The Great American Campout...

This is the year that I am going to try this. If the heat index is over 100+ on Saturday, like they are predicting, we might put it off a week or so. But I have always wanted to do it.

Too cute...

Here is a Jake funny! He is taking private swim lessons, which by the way, he is doing so awesome in! But anyway, his instructor had mentioned moving your arms like the way they do at Brewsters. (Brewsters is an ice cream palor and she meant how they scoop the ice cream.)

Well, we never go there. So the next lesson, the instructor asks if he went to Brewsters this week and watched how they scooped. Jake just looked at her blankly. The instructor asked Jake if he knew what Brewster's was and he shook his head and said, "No, but I do know what Hooters is!"

Oh dear!!! The instructor just laughed and laughed. Then she went over to the lifeguard and told her and then they both were laughing. It was so cute. Of course, Jake laughed, but then told me that he didn't really understand why it was so funny... :) He'll definately understand better when he is older!

Summer time fun...

Cub Scout Summer Blast Off...

Our den meeting last night was an absolute "blast"! We made popsicle boxes for Father's Day, played a game of Pictionary and then went outside for our "blast-off" fun. It was so great!



We made film canister rockets and then did a big diet coke/mentos geyser send off. It was a big hit. Needless to say, I was so sticky afterwards! But it was so worth it. The boys and parents had such a good time. Our cubmaster gave us t-shirts for having such a cool meeting!




Here are some images of my scouts:

Community Day...

(Jake is 4th kid from back.)

This is it! Summer vacation is officially here at our house. :) At Jake's school, the last day is celebrated as Community Day. Family and friends can come to the school and celebrate with the children. It is such a cool day. The classes are led in a parade by the high school band. Then each grade performs a dance. This year's theme was Go Green!

After the dance, Laura and I joined him in his classroom where we ate pizza and ice cream. The kids played games and then we saw a magician show that was so funny.

It was a fun day and I am so proud of my rising 3rd grader!

And she's off

Today, little Laura took her first step. I expect she will be still crawling for a little while since it is faster, but it won't be long. Hopefully, I will get a video of it soon! Yay!

Say it ain't so, Joe...

Well, the season is now over. We lost to the Phillies. We played a good game and had it tied up at the top of the 5th (last) inning. But unfortunately, they were able to score on us. Jake played catcher most of the game and got to play left field in the last inning. The only bummer of the game is that after the last run, the game should have been called. But the opposing team insisted on playing the inning out. They said they still had two outs and they deserved to finish it out. So does that make me a mean person to hope they get knocked out of the playoffs next game.... (evil laugh)

We are so proud of Jake. He has improved so much. He went from never hitting against machine pitch to hitting the ball each time in the last few games. He always covered the plate when he played catcher. He always hustled on and off the field. But best of all, he has such a good attitude. He never had to be fussed out at in the dugout. He never complained about where the coach put him. He is such a good sport! Way to go, Jake! Watch out for him next year, Little League!

I survived my first night as den leader...

Whew! I am worn out. I was a lot more nervous than I thought I would be. Which worked out actually, because I planned a few more things at the last minute. That worked out because we flew through the material.

We worked on our music belt loop. We briefly talked about how music is important to us. And then we sang some songs. Thank goodness I had silly songs like Great Green Gobs of Gopher Guts and God Bless My Underwear. The underwear one was a classic! The parents got a real kick out of it too. We laughed a lot.

Next we listened to music while I got out our surprise activity. We made ice cream in a bag. It was fun and loud. So we actually had to turn off the music. Everyone's turned out except for Jake's. In the excitement, I forgot to add salt to his ice. But he shared with another kid and wasn't too disappointed.

After ice cream, we had a full 20 minutes left!!! So I had them play musical chairs and stand and sit to My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean. It was fun. :)

The parents were very happy and told me that I did great. That was a relief, because I was really worried about their reaction. Now I just need to work on getting the boys to be more calm next time. But I didn't expect them to be calm with ice cream after all.

So next week is Father's day craft (as soon as I think of one) and starting their scrapbooks. Wish me luck!!!!

The Playoffs...

Some photos from Memorial Day. It was a perfect family weekend. We couldn't have asked for a better one.

Well, it is playoff time. Saturday, we beat the Yankees. It was an exciting game. We were down 5-1 in the last inning. The coach told them that he wanted 5 runs and that is what he got. And not only that---Jake hit the 5th run in to get us the winning score. He has alternated playing catcher with another boy on the team. He loves being catcher. He told me when no one is looking he throws signs. Lol, if only the machine pitch would listen to him...

Tonight, we lost to the Mets 11-6 in extra innings. It was a roller coaster of a game. Jake got two hits. I was so proud of him. He just acts like he knows what he is doing and stays mellow no matter what. He is such a good sport!

We play another team on Saturday. It is double elimination, so we have to keep winning now. I am excited for them, but I won't mind when they are done. We have cub scouts and swimming now, so it is getting busy for us.

Laura is saying two words now. She says "Jake" and means it. She also says "Da-dee" but doesn't always say it at the right times. No mama of course, little stinker! She is also standing by herself a lot. Won't be long until she is taking those first steps!

Our garden is looking good. The voles are staying away so far. The potatoes have grown to the top of the cans. There are some green tomatoes already. I have been eating a little bit of lettuce, but it will too warm for it soon.

My news is that I am now a Cub Scout den leader. I take over tomorrow evening with the Bear Den. I am pretty excited and just a little nervous. I have been eating and breathing cub scouts the last week or so. I have pretty much planned out meeting for most of the year. Tomorrow night, we are working either on Ultimate frisbee belt loops or more likely due to the heat, our music belt loop. We will make ice cream in a bag. It is pretty cool. I hope the boys like it too. Wish me luck!!!