Bobcat

Tonight was Michael's first pack meeting as a Cub Scout.  He and Todd have already attended 2 den meetings, which was only their small group of Tiger Cubs.  The pack meeting is made up of all of the dens in the pack. 

Last week, Michael's den worked on their first badge, the Bobcat badge.  His den only had 2 other boys in it (2 more joined tonight).  Both of them earned the badge at the den meeting last week.  Michael completed all but 2 requirements for the badge.  The den leader told Todd that Michael could still get the badge at the pack meeting tonight if he could finish the last 2.  Michael worked hard on learning the Law of the Pack as well as the Cub Scout promise over the past week.  Since Michael completed these tonight, he also received his badge at the pack meeting.  They all got to go up in front of everyone to receive the badges.

After the meeting, Todd took Michael out to get a milkshake as a special treat for working hard to complete the badge.  Michael was so excited and proudly displayed his badge when he got home.  We were proud of him for accomplishing this and look forward to what comes next.

Alone Time

Todd had a 2 day work conference in Orlando this past weekend.  I was lucky enough to be able to go with him to Orlando while my parents watched Katie and Michael.  This was our first trip away from the kids alone since Michael was born.  It felt a bit strange to be somewhere with Todd but without the kids.  It was nice to have some relaxing alone time.  Unfortunately, Todd spent most of the day in the conference but we got to spend time together at night.  We even had a nice and entertaining dinner at a Japanese steakhouse on Monday night.  I spent my days reading in the room or by the pool at a neighboring hotel (the pool at our hotel was undergoing renovations).  I have to admit that by the end of the second day alone, I was ready to head back.  I don't want another 6.5 years to go by before Todd and I get away together again!

Wordless Wednesday - School Picture Day

New Dance School

Katie's first dance lesson of the new school year was this afternoon.  I tried to sign her up for class on Tuesday after lunch since she doesn't go to school that day but the class was already full.  I decided to sign her up for Monday afternoon at 4:00 because I figured that it wouldn't get over too late and interfere with dinner.  The only bad part about that time is that Michael has to come too but I figure Katie has been to so many of his things that it's only fair.

This year Katie's class is a tap and ballet combo for 3 and 4 year olds, which is the same as last year.  She is taking class at the Dance Dept this year.  She was not old enough to attend there last year.  She was so excited for the first day of class and has been talking about it for the past few weeks.  We got her new ballet and tap shoes at the end of last week.  Katie walked around the house all afternoon with the ballet slippers on.

The class is 45 minutes long and takes place behind closed doors.  They have a few classes per year that they open up for the parents to watch and there is a recital at the end of the year.  As soon as Katie came out of the first class, she started talking about what they did.  She let me know that they did tap first and then ballet.  They also danced to some music that she really liked.

Before class

Worn out after class

I really enjoy watching her excitement for dance.  Considering that she is not the most girly girl, I wondered how dance would go.  She really seems to have fun and that is all that matters!

Go Cocks!!

The Gamecocks played today.  We went to a friend's house to watch the game and eat lunch.  The kids all had fun playing together.  The men mostly watched the game while the women mostly talked about anything but football.  It was nice to hang out with friends and have good food and conversation!  The kids were even dressed in their Gamecocks apparel.

Bathroom Progress

It's the end of the second week of work on the bathroom remodel.  The work is going to be stopping until the tile that we ordered comes in because we want to have it with us when we pick out the new paint color for the walls.  The tile should be here in about a week or so and then work will resume again.  We are also waiting for our new cabinet to be delivered.

The bathroom door stays closed now because I can't stand to look in there.  Home projects tend to stress me out.  I do enjoy seeing the progress as it happens but I am always relieved once it's complete.  Todd gets very involved in the progress and takes pictures after every work day.  It's really coming along quite nicely. 

The new linen closet is done except for shelving and painting.  It even has the new door on.  The new shower (former bathtub) is ready for tile.   The master closet is ready for a new floor and organizer.  We still have at least 3-4 more weeks until the project is done because we haven't even ordered our countertops yet.

Katie's First School Artwork

During her first week of school, Katie told me that she put paint on her hands and put them on a piece of paper.  She also told me that it was messy but her teacher, Ms. Beth, helped her to clean her hands when it was done. 

When I picked her up from school today, her teacher gave me the artwork with her handprints on it.  Katie was so proud of it and told me all about how they made it.  We went to lunch with Todd and she happily showed it to him as well.  He read the poem on the paper to her while she listened intently.  It was so cute.

I can't wait to see what else she brings home from school (and I really want to find a better way to store and sort the artwork too).

First Den Meeting

Tonight Michael went to his first Cub Scout den meeting with Todd.  The whole family attended the meet and greet dinner last Monday, which is when we signed Michael up for the Cub Scouts.  This year, he will be a Tiger Cub.  The boys will attend 2 den meetings per month, as well as one pack meeting.  There will also often be a visit to somewhere to help earn badges by learning about different things.

The den started working on their first badge tonight at the meeting.  Michael already knows the motto, handshake and salute.  It's pretty cute to watch him learn these new things.  It's also a great bonding experience for Michael and Todd.  I love watching them go to have this special time together and I hope that they both enjoy it!

Beach Weekend

We celebrated Labor Day weekend at the same place we did last year: at the beach with friends and family.  We headed to my parents' house in North Carolina on Friday night and spent some time with them.  The kids were so excited to go on a trip for the weekend.  On Saturday afternoon, we headed to South Carolina to visit with some close friends and their kids.

The weekend was full of time spent at the pool, beach and eating some good food.  We went to the beach and used the pool both days we were there.  The kids also got to play at a local playground.  We all rode there on our friend's golf cart, which the kids loved! 

Katie and Michael both enjoyed the beach this time around.  They actually got in the ocean without major prompting.  Both kids let Todd take them out a little bit further than they normally would have.  Katie kept running out of the water up to our stuff and wiping off her hands on the towel.  It was pretty funny.  Katie and her friend Macayla also collected seashells to bring home.  Michael loved jumping over the little waves by the shore and wasn't scared at all.

The only bad thing about the weekend was that we had to leave on Monday because there was school and work on Tuesday.  We are going to do our best to spend more time at the beach next summer.