Hello Camp Carter

This summer I have signed the boys up for Sleep Away Camp.  It’s a mini camp at Camp Carter in Fort Worth and they are only sleeping away for 2 nights, but I think it will be a good introduction for them into what Sleep Away camp is all about.  This weekend Camp Carter was having an Open House- to introduce kids to camp – and we decide to go out and see what it’s all about.  And boy, am I impressed.  The camp is very very nice- really nice buildings, air-conditioned cabins that the kids sleep in with clean bathrooms, shade trees, a swimming pool, canoeing, archery, huge open fields, sports everywhere, and on and on.  They gave us a tour and the guy that gave us a tour is more than likely going to be the kids counselor, and the kids LOVED him.  The boys even agreed that Jake would sleep on the bottom bunk and Josh on the top.  The kids were beyond excited when we left there.  They got to do some archery yesterday and play tether ball and basketball- they really didn’t want to leave!  I am beyond excited about Camp Carter this summer- not only because I get 2 full days to myself (and yes, I’ll be taking vacation those days) but because I think this will be a great independence building session for both boys.  Bring on the summer!

Letters to Afghanistan

Josh writing his letter and daring a picture

Our cub scout pack will be sending care packages and letters to our soldiers fighting in Afghanistan over Memorial Day and our tigers all decided to write thoughtful letters to some of the soldiers last night at their den meeting.  To me this is an AMAZING idea.  I don’t think the kids have any idea that this simple letter that they are writing will mean so much to a man or women over in Afghanistan.  It nearly brings me to tears just thinking about this.  I’m so very proud of our young Tiger scouts even though they really don’t understand the impact their letter will have.  Anyways, here is a copy of Josh’s letter……I hope it makes someone’s day…..its made mine!

 

GOALLLLLLLLLLLLL

Getting Instructions from Coach

Saturday was our first game of the new hockey season and we didn’t win, but boy did we play well.  I was so so so proud of both Jake and Josh.  I had just bought both boys a new composite stick- their first composite stick actually.  Up until now they played with wooden sticks but they wanted a composite stick so badly, so I gave in.  And I’m not sure if the sticks gave them more confidence or what, or if they have gotten that much better with all the extra lessons as Hockey Ambitions, but they were both different kids out there on the ice.  They skated hard, they dug in, they were there to intercept the pucks as needed, they followed up on shots, they played great defense- it was so awesome to watch them.  Jake scored from the point in the 2nd period and was he excited.  But that sort of lit a fire in Me Too (Josh) and Josh set to work- breakaway after breakaway, interception after interception, but he never did score….but he fired off a great shot and the rebound came to Jake and Jake put it home- so Josh was fairly happy with that.  Looks like we have about 10 kids on the team plus our goalie this year, so we are looking at 2 shifts- and my boys definitely need some conditioning for that, but I’m really really excited with what I’m seeing out there.  Looking forward to watching this Saturday’s game!

 

Josh is the one with the orange stick

Jake as Right Wing

Teaching the kids to gamble for Mother’s Day

Johnny asked me what I wanted to do for Mother’s Day and I usually reply to that question with “spend it by myself” (which is just terrible I know) but this year I decided that I really wanted to head to the race track to bet on the ponies.  We hadn’t been out there since the kids were 2 and 3 and they really didn’t remember much of it and it was a perfect day for the races, so why not- other than the fact that I’m teaching the kids to gamble at 7 and 8 years old- but what doesn’t kill ya makes ya stronger- right?  Just call me Mom of the Year!  So we got there for the 1st of 9 races and I told each kid that they could each pick one bet per race, and of course both Johnny and I picked one per race too.  1st race out, Josh “voted” for the winner…….way to go Joshie!

Josh and his winning ticket!

2nd race out, Jake picks the winner……..I’m still at 0 picks.

Jake’s winning ticket- and a slush

3rd race, Josh picks the winner.  4th race Jake picks the winner.  (I’m still at 0).  5th was a wash- no one won.  6th Johnny picks the winner. 7th Josh picks the winner.  8th was a wash.  We didn’t stay for the 9th.

Dad’s BIG win!

I won $0.  I didn’t even come CLOSE.  But at least now I know that both of my kids can pick some WINNERS!  We may have to go back sooner rather than later!  But seriously, I had a great time there with the family- it was just what I wanted to do on Mother’s Day.  Thanks Johnny, Jake and Josh for making it so special for me!

 

Up or Down?

When I was growing up we had 2 boys and 2 girls in the family and the general rule was that the toilet seat stayed in the down position.  The boys lifted to pee then returned the seat to the down position.  I have spent my life with this expectation.  When Johnny and I moved in together, we were 1 boy and 1 girl and I held fast to my rule.  But now I have 2 boys- and now I’m outnumbered.  3 boys/1 girl and this toilet seat rule is starting to get questioned.  In fact, every time I go into Jake’s bathroom Jake hollers at me “Mom- put the toilet seat up when you are done!”.  And honestly, I’m starting to think this might not be a bad idea because when the toilet seat is left down as I like it, the boys tend to try to pee without lifting the seat (a HUGE pet peeve of mine) and then next time I go to use it, there is generally a nasty surprise for me.  So if I lift the seats, I’m at least ensured a nice dry seat when its time for me to go.  So ladies- beware- if you come to my house, you might want to look before you sit, or you may end up in the toilet.  3 boys are strongly outnumbering me.

