5 down, 4 to go

Pinewood Derbies, that is.

Not that we totally hate it, but it's hard with John's travel schedule.  Some years are worse than others. 

In fact one year, during Nick's second year of cub scouts, John got called out of town the week right before the Pinewood Derby, and so on the night of the weigh in, since Nick's car was still sitting in it's unopened box, I had him just grab his car from the year before.  We didn't have high hopes for it since the year before it was definitely in the bottom 10% of all cars, (I don't think it was dead last, but like second to last, or third)  and the poor car had spent the previous year getting knocked off his dresser, and being played with by his 4 year old brother.   Needless to say we were shocked when it took second place overall.

This year it was all about looks.  A fluorescent orange truck with decals all over it. That's what Zach wanted.  Despite the fact that we weren't obsessing over winning, John was a little worried when the body of the car cracked when he put the axles in.  A little glue and it was almost as good as new.  It did have a noticeable wobble as it raced down the track.

Zach was happy with the outcome.  He took 3rd place out of the Bears.  Respectable.  Plus, (and you can't tell from the picture cause his certificate is covering it) the medal around his neck was actually a ding-dong. 

Space- the final frontier.

I found day two of cub scout day camp to be pretty dang amusing.  I'm not a total sci-fi geek, but on a scale of 1-10, one being I don't know who Spock is, and 10 being I dress up for conventions, I'm probably a solid 6 or 7. 

For starters the theme for the day was "Galaxy Quest", but the official flag (besides the US flag) of the camp was a blue "United Federation of Planets" (Star Trek) flag. (The movie Galaxy Quest is a spoof of Star Trek)

I am trying really hard not to sound to mean or judgmental here, and have erased sentence after sentence, and the counselors were all super nice, and I am partial to geeks (I even married one)  but that camp was some sort of geek heaven. (I kept thinking how Nick, my favorite geek, would LOVE a job there when he's older)  They all wore wooden name badges in the shape of the Star Trek badges, and some had lightsabers in their belts, some were wearing pants several sizes too big for their scrawny frames held up by a belt.  One kid was an over the top A/V geek who went by the name Maverick who wore a lab coat taught a class on the planets in a tent he constructed which was more like his geek sanctuary.  Computer hooked up to a TV, posters, geek toys on shelves, models of the planets hanging from the ceiling, etc. (yes, all this in a tent in a canyon where I had to use a port-a-potty and had no cell phone service) 

Anyway, the theme for the day was space.

Zach learned to use a bow and arrow (not sure what that has to do with space, but it's still fun), made a simple paper rocket and shot it off, stamped designs into leather, played games, went for another hike, and did another obstacle course, and learned about our solar system.

Zach loved it all and we totally will be back next year if it fits into the schedule.  I think he earned 4-5 belt loops and passed off several other things (except I am wondering if it's all stuff he's already passed off?)

The wild west.

Since we'd be in Utah for quite awhile, and since I am Zach's scout leader, and since it was so close and so reasonably priced, and since I hadn't signed Zach up for anything else all summer, I elected to sign Zach up for cub scout day camp in Milcreek canyon.

It was fun.  I did get a lot of weird looks though.  I guess most wards/packs send their whole pack there, so I got a lot of people asking why we came "all this way" to go to day camp, and if we really only had one kid in our "whole pack".  Apparently I am just a crazy over achieving mother.

It was a two day camp, about 6 hours a day.  And the weather was gorgeous in a shady tree filled canyon, so despite the fact that I was surrounded by a hundred or so 8-9 year old little boys, it wasn't that bad. (okay, admittedly it was kinda fun, plus I always enjoy one on one time with my kids)

The first day had a frontier theme going on. (the pictures aren't gonna be in order, I'm feeling a little lazy, so feel free to decipher for yourself what's going on)  Activities included rifle shooting, knot tying, hiking, an obstacle course, learning about Native Americans (don't call them Indians), panning for gold, and other fun activities.  Zach personally thought the skits were the best.  I thought he was going to fall off the bench he was laughing so hard.

Oh, and here's a funny story for you- So, there I am at camp, standing around in my very un-flattering scout leader uniform, waiting for the other scouters to get there to get things going, and someone walks up to me and says "Hey, do I know you?  Kirsten, right?"  I turn, and wouldn't you know it, there stands my high school crush.  I had a total thing for that guy for three solid years.  Of course I never told him, but if he figured it out I wouldn't have been surprised with all the blushing and stammering and saying stupid things while I fought off the butterflies in my stomach all the while timing things just right at my locker so I would get the chance to talk to him on the way to class.   Of course, the feeling has long since gone, and there was no blushing and stammering or butterflies to fight off, but still, if I had known I was going to run into anyone from my high school I might have worn make-up. Or showered. ( sigh.)

Zach and the Wolf

Zach has been loving cub scouts and finally earned his Wolf badge a couple weeks ago.

I've been having fun being his leader as well.

I always knew that with three boys, it was inevitable that at some point I would be a den leader.

Anyway, on the night of the big event, in order to actually get their Wolf badge, they have to perform a "feat" and in this case, they have to "Wolf it down!"  Basically, eat a whole bowl of chocolate pudding without hands or utensils. 

