Ready Or Not!

If you know Southeast Texas you know that when it comes to hurricanes it's not a matter of if but when the hurricane will strike.  We survived Hurricane Ike in 2008 (the link takes you to my posts from 2008--just scroll through to Sept. 2008 until you see some posts about the hurricane).  We only had to endure two weeks without power.  Yes, it was somewhat uncomfortable, but definitely doable.   We learned a few things that year showing us that we weren't as prepared as we thought. 

So, for the first time ever, our family attended the annual Hurricane Preparedness Workshop here in Houston, TX.  Why did it take us so long to get there?  I can give two reasons:  (1) Our schedules never allowed us to attend before and (2) Our teenage boys took advantage of the Boy Scout Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge workshop (something that would have never been on our radar in previous years). 

One of five t-shirts that we "caught" throughout the day

My husband was quite fascinated with barometric pressure and why it's so significant in hurricane development.  While listening to some of the presentations, my oldest was interested in the actual position of Director of the National Hurricane Center, who spoke to us today.  There was a time when his dream job was to be the director of the NHC.  When he was younger weather (hurricanes in particular) were quite fascinating to him.  

Our middle child was thrilled to get "stabbed" in the neck with a piece of glass as he allowed them to create mock emergency situations.  We quickly learned that even the sight of "fake" blood makes him nauseaus.

Can you see the "wound" on his neck?

I learned all about the Wonder Oven and even purchased one of my own.  I'm sure it'll be one of those things I learn how to cook with as I work on a particular provident living plan coming up in Unit #4 of my class ;-).

We also learned how to make an A/C unit with a bag of ice, an old cooler, a fan, PVC pipe, and a battery.  It really was quite chilly to stand next to it.  

You can't see them, but our boys are participating in the Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge Workshop

Taking a break at the Emergency Response Team Ambulance

While we didn't win any of the 30 giveaway prizes (we never win anything), we walked away with a trunk full of reusable bags that were loaded with information, first aid kits, rain gauges, snacks, ponchos, flashlights, T-shirts . . . and the list goes on!  

We felt uplifted and reenergized to get better prepared for emergencies.  This was definitely a family activity that "involved the mind" and helped us "develop skill" together. 

We finished the night by eating dinner and just hanging out with my twin brother and his family.  We enjoyed outdoor recreation, playing video games, and just catching up.  It made for a long, productive, and fun Saturday for us.

Our youngest with her two cousins

WRA, REL200, Post 5

Memorial Day Weekend

Every year, our Memorial Day holiday weekend includes a weekend at Grandma's house--or the home I grew up in.  Grandma lives in the countryside on Lake Livingston in Southeast, TX.  It's a time for our family to really enjoy some rest and recreation with aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins.  There is never a shortage of things to do.  If you're bored . . . well, that's your own fault ;-P

This year was complete with a few firsts:

1.  Our six-year old really tried some "serious" swimming in the lake (which was higher and dirtier than usual thanks to lots of rain this spring).  Her dear cousin showed her how to "swing her arms" for freestyle.

2.  We spent the actual Memorial Day at the Houston National Cemetery.  Attending this very well-known and sacred service was a bit out of our comfort zone, but we knew it would be an uplifting experience.  The small Children's Choir that I accompany for performed during this particular Memorial Day Service.  It was our frst performance ever!  The link provided is the news coverage of the services.  When the author mentions that "We heard children sing patriotic songs "--it's our group that he was speaking of.  If you watch the news video, I'm actually in it about 10 seconds in (for a split second) standing on the left of the screen wearing a blue shirt--yep, mommy's little moment of fame :-P

Not having a military ancestry, participating in such services in not something we normally do or even think of.  But, we all agree that it was a unique experience to be able to rub shoulders with not only many veterans and soldiers but also many members of our local and state governments.  It provided us with the opportunity to remember what Memorial Day is all about.

Our weekend was also spent making pizzas, building puzzles, playing games, celebrating birthdays, swimming, fishing, watching movies, enjoying the outdoors, cleaning out my parents' garage,  and just enjoying the time together as family.

