Apples and Potatoes

We had lots of different activities this week that were fun and exciting. First off, we had our first pack meeting on Monday with both kids in uniform. Actually, we were all in our uniforms, feeling very official. I really have to bite my tongue at these meetings because they consist of a swarm of boys running around in chaos and grown-ups talking but no one able to hear anything and it's maddening! But they love it and it seems to work and since I'm the only female den leader, I go with it. We are beginning popcorn sales right off the bat, so start counting your pennies for when we hit you up.

Tuesday, Nolan had his second orthodontia appointment where they took molds of his teeth. We go back in 3 weeks to have the lower expander put in. Thomas had his swim lesson that day too and did AWESOME! He swam a few feet like a pro. He just has to figure out that he can turn his head to the side to get air instead of stopping and treading to breathe. He seems to be very proud of himself and so are we. It's great to see him do something that he likes and be good at it.

Wednesday Nolan had baseball practice. They are having them earlier in the evening now because it's getting dark earlier. There was a baseball game yesterday but we didn't go. It was a choice between the game and his best friend's birthday party and we gave him the choice. I think most people would have chosen the game, or pushed it. But I was proud of Nolan that he chose friendship and being with his friend. He just doesn't have that competitive edge, at least not yet.

Thursday Thomas' class went on a field trip to a local apple orchard and I got to help chaperone. We saw a bee hive, rode on a hay wagon, picked apples and got a pumpkin. It was fun getting to know the kids in Thomas' class and reminisce when I did the same trip with Nolan 3 years ago.









And today, we went to Service Day at our parish. We met with other people, had lunch and then went to the Food Bank to work. The job for today was sorting potatoes and packing them into smaller boxes for food pantries. It was pretty cool having all these people of various ages and walks of life working together to help people in need. There were SO MANY potatoes. We figured out as a group that we re-packaged 2 tons of potatoes into 84 boxes for distribution. And the boys had fun because they had friends there and they would play games like finding the smallest or weirdest potato. And then there would be a mushy rotten potato once in a while, so everyone would go "EW!" Everyone would laugh. It was a great, simple way to spend the afternoon.

We have no school tomorrow because of Yom Kippur, so we are bowling with the Brownells. I'm going to try to being a part of a book group that starts Tuesday night. The vote is still out on whether I'll stick with it or not. We'll see what books we pick and how successful I am at reading them before the next meeting. And next weekend we have a Cub Scout hike up Kane Mtn. and a baseball game. So stay tuned!