The Family Night

My oldest child is away at Boy Scout camp all week. He's gone to the mountains of South Carolina and doing Boy Scout things, working on his certifications and he tells me he's going to advance three levels on his quest to Eagle Scout while he's there. He has a really wonderful group of guys he's with and I can remember my own days at camp well enough to know that he's having a great time.

We had originally told him we weren't coming for Family Night. It's way up in the mountains in SC almost to NC, almost touching TN also. But we decided to surprise him so I took off early yesterday and northeast we went. It was serendipity that as we pulled up he just happened to come walking by.

He's bunking with his buddy, and despite the fact that the radar showed DOOOOOOM two nights ago (that was the official forecast) he says it just rained some, no big deal. I can't express my relief enough, let's just say I was more than a little worried and had trouble sleeping. No I'm not over protective at all why?

Julia was incredibly excited to see Louis and shortly after she decided she was going back down the hill for flag ceremony with all of the boys, she then fell and skinned her knee and had to come back. I'm told she screamed "I NEED MY PARENTS." Which is very oddly funny to me.

When the boys came back it was pizza time, a meal for everyone to enjoy together. Not exactly simple camping fair but easy.

Miles started having a bit of a meltdown as soon as the boys went to flag ceremony. We stayed up at the campsite thankfully. I regretted not going for a moment but after his meltdown progressed into full on crazy tantrum (for no apparent reason) I was glad we weren't below embarrassing Louis.

A meal seemed to change everyone's demeanor greatly, Julia was the only person who ate three pieces of pizza. That cracks me up since most of the boys are in high school.  After dinner it was time for some Frisbee or HISBEE as Julia keeps calling it. She was ECSTATIC because the boys let her play with them and they all cheered for her every time, even when she missed.

While the boys all played frisbee and hung out, the adults started a big tub of ice cream. The scouts all took turns making it and since we had a lot of kids, we had a lot of participation in the turning of the crank.

Making ice cream was nearly as much fun as playing hisbee from what I can tell. Not quite as much fun as eating it, however.

Everyone was a pretty darn big fan. I even remembered not to cuss while I was there, I was pretty proud of myself.

I said DANGIT like 50 times. Also DANG. I think I'm gonna start sighing the word "SUG" (as in sugar) like Dale's wife on King of the Hill as a swear and expression of frustration.

He's coming home Friday instead of Saturday - I think because bad storms are forecast for the weekend. I'm sad he's losing a day but glad he's home earlier. I know it's been a week of freedom and learning for him. He's not the kid who has to help take care of his disabled siblings, or who has to help watch his wild child baby sister, he's just Louis for a solid week. He's solo, single, a solitary unit in the world without all of the responsibilities of his normal day to day life.

I bet it's a wonderful and welcome break.
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The Family Night

My oldest child is away at Boy Scout camp all week. He's gone to the mountains of South Carolina and doing Boy Scout things, working on his certifications and he tells me he's going to advance three levels on his quest to Eagle Scout while he's there. He has a really wonderful group of guys he's with and I can remember my own days at camp well enough to know that he's having a great time.

We had originally told him we weren't coming for Family Night. It's way up in the mountains in SC almost to NC, almost touching TN also. But we decided to surprise him so I took off early yesterday and northeast we went. It was serendipity that as we pulled up he just happened to come walking by.

He's bunking with his buddy, and despite the fact that the radar showed DOOOOOOM two nights ago (that was the official forecast) he says it just rained some, no big deal. I can't express my relief enough, let's just say I was more than a little worried and had trouble sleeping. No I'm not over protective at all why?

Julia was incredibly excited to see Louis and shortly after she decided she was going back down the hill for flag ceremony with all of the boys, she then fell and skinned her knee and had to come back. I'm told she screamed "I NEED MY PARENTS." Which is very oddly funny to me.

When the boys came back it was pizza time, a meal for everyone to enjoy together. Not exactly simple camping fair but easy.

Miles started having a bit of a meltdown as soon as the boys went to flag ceremony. We stayed up at the campsite thankfully. I regretted not going for a moment but after his meltdown progressed into full on crazy tantrum (for no apparent reason) I was glad we weren't below embarrassing Louis.

A meal seemed to change everyone's demeanor greatly, Julia was the only person who ate three pieces of pizza. That cracks me up since most of the boys are in high school.  After dinner it was time for some Frisbee or HISBEE as Julia keeps calling it. She was ECSTATIC because the boys let her play with them and they all cheered for her every time, even when she missed.

While the boys all played frisbee and hung out, the adults started a big tub of ice cream. The scouts all took turns making it and since we had a lot of kids, we had a lot of participation in the turning of the crank.

