Cub Scout Kickball

Last week I had the pleasure of taxiing Eli to his monthly Cub Scout event. I heard that it was a picnic and kickball event. So, we dressed warm, cause the temperature was taking a dive and it was chilly and windy. We brought cookies to share. Little did I know what I was in for.

This was not a scouts vs. siblings event, or older vs. younger event, it was Kids vs. Grownups. Participation Mandatory. And that was the moment when I had to decide - will I be one of the 3 parents standing along the wall playing on their phones, or will I join the crowd in the outfield? I wasn't wearing my kickball shoes, but still, I felt I had no choice. Off I marched into the outfield. The kids lined up to take turns at bat/kick. We spread out and waited. What ensured was some hilarious adventuring. Most of the kids were 2nd grade and younger. Many of them didn't understand the basic idea of the game. And so the grownups shouted out instructions/coaching while also pretending to try to get the kids out. Mostly the grownups fumbled the ball, tossed it to a teammate but tossed it too far, ran after the ball laughing. We looked like bumbling clowns. The kids looked like they were having a great time at our expense.

Then, the grownups turn to bat. We kicked the ball, but not too far. Sometimes too far, and the entire mob of kids went chasing after it, like bees swarming to a single flower. When my turn came, I managed to get to first base safely, but at the next chance to run I had to swerve around a crowd of kids that came up only to my waist, trying to run without mowing down any innocent bystanders. "Where's second base??" I shouted - there was a mob of children all standing directly ON the base. Again with my run to third base, don't plow over the children, push the mob off the base so I could stand there safely, attempt to make it to home plate with children hanging on my arms and legs, and AREN'T THERE ANY RULES in this game? Where are the umpires? It's anarchy!

As the innings wore on, the grownups started complaining a little more frequently, a gradually louder. We're hungry, when can we eat? It's too cold out here, can we go inside soon? Three innings of kickball. Only three minor injuries (one kid it in the face with the ball, one kid run over by his dad, another dad fell on top of his daughter as she tried to stop his run). None of the kids cried for more than a couple minutes, so I'd say that was a success.

The whole thing was followed by hot dogs and s'mores. Another Scout Adventure under our belt.

Winding Down

Only 10 school days left and the kids keep reminding me how close they are to vacation. (Eli just read that sentence to me after I wrote it. He's become a READER!)

The projects have started coming home, clearing out their artwork stashes at school and filling up their folders. Here's a little view of the latest from JLS. Sorry Shelly, I only have 1 of yours, the rest belongs to E.

Enjoy!

Christmas Rewind

I was going through some stuff and found this video which I never actually posted. So, here you go! Christmas in May!

Running in the Family

Archer's in track, along with cousin Annika. We cheered Annika on at her final meet of the season last week, the kids had fun rolling around on the grass together and screaming for her as she flew by us in her various events. There's some talk of State? Not sure where that's going for her, but Good Luck!

Archer's last meet of the season was tonight. Every time he has a meet, I tell him to run like the wind. He rolls his eyes at me. Once, at one of his meets, one of his friends hung out by me for a few minutes and we got to chat a bit. It was nice. Archer accused me of being the loudest mom at the meet, I was proud to wear the title. I have no idea who most of the kids are, I just scream the school name and watch the kids streak past, pushing their legs and lungs harder than they think they can go. I've only seen one kid collapse at the finish line so far. Clearly they had more to give. :)

Piano Recital / Birthday Bash / Fantastic Fun!

May 6 was a day that will go down in history... It was the day that my firstborn, Archer of many names (I won't list them all here, to preserve his integrity and avoid embarrassing him to death) came into this world and I proclaimed to everyone who would listen, "Isn't he the most perfect thing you've ever seen?"

May 6 will ALSO go down in history because it was the day that great Piano Concertist (is that a word?) Shelly debuted on stage (actually the front of the church)... Shelly performed beautifully in her first Piano Recital.

These kids never cease to amaze and impress me.

Archer. Yes, I gave up pretending that you haven't outgrown me. You're taller than me, you weigh more than I did when I graduated high school, you're wearing Grandpa's running shoes. I say you have Ski Feet. Eli calls you Big Foot. Sometimes you look like you have jelly legs, how are you so floppy and scrawny and tall? Hey Mr. Tall Guy, you're growing up into someone I'm proud to call my son. Normally I don't like to brag about this stuff publicly, except for this blog is pretty private now so mostly I'm just bragging to myself. You were on the High Honor roll last quarter! Not just the regular one, the HIGH one! With your name in the paper! Also you were the champion of the school Geography Bee! Also you're a track star!! Ok, I know you say you're only doing track because I'm making you, and I know you pretend to not like it, but you look like you're having a great time with the other kids on your team. And I see you out there, running HARD and taking pride in your finishes and I'm so proud of you. Keep it up, keep up all the hard work, keep up the antics, keep being you. I'm proud of you, Kid!

Shelly Anna, my love. You decided to try something new this year and WOW have you ever flourished! Every week we go to piano lessons and you speak with Ms. Heather in some other language that I don't understand. From the very first week you seemed to know exactly what she was saying to you, and I sat there having no clue what the two of you were talking about. Every week it gets a little more foreign to me, and you settle further into the music and the notes flow from your fingers. I love when you practice and our house is filled with your music. Beautiful.

We invited family and friends over to celebrate Archer's birthday after Shelly's recital and we had a crowd in the house from early afternoon to late into the night. If 9:00 is considered late. I guess it is for me, I'm getting too old to stay out too late. ;) Anyway it was a wonderful day. Moments of kids chasing each other with weapons, lots of shouting and laughing, some games and accusations of cheating, etc. etc. etc. The perfect kind of fun.