Preparing for a cousin's birthday celebration

 Chit-chatting with cousins

On the rope swing

Playing with water balloons in the water

(always more fun when there's more water)

Playing ping pong

Attempting a game of badminton 

(which is really interesting with a 6-year old)

 Brother-in-laws enjoying the outdoors together

So, why is this considered "wholesome recreational activity?"  This gave us the opportunity to exemplify many of the activities described in Widmer's definition that included developing skills and learning.

Develop skill and learn:  My daughter learning how to swim (and fish), learning a new game, building a puzzle, playing piano for the children's singing group
Build relationships:  Relationships were particularly developed between cousins and older siblings (like my siblings and I).

Elder Oaks defintions included activities that have the ability to inspire.  Attending and participating in the Memorial Day services was certainly inspiring and uplifting.

WRA, REL200, Post 3

Activity in Music

This past Monday, our family decided to all go to concert put on by the local high school orchestras. Our oldest, who will be joining this group next year, wanted to watch and listen to the group play.  In the past, we might have only taken him, allowing the other children to stay home.  But, we decided it was a great opportunity to expose the other children to orchestral music and give us time together as a family.  It did take a bit of effort convincing our middle child to join us.

What you see/hear is just one selection from the concert that the local high school performed on Monday, May 11, 2015.  They are playing a portion of The Moldau by Smetana.

Even if our younger children might not have fully appreciated the music, this picture taken is proof that the activity did what we needed it to:  Build relationships.

Our oldest has never, in the entire six years of his sister's existence, had the desire to carry or hold her in any way for any reason.  But, that night he invited her into his arms and he happily carried her to the car.  Yes, miracles do happen!

 It was obvious that this concert meant something to him and put him in the greatest mood because he did something that he wouldn't normally do.  You can bet that she will never forget this moment--the very first time her brother carried her!  Witnessing that small moment made that night a wonderful experience for me.

After the concert was over we enjoyed a family treat at the local Culver's--our go-to place for ice cream (okay, it's really frozen custard, but it certainly satisfies the same cravings).  We all indulged in the flavor-of-the-day:  Chocolate Marshmallow Oreo.

WRA, REL200, Post 2

Inks Lake and Enchanted Rock

Keeping with our annual tradition of camping over Spring Break, this year we headed to the "other side" of Austin to Inks Lake and Enchanted Rock State Parks.  And, this time the whole Texas clan came along.

Trying out our new hammocks.

Going fishing...don't confuse that with catching fish.

 Beginning our ascent to the top of Enchanted Rock.

Still going ...

Robyn loved every bit of it!

Still going up to the summit.

At the top!  

Just love this picture of my mother and us three sisters.  We were trying to get a group picture and the wind wasn't cooperating!

On the other side is a cluster of caves (who knows how many there really are...we didn't explore all the crevices). 

I hiked down into one of them and couldn't get out becaue of the people blocking the entrance.   So, I waited...this is me looking up out of one of the crevices.  Jaren tried to convince me to climb up but we decided that I was too short to reach the hand or foot holds.

 Splashing in Spring Creek back at Inks Lake

All the cousins with Grandma!

 To anybody wondering of young children can hike Enchanted Rock.  Yes, they can.  Though, some may come down looking like this:

 Yes, she slept pretty much during the whole descent.

I've gone mental...

With some of this:

Wood Badge 13-2 here I come.  I was a participant on Course 1023 back in 2010.  This year, I'm on staff as a Troop Guide.  I'm very much a greenie at this voluntary assignment (yep, I know...I'm a little crazy).  It's a whole new experience, I tell ya.  But worth it for all the life lessons.

And more of this:

Yep, I went back to school this year.  Obviously, I'm not on campus at BYU-I in Rexburg.  I started their online Pathway program about seven weeks ago en route to finish my BA.  

Oh my...it has changed my life!  

 And LOTS of this:

Still my favorite part...being surrounded by this particular support group.  

