Day Camp June 4-10

Well the first week of summer vacation was not a vacation.  We started off with soccer camp for Damon and Day Camp for all of us.  It made for a very busy week.  Damon's soccer camp was from 8-10:00 Monday - Thursday.  I was grateful that we had a friend participate so that we could car pool.  Because of recent rain the camp was moved to a nicer turf field, but it meant a 30 minute drive to get there.  Damon had a good time and had fun with his friend Drew. 

I was the ward representative for Day Camp this year.  That meant I was in charge of making sure we had enough adult helpers, collecting paper work, and making sure everyone was trained and had their YPT current.  I also set up a car pool sign up so we knew who was driving each day and where each kid was going.   We had 12 adults help throughout the week with 5 Junior Ranger helpers (11-13 year olds), 20 cub scouts, and 3 Me-toos (siblings 3-6).  

The camp ran from 1:00-6:00 every day.  We would meet at the church at 12:00 then drive up around 12:15.  The weather thankfully cooperated most of the week.  We were afraid that we were going to get lots of rain on Monday and Tuesday, but it only rained a bit at the end.  Wednesday and Thursday were pretty hot, but not unbearable.  Friday we had more clouds so it wasn't too bad.  We were really blessed.  

The cubs were divided into Webelos in one group (Jaguars) and the Bears/Wolves/Tigers were in another group (Elephants).  The camp was a Safari theme so our stations were labeled things like: The Plains, The Jungle, The River, etc.  The program director is one of my good friends and she did a great job of organizing camp.  The sessions were fun and everything ran smoothly.  Some of the sessions were: bugs, boat building, marbles, snakes, outdoor games, musical instruments, magic tricks, coding, card games, maze building, art projects, building, and of course shooting activities.  Chris enjoyed the BB range, but had a hard time with archery.  I think it was just a little too hard for him to pull the string back.  I went around with Chris's group the whole week, so I didn't get to see Tyler do his activities, but he enjoyed archery the most.  

Damon helped as a ranger 3 of the days.  They helped keep water coolers full and assist the session leaders.  Damon was able to help on the ranges since he was 12 years old.  He went early a couple of times as well to help set up.  

The girls were in the Me-Too program and had a lot of fun making crafts, playing games, and watching movies.  They stayed home Wednesday since I went early to help set up and that was easier than trying to find someone to take them up to camp later.  

The last day was family day so Jenna and Kaylee came around to the different sessions.  That day we did a music session of name that tune, the zoo mobile, outdoor games and the range.  Then the fire truck sprayed all who wanted to get wet.  I brought a change of clothes for everyone and they watched Moana while Damon and I helped take down the archery range.  

It was a busy week. We tried to start our summer schedule.  I would wake up early to prep for my sunday school lesson.   At 6:45 those who wanted to run around the block would join me.  It's only 1/2 mile, so we go around once or twice depending on how we're feeling.  Tyler was the only one who wanted to run this week.  Then on a normal day I would exercise but this week I couldn't because I was taking Damon to soccer camp.  Then we did centers.  Everyone is enjoying these right now, let's hope that it stays that way.  Right now our stations are: piano, typing, iPad educational games, writing or math, and reading.  I am doing piano with all of the kids and so it has been fun to see the younger ones get excited to play Merrily We Roll Along.  After centers is screen time and then lunch.  The kids were good to help get ready for camp.  They all had their back packs that they would fill with their 4 snacks and get their water bottle.  After lunch we would head up to camp. After a full day of camp we would leave around 6:30, arriving home around 7:00.  Then we would eat dinner, give everyone a shower/bath and do a batch of laundry every night so our shirts would be clean for the next day.  I'm grateful that the camp was over at 6:00 though, two years ago it went until 8:00 and that was way too late.  I tried to have dinner ready in a crock pot or time bake oven.  Doug was good to help out and made spaghetti for us one of the evenings.  Then after kids were in bed I would send out emails to parents giving them info that they would need for the next day.  Anyway, this first week felt like two, it was fun but I'm glad it's over. :) 

Here are the pictures:

cockroaches on her palm and wrist.

