Regatta–In a Rain Gutter

Have I mentioned how much my boys love Cub Scouts?

There was a major panic on my part, and complete melt downs on the boy’s part when the decision was made to switch Cub Scouts to Tuesdays…the same day as their music class. I went to the boxing ring on that issue (politely of course) and thankfully Cub Scouts is now back on Mondays. Peace and calm has been restored to the Dickey household. (Don’t worry, I wasn’t the only parent that wanted it switched back).

This week was the Cub Scout’s annual Rain Gutter Regatta. Words cannot express how excited the boys were to race their boats…

Jeffrey’s Catamaran – “The Freedom”

Jonathan’s – “ The Dino-mite”

The Captains and their vessels

This being a Christian church activity, our kind pack leaders did their level best to keep the intense feelings of competition out of the whole event, so as not to have hurt feelings among the boys.

Unfortunately, much of that well-intentioned effort was lost on Jeffrey…

Jeffrey’s less-than-gracious win

Looks like we need to work with him on how to be a gracious winner.

Jonathan, on the other hand, is not much of a gloater…

Jonathan the quiet winner

What a kind little Cub Scout!

*Props to Daddy for the sleeks design of the boats and the his assistance with construction.

Star Spangled

This week I was helping Jonathan with his homework, completing an “All About Me” booklet filled with questions. One of the questions was about Jonathan’s favorite music….

My favorite music would definitely be_______________________.

Jonathan’s answer: “The Star Spangled Banner.”

“How patriotic” I thought, and instantly started singing at the top of my lungs…a most dramatic, operatic, super hammed-up, version of the our nation’s anthem, only meant for my little boy’s ears. Jonathan watched me with a huge grin on his face and even joined in with me on “and the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air…!” Jeffrey, who had been splashing noisily in the tub, even sat still for a minute to listen to my impromptu concert.

Then I thought of Whitney. The Legend.

I said to Jonathan, “How would you like to hear someone really sing the Star Spangled Banner?” I told him he was in for an absolute treat as I searched for Whitney’s famous version on Youtube.

He sat thoughtfully and listened to the whole song.

When the last powerful note had faded away and the crowd’s applause began, I looked at Jonathan and said, “Well, what do you think of that? Wasn’t that amazing!”

He shook his head…”Nope, didn’t like it all. Mom…you sing it way better than that lady!”

So there you have it folks…apparently I sing the National Anthem better than the legendary Whitney Houston. My little boy has declared it, so it must certainly be true. And as a second witness, Jeffrey agreed with his brother.

*FYI: The boys were just okay with Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkston’s versions. They said they were almost, but not quite as good as mine. So…American Idol…here I come!

Then and Now

This is my girl on the first day of Kindergarten, 2004. I remember marveling on this day, how she was so grown up and already going to school.

I really had no idea how much more I would be marveling 9 years later…

This is my girl on the first day of 8th grade, 2012. She’s still got the sweet smile, and red hair in curls…but so much has changed. Time flies; especially fast once they finish elementary school…I’m discovering.

I’m so proud of MK and how she is growing up.

School agrees with her, she positively thrives on school. She came home from her first day declaring that she had forgotten over the summer, how much she loves school. I’m certain I would never have made the same declaration in the 8th grade, but I’m so glad she likes it.

These last three pictures melt my heart…

Yeah for school!

No tears…but maybe a few butterflies

The school supplies have been purchased (a whole $85 dollars worth!) and delivered to the classrooms…

…the uniforms have been washed, pressed and hung in the closet. (I’m loving the simplicity of this uniform thing)…

…we’ve attended the school open house, met the new teachers, arranged car pool, packed lunches, and taken first-day-of-school-pictures…

(Don’t my 2nd graders look handsome (and slightly nerdy) in their tidy uniforms?)

love this one

…and we’ve begun the 2012-2013 school year at a brand new charter school!

I swore I would never take my kids out of traditional public school because I am a big supporter of public education…but never say never, right? For multiple reasons…mainly teacher to student ratio (approx. 25 students per class and two instructors)…and the level of parent involvement required at this particular charter school, I’ve decided to give it a try. It was a difficult decision for me, but in the end I felt good about it and took the plunge.

My kids have only been to school for 4 days and I’m already thrilled with what is happening. Last night, during a spirited game of Uno, Jeffrey informed me he is feeling very excited about school; a feeling he claims he’s never had before. Yes, this school is going to require even more of my time, but I’m very willing. I feel passionate about being involved in my kid’s school experience; supporting the school, the teachers and such.

A few day ago a neighbor of mine was telling another neighbor, with tears in her eyes, how sad she was to have her children return to school after a summer of having them by her side everyday. Although I can understand her tears on some level, I’m afraid you’ll never find me in a similar state over the start of a new school year. I love school! I love the structure it brings to our days. I love the learning and stretching that happens for my children. I love the productive nature of the whole entire deal. And of course (especially after the particularly crazy summer we’ve had this year), I love the peace and quiet that I get each day when I can collect myself and accomplish things without interruption. I’m a much happier person when this is our family’s Modus Operandi…and because I’m happier, everyone is happier. We’re already falling into a nice rhythm around here, and oh, how I love a healthy rhythm and structure (and early bedtime!). It’s how I am…can’t help it.

