Scouts

Three of our four children are in scouts.   One wants so badly to be but is NOT old enough just yet.  I admit I have many reservations about scouting, both boy and girl.  I also recognize there can be a lot of good too.  So I try to keep an open mind.  That being said, this has been a full weekend of scouting.

Last night, Ansley had  2012 Thinking Day at scouts.  It was for her whole service unit which is pretty big.  Each troop picked a country and decorated a booth.  They also served food relating to that country.  Ansley's group chose Mexico.  (one of Ansley's favorite food groups-Mexican)   Now, the weird thing about Girl Scouts (at least to me) is that they really don't encourage parents to be involved.  Sometimes you're made to feel welcome and encouraged to get involved. (cookie sales)  Others, you don't get a warm fuzzy feeling that they want you involved.  Last night was one of those, "You can come but please don't" nights.  So I dropped her off and we took the boys out to eat.  When I picked her up, she seemed to have had a good time.  When I asked what her favorite thing was she responded " The rice"   (aka, Mexican rice her troop served)

I only got one picture.  I think she had candy or ice in her mouth.  

Today was the annual Pinewood Derby for the boys' scout  group/den/pack, whatever.

Both Judson and Sawyer entered a car.  Each had a part in designing/making their car.  Obviously, Judson did more on his car than Sawyer did on his.  They divided up the kids into 2 groups.  The Tigers (which is Sawyer's group) had their own group with 4 cars.  Then the rest of the boys (all ages combined) were in a group together.  There were 20 cars in that group.  (I think you see where I'm going with this)  Sawyer won 1st in Show and 2nd in speed.  He was so happy and excited.  Judson did not win a trophy but handled it pretty well.  (this is the first time he did not win something, I believe)

Sawyer's is the red pickup truck.

Judson's is the blue one.

Super cool action shot!

Front row seats for all the action!

Whew, another year down for Pinewood Derby.

I'm trying not to think of how many more years of car racing are ahead of me.

Tomorrow....clean this house day.

(maybe even get the PEE smell out of the bathroom, if only for a few hours)

In My Dream Home....

I will have a boy's bathroom.  It will be in a spot all by itself.  It will be made of concrete.   Over the toilet will be one of those pull down hose thingies (like they have in fancy restaurant kitchens for cleaning).  It will have plenty of force to clean all of the boy pee that goes everywhere except the toilet.  I shall call this bathroom, The Out House. 

Three little boys.

Just sayin'.

Valentines 2012 * Stricklin Style

Happy Valentines Day!

This year the kids came up with the menu and decorations.

We made it for lunch, since Randy is able to join us most days for lunch.

Ansley made the white chocolate layer cake with strawberry icing.

Judson chopped up strawberries.  (after all, he does have his whittling chip from scouts)

Turner made the lemonade for strawberry lemonade.

Sawyer helped supervise, taste test, and set the table.

Mom made the spaghetti as well as the shrimp scampi.

Dad fixed the tea.

So it was a family affair.

The kids loved it.

We ate off of the good china

And tried to use our good manners.

(some more successful than others)

And what would Valentines be without a little bling.

They each got a dog tag with their name and phone number printed on it.

Ya Know What's Curious?

Sometimes you just gotta get away, 

even if it is up on top of Mom's frig.

When you are old, you can get away with such things.

She used to get shot with a water gun when she did such things.

Now, not so much.

Give a Boy a Chicken Leg

And he'll gnaw it down to the marrow and ask for a 2nd one!

(Btw...J will not eat meat.   T will only eat ground meat.)

Week In Review

So, what did we do this week????

Play date with new friends.
Home School.  (finished day 113 of 180-we are on the down hill slide!)
OT for Sawyer
Speech for Sawyer
Well Visit for Ansley.  Grew 3 inches and gained 5 pounds this year.
Saturday School for Judson

Sewing

Thankfully, Ansley is not too picky about Mom's sewing expertise.

Mommy-Son, Daddy-Daughter Date Night.

Daddy-Ansley went to Chickfila Annual Daddy-Daughter date night.
I took the boys to try out a new restaurant in town.
Both dates were a success!
 
Lots of outside play because it's February and 60 degrees!

 No, it's really not that cold out.
However, Ansley's signature color is PINK.
So, she found everything she could that was pink and wore it!
Don't be hating because you don't have a pink hat like that!