Den chiefs & den leaders

Even though I said I was tired of writing about day camp, there are two other things I want to mention.

FIRST: Den chiefs. The boys were volunteered to help at day camp. They need service hours and so I decided that this would be the perfect time. I am very thoughtful that way.

Even though they were volunteered, they were AMAZING! They were literally climbed on, wrestled on, forced to entertain, lead and be patient with the boys. They were just so good. Ethan was my den chief so I got to put him to work.

Connor was put in a group with kids he didn't know and totally rocked it. I was only able to catch glimpses of him but it was fun to see.

Although he is not my child, a friends son was there with us also. He too was amazing and I was so proud of all of them.

SECOND: Den leaders. All volunteers. A lot of us were with our own children but not all. "Mr. Patrick" was basically Mason's bff the whole week. Making sure he was ok and having fun, wearing sunscreen and drinking water. I would catch him holding his hand, walking and talking with him.

I really appreciated that he had someone to be with all week. Ben was gone on a field exercise and so I know it meant a lot for Mason to have a man around.

So that is it. The final, final installment of the day camp saga.

Day camp days 3,4,5

I am already tired of blogging about day camp.

So lets do the last three days in one post. I will try to keep it somewhat short...

 BB Guns round 2 was a huge hit!

Ivan was a huge fan of the "mustache suckers"

He also made no bake cowboy cookies, but he got to do his absolute favorite...Bottle rockets!

You fill somewhat with water, pump and let it fly. It is fun to watch them fly but also to see the boys reactions.

The camp brought in a nice big climbing wall, and although I didn't think he would want to do it...he did! He got up about halfway and then decided to repel back down. He ran off crying and I couldn't figure out why. He had done a great job.

When I caught up with him, he said, "the harness kept cutting into my legs!". So yeah that could affect your climbing!

The second chance at Archery also went 100 times better than the first. We made sure he had the right kind of bow, and told him to just shoot how he felt comfortable. So he was much happier.

The last day, I honestly could have strangled some of the kids! LOL. I was done and ready to go. We played games, did an old time photo booth and then of course...the water slide.

It had been built up and built up, and so when the kids were given one turn only. There was some major disappointment. From all sides.

We only had a half day on Friday so we did the wrap up, cleaned up camp and were gone. I kept home and slept for a good couple of hours.

Day camp is over for another year. We shall see what happens next year!

Day camp---> day 2

A week at day camp generally goes like this:

Monday & Tuesday everyone is excited and happy to be there. They are having fun and aren't too tired yet.

Wednesday & Thursday everyone is worn out and grouchy.

Friday everyone is happy because we just play all day aaaaand we aren't coming back the next day.

After trying very hard at archery, Ivan was very discouraged because he just.couldn't.get.it. Then we realized that he was using a left handed bow. Two different people were giving him directions. He dropped the bow, covered his ears, screamed, "this is too confusing" and ran off.

It was not the best start to our day but...after that he was in a great mood! Thank heaven cause I was tired!

Archery:

 

Soap carving:

They made (and ate) edible fire, practiced their whittling skills, played games and had fun.

Day Camp (Day 1 recap)

Last week, for the second year in a row, I got to spend some quality time at day camp.

8:30-4:30 in the sun, with 13 boys (ages 9-10), doing crafts, learning skills and running around like crazy.

It is NOT for the faint of heart. However, because of Ivan's...uh quirks, he really needs someone there with him. So I am up.

Day camp would have been one thing, but throw in Ben being on a field exercise, and Harmony being at summer school, it made for a busy week.

  I made Ethan and Connor come and volunteer at day camp, and threw Mason in to the tot-lot. Tot lot is for siblings and they get to go do some of the same things the older boys do.

Mason was a little unsure!

When the week was over, and I uploaded all my pictures, I had over 200 pictures. Between my four boys, the boys from our ward, friends boys and the boys in my den...it makes for a lot of photo ops.

Day 1:
Games, bb guns (Ivan's favorite!) crafts.

Ethan was the den chief for our den. He was amazing!

Tot lot was able to shoot rubber band guns. Mason loved it!!

Ivan was old enough to shoot a real bb gun! He did an amazing job!

 The trading post is always a hit and the boys loaded up on candy!

Making cool leather name tags...

The first day was fun yet long. At the end of the day, this is what we all felt like doing...

a quiet moment...

Ivan decided to kick his Mom and was sent to his room, because "we don't kick in our house." So it is almost completely silent down here. All I can hear is the wind blowing in the palm trees. So I thought I would take a moment to give you an insanely long run down of what has been going on around here!

We will start with...last Tuesday. Ethan turned 8 on Cinco de Mayo! I can't believe how fast time has flown by with him. I know that is cliche but...there is a reason everyone says it! One minute he was a not so teeny baby and now he is a not so teeny 8 year old. The time just flew by. He got a new scooter, Pokemon game, a Wii fit (he wants to be more active), Diary of a Wimpy kid book, Indiana Jones comic books etc. His baptism will actually be in June. Out here they schedule them the first Saturday of every month. Since his b-day fell after that, he is waiting for June. We will keep you posted on details.

