Blue and Gold



 

Tonight March 28th was the Blue and Gold dinner.  It started off with pork bbq sandwiches, salads, and chips.  After that, they handed out the awards the cubs have earned the past month.



 

Talmage getting his awards


Talmage getting ready to perform his talent

After the awards, the boys performed or talked about one of their talents.  Talmage really wanted to do a magic trick.  We thought since he hasn't really been practicing too much to perfect a trick he should do something else.  He decided to whistle using an acorn top.  He learned this a little while back and it didn't take him long to perfect it.  He can do it really loud if he wants too.  If I'm lucky, I can make a little sound.  Of course it was a big hit and everyone loved it. 
It was a fun night and the best part was I didn't have to make dinner.

Special needs movie day

 

Three days ago (March 7) when I was at Connor's school at one of his special needs luncheons, I found out that once a month at 11am on a Saturday at Cinema Grill Movie Theatre they have a special needs movie that they show.  March 10th happened to be the next one and it was The Lorax movie.  The best part is Connor (the special needs child) is free as well as their siblings.  The adults and non siblings have to pay $5.00 each.  So it was $10 for our whole family to see this movie.  We got their early since we have a big family and want to sit together and we figured it would fill up fast.  When we were seated, some theatre employees came up to the kids and gave them each a Lorax t shirt, bookmark, and a activity sheet.  Of course they thought it was awesome.  When the movie started, I noticed the lights were not all the way turned off but dimmed and the volume wasn't as loud as regular movies.  I guess that is all part of the special needs viewing.  The kids had a great time and we will definitely be doing this often as long as it is a movie we want to see.   

 

Safety Town

This is my 3rd and final time helping out at Safety Town.  Safety Town is run by the city of Roswell.  They set up a mock town with buildings, streets, and crosswalks in one of the gyms at Hembree park.  They also have a firetruck and police car in the parking lot.  Then they have any preschool, prek, and kindergarten classes around the area come and participate in this program.  Both Talmage and Hayden's prek class did this.  I didn't help in Talmage's prek but with his kindergarten class, and I went and help with Hayden's prek and kindergarten classes.  I wish I would of brought my camera to take pictures but I didn't.  They have 4 different groups rotate around the different areas.  The areas are talking with a lady about strangers and then touring the police car, touring a firetruck and talking with firemen about fire safety, and the last area is in the gym with the mock town and trading off between pedestrians and riders.  The pedestrians are split up into small group of about 3 people and they walk around the town in the cross walks and sidewalks while their leaders (volunteer parents which is what I did) walk with them and talk about traffic and road signs and visiting and talking about the different buildings.  Then pedestrians switch with the riders and they get to get to ride in big wheels on the mock street.  The leader is still with their group and help them with stop signs and traffic lights, and help them turn corners and stop before running into the big wheel in front of them.  Then the whole group comes together again and the director reviews what the kids have learned.  It is a great program and the kids just love it.  I am sad my children are all grown up and will no longer be doing this. 

Pinewood Derby

On February 22, Talmage participated in his first Cub Scout pinewood derby.  He had a great time designing his car and then Jon cut it out.  Talmage picked out the colors and dad spray painted it.  He placed a Lego guy to be the driver of his car. 

 

Talmage showing off his car

front view of the car

Lorin and Talmage showing off their cars

side and top view of the car

Talmage and Lorin's first race

Talmage and Lorin racing each other

So Talmage and Lorin's first race was between each other.  Talmage won.  Talmage won all of his races and Lorin won all his except for his first one against Talmage.  Then they had Talmage and Lorin race one last time and this time Lorin won.  Then they raced again and Lorin won again.  So Lorin took 1st place, Talmage took 2nd, and Calvin took 3rd.  All these boys were Wolves and this was all of their first time and it was Calvin's first Cub Scout activity since he just turned 8 3 days before.  Talmage was very happy for his cousin Lorin and told him if I had to loose I am glad it was to you.  Of course, Jon and I gave Talmage the whole speech of just have fun and it doesn't matter if you loose just have a great time.  I as a mom was just hoping he would at least win one race.