Someone once asked me how I was juggling everything.  Well, my brain hurts all the time.  I haven't exercised it like this in years.  Other than that, it's not all that stressful since we significantly downsized the amount of extracurricular stuff we had going on.  I have to admit that life is just getting better and better each and everyday.

  

I've been pretty terrible at posting on my blog.  Life was busy before...now--just as busy. 

Halloween 2011

I know this post seems "just a bit" late but I've had several people ask me about my kids' costumes last year after posting our Halloween pics this year.  So, for your enjoyment!

C.L.U. from Tron: Legacy

(there is nothing fun about cutting, placing and ironing reflective tape but it turned out pretty awesome)

Little Chicken

(and she went around the entire night saying "Cluck, Cluck!")

Young Anakin Skywalker 

(age nine--just like the little boy in the costume)  

Can you "play in your sleep"?

I've experienced a Beginner Band Performance...such a good example of that good ol' nails-on-a-chalkboard sound (see me shudder).  You try really hard not to plug your ears.  I was expecting the same experience at Aidan's 1st Beginner Orchestra Concert.  You just don't have high expectations from any beginner musical group.  But, it was quite the opposite.   Strings sound so much prettier--no matter how simple the music may be.  We were impressed.

This particular clip is just one section of their "Variations on Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."  Seriously, how many ways  can you play this and still be entertained?  Apparently, there's a lot.  They played on one foot, they play with one hand...and the list went on.  But, this was our favorite of all! (and yes, that is Robyn's screaming that you hear at the end of the clip).

Happy Hallowen

This is just a quick post with the Fort costumes.  The kids will pretty much come up with the idea themselves and then I go to work creating whatever it is they want to be.  I'm always amazed at how the costume they choose really does represent each one of them.  Heck, I amazed myself for being able to take their ideas and make it a wearable costume.  This was lot of work, some stress and some the-house-is-falling-apart feelings BUT it was also a lot of fun!

Scarlet Macaw

Robyn's favorite toy right now is a big Scarlet Macaw puppet and her stuffed puppy.  She really wanted me to combine these two favorite animals and make a "puppy with feathers"...ummm...that put an interesting picture in my head.  I convinced her to choose just one.  I probably spent the longest on hers.  Certainly made the biggest mess cutting out all those feathers (and her running around the house with all my scraps).  It didn't turn out at all like I had originally imagined it.  

Nope--it turned out much better!  

Luke, Son of Hermes

Hunter's was probably the easiest to create.  He's totally into this book series.  I love that he always chooses to be a less popular character.  Sometimes you have to think outside of the box a bit before you guess it right.  Though it was simple, I love how the winged shoes turned out!  (And yes, they fit me too!)

Robin Hood

Aidan's really into archery right now so he just wanted any character that uses a bow and arrow. So glad he went with this instead of some modern superhero.  This one was lots of fun to put together (quite the understatement).  It was my first attempt to sew a cloak (or anything for that matter) without a pattern.  It was such a good experience, I made two more (keep reading) and whipped up the rest of his costume.  It's a great feeling when your 11-yr. old declares, "It's the best costume ever."  Better than CLU or Hiccup? (Did I even blog about last year's costumes?)

And then there's my other half.  I made a mighty cloak for him.  Versatile enough for him to turn it into whatever character he wanted.  I think he turned it into a "Rogue Jedi" which is very fitting for him.  They were having a Halloween party at work so he sent me this photo this morning.  For the record--I've never made him a costume until now.  It was certainly an adventure...

But of course, there's no photo of my costume.  I made myself a white cloak.  I made Aidan's first for his costume--it was so much fun and such a hit that mine and Jaren's followed.  So, again, I was pretty amazed with myself.

Our pumpkin carvings...nothing too crazy but we love how they turned out.  We surrounded our trunk with hanging ghosts to match.  Probably the most we've ever done for the Ward Trunk or Treat.  So, we deserve a pat on the back for that, I think.

Have A Safe and Happy Halloween!

To play jello...

This week Aidan went in for his "instrument interview" to find the right fit.

It's pretty obvious what instrument he chose.  Frankly, he's been dreaming about getting his hands on one of these since he watched The Piano Guys  and other cellist.  