Thursday I was invited to an ice cream social in Ivan's pre-k class. Ivan had no idea what was going on. He did not understand that Mommy would be going to his class because, "Mommy, you no go in there!" When I got in there, they were singing. It was interesting to watch him go from ok to not ok in about 30 seconds. His pre-k and spec. ed teacher were right there though. He went back to his other classroom where he didn't feel so overwhelmed and enjoyed his ice cream.

The next day I went to a Mothers Day tea for Ethan. We walked into the cafeteria and all the 2nd graders were on stage ready to sing. I couldn't see him! I blame Ben for the fact that at all concerts my children are in the very back with kids standing right in front of them! I finally found him and he pointed out my seat. There was a place mat with all the gifts that he made me...A "links of love" necklace ( I will be sharing it later) a headdress, a poem, a portrait of Ethan and I( with a nice big circle on my stomach labeled "Mason") cookies and more. He sang and than performed in a dance, which he did not even tell me he was in!!

That evening the boys had their "bridging ceremony" for scouts. It was our very, very last thing with this pack. Connor actually recieved his Tiger badge a while ago,but Ethan (along with all the boys in my den) recieved their Wolf badge. The boys were so excited. They really enjoyed Scouts this year. I have to be honest and admit I was glad that Scouts had come to an end for me! We ended the night waiting for 45 minutes to get a breathalizer test. By the time we got up there, traffic was so bad that they just started waving people through. After 45 minutes I almost made them to do it, so as to not waste my time!

Saturday morning we had Ethan's birthday party at the bowling alley. We got there, and I was a little worried when they asked me a few times what name the party was under. I had also been told over the phone that they provided cake. I was thrilled because it seemed like such a good deal. When I got there,I decided to ask again. Uh no, no cake provided.So Ivan and I rushed to the commissary to get whatever they had in the display case! Ethan had 13 kids come and lots of parents stayed around and chit chatted. His teacher, who both of us love and adore, came also! It was a fun but busy morning!

After about a 30 minute break, we headed out to a district primary activity. Ben had to go to the airport otherwise I might have made him come with me. I was completely worn out (can't imagine why?!) and had no energy to chase Ivan around. After that, we headed to the store to get chocolate for the primary Mother's day gift (I was in charge of that). I was so completely worn out that...I didn't close my van door. It was open the whole time we were in the store. Luckily everything was still in it!

Mothers Day was well...same old, same old. Get kids ready for church, fight with them to behave during church and than go to primary to do my calling. I tried to take a nap but had little interuptions the whole time! Basically I am celebrating next Sunday by leaving for Australia!

Harmony made me a very cute bracelet at GS, Ivan gave me 2 potted flowers and Connor gave me cute cards and a bouquet of paper flowers. It was all very sweet and makes me smile.

So there you have it. Our wrap up. Lots going on for the rest of the week before we head out on Sunday. I am so excited I can barely stand it!

I am scheduling my next dr. appt for right after we get back. I know Ben is a *tad* nervous about me going on a trip but I am sure we will be fine. We aren't even really going to be gone that long! At 32 weeks they are going to start checking me every week. It is so hard to believe that it is almost time for Mason to make his debut!

This is insanely long so I am ending!

Down and Derby...

(not the best picture but Ben trying to help Connor with flag)
(at the starting line)

(coolest named car award winner)
(the winners with the scout master)
(so proud! Don't you love how nicely he is wearing his uniform?)
(the end of the track)
Although the Australia news is exciting, if I don't blog about the Pinewood Derby soon my boys won't be very happy!

After a couple of deployments and other delays, the boys finally got to have their derby this past Friday. While working on cars,Ben asked each of them, "would you rather have a car that goes fast, or one that just looks cool?" They both answered, "looks cool".

They loved their cars! I think Connor ecspecially. He had a hard time naming his though. I told him that his cousin TJ had named his car the Scorpion. So Connor, who really admires his cousin TJ (although they haven't seen each other for a looong time) decided to name his the "Flaming Scorpion".

Our den was in charge of dinner so I was busy in the kitchen with the other Moms. Of course I made it out to watch the races though!

The Tigers (Connor's den) had flag that night. They are the youngest den and it was so cute to watch them. None of them could hold the flag up and so had to have Dad's assist them. Too cute.

Connor's had a lot of good runs and so did Ethan's.

Ethan actually tied for 3rd place out of the whole pack. Oh and his car's name was the Pikachu mobile! He got to race again against all the other winners. The other boys were all Weblo's so he was pretty excited. He came in 4th but was very happy to recieve his 4th place ribbon. Connor was awarded with the "coolest name for a car" award. So although there were no 1st places for them, they were very happy.

It is always so hard to watch your kids compete and not win. During the last 4 heats, you could see Ethan's face go from elated to let down in about 30 seconds. In the end, they all went home happy...and that makes Mom happy!