Off to Boy Scout camp

One of the things the boys look forward to each summer is scout camp.  This year was Cale's first year at Boy Scout camp, Marcus's third.  It's just a great time for the boys.  They get to camp and learn and do boy stuff. 

Got a pic of the brothers, ready to go.

And, a pic of the group. I may have forced them to pose for this photo.  But, I wasn't the only mama there taking pictures.

I got to go up to the campgrounds halfway through the week for parents' night.  I think the boys were happy to see me.  I enjoyed seeing them and taking some pictures.

Cale, by his tent.

Marcus, walking in from points unknown.

These three were in charge of cooking hamburgers.

Cale, showing off his rocket stove.  A stove made out of a log.  Cale likes to tinker and his project help the campsite earn some kind of daily award.

Hungry scouts.

Chopping wood.

The campsite sign.

Cale and a walking stick.

It's that time of summer for scout stuff

Tonight, I get the computer to myself while Liam and Kella watch Netflix on the Wii controller and Marcus watches television.  Kinley is sleeping.  It is 9:30 at night.  I also will add that there are 5-6 kids playing in my backyard.  None of them live with us.

Where are the rest of the fam? They are enjoying nature at Cub Scout camp.  Andy was able to take Ewan (his 2nd year) and Cale (his 3rd or 4th year) to Cary Camp along with 2 other scouts and another scout leader.  That is pretty cool because for the past 2 years it has just been Andy and our boys representing our Pack at the camp.  I love the idea of more kids getting involved in scout camping.  (and a random parent just came by to shoo the children to their homes 9:35)

Marcus just got back from southern Indiana and a caving campout.  The troop camped out on the park grounds and then did a couple walking tours of the caves and did some crawling about in some tunnels-called the Masher.  Marcus had a blast. I love that he is excited to do these scout activities and that they are with a different set of kids than who he sees at school.  A wider circle of friends.  He gets a week at home before going to his Boy Scout camp.

The Boy Scouts.  Good luck finding Marcus, I can see his head between 2 guys in the front row.  

And, another cave pose.  Marcus is easier to find this time since he is wearing orange socks and is in the front row.

And, here is our crew for Cub Scout camp.  I know one of the campers looks unhappy, but I know he will have fun.  They all will.

So, I get to hold down the fort.  Me verses 4 kids, which might sound frightening to some, but isn't bad.  We are enjoying late night tv watching and wearing our jammies all morning

.  It's as awesome as it sounds.  

a fall break camp out

The scouts helped fill some fall break time with a camp out.  Marcus camped out for two damp, windy nights and Cale, Ewan and Andy joined him for the second evening,  The rest of us enjoyed the warmth of our house.  

Marcus, packed and ready.  That boy wore shorts.  He is crazy.  It was in the 40s-50s with wind.  I think he just didn't want to look for the bottom half of his pants.

The boys had fun.  There was fishing, rocket building, rope making, an obstacle course and some other stuff.  They were cold and damp for parts of it.  But, they have some fun memories from the weekend.

The kitchen area.  The rest of the men discovered Andy's mad cooking skills this weekend.  

Yes, I brought our spoiled dog along for the ride.

end of year wrap up/start of summer fun

The boys are finished up with school last Friday, June 6th.  They were kept busy that last week with soccer camp and basketball camp, not to mention soccer games three nights that week.  Now we are relaxing our way through the first of 7 weeks of our summer break.  I have a feeling it's going to go by too fast.

Last day of school pic.

Liam, kind of running in his game.  Grammy Pammy says that watching Liam play soccer reminds her of Ferdinand the Bull (from the story Ferdinand).  I have to agree.

Saturday, the 7th, saw the last soccer games for Liam, Ewan and Cale.  Marcus has been done with soccer for a couple weeks now.

Ewan

Cale

Ewan's team

Liam, thrilled that he got a medal and a snack.

Cale's team got 2nd place in the U10 league.  

Cale's team

We started the library reading program on Monday.  The kids got to see a science experiment show and Cale, Ewan and Liam each got their own library cards.  Marcus already has one and his mother needs the pay off the tab she incurred returning books/movies very late.  $19.25 late.  Ouch.  

Marcus started 2 weeks of band camp on Tuesday.  Classes are in the morning and are section specific.  He is in the trombone, baritone, tuba group.  Marcus is pretty excited about getting his horn and starting to learn to play it.  

And, this morning (wednesday), Cale and Ewan took off for Cub Scout camp with Andy.  They should have a blast.  The weather looks like it will be great, too.  I can't wait to hear some of their camp stories when they get back on Saturday.

camping boys

One of the things Andy's been wanting to do with the boys is to take them camping. Last year, they "camped" in the backyard. This year, they went a step further and went to a nearby state park. Originally, they were going to camp in loaner tents, but a friend from church lent Andy his pop-up, air-conditioned camper. Nice. They boys were super-excited. They were so excited that they actually played a board game together in the camper without arguing. It was an overnight trip-Thursday to Friday. Thursday night they had their campfire and played at the campground park. Then it was back to the campsite to have s'mores. Cale and Marcus didn't have any because their stomachs were a little upset from having too much fun on the tire swing. From what I understand, everyone was in bed by 830. The camper opened up to have a bed on either end and 2 beds in the middle. (Sorry Mom, no pictures) Grandpa Jerry went with them. I stayed home with Liam and Kella.

Everything tastes better cooked over a campfire. They had hotdogs and some type of pie-sandwich made with bread and pie filling.

In the morning, the went hiking on the trails. Mounds State Park is called that because of Indian mounds in the park. I asked if they saw any and I think the answer was that they may have seen one. They got to go swimming after that and then packed up to come home. You could tell they were worn out. But, they had fun. I think, when asked, all the boys liked the camping food the best-and the swimming pool and playground. I don't think any of them thought the hiking was the best part, but, Ewan liked looking for the number 4-keeping them on the 4 trail.

I think this will become an annual tradition!