Wellness Night

Jason here.

Not too long ago the kids came home saying they wanted to go to something called "Wellness Night." Frankly I wasn't all that excited to go because it sounded pretty lame, like, do I really want to go spend an evening hearing about the evils of sugar and the virtue of broccoli? Not really.

But we went anyways and I took Brendan and Eva. We showed up and sure enough, there weren't many people and there was the "How much sugar is in your soda?" exhibit, as well as the broccoli exhibit. I steeled myself for a boring stretch.

And then we went to the gym and I found out that "Wellness Night" was actually "extended recess night" as the place was filled with cool recess activities. When we left a while later Brendan said that was among the most fun he has ever had, which is pretty high praise (or lame parenting...).

Blue and Gold Banquet

Just as I was starting to feel recuperated from the Pinewood Derby, it was time for the Blue and Gold Banquet. It is the annual birthday celebration for Cub Scouts. Details were planned and things were coming together. However, the weather forecast wasn't good.

I arrived as early as I could to set up chairs and tables. When I arrived it looked stormy but hadn't rained. As the den leaders arrived to help, they came in wet, and by the time my family came, they were drenched. The hurricane warning earlier in the day was proving true. I looked outside and the wind was fierce. The rain was coming down in sheets. I began to worry that no one would show up due to weather. I asked the den leaders how much they liked hot dogs because they may be eating a lot of them. We sat and waited; everything was all ready, or as far as we could be ready without key people arriving. Our guest speaker made it, which was a load off my mind. My Cubmaster came in late too, which had me worried since he was our MC and was bringing the cake. The event was supposed to start at 6:30pm but there were only two families there at the time. However, around 6:45pm, families came rolling in, braving the storm. Looking back, we actually had a decent turn out, we just started late.

The meal was fine (kids love hot dogs), the cake was tasty (thank you Cubmaster Kough) and the special speaker, Daniel Fudge, was excellent. Daniel Fudge is investigator who trains service dogs. The kids were enthralled. His dog performed all sorts of tricks ("tricks" is kind of the wrong term, these are things that the dog would need to do for a disabled owner) and he told us about why people might need a service dog and how to treat one when you see one out with its owner. Since he works for the Army and these dogs are for PTSD sufferers or soldiers with mobility issues, the things the dog could do were pretty astounding, like give "hugs" or nuzzle when it senses a person is close to a breakdown, or put on his harness himself. Then Brother Fudge let all the kids pet the dog. Oh boy, did they LOVE that!

Then it was awards time. Brendan got his religious knot and earned an adventure pin in Game Design. He wasn't expecting it and was so pleased.

Clean up was pretty simple, the rain had stopped by then and, once again, another big Cub event was in the bag. Phew. I'm so glad this is the last one until summer.

Sickness hits again

After the snow day, Paige fell ill. In the middle of the day on Wednesday she threw up. And things went downhill from there. It was the sickest I have ever seen her. She threw up about 12 times in 24 hours. She was lethargic and sad. She wanted to eat after every episode because she felt a bit better and was hungry but I couldn't let her. She had sips of hydration fluid and would throw that up too. It lasted two whole days. She laid on the couch and watched shows or fell asleep. It was all so unlike Paigey. It is so hard seeing your kid sick, especially when they are little. She started feeling better around Friday night but hasn't gotten back to full strength yet.

Cuddles with a recovering Paigey

Another Snowstorm

Over President's Day weekend we got a weather alert that there would be another snowstorm. It would not be like the previous blizzard but there would be inches of snow. The kids were excited. Jason said it felt like he was gypped because he already had the day off so a snow day lost some of its savor. ;)

Sure enough, we woke up Monday morning to this.

The kids had fun playing in the snow  - not enough for sledding but enough for snowballs and the like. It lasted a few days and then the rain washed it all away. The kids had a snow day when they were supposed to go back to school on Tuesday but that was it. It was fun while it lasted.

A Dozen Years

Jason and I have been married for twelve years now. This year our actual anniversary was on a Sunday so we chose to go out to dinner the night before. Jason made a reservation at the Mt. Vernon Inn, the restaurant on George Washington's estate. The waiting area was very nice, with period furniture and decorations with a nod to Washington.

