Name that Tune

Yes, it's riddled with mistakes....nothing close to perfection. So why am I video taping Aidan's practice session? Maybe it's the absence of formal piano lessons (though it was quite successful for the few months that he had them). Maybe it's the self motivation. Maybe it's the fact that he's been happily at it for about an hour now. Aidan found this piece of sheet music on the internet tonight, printed it out and went to work on page 1 of a 5-page piece of music all without me knowing. So, I started to take notice. How far he has gotten in just one hour.

This excerpt is (almost) the whole first page:
(Robyn started screaming during the last line of it, so I cut that part)



I clearly have underestimated his talent and potential in the music department. I knew he could play, but I've seen this music and I had no idea he could plunk out some of the notes and chords written here. He's even using the pedal! I hope he sticks with it because this piece of music is one of our favorites...just never thought I'd see Aidan tackle it NOW. Hopefully one day I'll get to post the whole song!

Can anyone name the song he is practicing?

I Think We Can

We genuinely do like to camp. We've done it numerous times but never by ourselves. We've always gone with other friends or family. And, in Southeast Texas you just don't camp in the Summer. You're forced to go during the school year--which can be tricky. But, we were able to get out during Spring Break this year!

We headed up to Rusk, TX...about a 2 1/2 hr. drive. Home to the Texas State Railroad.
Father and son immediately went to work getting the tent set up. This is only the 2nd time in six years for this practically new tent to emerge from the garage. At least I didn't have to do it.
Aidan also picked the meals while camping. We only used pie irons and our dutch oven. It did take three very charred pie irons pizzas before we got the timing right. Once we figured that out they were delicious. So, we also made hobo sandwiches and toast using them! The dutch oven cooked our breakfast casserole in the morning! Again--delicious! Of course, we had s'mores for treat. Try the strawberry flavored and chocolate swirl marshmallows...they're not that bad!
Jaren and I opted for Hobo sandwiches instead of s'mores. Mmm, yummy!
Hunter and Robyn enjoyed taking strolls around the campground...with the occasional Texas State Railroad Train passing through!

We took a longer ride on the train this year! Our trip was 4 1/2 hours round trip.

I always love taking pictures of Aidan in solitude (ie without Hunter nearby). I think he actually does love nature (even though he'll rarely admit it).The train took us to Palestine, TX where we had lunch and watched a very comical scene involving thieves, renegades and the Lone Ranger coming to save the day (I would have been more impressed had Silver been there too)!


The train ride back to our campsite in Rusk resulted in lots of this:
Hunter pretty much sat here the whole ride, only to fall asleep there...

Since the train sports a steam engine, occasionally rainbows would pop up alongside us.
Just love the tracks!
Robyn refused to go to sleep and when she finally did she was without pjs. She woke up in the middle of the night crying (because she was cold??). Robyn was the last one to rise later that morning. But, she did LOVE the tent!
Can you tell how filthy she is? Somehow she managed to "paint" herself with tree sap...

If you know Aidan, you know that he collects smashed (pressed) pennies. He brought home two truly smashed pennies from this trip.

Across the finish line

I will admit that though I am an avid Scouter, the Pinewood Derby is not my favorite activity. Maybe it's because I'm a very involved parent with not one, but two Cub Scouts. And, a few hours earlier I wasn't even planning on attending the Derby. I was going to send daddy with the boys and let them have a grand time.

But, I quickly realized that it wasn't about me...but about the boys and how much fun they really do have. Participating in a PineWood Derby is like a rite of passage for a Cub Scout. Not to mention, this would be Aidan's last race! So, we all had to be there.

This year Aidan brought a good friend! We entered a car for him at the last minute! Seriously, we found a car and he colored it using sharpies. D-Man ended up placing 3rd in the Webelos race. Shows that you don't need a sophisticated car to do well.


Aidan WON the Derby--been his goal for months now. He designed his car months ago. And, pretty much created it himself which makes it even cooler that he won 1st place. What a great way to race at his final PineWood Derby.

Let's not forget Hunter...while he didn't place in the top three, he did get an award for Most Colorful Car. And that it was! I'm surprised his car wasn't brown by the time he was done painting it he used so many different colors!


Way to go Cub Scouts!

(Sorry these aren't the greatest pictures. Got to the Derby only to find my battery dead in the camera. So, these are pics from the phone)