.  Bug came in second and he handled it like a champ.  I was so proud of him, he did his best and tried his hardest and behaved with grace and sportsmanship.  That's my little man.

After the regatta, the kids got to have a water balloon fight. 1000 water balloons for the kids to throw.  Get out of the way!!!

 

There was a supposed to be a fire truck to hose the kids down, but they had to leave due to an emergency.  We hope every one is OK.  I don't think the kids missed the truck.

When J posts the pictures she took, I will pull the pictures over to this blog.

 

It was a great day- lots of fun, lots of laughing, lots of friends. 

 

Love and hugs,

Deb

The Aquarium- 2013

Friday, after a week of talking to Bug and his therapist, I took the afternoon off.  bug needed some momma time.  He was

 feeling stressed after so many weeks in camp, my work schedule and some issues at summer camp.  He needed a break.  So we planned for me to work a half day, bug would sleep in (but he did not), and then after lunch, we would go out to the museum center.  Friday morning bug decided he wanted to go to the aquarium and he wanted a friend to go too.  So a quick call to his friend's mom to see if P could go with us, a call to mam to tell her the change and a busy morning for me getting all my work done and we were off.

We had, at one time, talked about going to the zoo.  But we are in heat wave.  The temperatures are close to 100 degrees F (about 40 degrees C) and due to the humidity, it feels like temperatures above 100 degrees.  It is awful outside.   We definitely needed an inside event.  Apparently, half the city thought the same thing, as the aquarium was packed!

Bug decided today was definitely "don't smile for any picture" day.  He had to make silly faces all day long. P, on the other hand, smiled for every picture.  P wanted to see the dive show and touch the sharks.  Bug enjoyed the dive show with P but had no desire to touch sharks. 

 

the both enjoyed sending all my change down the drain at one time. 

 

The frog princes

Finally, a great smile from my boy.

 

at the dive show, the sea turtle, Denver, kept swimming thru the bubbles.  I liked the effect.

 

The boys, totally engrossed

Happy boys, good friends

Bug is definitely growing. See last summer's picture for the difference in height one year makes.

goofing around with the shark

one worn out little man.  Yes, he never goes to sleep in his bed, it is always on the couch near me.

 

Love and hugs,

Deb

cub scout fun- movie night at the park

We had a great evening.  There was a cub scout meet up, where everyone brought their own dinner to the park and then a dessert to share.  The boys got to play and have fun and then there was a movie.  The weather was perfect, comfortable - not raining, not humid, just a perfect summer night. 

The pictures ended up all jumbled and I am too tired to resort them.  So here we are:

 

 

My buddy B.  He is the youngest sibling and he was talking up a storm tonight. 

The boys playing the card game "War" with Mr. T.  They were very excited about this game.  This was the last activity before the movie started.

Jasper the dog came with his family.  We should have brought Pablo along too, but then I would not have had so much fun talking to the other parents.

Ready for the movie to start.  Ms. J and her family, or at least part of her family.

One of the tiger scouts singing before the movie with his Grandma. 

This is how the boys started the night-playing basketball.  They played hard, only one basket was made and the ball got stuck in the basket.  It was funny.  Apparently all the boys in Bug's class are planning on playing basketball for school this year and I am excited because Bug wants to play too.  This is the first year the boys can play for the school team.

B's brother, P.  Handsome young man

L and C, having some dessert

some of the older boys and dads playing Frisbee volleyball, or something like that.

Bug, mugging for the camera

 

Bug with T, M and P, all set for the movie.  This was right before his best friend from summer camp came over.  Once A was on the scene, Bug stopped interacting with the cub scouts for the most part.  We ended up having a long discussion on the way home about how to treat friends and how ignoring them is not polite.  I think he understands what to do

B- with his so cool eyes, light blue circled by dark blue.  I love his eyes.  He is saying "cheese"

What a handsome little man.

 

We were out almost 6 hours- what a great time with friends, relaxing and enjoying the summer.  Thanks to the scout volunteers for organizing this event, it was great.

 

Love and hugs,

Deb

 

How much can one little bug grow in one year?

Yes, the not so little man continues to grow.  I am very glad I did buy new pants for school yet as I think what I would have bought would be too small by the time school starts in 5 weeks.  

In October, bug was 49.75 inches.  In November he was 50 inches, 2 weeks ago he was 52 inches tall. I need to measure him tomorrow, because he is definitely taller and continues to complain about leg pain (growth plate pain).  Why do I think I am going to end up. Like my grandmother, with a son towering over me?

4th of July

 

Bug and I had a quiet holiday.  It would have been nice to sleep in, but Pablo decided to wake us up at 6:15 this morning.  Between bug and the dog not understanding that holidays are sleep in days, I never to get sleep extra in the morning.

We lazed around the house during the morning and then picked up Mam and Pap in the afternoon.  Due to the rain, we had an indoor meal of pizza for our holiday dinner.  For dessert we had 2 pies, apple for Bug and Pap and a blueberry pie for Mam and me.  We have plenty of left overs.

Bug and I took a nap after dinner and taking Pap and Mam home.  Bug wanted to stay up late to watch fireworks and see fireflies.  Bug slept later than expected, he slept until 9 pm.  He did wake up for the big display in our neighborhood.  These are fireworks that individuals are setting off.  They are illegal here, but people set them off anyway because they know that the police will not come stop them.

This year the ground is very wet, so a very small chance of fire, but last year we were into drought by this time and we were lucky not to have some fires.  

Happy holiday to everyone