They had a special menu for Valentine's Day weekend and I ordered from there. I've never had beef wellington before and sadly, I was not crazy about it.

The cheesecake dessert was divine as was the homemade hot cider. I think I could drink that cider every day in the winter. I was nice to be able to spend time together with no kids and little distractions. I enjoy those times with my handsome husband.

The next day, our actual anniversary, we exchanged gifts. He was ecstatic about his Firefly book and I loved my new milk frother. I wanted to make hot chocolate right away but were out of milk so it would have to wait until I went on a grocery trip.

Here's to another few dozen years Babe! I love you!

Eva's Baptism

Since Eva turned eight recently, she was able to be baptized into our church. She has been pretty excited about it for weeks. The date was set for February 13th and she would be sharing it with the other recent 8 year-olds in the stake, which turned out to be five others. She chose her Primary teacher's husband, Bro Xidis, and Brother Thompson as her witnesses. Her dad would baptize her and she asked her friend, Sofie Allen's, mom if she would give a talk.  Sister Allen was honored.

The day came and we all got ready. Eva had a bag packed with clothes to change into and a brush for her wet hair and towel. We arrived at the church early for pictures.

Eva and Jason got their baptismal clothes from the stake leaders and Eva's Primary teacher offered to take some more pictures so we could get  a whole family shot.

 

 Then Jason and Eva had to go get some instructions and I took the others into the chapel. The other kids were very wiggly and had to be told multiple times to settle down and be quiet. It was stressful because it was such a  reverent occasion and I wanted to enjoy the spirit there. I was pretty disappointed but didn't want to lose my cool and go all crazy mama on such a special day. It was difficult.

Once the program started they calmed down a bit and I was thankful. First the Stake Primary president called each of the kids up and told the audience a little about them. Then we had some musical numbers and the talks. Then we went to the font. It was a wonderful expericence. I felt the Spirit as she went under the water. So proud of her.

Then I rushed back to help her get changed. However, we couldn't find the bag with her change of clothes. Her dress was hung up in the changing room but she didn't remember where her bag was. One of the other moms was kind enough to let use use a towel and I went searching for the bag.  She had to put her dress on over wet underwear. :( I had a thought and ran in to where Jason was to ask where the baptismal clothes were. Sure enough, she had left her bag in that room when she got her jumpsuit. And so we were able to brush her hair and get her dry underwear before going back in the chapel for the rest of the program. Eva received the gift of the Holy Ghost from her father and the bishop and Brother Thompson were in the circle as well. Another sweet moment.

Afterwards we took pictures of Eva with all the special people who came to the baptism.

Eva with us and Brother and Sister Thompson (Nick and Erica).

It sure was like herding cats to get all the Thompson kids and ours in one picture.

Here is Eva with her Primary teachers, Brother and Sister Xidis.

This is Sofie and Sister Allen.

After all the pictures we let Eva choose where we had lunch. She chose Subway. Funny girl! We invited the Thompsons. The girls sat and chatted and the boys sat and played on the iphone. Typical and amusing.  It was a fun lunch.

 

 So proud of my Eva!

Girlday 2016

We had Girlday (the fun family event celebrating all of the girls' birthdays) this past Saturday. They decided that they wanted to go to the big mall by Washington DC called Tyson's Corner and visit the American Girl Doll store. At the store your dolls can have a "spa day". Each one brought a doll to get a new hairdo (Paige borrowed one of Eva's since hers was not AG and had different hair).

We arrived and made the appointments. The girls got to choose the hairstyle they wanted the doll to have along with which color ribbon.

There was a wait before the appointment time so we wandered the mall a bit. There was a ballet performance in the courtyard that Paige loved. We made it to a bookstore and spend a good amount of time there. Paige mainly played in the kids area and Eva and Darby looked at books and Daddy and Brendan were downstairs searching for a Tolkein book.

We ate fast food (not too exciting for me but its what they wanted) and went back for the hair appointments. It was very cute and the girls loved it.

Eva's doll is a historical one and, being the purist that she is, she wanted a restoration of the original hairdo. That must not be common because a certain stylist had to do it and others came over to see and comment on it. The hairdo turned out very nice.

