Sor-e (sorry)

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s becoming habit and oh so frustrating to me and today it happened again! I’m trying to keep my cool and be a good mom explaining the “why” behind my reasonable expectation to Nathan but I’m about to lose it.

10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1…{breathe}

Nathan has been coming home from school with his lunch completely untouched for awhile now. Zilch, zero, nil! It’s not like I don’t pack him food he doesn’t like. It’s not that I’m even stuffing his tummy to the brink of explosion at breakfast time. And it’s certainly not that he’s choosing recess over eating since ‘lunchtime’ happens in the classroom with his school program. How is he supposed to have energy and concentration to get through the day, the poor kid? No wonder he’s famished when he comes home and is ready to eat an elephant and a half at dinner!

Ugh…it’s driving me crazy.

I guess sweet Nathan knew his mommy was disappointed and took it to heart because this is what I got a little after the afternoon lunchbox discovery…

I just love inventive spelling. It’s one of the most precious things about this age! This one’s a keeper; it has such a story behind it to tell to his kids and his kids’ kids.

Ahh, I think I feel better!

Thank you Nathan!
I sure do love you...no matter what!

(For those that need translation: Sorry for not eating my lunch.)

Our Bobcat

We have reason to celebrate once again in our household. Tonight Nathan earned his first special recognition in Boy Scouts, the Bobcat Badge, along with his entire den! It was quite the personal challenge! Nathan had to memorize the essentials to Scouting which included the Law of the Pack, Cub Scout motto, sign, promise, handshake, and salute. WOW!

As tradition has it, bobcat stripes are painted on each boy’s face by their parents during the ceremony. Nathan didn’t want anything to do with that ritual other than stand next to his brother Scouts as they did. (Go figure, no big surprise on our part). Nonetheless, stripes or not, Nathan conquered his first big feat in Cub Scouts and there’s something fishy in the air telling me he’ll have many more reasons to celebrate other huge feats along the Scouting path.

His Bobcat badge rests upside down at the moment onto his uniform until he has been noticed at home doing a good deed without looking for praise. I don’t think it’ll take too long until that Bobcat is turned right side up.

Nathan, I am so proud of you buddy!

Michael, Andrew, Nathan, and Brody

(Wouldn’t it be cuter if someone who we won’t name specifically had stripes on his face too?)

One Happy Camper

Scouting for Nathan and Jon is going great; the only downfall is the lack of communication from up high. Because of that, a family camping trip was scheduled for the entire 524 Pack but gave families very little notice. At first, our RSVP had to be a “no” because Jon had committed to teaching an acting class. Nathan was disappointed, being our outdoors boy, but understood. However, our dear friends the Keller’s didn’t want Nathan to miss out so invited him to tagalong! Isn’t that amazing?! There are very few people in the world I’d allow Nathan to go with, and the Keller’s are one of them. They are like family! We asked Nathan if he’d feel comfortable going away without us and lacking any hesitation, not even an ounce, he spouted out, “YES!” So, all seven of them were “Heber bound,” into the woods for an adventure at Lewis Canyon Campground for two days and one night. Camping in a tent in total darkness and cold, even with a herd of elk making noises and bedding down in the meadow behind the campsite didn’t seem to concern Nathan. He loved it! While away, they retired old flags, took a two hour hike learning how to use a compass, cooked by campfire, and enjoyed each others company. When arriving home, he asked when the next camping voyage was on the calendar. My reply to him, “Good question!”

The van ride up North...Hot dog dinner...Where they slept...Some Scouting buddies...Den 13 and Den 11... The whole Pack...My all time, favorite camper!

Another Scouting Adventure Begins

Let it be known. I love a man in a uniform! I do! And that’s good news since Nathan and Jon now fit that category. Both are Scouts in Den 524 amongst many boys and families we adore. Despite Jon’s horrific work schedule, he’s showing Nathan just how important he is  by taking one of his three nights off a week to be Nathan’s Den leader. So our adventure of Scouting continues with me as Baylee’s Girl Scout Brownie leader (for the third year) and now a new chapter as Nathan is officially a Cub Scout in den 13 with his daddy (and Mr. Glazier) as his leader(s). We are ready for Nathan’s world to explode as he learns so many wonderful things, explores new horizons, and challenges himself with personal goals and service to his community. With promises to memorize, belt loops to earn, Derby’s to play in, field trips to take, parades to be in, and camping to conquer, Boy Scouts will be totally 110% fantastic, I just know it!

                                      ~
To keep up with the “latest” in the den, visit their personal blog at: http://awesomeden13.blogspot.com/

Open House 2009

Today we got to unveil our kids’ secret identities as their teachers’ secret pals during open house/meet the teacher. Jon and I are ecstatic that Nathan has Kelly Runyon for the next two years (the teacher Baylee had for 1st and 2nd grade). Kelly is the most gentle, loving, understanding and wonderful first and second grade teacher ever! I love her to pieces as well as the families already in her classroom from last year.