Making ice cream was nearly as much fun as playing hisbee from what I can tell. Not quite as much fun as eating it, however.

Everyone was a pretty darn big fan. I even remembered not to cuss while I was there, I was pretty proud of myself.

I said DANGIT like 50 times. Also DANG. I think I'm gonna start sighing the word "SUG" (as in sugar) like Dale's wife on King of the Hill as a swear and expression of frustration.

He's coming home Friday instead of Saturday - I think because bad storms are forecast for the weekend. I'm sad he's losing a day but glad he's home earlier. I know it's been a week of freedom and learning for him. He's not the kid who has to help take care of his disabled siblings, or who has to help watch his wild child baby sister, he's just Louis for a solid week. He's solo, single, a solitary unit in the world without all of the responsibilities of his normal day to day life.

I bet it's a wonderful and welcome break.
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And With That We Are Five..For A Week

I promised not to embarrass him, and I meant to not embarrass him. But I didn't feel like ONE goodbye picture was too much to ask. I didn't hug or kiss him in front of his friends but I think I am feeling his judgment in this picture. MOM PLEASE STOP DOING THAT.

Fine, I stopped doing that. He's gone to South Carolina for a week doing camping stuff with his friends and I loved camp so I'm not going to be all paranoid and worried. It's the longest he's ever been gone. But he's going to be fine, I might not, but he will.

We came home and the girl ruled it imperative that we make some coffee. That's her overseeing the Keurig as it brews. She thinks it's important to watch it so that you know it's done. She tells me this is helping. Who am I to argue.

She has the solemn charge of being in charge of Doggie while Louis is gone. She's taking it very seriously, keeping me abreast of how Doggie feels without Louis. And while Louis was so worried about ME embarrassing him in front of his dorky Boy Scout friends, it was his sister who shouted "I GET TO TAKE CARE OF DOGGIE WHILE HE IS GONE!" holding up the red dog and showing his friend.

Ha. It wasn't me!

We went outside to play and to hopefully delay the nonstop fighting the twins have been doing. Miles gets Charlie all fired up and Charlie loses his mind. Play bubbles outside was a welcome respite from that craziness which gave me a raving headache for the rest of the evening.

Charlie and Julia and unlikely friends, but they spent the most time together every day after school and she has a special place in her heart for him. She's always trying to take care of him. Making Charlie laugh is her favorite thing ever.

For about 90 minutes in the sun, there wasn't any screaming or fighting or attacking. There were just bubbles and the happiness that comes from chasing them. It was pretty good.

It is amazing how there is no downtime, even with 25% of my children gone.

I need to do bubbles 24/7.
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And With That We Are Five..For A Week

I promised not to embarrass him, and I meant to not embarrass him. But I didn't feel like ONE goodbye picture was too much to ask. I didn't hug or kiss him in front of his friends but I think I am feeling his judgment in this picture. MOM PLEASE STOP DOING THAT.

Fine, I stopped doing that. He's gone to South Carolina for a week doing camping stuff with his friends and I loved camp so I'm not going to be all paranoid and worried. It's the longest he's ever been gone. But he's going to be fine, I might not, but he will.

We came home and the girl ruled it imperative that we make some coffee. That's her overseeing the Keurig as it brews. She thinks it's important to watch it so that you know it's done. She tells me this is helping. Who am I to argue.

She has the solemn charge of being in charge of Doggie while Louis is gone. She's taking it very seriously, keeping me abreast of how Doggie feels without Louis. And while Louis was so worried about ME embarrassing him in front of his dorky Boy Scout friends, it was his sister who shouted "I GET TO TAKE CARE OF DOGGIE WHILE HE IS GONE!" holding up the red dog and showing his friend.

Ha. It wasn't me!

We went outside to play and to hopefully delay the nonstop fighting the twins have been doing. Miles gets Charlie all fired up and Charlie loses his mind. Play bubbles outside was a welcome respite from that craziness which gave me a raving headache for the rest of the evening.

Charlie and Julia and unlikely friends, but they spent the most time together every day after school and she has a special place in her heart for him. She's always trying to take care of him. Making Charlie laugh is her favorite thing ever.

For about 90 minutes in the sun, there wasn't any screaming or fighting or attacking. There were just bubbles and the happiness that comes from chasing them. It was pretty good.

It is amazing how there is no downtime, even with 25% of my children gone.

I need to do bubbles 24/7.
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Ok It Doesn't Ruin EVERYTHING

My oldest son is still in Boy Scouts and this weekend was the Blue and Gold Banquet and Chili Cook off. These events can be tricky with our two little special guys, especially since they involve sitting and being quiet for stretches - not their forte.
But we're a family, and that means whenever possible we ALL go to events.That means we have to adjust a bit, to make sure we don't impact your time either - but that we get to have a nice family time too.

