Reflections of a cub scout mom

One of the things on my to do list this week is to finally sew all of Fuller's cub scout badges on his shirt. He isn't a cub scout any more, so I really need to get this done before I lose track of them. Then I can pack his shirt away in his keepsake box, next to his favorite baby blanket and the outfit he wore home from the hospital. In looking at Fuller's scout shirt and all of his badges, pins and belt loops, I realize how much he has learned these last three years. I realize that I have learned a lot also, (though I don't have the badges to show for it.) So before I forget everything I've learned, I'd better record some of that knowledge. Grayson is after all joining scouts in 5 months.

A few things I've learned from being the mother of a cub scout- in no particular order.

1. Read through the book ahead of time, so you can work scouting requirements into activities you are doing anyway. This would have been a big help to me Fuller's first year of scouting when we didn't get around to looking at the gardening section until February. It's a little hard to complete some of those things when it's freezing outside and nothing will grow.
2. Good scout leaders are worth their weight in gold! Remind your scout to thank them for the things they do, because these boys won't do that on their own.
3. Scouts don't care if you bring a 97 cent package of cookies, or spend half the day slaving in the kitchen. Either way the cookies will disappear in a matter of seconds.
4. Don't volunteer yourself to bring 70 individual cups of blue jello with gummi fish in them to the blue and gold banquet without first considering how much space you have in your fridge. {Yes, I learned that one the hard way!}
5. If your scout is earning a badge which also has a pin for the mother, make sure you wear something to pack meeting that they can easily pin it onto. That will help you avoid being poked, and prevent your scout from having to stick his hand in your shirt.
6. When driving a group of scouts to day camp, turn the radio off and be quiet. You might be surprised what you hear. Along with the typical silly and/or gross conversations, I was also witness to a very interesting and touching conversation on prayer one day.
7. Try to act enthusiastic when your scout brings home a piece of paper with mouse bones glued to it, that they gleaned from an owl pellet, and now want to proudly display on your refrigerator.
8. Step back and let them do their own projects. The only thing worse than having the worst looking project,is having the one that your mother obviously did most of the work on.
9. Pine wood derby cars are "Man's work!" (At least at my house.) The only acceptable motherly help is driving the scout to the store to pick out the paint.
10. When your scout makes a really cool clay volcano that erupts by putting alka seltzer tablets down it, make sure to emphasize that this is an OUTDOOR activity.
11. Just have fun, and remember what a good experience this will all be for them.
12. Always bring your camera! Some truly priceless moments happen at scouts!

You wouldn't want to run into him in a dark alley

Around our house Rowan is known as "the champ", at least when it comes to boxing on the Wii. He remains undefeated, though many have tried to take him down. Fuller and his friends just can't grasp how this little pipsqueak keeps beating them. I think he wins through sheer craziness. If you flail your arms around enough you're bound to get in some good punches.

My little leaguer

This is Grayson's first year playing baseball. He's never been interested before, probably because Fuller complained about how boring baseball is both years he played. I think my kids just like to run too much, and baseball involves a fair amount of just standing around doing nothing or sitting in the dugout doing nothing. Since Grayson didn't play when he was younger he missed the T-ball experience, so now he has to play pitching machine his first year out. He's on a really cute little team, very reminiscent of the bad news bears. They've had three practices, and so far only about 3 of the 10 kids on the team can even come close to actually hitting the ball, catching it when it's thrown directly at them, or throwing it in the direction of the person they need to get it to. Fortunately their coach seems like a fairly quiet and patient man. I've been to two of Grayson's practices and so far his main skills seem to be chewing on and fiddling with his mitt, digging a really good hole with the tip of his cleat, and looking uncomfortable when the coach asks them if they're wearing a cup. Boys and sports, gotta love it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROWAN!

My baby is five today, I just can't believe it! Rowan has been such a fun baby and child. He's wild and noisy, snuggly and sweet; everything a little boy should be. Rowan was asking me questions the other day about what he was like when he was a baby, and sadly I couldn't remember enough details to satisfy him. He told me to "look in your brain Mommy!" He makes us all laugh like crazy at the funny things he says, and his love of dancing. This kid just has to move if there is music on. Even if you're just walking through the mall, if you walk past a store with music playing his head will start bopping. We are all so glad to have him in our family, and love him so much!

Rowan decided to save one of his presents from his party this weekend. He wanted a present to open on his real birthday. He has been so funny about his birthday this year. Usually he just accepts the combined family party with Fuller with no question, but this year he has had all sorts of ideas for his own birthday. I guess I'm going to have to make another cake today, because he's just determined that we're having a "party" from after school until bedtime.

