The "Woobie"

woobie \'wu-bee\ n : small blanket roughly the size of a cloth diaper used in place of a regular sized blanket. Commonly used as a travel blanket that can be tucked and carried anywhere. It is widely used by younger children who suck their thumbs (namely those with the last name of Fort). Always handmade. Usually created with fleece fabric. Designs, size and colors must vary. Be prepared to create half a dozen of these small blankets. origin: the word is taken from the 1983 flop-of-a-movie called Mr. Mom starring Michael Keaton (though, in the movie the "woobie" in question was actually a very much loved blanket).

The First Woobie:
For Hunter's 1st birthday his mommy made him a very special blanket out of fleece complete with the perfect fringe. He loved this blanket and it was literally attached to him from that day forward. If the blanket ever got lost Hunter was unconsolable. Sometime shortly thereafter he became very sick. So much so, that in the middle of the night he vomited all over this very special blanket. After cleaning him up, the blanket had to go in the wash. But of course, Hunter would not calm down and go back to sleep without his blanket. So, his mom went to the fabric box, pulled out a small piece of fleece left over from making the original blanket, quickly cut some fringes around the edge and gave it to unhappy Hunter. Hunter calmed down and went right to sleep. And thus the "woobie" was born!!
Since then, Hunter has had several woobies. All made from various designs, but all fleece. The thing about these woobies is that they do get lost or left someplace. So, it's always good to have the materials (fleece and scissors) to quickly whip up another one. I always got tired of lugging around a big blanket to church, on the plane, etc. so the woobie was a great "replacement" blanket. Hunter has grown out of them but I still find a "lost woobie" every now and then (I have found two since we moved here in 2006: one tucked inside the couch). The woobie was definitely a vital part of Hunter's existence when he was a toddler.It became a big thing with us Forts. So much so that their Grandma Fort starting making woobies (the yellow one on the left of the picture is one made by her) and giving them as baby gifts. Naturally, she made one for Robyn. I write this post for this picture. You probably can't tell that she, on her own, has a corner of her 'woobie' tucked up between her chin and her thumb.And thus, a new era of "the woobie" has begun...

The Cub Scout Follows Akela.

The proud moment when Aidan begins his journey into Scouts is fast approaching. So, we agreed it was about time we started thinking about how we, as parents, could be involved. This past Saturday was the first real preparatory experience that Jaren and I have had the privilege of experiencing. We attended some Cub Scout training known as Akela's Trail. While there we attended various classes from "Flag Etiquette" to Puppetry skills; Rocketry to Games. All geared to help any parents or leaders learn and teach in Cub Scouts. We had an awesome experience!! We're finally starting to get our feet wet in the world of Scouting. I'm afraid we'll drown in it all! Definitely a wonderful group to be a part of. And, I think after all these years of not being a part of Scouts, Jaren is excited to once again put on the uniform.

And, I have two words for Alice and Gene Hamilton...YOU ROCK! Gene and Alice Hamilton @ Akela's Trail

They put together this entire event and it was phenomenal. I've been around Alice as she's been planning for this. While I could offer opinions or an ear that would listen I never really knew what she was doing with all this information. So, it was great to finally be a part of the finished product and to understand what they had been working on all these many months. WOW--I learned so much about the Cub Scouts! The coolest big sister in the whole, wide world!!

Now I completely understand why they have such a passion for this organization. And to think at one time I thought she was just crazy for devoting so much time and energy to Scouts! But, I get it now! How blessed we are to have such wonderful people so heavily involved!

If you want a place to belong--Cub Scouts is the place to go!