Saturday, March 21, 2009

Lotsa Scouting Stuff

Been doing lots of things with both groups of Scouts lately, now with better weather around, we have been hitting the great outdoors.
The little guys all got together and learned about woodworking tools - hammers, nails, screws; differences in pine and oak (yeah, like you can't easily put a screw in oak); and using a saw and sandpaper. Somehow they put them all together to make their own little project - and they were all in hog heaven.
A few dozen bent nails later, we ended up with some toolboxes for the kids to put their tools in. Or their Star Wars figures, they're multi-purpose kinda boxes, you know.Kevin's troop has been practicing their skills for Camporee, namely the dinner competition they will be in. The last few weeks they have been making a "feast of frugality" at their scout meetings, all working in that maddeningly slow teenager-manner. Dinners have been started at 6pm and been eaten at 9pm. Or later.
Last weekend they had a campout, and I got roped in by two other moms to come help for the weekend. We got up at o'dark hundred and cooked breakfast for the boys...right after we washed their cooking pots and pans they had... we didn't want to start off with leftovers from last month's campout. We cooked and cleaned up from lunch, and then stuck around while they cooked their "feast" one more time. It's gotten a little faster, and some things tasted a little better (but some not as good!). After dinner, we left for the comfort of our own beds for the night and let them clean up. Next morning we came back for a second breakfast - again cleaning up the leftover yuckies (and there were some doozy yuckies!!) before cooking. My hands were significantly prun-y by the end of the weekend, but I had fun hanging out with Kevin.
Tonight was the Pack's Blue & Gold, which happened to be the 50th anniversary. Lots of planning and work went into the dinner and evening's program, and we are soo glad it's over! We had a 50's theme, complete with music, decor, and photos from throughout the years. Dinner was hamburgers and hot dogs served on red checked plates with root beer floats for dessert. The picture below was taken right before the program started, and one of the moms went out and had copies printed up and framed to be given to the leaders later that night as a thank you. Wow - this digital picture thing is cool!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Field Trip

Yesterday Matt and the Cub Scouts went to the Whitaker-Jayne houses run by the BP Historical Society. We talked about what life was like in the 1800's in this area, and got to see many period items like sewing machines, meat grinders, pot-bellied stoves, and one scary lady sitting in a rocking chair.
We had a great conversation with Dean Dixon, the curator. Now I have to go see how much BP history I have around my house that I can share.

Whale Watching

Friday Jacob's sixth grade class went whale watching. We left out of Balboa and cruised around the Newport coast for a couple hours looking for whales.

Saw lots of seals, sea lions, pelicans, seagulls. Still looking for whales ...

Saw many pretty homes and beach cottages on the way down to Laguna Beach before we turned around. Still looking for whales ...
Two hours later, after many pictures, and a few kids losing their lunch over the sides of the boat, we saw no whales. Have to try again next time!

Band Camp in WI

Sam called me in December telling me that he had been chosen to perform in the Military Academy Assoc. national military honor band. He and four other kids got to fly up to a school in Wisconsin for a weekend and play with kids from other military academies from around the country.

So Cal boy was quite impressed with the snow that was everywhere. (They did get to play in the indoor waterpark in the evenings, though.)



They each had a chance to practice the music and then had to audition for their chairs on the first day. Sam ended up second chair, which was very exciting. They practiced as a group for a day, then had a concert the last day. A long weekend, but a good experience with exposure to kids from other schools. Silly mom, making him play an instrument...