Glamping

For the third time, we joined a group of friends for a weekend of glamping... because you really can't call what we do camping.  As you can see...

Real beds, a full bathroom, partial kitchen and a TV.  I'll take it!

While these weekends are a lot of work and cause anxiety as we watch deteriorating weather forecasts, nothing is better than the joy these boys get from playing with their friends all day and hanging around the campfire at night. 

This particular campground had a large bounce pillow. The boys spent hours on it between Friday night and yesterday.  They're finally big enough that we don't have to watch them every second.  A group of 5 boys and 2 teenage girls can care for themselves.  Yay!

I especially enjoyed yesterday morning.  We took our time getting up and lazed around as a family while it rained outside. Then we were pleasantly surprised as our rainy weekend ended up being decent. Cold, but fairly dry. I can't complain a bit as we expected a miserable experience.

This is what Ty looks like when he's trying to run out of a picture. But, I think this is probably what he looked like most of the day.  Run, run, run.

Jump, jump, jump.

I had to walk away as they were playing a game where they pushed each other off the pillow.  I know it was all in good fun and typical of boys, but I'm not used to it.  So I left.  Nobody got hurt so all is good.

This campground also offers firetruck rides around the campground and luckily Ryan is still young enough to want a ride.  And, the bigger boys went along with it which meant the adults didn't have to ride!

Hi mom!

These four had a great time together.  Making good memories.

I was a little concerned about the fire play, but I think this is pretty typical as well.  They were writing with the burnt ends of the sticks and making smoke signals.

Fire, fire!

I couldn't handle it any longer when I saw the glowing ends of the sticks so into the fire the sticks went.  Mom is no fun.

The evenings around the campfire are my favorite. We had our first s'mores of the season Friday night and a rousing game of telephone last night.  8 adults and 7 kids makes for a good game.  Ryan especially loved it and his enthusiasm was infectious.  Who else could get "poop" to go around the whole circle?

Eating is another major glamping activity. My boys are spoiled with waffles in the morning, quesadillas at lunch and a pot luck dinner.

So now we're home and the laundry is going.  I think it is time to plan another outing!

Cub Scout Graduation

Some things are worth the effort and that was the case for the Blue and Gold Banquet held yesterday. Dan and I as well as the parents of the other graduating boys put hours into making this a special event.  I think we succeeded. 

The boys got a bit sick of my camera.  They should have expected it. This one played along...

This one was not amused.  But, doesn't he look handsome in his new boy scout pants and belt?

My three handsome guys.  Sigh.

Mom and Dad made the trek out.  Thank goodness!  We needed help. I guess you are never too old to need your parents.

I still don't know how they got so big.

Check out this bridge.  Dan refurbished the base, built the rails, cut the symbol and painted it three times.  This thing is solid and the boys all loved it.

One of the moms made these awesome cakes.  I'm putting the pictures here so I remember when it is Ryan's turn... so I can show it to the cake lady :)

Pics, pics, pics... I can't help myself.

Grandma and Grandpa C also made the trip out. Such a great day. I love this picture.

I think we had the largest group there.  We were surrounded by those who love and support us.  We really are blessed to have each one of these people in our lives.

Eight boys graduated to boy scouts yesterday.  Most of these boys have been together since they were Tigers.  I still can't believe it is all over.  Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos I, Webelos II.  Where did the time go? Five years. Poof.

Here was their picture from their first Blue and Gold.  These six graduated together today along with two more boys who joined in year two.

And, while 7 of the 8 are moving on to the same Troop, it won't be the same.  These years were special and I'm sure the next years will also be special in their own way.  Just not the same.

Each boy earned their Arrow of Light and crossed over from cub scouts to boy scouts. Here is Tyler officially becoming a boy scout.  Thank goodness our friend is his new scoutmaster as well as Ryan's den leader in cub scouts.  We're still all connected so it really isn't "the end," right?  Just a curve in the road.

We will treasure this experience.

Tyler's cub master who was also their den leader made a special box for each boy.  The box lights up and it will have a special place in our home.

There were lots of treats yesterday from new neck slides from grandma and grandpa to a hydration backpack and mess kid from his great (and I mean GREAT) aunts and uncles.  He was strutting around this kitchen tonight with the backpack on saying he looked "sick."  When I told him that you don't look good when you are sick, he told me that it is boy talk and it means awesome.  Oh joy... we've reached that stage.

The greatest gift today was having everyone there.

Here are our new bears.

And then I made them put their wolf neckerchiefs back on for this pic.  They weren't pleased with me, but played along well enough.

Silly pic for their Blue and Gold.  In only three years.  Yikes!  We really did get lucky with a great group of kids with both of our boys.

I couldn't be prouder.