So no…there were no tears as my boys climbed into the carpool for their first day at their new school…but maybe there were some butterflies. With this big of a change, I worried that perhaps I had made the wrong choice, taking them from what was familiar. But it turns out my worrying was unnecessary. They did great! They’re happy…I’m happy. It’s going to be a good year.

Yeah for school!

Wickedly Awesome

Mike and I surprised Mary Kate with tickets to Wicked for her birthday back in June. She was more than pleased, especially when she learned that her cousin Megan and aunt Kim would be accompanying us on the big night. (I have an iPhone video of MK flipping out over her gift. I really wanted to post it, but I can’t find it at the moment. Hopefully I can track it down).

Needless to say, Mary Kate and Megan have been uber excited all summer waiting for the big night. Gratefully, the actual experience more than delivered. I was worried the girls would build it up too much in their minds and end up disappointed, but no so. Both MK and Megan declared that seeing Wicked was by far their favorite experience of the summer. (The Redneck waterslide coming in at a close second, hee hee).

Kim and I had an equally grand time accompanying the girls. The production itself was of course fantastic, but mostly it was fun for us to be with our girls and experience their delight. They were giddy with happiness. Big score for the moms!

I’ve seen Wicked before (two times actually), but this time was special in it’s own way. Thanks for coming with us Kim and Megan!

Frist…dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory downtown at Trolley Square. We even sat in the old Trolley car. Kim and I both have happy memories of that restaurant from our younger years. We chatted about those good old days with our girls. I wonder if they were a little startled to realize that their moms were teenagers once too?

 

After dinner…some browsing through a quaint and funny novelty shop (where this book produced belly laughs that left my stomach muscles sore for the remainder of the evening and into the next day). Then, to top off this portion of the night, a sweet treat…some famous, old fashioned salt water taffy in several flavors, from here.

Then off to the Capitol theater with tickets in hand, for the main event. Brilliant!

Wicked never fails to entertain and inspire; it was certainly a night to remember. Especially because of that mother-daughter bonding time that is so precious.

Love you MK!

Go For the Gold!

My blog has been sadly lacking this Summer; not because I haven’t had anything to blog about or desire to do so, more because I’ve been incredibly busy. This week was by far the busiest of all, with scarcely a moment to rest. It was our Stake Girl’s Camp this week, and oh my goodness, my weary bones!

Girl’s camp is not my favorite given that I’m not really a camper, but all I have to do is participate in a Girl’s Camp to see the benefit of them. It was an exhausting venture to say the least; but as always, whenever there is a major event that takes place in our church, I am completely blown away by the generosity of good people, motivated by a desire to serve, who came together and worked tirelessly to make it all happen. The girls of our Stake are very loved.

Given that our camp was during the Summer Olympics and given that we Mormons are crazy for a good theme…our camp theme this year was “Go for the Gold!” (Of course, what else would it be?) I was given the honor of being our Olympic torch bearer. A talented guy in our Stake made the torch with his own two hands. Pretty cool, I thought. We took that thing up to our camp and lit a caldron (of sorts) that burned everyday of camp, our very own Olympic flame.

One of my responsibilities at camp was that of photographer. I had fun behind the camera. Here are some moments I captured…

You’ll see clearly…we Mormons know how to capitalize on a good theme…

“Go for the Gold” t-shirts



No Girl’s Camp is complete without a rowdy water fight

Nothing taste better than cold, juicy watermelon on a hot summer day in the mountains
 

With MK’s best friend Libby

 

I died laughing over that painting of Jesus on cardboard!

No, your eyes do not deceive you…that is me in the blue swim cap with my bathing suit over my clothing. The humiliation was worth it though, our synchronized swimming routine got a standing ovation from the crowd at skit night.

 

More fun than zip-lining… zip-lining upside down

 

The official rules state that you can not have a Girl’s Camp without crafting

The “fruit” from our Tree of Life activity

 

Nothing like a steep hike on the third day of camp to test the girl’s metal

 

Our neighbor Emily J.

I love Aimee! She was our dedicated Stake Camp director. I can’t say enough good things about her. I’m sure she’s sleeping long and well tonight!

Our 2nd year girls in Julie Andrew’s Meadow

To be honest, I was kind of dreading Girl’s Camp as it loomed before me all summer long, but it really was a pleasant experience over-all. I’m incredibly lucky to be surround by amazing people who do the right thing for the right reason.

I loved being up there with my daughter too. The title of “Young Women Leader” takes on a whole new meaning when your daughter is a Young Women. Oh how I love the women in my ward and stake who give my daughter so much of themselves.

Mary Kate was a trooper up at camp. She came straight home, showered off the dust and grime, climbed straight into bed and slept for 6 hours straight.

She earned it.

And so did I!

People Watching

One reason I love summer is because of the ample people-watching opportunities that are presented. For instance, you can people watch while waiting for the fireworks to start…while relaxing lakeside…while hiking the mountain trails…while working your way through a thick shake at the greasy spoon…while relaxing in a lawn chair at the neighborhood BBQ. Warm weather brings people out of their homes, out into the public sunshine. I love it because I can just watch and watch.

While in Yellowstone, I sat watching and wondering about this lovely mother and her children. They’re so beautifully dressed for a day in nature! They were sitting there, so picturesque with the waterfall in the background, speaking quietly, enjoying a snack. I had my camera.

Now I find myself staring at this picture, wondering some more. I wish I knew who they were so I could send them a copy.