We sit kind of away from everyone else, whenever possible and that lets the twins dance and sing and do whatever. And we can be together and have fun too.

For this dinner the chili cook off is a big deal. Louis and his dad like to try out the different kinds and determine which is delicious and which is not. I always just eat my Hunny's chili because it's awesome and my favorite always.
Julia likes the dessert contest the best. I think she was going to bite anyone who tried to take this cupcake from her.

But the highlight of the evening other than a fun night of feasting and Louis getting to see his friends was the awards. Louis earned pins for achievements so far this year. He loves Scouts so much I don't regret letting him stay in. We weren't sure about it at first, but it's a great activity and definitely something he enjoys.

I love that we all go to his events. My mom always came to everything she could when I was growing up, but it wasn't always possible with only one car and Matt being so little. We always make it a point to all go as a family to these events, to support him and show him how proud we are of him.

Because we really are.
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Ok It Doesn't Ruin EVERYTHING

My oldest son is still in Boy Scouts and this weekend was the Blue and Gold Banquet and Chili Cook off. These events can be tricky with our two little special guys, especially since they involve sitting and being quiet for stretches - not their forte.
But we're a family, and that means whenever possible we ALL go to events.That means we have to adjust a bit, to make sure we don't impact your time either - but that we get to have a nice family time too.

We sit kind of away from everyone else, whenever possible and that lets the twins dance and sing and do whatever. And we can be together and have fun too.

For this dinner the chili cook off is a big deal. Louis and his dad like to try out the different kinds and determine which is delicious and which is not. I always just eat my Hunny's chili because it's awesome and my favorite always.
Julia likes the dessert contest the best. I think she was going to bite anyone who tried to take this cupcake from her.

But the highlight of the evening other than a fun night of feasting and Louis getting to see his friends was the awards. Louis earned pins for achievements so far this year. He loves Scouts so much I don't regret letting him stay in. We weren't sure about it at first, but it's a great activity and definitely something he enjoys.

I love that we all go to his events. My mom always came to everything she could when I was growing up, but it wasn't always possible with only one car and Matt being so little. We always make it a point to all go as a family to these events, to support him and show him how proud we are of him.

Because we really are.
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All Those Years Spent In Bars? NOT WASTED!

So the oldest boy had a school dance on Friday Night, and I got to be his date.

Yeah that's my kid mid-shufflebot. It was sort of ridiculous fun actually. The first of many dances at school and probably one of the last he'll ever want to go to with me. I might have a few more years, but even at the age of nine, you can see it beginning.
I mean, he did dance with his buddies and the principal for a while.

But before the evening was over, even a nine year old boy knew where it was at - dancing with the girls.

It was kind of cute, watching the little courtship rituals forming, boys dancing with boys, girls dancing with girls and then the occasional brave cross over. It was funny though because they'd dance to random songs in mixed groups but when it was a song they all knew, they'd run back to their friends to jump and dance.

These boys right here? They're sexy and they know it. I would say that watching 9 year olds do the WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE part of the dance (and yeah, they knew what that was about) was the best part of the evening because it was in fact hilarious, but that'd be a lie.
Because OBVIOUSLY the best part of the night was when I won the ChaCha Slide DANCE CONTEST!

As my son keeps asking "MOMMY HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS SONG?????"

Well it wasn't hanging out and doing shots almost every night for years, in bars. No. I'm sure that wasn't it.

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All Those Years Spent In Bars? NOT WASTED!

So the oldest boy had a school dance on Friday Night, and I got to be his date.

Yeah that's my kid mid-shufflebot. It was sort of ridiculous fun actually. The first of many dances at school and probably one of the last he'll ever want to go to with me. I might have a few more years, but even at the age of nine, you can see it beginning.
I mean, he did dance with his buddies and the principal for a while.

But before the evening was over, even a nine year old boy knew where it was at - dancing with the girls.

It was kind of cute, watching the little courtship rituals forming, boys dancing with boys, girls dancing with girls and then the occasional brave cross over. It was funny though because they'd dance to random songs in mixed groups but when it was a song they all knew, they'd run back to their friends to jump and dance.

These boys right here? They're sexy and they know it. I would say that watching 9 year olds do the WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE part of the dance (and yeah, they knew what that was about) was the best part of the evening because it was in fact hilarious, but that'd be a lie.
Because OBVIOUSLY the best part of the night was when I won the ChaCha Slide DANCE CONTEST!

As my son keeps asking "MOMMY HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS SONG?????"

Well it wasn't hanging out and doing shots almost every night for years, in bars. No. I'm sure that wasn't it.

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