Our sweet Baylee has my “dream come true teacher,” Robin Yeargain for third and fourth grade. Yippee! Robin’s creativity in teaching the writing process alone makes me eager for the school year to start and Baylee is so comfortable transitioning into her classroom since she spent an hour and a half with her each day last year during the reading block. I can’t wait for Baylee to grow under Robin’s brilliant wings! God granted us our heart’s desires for the 2009-2010 school year and looking around the classroom at the sea of people, He really handpicked some fantastic classmates as well. I can’t wait to get to know them all. This is going to be a great year of learning socially and educationally. To God be the glory in everything that happens in these two classes.

Star Wars Summer Fun

Today was Nathan’s and back by popular demand, a Star Wars theme from last year with Darth Vader (a.k.a. Daddy) as our guest. Teagan and Landon joined us from Nathan’s new class and his buddy Andrew who is in the same program, just next door in classes, played with them as well.
We set up things differently this year, where the boys, Jedi’s In Training, ran obstacles in the home shooting down the Droids that were all around! Their precision was impeccable (and boy, their moves were smooth)!

We made light sabers with pool noodles for the boys to “fight” with when eventually the Dark Side came out with music to introduce his arrival. Oh how the boys loved going against Darth Vader! They could have done it all day if it wasn’t for the 115 degree weather for poor Darth Vader who was of course, all in black!

Jedi Landon

Jedi Andrew

Jedi Teagan
Jedi Owen
Jedi Nathan
Jedi Baylee
This year the boys swam during the party as well and continued to use their light saber/pool noodles as they splashed about. We also dipped pretzels in colored chocolate melts, red and green, for yummy light saber treats as well as drank green Yoda Sodas and red Darth Maul floats.


Because of today, Nathan has two new buddies in Mrs. Runyon's class to play with on the first day of school as well as continue his bond with Andrew, a sweetheart. Today was just the beginning of friendships that will continue all year long, I just know it. And all the boys are eagerly anticipating the first day of school. {Goal accomplished!}

Something Smells Fishy Around Here!

Out of curiosity, I am wondering if it’s possible to leave the ‘high country’, Greer, without fishing?! After much pondering, I’ve come up with the final answer…NO! I think it would be next to impossible (…well, unless the waters are iced over, but even with that harsh circumstance, I’m still not convinced).
This time, all three kids grabbed a pole with Daddy and Papa John and eagerly desired a catch in the ‘back lake’. What a true blessing we experienced because within the first 15 minutes, each kid’s pole had a bite that they successfully pulled in to shore! Isn’t that remarkably mind-blowing!
Baylee was the first…{so cool}. Although it ended weighing in as the smallest, it didn’t’ matter in her heart. Owen was next, needing a little help with reeling because his was enormous! He caught the biggest, weighing in over a whole pound! Nathan, our avid fisherman caught the final one then took them all back to the cabin and really had a blast, cutting, gutting, deboning, and playing with his finned friend’s eyeballs and heads! {Such a curious boy!}

Chapter Eleven...A Few Photos of the Kids at the Beach

Do your eyes easily get attracted to family photos on the beach like mine do? There’s such beauty of the ocean’s backdrop! Our entire time here on the beach, we forgot to pull our tripod out to try to capture a family shot like we did six years ago at Cannon Beach. I am so bummed! Nonetheless, at least I snapped a few of the children that will captivate my heart for a lifetime.

Chapter Seven…Channel Island Vacation…Kids’ Ocean Adventures

Ever since Jon and I returned three days ago from our Sea-doo escapade with Eric; Baylee and Nathan have been chomping at the bit to have an ocean quest of their own. Eric and Cherie returned; bless their hearts, to make it possible. Eric and Jon took the ‘big kids’ on the water with the intention of keeping them in the Chanel canals. They were unsure how the kids could handle the waves of the ocean as well as the mode of transportation and temperatures that come with splashing through the cold waters. Well, both Baylee and Nathan surprised both men and sooner than later, they were out in the ocean being surrounded by many large pods of dolphins. Everyone out there agreed that they saw at least a hundred, if not two! {I'm crazy jealous ☺!}

Once in site of us on the deck of the beach house, both Baylee and Nathan were practically screaming as they boasted of the sites they encountered on the Sea-doos. Nathan exclaimed, “I could even hear them breathe Mommy!” {Nice…my daughter and son lived a dream of mine!}

Owen wasn’t thrilled when his brother and sister’s adventure began so Cherie and I took him out on the canoes. Once I got a handle on the balancing act needed for two, we had a blast maneuvering on top the water. Then once Daddy and Eric returned the Sea-doos, we spontaneously agreed to take Owen out on a ride, sandwiching him between us. We didn’t go far, nor fast, but Owen felt like he was a part of something pretty important and he was greatly satisfied! It was precious!

Boys Just Wanna Have Fun

Not only did Baylee and Jon have a special night out, so did our boys! Both Owen and Nathan were invited to a sleepover at the Kellers where they played like it was going out of style. Pizza, water games, and movies were just some of the things the boys came home boasting about. Owen and Ethan had the upstairs and Nathan, Benjamin and friends had the downstairs area. What a blessing it is to our family to have this cherished gift of friendship with such a remarkable family, the Kellers!