Truth or Fantasy?? - The unexpected reaction

The M & M's have reached a milestone in their lives.  Miles and Mackenzie are a decade old.  Their mothers concocted an unusual plan shortly after Christmas and before their birthdays to surprise them with an outing.  An outing with a treat and a plan.  It was to be a coming of age outing.

Such an outing hadn't seemed necessary with previous children for some reason.  Perhaps they had grown up more sheltered or less.  Perhaps as mother's we had not reached our maturity yet but it did seem that for right now this was what was needed.

While we had discussed our plan and decided that we would do it, we didn't solidify our exact time.  The opportunity presented itself on a calm Saturday afternoon in February.  We took our unsuspecting, naive almost ten year olds and offered them the outing of their choice.  They opted for fancy ice cream!  (in hindsight, we all wished we'd opted for something warmer)  As luck would have it, Sarah happened to be with us and was privy to our plan. 

Fantasy has a time and place.  Realism and truth were the order of the day.  It was time to burst the mythological bubbles that we had worked to create for them over the past decade.

I was so pleased that I captured the moment when the reality of what we were discussing dawned on Miles. 

The conversation began lightly, talking of favourite holidays.  We discussed it all... from simple leprechauns and their pots of gold, to fairies, to jolly old men with elves who drive reindeer powered sleighs.  The truth was out and the mood remained light and happy.  In fact, they hadn't seen any of it coming in their young naive minds, but were so very excited to know that they could now be initiated into the mature side of holidays!  More than simply being in the know, we invited them to assist with traditions and merriment in the future.  We also discussed with our now 'oh so mature ten year olds', how to make each holiday more meaningful, less gluttonous and about others rather than ourselves.  They surprised us with their pleasure and their maturity.

Two 7 year olds, one 5 year old and a 1 year old to go!  (shh... I actually already told the 1 year old.  He was cool with it.)

Expanding Boundaries

It has seemed like a long winter, even for those who aren't aware yet that there are other seasons!  Whittaker has gained a bit of freedom from the confines of playpens, and baby gates keeping him out of restricted areas.  He has gained a taste of 'being outside'!  So far the deck is enough to satisfy him. 

(I'm grateful for a deck with locking gates already in place!)

One year...

The difference one year makes....

-between girls who revel in knowing that for almost three entire months they are only one year apart in age.
-each year as they continue to get older and lovelier and wiser.
-to their maturity level... and I don't simply mean that they are both tweens preparing to embark on those awkward teen years... but rather their helpfulness and their hightened awareness and understanding of those around them.
-just a year ago... they were little girls...

but young ladies seem to be taking their place. 

Outside of the Box

T

 There  is just something fun about a cardboard box!

Especially one that suddenly starts to move!

A couple of boxes can entertain two boys for a LONG time.

How about three boys?

It's beginning to feel like the story of the apples up on top...."how about one more, say, can we do four?"

Good Morning

Getting the day off to a good start!

Ere you left your room this morning,

Did you make your bed?  

And now I have proof...

Nothing's out of reach!

The sound of the stool being pushed along on the floor is a definite signal that he's up to no good around here!

 
And now that the stool is kept out of reach... he's becoming more creative. 

He's been found sitting on top of the kitchen table.  Now we keep the chairs folded up and in a corner. 

He's been found stuck on his stomach on the kitchen stools meant for sitting at the counter.  He can climb the rungs but can't get to a sitting position.  We now keep them tucked in or stacked.

He's been found happily sitting on the back of the couch!  We just hope he doesn't fall!

He's suddenly appeared very tall from the other side of the kitchen counter as he's climbed up onto his play kitchenette.  We moved the kitchenette to a different wall section.

He's been found standing on the seat of the exercise bike, grinning from ear to ear!  We put up a gate to the office.

He's been found attempting to swing his legs over the railing to go downstairs!  Also trying desperately to squeeze himself UNDER the gate.  We worry!

Either we'll train him to stop climbing on things soon or he'll train us to listen for unusual sounds signalling that he's climbing again!

And to think, they're concerned about his gross motor skills!!

A Cats 'Tail'

 

"I'm not sure how to convey this to you...."

 

"I really didn't like being locked inside the van ALL NIGHT." 

"I only hopped in because you left that huge door open in the back and the bundle of winter blankets looked so inviting.  How was I to know someone would suddenly come back outside and slam the door shut without warning?" 

"I don't think I'll leave my perch here on the back of the couch ever again.  

Nope the smell of the cat food isn't tempting me a bit.

That little red dot laser toy.. pshaw.. that's for kittens man!"

"You just don't understand.  I have endured an entire night in a freezing van, ALONE!

I didn't even get to take my 11pm OR my 4 am romp with the other cats!

I'm telling you, I'm not moving from this spot!"

"Was that Whittaker?" 

"I'm outta here!" 

(that van isn't looking so bad....)

Headlines from the backyard

Cooper was asked to take the compost out for the chickens and collect the eggs.  He was only too excited to comply.  Moments after he went out back to carry out his task he returned to the back door.  

"Sad news in the back yard Nova.  You have an intruder cat!"

Then he left again.

Only a few minutes later..

"Sad news today.  Your chickens are wanting to keep their eggs warm.  So no eggs for you today."

After he had returned to the house I noticed that the chickens were literally hopping.  The compost had been dumped on top of the netting over their run, rather than in the compost box.  They were desperately jumping at the food they could see just out of their reach.  I made Cooper watch the struggling chickens for a few minutes and then asked him what we should do.