 Weren't happy to wear protective eye gear. 

 petting an alligator

TOFW April 23-29

Pretty normal, but busy week - seems like I'm always busy.  But now looking back I can't remember what I was busy with.  

Sunday I wore a new outfit that I found at Ross.  I like finding cute things for cheap!

Monday was my dad's birthday so the kids colored or drew pictures to email to him.  

 Tyler's

 Damon wrote a note with pictures on Google Docs.

Tuesday I got my hair cut and highlighted.  It was quite a bit lighter than I wanted to go, but oh well, it will fade a bit and grow out.

 Wednesday I spent preschool time making this cake that was for a baby shower.  It was fun to do.  I still wish I knew how to get the sides of cake perfectly flat.  Mine always squish out.  This was a three layer cake - a first for me.  It was a lot of cake.  I used some new recipes from  the cake doctor recipe book I got for my birthday.  You use a cake mix and just add stuff to it.  The lemon was really good.

 Thursday we went to the baby shower.  It was fun to visit and see lots of cute girl things.  My friend was in charge and went over early to help set up and we stayed to clean up after too.  So that took my whole morning.  We ran to the store quick before heading out to visiting teaching.  Then we picked up the boys from school.  Then Doug and I went to my hairdresser's to have Doug's hair cut and I wanted to watch and learn.  He wanted to try the 'fade' look.  It looks good on him but it also looked really hard to do.  So he may just have to keep going to someone else if he wants to keep this style.




After that we had dinner quick then we all went to the church for our youth activities.  Tyler had pack meeting, Doug was helping with the scouts, I was asked to do a hair demonstration for the Beehives.  I looked up a couple of new styles online and tried a few on Jenna.  It was good to have a reason to get some new ideas.  We do the same hair styles almost everyday.  Jenna does an 'Elsa' braid (one french braid down the middle) and Kaylee prefers a pony tail.

Friday we didn't make it to dance class because she moved the time back.  We went over to a friends for a visiting teaching pool luncheon.  So the girls had fun swimming and we had fun visiting.  We ordered Panera delivery and had yummy food.  I ordered a Chinese Mandarin salad with cashews and it was so good.   We had to leave a bit early to get home.  I needed to shower and get ready to go.  

I dropped the girls off at a friends at 1:30 and then I was off with my friends for TOFW.  We stopped by Marshalls and did some quick shopping - literally changing our clothes as fast as possible to make it out in time.  I found a T-shirt and a couple of capris - but I need to go back and change the sizes if possible. 

Then we drove downtown and ate an early dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse.  I had a salmon and pasta dish that was so good I had to take a picture.  I usually don't take pictures of my food, but this one was picture worthy.  

 We parked for TOFW - grateful that one of our husbands had a parking pass for a lot nearby- then walked to the convention center.  David Archeletta was the musical performer for Friday night.  It was so fun to hear him sing.  He sang "My Little Prayer" which has been one of our recent favorites.  It was kind of funny to see him try and sing some more spunky songs and get jammin'.  I think the more mellow songs are more his strength.

The speakers were all so good.  I took lots of notes.  We got back late Friday night, then left early Saturday morning.  We tried to go to a quick yard sale before heading down, but they weren't open yet.  Saturday was great too.  Lunch was a bit crazy.  They didn't have a lunch catered like last year so hundred of ladies are looking for food and most of the restaurants nearby are sit down type that take a long time. We tried two places and the wait times were 45-60 min.  So we ended up going to Starbucks.  The line was long, but doable.  So I paid $9 for a sandwich that they warmed up in a toaster oven and $6 for a yogurt.  Crazy!  But I had to say, both were actually very good - but still a little over priced.  The rest of the speakers were excellent.  One mother spoke of how her daughter was killed in the school shooting a couple of years ago.  It was amazing to hear her spiritual experiences and how she has received help to have healing and hope.  It was a great get away, so grateful that Doug was able to let me go.  It was a really hard week for him.  He had to fill in for some people at work and was doing extra projects.  He couldn't come home early on Friday so Damon watched everyone for a bit until Doug made it home.  Grateful to have some older children! 