Robyn was with us during this interview and kept saying, "Aidan play jello?  What kind of jello?" The orchestra director got a kick out of her confusion.   How does one play jello?  Too funny :-)

He has to wait all Summer before orchestra starts up for him in the Fall as a 6th grader in Middle School.  And for him, it's almost unbearable.

  

Harry's Wondrous World

Yes, more Aidan. He's been my busy kid! He really blossomed in 4th grade.

He finished up the school year with his performance in my annual piano recital that took place yesterday.




Gotta say though, I take absolutely no credit for this performance! Aidan just plays for the fun of it now.

To all my other students: Congrats on your perfect performances last night!


Thanks for an awesome year!

Tall Timbers

In our elementary school 4th graders are introduced to the recorder in their music class. As a musician, I love the idea. And, it gave Aidan a real opportunity to explore other musical options besides singing and piano. I cannot tell you how much he has absolutely loved playing. His piano skills have greatly improved since he took on this challenge. I even got my own recorder so I could play with him (since then Robyn and Hunter also have their own recorder).

4th grade Tall Timbers Recorder Group (Aidan is on the far left, red shirt)

This is just a sampling of what they played. They also played some pieces along with the rest of the 4th grade class with percussion instruments and singing. It was a great, eclectic program! (There's a bit of Robyn in here too--she'd be the little girl going in and out of the video)

I can't begin to explain how they "move up the ranks" in the "Recorder World". Only that the highest level of performance is a black belt (shown by a piece of string tied to the bottom of the recorder). Those performing at this level immediately become part of the Tall Timbers and got to perform separately here at the 4th grade program. He's gearing up to play with the Towering Timbers next year...a group that performs for various events throughout the year. Aidan's very excited for that!

I'm learning that Aidan is my instrumentalist. He doesn't care for the singing put he'll whip out a song on the piano or the recorder any day. He's already wondering what instrument he wants to play come Middle School.

Fort Extravaganza

May 11, 2011. This day was met with RAIN! And, may I say that it rained for a good, long while. For those of you not from the area...we really needed it. Our Pack and other members of our congregation were out in it mulching the church grounds. Quite a sight to watch all the boys at work not caring about the rain.

But, this was not the grand highlight of our day for the family. The Fort Extravaganza was! (Given that wonderful name by our MC of the evening). While this ceremony was originally just a ceremony for me, due to schedule conflicts and a busy Summer coming up I knew the boys wouldn't be present at a Pack Meeting for several months. So, we opted to celebrate all of our accomplishments at this ceremony.

Hunter earned his Wolf Rank and several Arrow Points. Aidan received his Webelos Rank and all the awards that go with that.
I completed my Wood Badge Ticket requirements and therefore was awarded my Wood Badge beads, Neckerchief and Woggle. Basically, I graduated from the course after 15 long months of working on my ticket!
To avoid writing all about the significance of each tradition in Wood Badge you can read about them here. I, for one, find it quite interesting and am very privileged to be among this elite group of people in the scouting world.
(me with my Troop Guide and SR-1023 Course Director)

Yes, I know I'm short...must you keep reminding me...

Now I can join the ranks of my other family members who are not only former Wood Badge graduates but also members of the Buffalo Patrol. Yep--we all have a thing for the Buffalo...
Thanks for the gift to start my own Buffalo collection


The ceremony ended with the blowing of the Kudu Horn! Hunter commented that he must have meant to say "Fog Horn".


Us Scouters will admit that we are a little weird but we have so much fun!

Course, we had to top off the night with this cake sporting my Course SR-1023 logo, our Buffalo Totem (center) and our various Patrol yells...oh, and I realized this morning that those are little Buffalo tracks all over the cake! My sister did a great job portraying Wood Badge for me. It's great having a sister like her (that's putting it very mildly)!

It was a momentous and memorable occasion for me and I'm very grateful for those friends and family who gave up their late evening to attend, participate and support me and my family.

To my other Buffalo Patrol members: Get movin' and finish those tickets!