"I'll get Miles.  He's an expert with the chickens."

Indeed he must be.  Within minutes the two of them had moved the netting and restored order to the coop.



Cooperisms are a perk of having Cooper visit.

Spirit of Scouting

The spirit of scouting is strong and far reaching.  For 100 years the program of scouting founded by Lord Baden-Powell has been going strong all around the world.  It did not take years to spread the word of the scouting organization back in 1908 but rather only weeks.  The spirit of the program resonates within the hearts of the young men who honor it's laws and take upon them the oaths, codes and mottos. 

Today we honor an eagle,  a son,  a nephew, a grandson, a brother, a young man, with qualities that carry the spirit of scouting.

The spirit of scouting has empowered him along his journey.  His father may not have been a scout, and his mother's experience was limited to her years in Brownies and Girl Guides and her glimpses into her brother's long scouting life, but the spirit of scouting was in his life.  Along the journey he learned from his uncle Graton, a chief scout of Canada and an eagle in the US, his Grandpa Ted, an eagle and member of the order of the arrow, his cousin Sam, and Uncle James, eagles, and his first cousins Diane and Greg, eagles and venture scout leaders.  He was influenced by dedicated leaders, Ferrell, Ammon, Schmidt, Schafer, and others not directly tied to scouts, who encouraged him to excel from the time he first became a Bobcat at age 8, until present. 

These Akelas and mentors may not all be present at the ceremony today but the spirit of scouting is strong and can be felt the world over and their presence will be in attendance.  For a portion of their spirit lives in Caleb. 

He has learned to 'Do his Best' as he carries out each activity.  He exemplifies the admonition to, 'Be Prepared'.  The Boy Scout oath could have been written as adjectives to describe Caleb rather than as a motto for him to live up to.  He is regularly the first to arrive, the one who stays focused, and the one who endures to the end and assists with clean up in any given activity.  He is prompt and always willing to serve. 

Caleb is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful (most of the time), thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.  He is not always cold, wet and tired as is often added tongue in cheek, but I must admit, he is always hungry!

This is not the end.  Indeed he is already looking forward to his next step.  He will complete his 'ordeal' at the end of this month, in order to be inducted into the Order of the Arrow.  He has already assisted other young Cub Scouts as their Den chief and friend. He lives the spirit of scouting in all that he does.

Today he may be honored with a certificate and an award in a Scouting ceremony, but the eagle that he has earned has already became a part of him and he has learned to soar.

All are welcome to attend who know him or have ever known him.  You may attend in person at the Westland LDS Chapel, 2700 West 7077 South, West Jordan at 7pm... or you may attend in spirit!! 

Look at all that we brought home with us at the end of the evening.  Who knew an Eagle Court of Honor could be so yummy!

Murmmur, Murmur, Crunch...

I'm a typically happy person.  I like to help out and to do my part and I usually do it rather cheerfully.   But today I murmured.  I admit... it wasn't just today.  I've felt a little overwhelmed and frustrated and today I let loose with a stream of murmuring!  I had some listening ears that not only agreed with my frustration but encouraged my rantings.  They even offered suggestions on how to be more pathetic and lame and get out of some responsibilities..  That just gave me more angst and internal dilemmas.  So the murmuring continued until it was time to go be responsible (even if others weren't going to be). 


So murmuring has it's consequences. 

After getting all riled up about how frustrating it was to be so busy and have to keep on running, I headed out the door for yet another responsibility.  When I came out I called back to Channa in the house to come move her car from behind me.  Then I hopped into my van and while looking over my shoulder at her car that I knew she was about to move.....

I backed right into it. 

Humbled, chastised, humiliated, deflated, frustrated, devastated.... I surveyed the damage.  Miles was also with me.  He had very different emotions than I.  "Did you hit her car?  I was really in my first car wreck!??!?"
I'm concerned that he referred to it so happily, as 'first'... there's always hope that it's his only... and who in their right mind is proud and happy about being in a car accident?  he hopped out and was feeling the dented van and still oozing with excitement.  "Wait til' I tell all my friends at Scouts!"

I'm thinking... 'Wait til' Daddy sees.'... 'Wait til' I get the bill.'.... 'Wait til' I check Channa's car.'(fortunately practically unscathed)... 'Wait til' the day is over and I can simply curl into a ball and wish for a do over!'... 'Wait until I wake up tomorrow morning and it's not just a horrible nightmare!' 

After a long and tiresome night, I returned home to a postponed, for the second night in a row, birthday celebration for Patrick.  Although I say the dinner we had tonight, steak and potatoes with cabbage and butternut squash, has to count... we'll just do dessert tomorrow night. 

Never joke about certain things

My brother asked if I could store his motor scooter at my place for a little while for him. I didn't see any reason why not so Patrick and he got it loaded up and brought it over. I hadn't consulted with the kids over the matter and we weren't home when it arrived.

We pulled up and they all had questions. Who is here? Whose bike is it? Can we ride it?

Jokingly I replied, “someone must have a birthday coming up.”

Miles almost flew out of his seat with excitement. “That's me! AWESOME!!”

Caleb spun around, “Not a chance. I'd get it before you! Hey is it for me?”

What had I done?

“Not that it's for anyone here, I told them, but remember, Daddy's birthday is next. And I was only joking. It's not for anyone, and NO, we're aren't going to ride it! As for you Caleb... you'll be lucky to get a driver's license this year, let alone a motorcycle license!”

Hey, how come no one thought it was for me?