The event ended at 4:00 and then we drove home.  We had leftovers for dinner and then Doug and I went to the adult session of Stake Conference.  (it was a very church day for me - but good)  They are adding a new stake to our area.  So there are a few changes for us.  We have 4 wards in our building now and we meet at 8:30.  

Easter April 16-22

Easter Sunday

The morning started early, so I had time to get ready, make breakfast, and find Easter baskets.  It was a pretty low key day.  We were so worn out from the weekend that I decided that I was going to make Easter dinner on Monday.  So we had pancakes for dinner.  It made the day so nice that I didn't have to be in the kitchen the whole time.  We spent time together as a family and made some phone calls to extended family.  

The kids enjoyed their Easter baskets.  The cool new thing was a balloon helicopter.  There was a balloon attached to a propeller, so that when you let the air out of the balloon it would fly into the air.  Some worked better than others.  Of course they attached a noise maker - so it whistled as it flew.  Fun, buy annoying at the same time.  

 I had found these skirts for the girls years ago and I think they are so cute.  I had the hardest time finding shirts to go with.  I found some white collared blouses but the girls refused to wear them.  So they wore just some t-shirts that sort of matched.  They didn't look like the typical Easter dresses, but oh well.  I'll still need to find some other shirts to go with I guess.

 The bows turned out cute - the headbands didn't stay in well so we ended up pulling their hair up and putting the bow by the elastic.

 Damon saw this recipe in the Friend so we tried it.  I think I had made these in college or sometime long ago.  The hollow center where the marshmallow had been symbolizes the empty tomb.

 Doug is good to spend some one-on-one time with the kids.  It was Jenna's turn and they made a tower taller than Jenna!

 The rest of the week was busy with normal things: grocery shopping, visiting teaching, and errands.  My friend had a birthday this week and I baked a lava cake for her.  I still don't own any custard cups so I tried them in some cereal bowls.  It didn't work as well and there wasn't any lava in the lava cakes.  Oh well, the cake still tasted good.

Friday we had dance and playgroup like normal.  We went to our splash pad which was fun.  It was a little breezy so the kids were cold at times, but it was a nice day.  When Damon got home we got him ready for his camp out.  The 11 yr olds were going camping near Lake Conroe.  This was Damon's first time camping without family.  He was nervous and said he didn't want to go, but once he was with his friends he was fine and I think he had a good time.  He said he didn't sleep well, but I think that was mostly because it was so hot.

Later that evening Doug and I went out to dinner with my friend to celebrate her birthday with some friends.  It was her 40th so her husband had set it up.  We went to a Mexican place.  It was good.  Then we went back to their house to play games.  We played Apples to Apples and then played some basketball outside.  I won the game of lightning with just the girls playing.  It was lucky, but fun.  Another couple joined late and we played Apples to Apples again.  It was a fun night.  Since Damon was gone we had to get a baby sitter.  I kind of missed having Damon around.  He does a better job of picking up than this YW did.

Saturday we all got up early and went to the Church ball championship.  Doug and our ward played pretty well, but got off to a rocky start and were never able to pull themselves out.  So they came in 2nd but they had a fun season.  Doug said it was the best group of men that he's played with.

We cleaned house and did normal Saturday stuff and Damon came home.  Chris and I went over to Walmart to look at glasses.  He can tell that things are blurry and wants to get his glasses now.  We found a pair he likes but our Dr's office is closed on Saturday so I'll have to get the prescription faxed over on Monday and get them ordered.  Damon had a birthday party in the evening and the rest of us chilled at home.