Finally Official

Scout earned his Eagle on July 11, 2011.

We waited a long time for the official paperwork to arrive, but it got here last night via his Scoutmaster. Court of Honor is in the works to celebrate Scout's achievement. We are so proud of him!

Books, Dinner, a Game & a Movie

What a great date--with Scout. While DH and PinkOne headed on their date to see a friend in a school play, Scout offered to take me to dinner. (He wanted Thai food really badly! lol) So we headed to town, stopped in at the new used book store (I bought a book for each of us) and had Thai food for dinner. Yes, he paid for dinner. He was so proud of himself! Scout is doing an awesome job of saving his money and he gets great pleasure in spending a little bit of it now and then.
After dinner we came home and played a couple games of Battleship--each of us won one game. Now one of our favorite movies is on--National Treasure. What a great evening!

Spring Has (Finally) Sprung

The windows are open and the cherry blossoms are in FULL bloom! I love the smell! It will only last a couple days, but it is always my favorite time of year.

I am so bad at this blogging thing. Actually, I'm bad at most everything except running to the next activity. But, as a wise empty nester recently shared with me, these days are short indeed. With Scout 16--and driving!--and PinkOne 13, we don't have too many days left. I'm trying to soak in each day/event/time together to save for when they fly the coop.

Spring saw the Family Easter Experience at church, two dance recitals--they ROCKED! and Driver's Ed for Scout along with all the usual things like homeschooling, housekeeping, etc.

Dog training has also started up again for 4-H and this year Scout and Emma are trying "off leash". The first week Emma actually sat at the agility course and cried until it was her turn. Too funny! She loves being off-leash. They have a lot of work to do, but the potential is definitely there.

September Memories

DH and I took a little trip--just a couple days--to one of our favorite places on earth to celebrate our 20th anniversary. It was pretty good weather, great conversation and fun to just chill with each other. We've decided to make it an annual trip, so I'll have to remember the camera next year. LOL

I'm in love...

Aren't they cute?! Their wool is gorgeous and so soft. Alpacas may have to be in my future somehow. (Way in the future though.)

PinkOne

She is healing just fine and the sling is gone. She can start to do push ups; a couple each day. So far so good. She did fine with her dance tryouts too--two extra group invitations. Since she watched the neighbors' cat last winter while they were vacationing for several months, she has the money for one group. We pay for one, so she didn't have to turn one down this year. She is very excited. The dance studio shuffled things around this summer, and put her in a new group. She is sad to leave her best buddy, but is loving her new group. It is a move up for her and we are so proud of her dedication and work ethic. I can't believe this is her 10th year of dance!

Scout

Tonight Scout passes on the Senior Patrol Leader position to another scout. He has learned a lot and grown in so many ways. But he is excited to go back "into the ranks" as he puts it and let someone else be responsible for the planning, etc. His new responsibility is Webmaster, so he won't even have to attend the monthly planning meeting. At the Court of Honor last week he earned a couple more Eagle required badges. He should wrap up his last required badge tomorrow night. The Eagle project is already in the works...

He got a job! Scout is a working man 10 hours a week. He is a page at our local library. It is the best first job ever. Mrs. K has known him since he was 1 1/2 and I brought him to storytime. He loves working for her. And the paycheck wasn't too shabby either. LOL He has visions of a snowboard--and a car.

August Memories

Yeah, yeah, I know. But here we go...

The Hike of the Year

The guys got back from hiking Philmont Scout Ranch safely. No bears--thank you Lord!--and all in one piece. I'm told they earned their man card with this one. Over 86 miles hiked and up to Mount Baldy and ...(some other mountain I can't remember). The pictures are amazing and a trip Scout will never forget. He loved it so much that he says he wants to move to "a house in the mountains in New Mexico". Guess it was that awesome!

THE Fair

Good year all around. PinkOne got FIRST--thank you very much!--for Junior Showmanship with her rabbit. Scout and Emma got a first for agility! They did well with obedience too--HA! (ho would have ever thought it; Emma is maturing into an awesome dog.) PinkOne's chickens went for a whopping $60 at the Silent Auction; thanks, Grandpa ;-). Scout won the pie eating contest--3rd year in a row. LOL Scout did well in rabbit showmanship also--but he doesn't think so. He's such a perfectionist! It was his first year as a Senior and he placed 6th.

Weather was great except for Thursday when we had tornado warnings. We finally made a dash for the car and headed for home only to find out that a tornado had actually cut through our subdivision at home! We had power, but most everyone else in the sub did not for several days. We were also blessed with no damage to our house or yard. There were homes damaged, but no one was hurt.

Misc. Happenings

Scout had a Senior High Youth Group retreat that was a blast; so I'm told. LOL He especially loved the afternoon of paintball with his buddies.

PinkOne fractured her radius/elbow during a dance class. She kicked really high--yeah!--but her other foot slipped out from under her--no!--and down she went. She finished up dance--of course--but started feeling the pain on the way home. We iced her, but by morning it was still hurting. Several trips to various doctors/hospitals later and we had it confirmed; broken. She didn't let it stop her though; dance try-outs were the next evening. She did her best with her arm in her sling.

Masquerade Ball

Scout heard about a homeschool high school dance in the paper last year. He thought it sounded cool, but wasn't old enough to attend. I filed it away for later, but I really thought he'd forget about it. Dancing isn't his thing. I was proven wrong, when Scout started asking about the dance at the end of September. I tracked down the info, emailed the coordinator of the event and got the info. There was to be a Masquerade Ball at the end of October. He was very excited! (Yep, he really was! LOL)

Masquerade meant coming up with a costume--he did very well, I think.

He gathered some friends and I agreed to drive them all over to the dance. (It's about 50 minutes away.) We all met at one house so Moms could take pictures (of course LOL). They were a handsome/beautiful bunch.

They all had a blast and are planning to attend the next one--December's SnowBall. It seems to get increasingly difficult to find friends in the homeschool community as the kids get older. So I'm very thankful that the dance worked out so well and Scout--and all--had such a good time together.

Catching Up -- Scout's Service Troop Project

Scout had a blast. It was so good for him to do this project. He came back more confident and self-assured. It's so fun to watch him growing into the man he is meant to be.

It was quite the boost for him to spend time with other guys that love what he loves. Guys that are serious about Scouts and about serving others. Guys that take pride in doing so. Guys that love to have fun and be goofy.

I was so impressed watching them all. In fact, that first morning watching them all march off to their stations for the flag raisings I had trouble picking Scout.


We loved our time exploring the island. Scout wants to do the Service Troup again next year, and we want to spend some more time there too. I also had a blast with my new toy--the camera. So here are a couple of my favorite shots. (You knew that was coming.)





From the fort looking down to Main Street. That hill was a killer.




There were tulips everywhere. I must find these to plant this fall in my garden. I love this color!
DH, PinkOne and I toured the fort while Scout was on duty. After being a damp, foggy, cool morning the day turned gorgeous.

Scout on duty at the cannon.

The view from the top of the fort.

Final lowering of the flags for the troop.

It was a great week!