The winners Talmage, Lorin, and Calvin

After the race, the Tady's, Bugees, and us went to Dairy Queen to celebrate.  O.K. we really went there because whatever den was in charge of bringing the refreshments for some reason didn't bring them or tell their den scouts to bring them.  It was a fun night.

Two very happy winners Talmage and Lorin at Dairy Queen
 

Hayden 6

Hayden is 6

My baby, Hayden turned 6 on Feb. 29.  Since Hayden's birthday was on a Sunday, we went to the Tellus Science Museum and then to the restaurant of his choice on the way home which was Mc Donald's.  Then on Sunday we had him open his presents.  He has been wanting a Nintendo DS lite ever since Talmage got one for his birthday last October.  So I search Craigs list since Hayden didn't want the newest 3D DS I thought I could get one at a great price.  I found a person nearby who was selling theirs along with 9 games 2 of which I know he would really love.  It also came with a case and 2 chargers and 2 extra stylus.  The boy who used to have it kept it in great shape you would never know it was used.  Needless to say Hayden was thrilled when he opened DS and all the games.  Basically the same price I paid for the whole lot is the same price I would of paid for just the DS at the store.  So I am pretty proud of myself for the great find.  The secret is to start looking early.  I had bought his DS at least a month before his birthday. 



Hayden just unwrapping his Nintendo DS

Hayden showing Talmage his new assortment of DS games

 Later in the week we had the family birthday party.  Hayden doesn't really care for cake so he opted for chocolate silk pie.  Yumm!!

Hayden and his birthday pie

1 girlfriend



Hayden getting ready to open his presents from the Tady's Bugee's and Hansen's



Although I am grateful that all my kids are potty trained and in school, I just wish I could freeze time for awhile because I think all the kids are at a great age.

Smart Phone

Our cell phone comany announce a super deal on the radio that Jon just happened to be listening to while taking Brenton to seminary.  They were giving free android smart phones with a 2 year contract.  Actually, the phone wasn't free.  It was free after the 2 rebates.  Since my contract was up and I have been using a flip phone from one of Jon's old employees that hasn't been with the company for going on 2 years now, Jon thought what a great time to upgrade.  I didn't mind my flip phone.  I rarely use my cell phone.  I am not a phone person.  I refused to text people.  Mainly because I was not about to do the AaBbCc thing since my phone wasn't a texting phone.  So Jon and I went to the store to check things out and I walked out with my first smart phone.  I am still not a phone person or a text person.  I do prefer to talk on the phone vs text.  I only text when I am picking up Brenton so he know's I am here and waiting for him only because if I call he still might be in Scouts or Young mens or another activity that I don't want ringing to disrupt. 
The only thing I don't like about smart phones is the fact that people are on theirs way to much and not communicating with people around them.  I have been to numerous activities and see lots of people on their phones instead of having converations with people right next to them.  It is really sad and I refuse to be one of those people.  That doesn't mean I don't check emails or facebook or look up something or things like that.  I just don't do it at activities with other people like Relief Society, school class parties or volunteering, and never during church meeting.  If I have to check my phone to see if I missed a call or text because I often have it on vibrate, I make sure I do it as quickly as possible.  I don't want my kids to be one of those kids who are on their phones texting the kids right next to them.  I want them to talk with them face to face.  So hopefully they will look to Jon and I and see that we are rarely on our phones while we are out and about and they too wont be on their when they get a cell phone.

We have a Bobcat in the house

Talmage got his Bobcat merit badge on January 25th 2012.  When a boy get his bobcat badge, he is flipped upside down while the mom pins the badge on rightside up and when he is turned around his badge is upside down in order to flip it right side up he has to perform an act of service.  I can't remember why Jon wasn't there to flip him upside down, maybe he stayed home with the younger kids.  Talmage loves scouts and is sad on the 2nd Tuesday of the month because there is no scouts that week.

 

 



Talmage about to get flipped upside down

Gretta and Talmage