Tonight I drove 4 of the Boy Scouts to Camp Erin for their Camporee outing. Almost 50 scouts are attending this fabulous event. On our way out, we saw three of these and we road along side one of these. Now in my neck of the woods, we only drive city limits, 25-30 mph tops. You usually stop and let them cross, as they can do a lot of damage to your car. One of my passengers was a life scout, since we were on a two lane highway, he told me to step on it, and I did. It passed behind us.. (whew)
Part of my responsibility was to drive INTO the campsite. I followed the scout master, almost hitting a tree on a sharp turn. We had a bit of a wait to figure out camp assignments and the boys started to unload and set up camp. It was fun to watch, and I could kick myself for not bringing my camera.
It got dark really fast and I asked my passengers to unload their items so I could leave. Well, I got lost. That's right = no GPS and NO cell phone service. I couldn't even call for help if I wanted to. So after 1/2 an hour of wandering around gravel road and almost finding myself in a pond and camp sites 18 & 19, I FINALLY hit pavement. The best part of that adventure was seeing one of these hopping along the road. I knew the pavement would take me to the parking lot. As I'm driving around, I saw the volleyball court and the parking lot, but could not find a way TO GET TO IT! I almost drove across it, but my poor baby - well, I just couldn't risk hurting her any more.
After skidding to a stop - I almost ended up on gravel road again. A quick reverse and I FINALLY hit the parking lot. I just wanted to kiss the ground. So much for it looking like fun to camp out.
20 minutes later, I was back to civilization and cell phone service. My husband had a campfire waiting in our back yard, when I got home, and we sat outside and chatted for a bit!
Next year, I'm asking for a map AND bringing my camera or maybe I should have them hike in?
Now back to my cherry Koolaid and Vodka. I say that, backwards as I can barely taste the koolaid!
A lot of the interesting things we do, are with the scouts.
Can you imagine the horror if this was a real fire?
5 minutes after the fire started, the flames were put out. This was "faster" than if they had actually been called to the fire. Response time would have been an additional two minutes.
This demo showed how good sprinkler systems work.
At such a cute face?
We were sitting at lunch and my scout was telling me all about his den chief training today. We had stopped for lunch at TGI Friday's, located IN Miller Park - how cool is that?? Sorry about the bad photos, but I didn't plan on going here for lunch and guess what? I didn't bring my camera. So, you are stuck with the cell phone one..
ANYHOW, we were chatting and had a lovely lunch. I slipped into the conversation, that I picked up a DNR wrist band for my son while I was at State Fair and slyly mentioned that it would compliment his "$30" necklace he "had to have" and I bought for his birthday. We both then started laughing and laughing and laughing. Finally the scout said to me, "What are we laughing about?" and I said "I don't know, you tell me" and he says "My necklace that you probably found in the washer and we both started laughing again.
Just after we finished lunch, we were lucky enough to see the roof top of the stadium open for tonight's game - how cool is that for an impromptu lunch? Pretty cool if you are an 11 year old boy!
Hope you all are enjoying your weekend. :)
(ahem, I mean Dennis the Mennis) Late last night. And remember that neat and organize pack I made for him.... well....
I have to say, I used not even ONE WHOLE ROLL of TP the whole 4 days and everything stayed neat.
Guess what he learned on the camp out? Put everything back. (hum, I said who does that sound like)
and my newly vacuumed floors? SAND already.
SIGH
Who know that this is all it would take to be kidless for four days!
The scout is off to Newport State Park for three nights and four days. You can see them departing here.
My husband and I are enjoying ourselves, like before the scout was born. We got a take out breakfast, as soon as we dropped him off, and then my husband went off for his traditional Sunday afternoon nap.
Meanwhile, here I sit, wondering if he is having fun, pitching a tent, eating lunch and enjoying himself.
This is his first time going off with anybody for several days. I hope he enjoys himself for many more free weekends for myself to come.
This morning I opened a plastic container from the store. It has a tab strip you have to pull open. There was a little bit of plastic sticking out, that shouldn't have been. I ended up cutting myself with a pin hole of a cut, something I normally would have just stuck in my mouth and washed my hand and moved on.
My "little scout" CALMLY walked into the hallway to grab the first aid kit, GENTLY washed my thumb with soap and water. GUIDED me to the stove to towel drive my thumb and PROMPTLY put a round band-aid on my thumb. (AaaawwwWeeE) It was so cute, I had to be patient!
The greatest feeling in the world, is when someone calls me on the day of a party and says I'm bringing XY or Z. It happened once to me and now I always do it when I am going to someone's house.
Tonight we are going to a "Thank You for Volunteering" for Scouts Party and even though I already offered to bring something when I was invited and was told NO; I called this morning and offered to bring my Checker Board Cake. (You can read my previous blog about it here.) The host (dad) was very greatful.
So the cake - this time yellow and chocolate, is baking in the oven. Now, for the frosting.. hummm....
My son is growing up. Last week we lost our "last" baby tooth and the Tooth Fairy Came for the last time. (Little Stinker HID it and I never found the tooth. I think he was trying to "prove" that I am the Tooth Fairy since this, Santa, and The Easter Bunny is the only thing in his life I refuse to give a straight answer on.)
So my "little bird" is growing up to be a very nice young man. He is in 5th grade, and is "big" compared to the 2nd and 1st graders. They are the oldest class at the elementary level. It can be sad, looking at the younger ones and remembering those cute times and fond memories. First day of school, K5, T-ball, Tiger Cubs. Now, they are moving on into the middle school, and are definately growing up.
Saturday night, my little bird, received his Arrow Of Light Patch. It is the highest honor a "Cub Scout" can receive. I thought here is another "growing up phase". After he walked across the bridge from the Cub Scout side, to the Boy Scout side - He stood in line with all the Boy Scouts, no longer a Cub. WAIT - there was a glimpse of hope, he is back to little again! Standing there, I noticed he was the smallest one. I can hang on for atleast one more year.
I gotta be honest with you. I NEVER sing in the shower, but yesterday - I found myself singing the National Anthem. I was very excited about having our scout group part take in the flag ceremony for the Milwaukee Admirals game. It is an annual event for us these past few years.
At the same time I was in the shower, the Admirals contact called and wanted to speak to me before we came down. I was like O-K.... and since I didn't see the message until after school, I went into panic mode. I called AND they were changing our location from the traditional platform - to the actual ice. I was like OMG. I spent the next 40 mins calling everyone to come earlier, leaving messages and crossing fingers that everyone would receive the message.
We met outside the roped off doors to the tunnel and waited for our e
scort. The top photo is our group photo waiting out back. Second photo was the group walking out onto the ice. The house lights are off and it is dark and spot lights are flying around like crazy. The players are out zooming around and even Rosco came by for a high five! I was so lucky to get photo three.
The last photo there was the actual flag ceremony. It was so exciting! My son was picked by the Committee Chairperson to carry the U.S. Flag.
