A New Boy Scout...

Last February our last Cub Scout crossed over to Boy Scouts. 

 One of DJ's last Cub Scout events was the pinewood derby.  His car placed somewhere in the middle of the pack.  Pack 4032 is a big Pack!

 The last activity was the presentation of Arrow of Light awards.  These were some impressive arrows.

 DJ didn't smile much until the end of the evening when he was crossing the bridge.

 Finally finished with Cub Scouts he waits his turn to join his brothers as a member of Troop 4028. 

 I loved watching his brothers help with the ceremony.  AJ changed out the shoulder epaulets.

 CJ was serious while changing out his brother's hat.

 DJ received his new scout book and finished being welcomed with handshakes from the SPL and ASLP.

Josh and I are so proud of these boys and the young men they are!

Pinewood Derby...

This is the final pinewood derby of Pack 4222.
Great people, great racing and great prizes made it a great day!

 

Cub Scout Cross-Over...

We are in the home stretch of Cub Scouting.

 The Scientist is now a WEBELOS!  That means just a year and a half more and he can join Boy Scouts.

Pinewood Derby 2015

Each year the derby cars designed by the boys and Josh get closer to winning our Cub Scout Pack derby.  This year the Scientist's car came in 2nd. 

Our Pack doesn't hand out trophies - we let the top 5 racers pick a Lego prize.  (I had fun buying the prizes this year.) We also give a prize to the car voted most liked by those attending the derby.  This is particular awesome because nearly every year, the slowest car is the most interesting and most liked car.

 So just when the scout is feeling pretty bummed about his car not even coming close to a top 5 finish, his name is announced and he receives a Lego prize for favorite derby car.  It's pretty awesome!

This year the top 5 were represented by 3 Bear scouts and 2 Webelos scouts.  Next year is the Scientist's last year to race.

Cubs - Out and About...

This fun Cub Scout field trip to the Ferndale Police Station marks the last police station field trip I will organize for Cub Scouts.

September Starts...

Three weeks without a post - usually means I've thrown another ball into the air and I'm working on keeping it up with all the others.  
This ball was fall activities starting.  Football, Cub Scouts and Speech Club. 

 Cubs in a race.

First football game of the season.

Each one has it's own logistical challenges which are magnified with a little one in tow.  And then I picked up knitting again because the weather is turning cooler.  Fall always makes me want to knit.   Which is crazy because I have plenty to do getting ready for school and sitting down doesn't help me do that. 

 Knitting for Blossom

 So, I took a break from knitting for a few days while Josh was out of town on business and I completely reworked the school shelves.  Out with the old and in with the new.  We are ready! 
The 2014-2015 Homeschool year officially starts next Monday in the Johnson house.

Yes, I'm worried about the bottom shelves and the little one.

 

 Blossom Updates -

• She's almost 9 months old  
• Been with us 2 months 
• Identifies us as "her" people
• Has the pincher grasp down and can feed herself a Gerber Puff.
• Scoots backwards on the floor during tummy time
• Can now roll over easily from back to front and does this everyday in her crib. This creates the challenge of the diaper leaking.  I have to figure that one out.
• She zooms around the "Around We Go."
• Starting to say the beginning sounds of book and dog when referring to these. Starting to say the ending sound of water.  Starting to figure out the signs for more and finished.  Understands soooo much more when we talk to her.  
• I'm starting to baby proof the floor level in my home.  Oh, what a job!
• I just realized the other day that we will be the ones to teach her "no."  :- /
• And thanks to some borrowed, some hand-me-downs and some bought used.... we are cloth diapering 90% of the day but not at night.  Pretty good!

Just trying to give her the best and stay on budget.  She brings us so much joy!

Pulling Weeds...

Our Cub Scout Pack participated in a nice conservation project a couple weeks ago.  We worked with the Bellingham Parks Volunteer Group.  We met at the Birchwood Church in the Cordata neighborhood.  The Parks leader was amazing with our kids and we had a lot of them there. 

The Parks group provided all the tools, gloves and instruction for our work party.

We pulled weeds.

Then we spread mulch.

We had about 40 people attend, counting siblings and parents.  A great turnout.