Rowan was more than a little bit excited about the "Count Chocula"! I don't think he could quite believe that chocolate cereal even exists.




A few facts about Rowan at 5:

-Favorite food- Toast- (this is actually more of an obsession)
-Favorite restaurant- Mc Donalds or Burger King- anyplace where your meal includes a toy
- Favorite TV show- Spongebob or Scooby Doo
- Favorite movie- Elf
- Favorite thing to do- play Wii
- Best friend- Fuller
- Favorite game- CLUE or Zingo
- Favorite toy- Transformers
- Favorite color- blue or green
- What makes you laugh- Buster
- Most important thing you learned while you were 4- how to box on the Wii
- What do you hate- being told to turn off video games
- What do you hope to get for your birthday- Bugs bunny game and puzzles


A few of my favorite pictures of Rowan- from the early years.





































I LOVE YOU ROWAN!

Predictions

I recently went to a website where you can get a prediction for how tall your children will be at age 18 (thanks for the link Shannon). After entering the kids ages, heights and weights, plus how tall Paul and I are we received the following predictions. Rowan, (who was my smallest baby at just over 8 pounds) is predicted to be my tallest son, at 6'2. This didn't really surprise me because he's been taller than the other two at pretty much every milestone except birth. Grayson, (who was my largest baby at 10 pounds), is predicted to be an even 6'. And Fuller, (who came in at just over 9 pounds at birth) is expected to fall right in the middle, at 6'1. It's weird to think that one day I'll be the shortest person in our family.

BIRTHDAY MANIA

FULLER'S FRIEND PARTY!
Friday night we had some of Fuller's buddies over to help him celebrate.


It doesn't take much to keep these guys happy, just 3 papa murphy's pizzas.



There's nothing 11 year old boys like better than whacking the heck out of a pinata, and having a limbo contest.



Cupcakes and frosting and candy,oh my!



I think Fuller was very pleased with his party.

FAMILY PARTY

Then later in the weekend we had a combined family party to celebrate Fuller and Rowan's birthdays. Rowan's actual birthday is on Thursday. We were so happy the my parents, Paul's dad, and Jim and Enid were all able to join us for dinner and cupcakes. My children are really lucky to be loved and spoiled by so many wonderful people!



Grayson can always count on grandma to make sure he's not left out. It's pretty hard having your brothers get to both have their birthdays while you're the odd man out.


Having grandparents come help you celebrate is the best!



Fuller's wildest birthday dreams came true, new Duck gear and lots and lots of money!
























I think Rowan was having a hard time deciding what to wish for, after all he had already gotten everything he could possibly imagine.


Then for a little added entertainment Fuller and Uncle Jim played a little one on one.


To add to the birthday madness, today was Grayson's un-birthday. His teacher assigned all of the summer birthday kids alternate days to celebrate their birthdays. So I sent cookies for his class, and he got sung to and got to celebrate like it was his real birthday.


Now we just have Rowan's birthday on Thursday and we can put all of this birthday madness to an end. I don't know yet what we'll be doing for Rowan's birthday, but at the very least we'll sing to him over sugar cereal that morning!

And a big thanks to everyone that helped Fuller reach his goal! He went ipod shopping after school and is now in techno heaven!

Happy Birthday Fuller!

I can't believe he's 11! That just seems so old. Fuller is just such a neat kid. It is amazing to watch him grow and mature into a really special individual. Fuller was up before 6 this morning, too excited to sleep. (remember when your birthday was that exciting?) Once everyone was up we had a little before school celebration.

Everyone enjoyed the birthday corn pops!

Then a few presents to open.

And off to school in his new duck's jersey.

Tonight we've got 5 boys coming over for pizza,cake and mayhem. It should be a blast!

A few facts about Fuller- at 11

-Favorite food- potstickers
-Favorite restaurant- TODAI and La Sirenita
-Favorite TV show- American gladiator and Scooby Doo
-Favorite movie- Napoleon Dynamite
-Favorite thing to do- Play sports
-Best friend- Dylan and Trey
-Favorite game- CLUE
-Favorite toy- Wii
-What makes you laugh? - Dad's jokes
-Favorite color- green and purple
-Most important thing you learned when you were 10? how to tie a bowlin knot
-What do you hate?- CLEANING!!!
-What do you hope to get for your birthday?- $$$$$ for an ipod nano


In preparing for Fuller's birthday I pulled some old photos out and took a little walk down memory lane. Here are a few of my favorites:


Fuller had a rough entry into this world, and spent his first days in the NICU.


















































































































I love this picture of him checking Rowan out right after Rowan came home from the hospital.


I LOVE YOU FULLER!