Then the girls each got to pick something from the AG store and we went home. Darby was sad because I wouldn't let her get two things. : /

At home we made hot chocolate cupcakes with marshmallow frosting and, once they were decorated, sang the birthday song to our three girls. :)

It was family movie night and the girls got to choose. They wanted Kung Fu Panda II. That amused me - dollies by day and ninjas but night. Sums up my wonderful daughters.

Happy birthday to three of the most important people in the world to Jason and I! We love you!

Pinewood Derby

I am the Cub Scout Committee Chair for the two packs that meet in our building. I have been worried about Pinewood Derby for months, and this year its not just because its so hard on Brendan. Jason and he researched and came up with the best car they could. I asked Brendan what he wanted and he said, "Not to come in last." I figured we could accomplish that. His car was pretty cool. It was a Lord of the Rings-themed Eye of Sauron car. They were all set.

Meanwhile, I was trying to get all the details in place for this big event. Everything was in motion and then the blizzard hit. It had to be cancelled. I scrambled to find another date that we could use the building but it was pretty booked. I had to move it to a Friday night. Parents were understanding but it put some of my den leaders in a bind and now my line judges couldn't make it. I spent another week making calls and sending emails and lined things up. The day came.

I arrived to the building first, hours early. I walked in to see that someone else was set up in the cultural hall. Arghhh! We had signed up for it so I knew whoever this was had to go. Sister Smith came shortly after me and was able to track down who it was. Apparently they had had an event and hadn't cleaned up yet, going home for dinner and planning to return later. Well that was a problem. I moved their stuff out of the way and started the set up. They came back for clean up shortly after a phone call. The track was set up, the food laid out, registration area and pit stop arranged and chairs put in rows for the spectators.

A nice brother from my ward, who had been in charge of the Derby in his previous ward offered to help with scoring. He had a software program to help with brackets. It saved the day! My den leaders in charge of registration were awesome! it all took longer than expected (lots of boys did not meet regulations and had to take it to the pit area for fine tuning) but once it was done, the races were on. I think next year we will have registration the Wednesday before and just keep the cars so that the races can start as soon as the Cubs arrive.

We have a very old, wooden track with no finish line sensor so I had to ask our Primary president and District Commissioner to be line judges. I didn't envy them at all as many of the races were close. I was running around trying to get judges for the "show" portion of the program and then filled out the awards so I missed most of the races. I only got to see one of Brendan's, which I regret. I wish I had been there for him for all his races. He did not come in last but he was still upset when he lost. Jason had to take him out and talk him down again. I began to be glad that this was our last Pinewood Derby as parents and worried that he would never take anything less than first place well even if he tried his best. He ended up being in the top 1/3 of the boys though and I was proud of him. I wish he could be. Sigh.

After the top four racers were awarded ribbons, the show awards were given. My show judges were awesome and the boys loved those awards. It brightened Brendan up a bit to have won the "One Car to Rule Them All" award. :)

Afterwards, I was complimented more than once on a successful night. I was so glad it was over. I learned things I will do differently next year. Cub Scouts is never dull. :)

Eva's birthday

Eva turned 8 yesterday. Seems like yesterday that she was in diapers trying to walk. But she is developing into a kind, thoughtful, curious and bright young lady.  She had to go to school in her birthday but she didn't mind since she loves school (she wants to be a teacher when she grows up).

After school her friend, Evie, brought her over a handmade card. They are cute, crafty girls.

For her birthday she wanted pancakes. 

We went to IHOP and I was reminded why we need more breakfast in our lives. Yummy yummy strawberry pancakes. :)

At home she opened her pretty dress from Grandma Caren (matching her sister's), stickers and scarf from Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Jerry, cards from far away family (and cash from Great Grandma, which she saved) and engraved scriptures and tote from her dad and I. We also have her a beautiful new white dress for her baptism. She was thrilled!

Happy birthday my precious Eva!

Paige is 4!!

 My baby is four and it hardly seems possible. She chose to go to Five Guys for her birthday dinner and it was delicious!

The weather was super rainy but at least we didn't have snow. 

At home she opened her presents. A pretty dress from Grandma Caren 

Stickers and a scarf from Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Jerry

Cards from aunts and uncles and Great- Grandma Evie

And we gave her a doll she's been wanting. 

Happy Birthday Paige! You are the spice in our lives.