Zach had been stressing about the chocolate pudding part.  Like, I couldn't tell you how many conversations we've had in the weeks leading up to it, how nervous/stressed/bothered he's been that the pudding is traditionally chocolate.  It's supposed to be like dirt.  I think sometimes they put a gummy worm in it. 

He prefers vanilla.  I was going to surprise him and buy some vanilla pudding cups and take them, but I totally forgot at the last minute.

Fortunately, we had a change in regime, and the powers that be brought in whipped cream instead of pudding.

And Zach LOVES whipped cream.  (but he didn't like getting it all over his face)

Anyway, way to go Zach! Congrats on your first real scouting achievement!  (he has his Bobcat, but that one doesn't really count.  It takes about 15 minutes to earn)

one down, and a bunch more to go. 

In somewhat related news-  Nick is working on his Eagle project this week, so cross your fingers we get it all figured out and taken care of before Nick's leader, who happens to be the expert in this area, leaves for Asia for the next six weeks. (Otherwise we are totally up a creek.)  (In case you are wondering, Nick is fixing some equipment for special needs kids. )

Busy weekend

We had a busier than usual (but good) weekend.

Zach and I had cubscout day camp. Zach was so excited. I love the Wolf enthusiasm for cubscouts. Everything is new and exciting and fun.

Madison signed up for several hours of Girl Scout Cookie boothing at the local grocery store. (I had to help for a couple hours as well) Since most of the booths this year are on Sunday, we had to fit all her booth time into the one and only Saturday they were able to get.

John's sister was in town from Texas for a few short hours. She ran in the Phoenix Ragnar del Sol this weekend. - which was a 197 mile running relay. Corrine says it was fun. Sure, I can see the allure of going on a road trip with a bunch of other women, staying up all night, laughing, bonding, but it's the part where they kick you out of the car and make you run, even when it's the middle of the night, that I don't think sounds so fun. (picture stolen from Corrine's blog- Texas Nelson's- John's sister is third from the left)

I had to give a talk in church on Sunday. Given the fact that I although I was sure I was going to, since I did not in fact throw up, I'd say it was a success.

Corrine's bag was pretty full when she left, (despite the fact that she left behind some very pretty dresses from Maddie's cousin, Kaeli) so she had a tough decision to make- the tutu she ran in, or Girl Scout Thin Mints.

Needless to say, Madison and Christopher took turns wearing the tutu all night last night, but Christopher seems to know on subconscious level, that at some future date, he might not be too thrilled with any photographic evidence of this, so he rips it off when the camera comes out.

Also, I think we decided on having Nick take English on-line so he can take both drama and orchestra. At least that's the plan so far.

Code

Our church runs a local scouting program for the boys in our church and anyone else who wants to join.

I was the Webelos leader for the 10 year old boys up until a few days ago. Due to the large number of boys involved in our scout troop, we have a couple of dens for each age level. And every so often things get shaken up, moved around, or switched up to try and keep things running as best as they can.

Long story short, I was given the opportunity last week to choose to stay with the Webelos, or move to the Wolves. With Zach.

Fun right?

Well, the problem is that he was currently in a different den with his closest friends and if I were a Wolf leader he would have to leave them.

Since I was given the opportunity to choose, or at least express my feelings on the matter, I gave Zach that same opportunity.

Basically what it boiled down to was Zach having to choose between his friends and me.

"I don't know."

That's Zach-Code for "I don't know how to tell you something I think you don't want to hear/might hurt your feelings/might get me into trouble."

"Did you practice your piano?" "I don't know."

"Who made this mess?" "I don't know."

"Did you brush your teeth?" "I don't know."

(Funny thing, he's my kid with the memory like a steel trap. "Remember two years ago in March when we went to _____?" And I'm thinking "Are you kidding me? Two years ago?! I can't remember what I did two weeks ago!"- but I know that he remembers. If that kid tells you something specific, he's usually always right. )

So, in a nutshell, he'd choose his friends.

I figured that would be his answer before I even posed the question, so my response to the same question was that I would be fine wherever they needed me. I love the boys I currently work with, but I think it would be fun to work with Zach.

You're now looking at the new Wolf Leader to a lively group of eight year old boys.

We had our first meeting yesterday. I think Zach had fun.

And just to make up for not getting to be with his friends- I'm letting him ditch his sister in the morning and walk to school with his friends. (she's okay- she has a friend to walk with too)

My new job

I got a new calling (job) at church today. Wanna guess what it is?

Here's a hint-

I'm the mother of three boys.

I've actually been expecting this job for 4 1/2 years now.

Since Nick was 8. (that's another hint)

You guessed it! I'm a Cub Scout den leader!- Assistant Webelos Den Leader to be exact.

The only real surprise was that I am actually in between cub scouts of my own now. Zach still has a year. Well at least I will most likely be asked to work with cub scouts several times. (Or so the story goes)

I think it will be fun. I'm just the assistant, which I am always happy about, and I hear that the Webelos are the best group to get.