We are the Champions My Friend

Texas Tornados are the champions!  They won the 6 day Robertson Cup Tournament against the St. Louis Bandits.  Of their 5 games, 4 went to overtime but they won when it counted and we are so excited for them.  And what a tournament it was!  I had such  great time watching game upon game with my 2 sons and my hubby.  What a memory for us all to watch the team that we love and have cheered on since September go on to win the cup.    Thanks Texas Tornadoes for an unbelievable memory.

Getting Ready to watch the finals

IKE!

There were 3 guys in these body suits. Jake was sort of excited when he decided to sit by us!

They just won

Hoisting the Cup!

How Many Pucks do 2 Kids Need?

We have been spending ALOT of time at the hockey rink these days.  Playing AND watching.  You see, the Robertson Cup is in town.  It’s the playoffs for the NAHL Junior Hockey League and all the games are happening here, in our town.  We have been to 2 games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday plus one last night and we will hit the finals tonight, where our beloved Texas Tornado will play for the Robertson Cup.  And it has been a great experience.  The earlier games (when the Tornado aren’t playing) don’t have many people in the stands so we have been able to roam around and try out different seats.  The kids have been able to hang over the glass as the players enter and leave the arena and slap high fives with them, which is really cool.  But the thing that I wasn’t expecting was the amount of pucks we have amassed over the course of the past 4 days.  We have now brought home 7 pucks- either given to us from the officials or picked them up from being shot over the glass during warm ups or winning them during Chuck a Puck.  Its getting a little nuts…….Im wondering how many we will bring home tonight?  Go TOR-NA-DOS!

7 Pucks and Counting

Early Mother’s Day Presents

About 2 weekends back the boys went to Color Me Mine for a Kids Night Out and painted a present for me for Mother’s Day.  But then I forgot that I had to go pick the things up a week later…..so yesterday on the way home from Grandma’s I remembered- so we stopped in to get these works of art and we brought them home.  The kids told me that they made these for me for Mother’s day, but that they really wanted to give them to me today……so we made yesterday “Pre-Mother’s Day” and the kids handed me their masterpieces…..and I think they did a great job- don’t you?  Love you Boogies- Don’t eat any raccoons.

Josh’s is on the left, Jake’s is on the right.

I’m on the Jumbotron! Now What?

Yesterday we attended Day 1 of the Robertson Cup Hockey Tournament.  We went to game #2 and there really wasn’t that many people in the stands- partly because they were 2 unknown teams (to most of us) from Michigan and North Dakota.  Anyways, the boys were dancing and acting the fool to try to get themselves on the jumbotron and guess what- it worked.  But as soon as they saw that they were on the jumbotron they panicked, and wanted off as quickly as they could get off.  They ran to the end of the row and looked up- still there.  They ran up the stairs- still there- then Josh hid- he crawled under then seats and hid, leaving Jake all alone on the jumbotron- poor guy!  He didn’t know what to do.  Finally the cameraman took pity on them and went onto someone else and Josh crawled out of hiding.  They both came back to me and said “We won’t do THAT again!”.  My brave boys…….

Strawberry Fields Forever

Guess what I discovered this weekend.  Jake LIKES Strawberries…..no scratch that- Jake LOVES strawberries.  After spending 8 years trying to convince him to eat a strawberry, all it took was having his friend E over.  She saw the strawberries and some whipped cream in my fridge and asked if she could have some. Josh, who loves strawberries, wanted a dish too.  Jake, who loves whipped cream (or as he calls it whoop cream), didn’t want to be left out so he asked for some too and his eyes got big and he proclaimed loudly “These are AWESOME”.  Since that day he has had a bowl of strawberries every day, with a little whoop cream, and I for one and thrilled that we have found another fruit he will eat.  As a side note, he also asked to try salad the other night.  So I made him a bowl of chopped up lettuce with cheese.  I was making my salad too and I was adding green olives to mine (don’t you judge me!) and he asked to try one and he now also likes green olives.  So I added one to his teeny tiny bowl of lettuce.  He had a harder time convincing himself to try the lettuce.  He first ate  piece plain and then gagged (I mean really- lettuce is really nothing to gag over).  I had him dip it in French dressing (that was my go-to dressing when I grew up) and he didn’t like that.  But when I told him Dad liked Ranch, he tried that and said that was ok. Still, I could only convince him to eat 1 piece of lettuce with Ranch.  But maybe we are at baby steps here.  At least I know he will eat it- and did I mention that he is now eating strawberries?  You have no idea how huge that is……I wonder what other fruit I could add whoop cream too?