Blue and Gold

Tonight was the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet.  Last one!  It's funny, we have been involved in Cub Scouts long enough for 2 banquets and I planned both of them.  And I don't even care for Cub Scouts.  I mean its fine but is not my favorite.  Our pack has been struggling more since the announcement about quitting Scouts next January and the age change for Young Men.  Attendance is low and I really did not want the Primary people to have to plan it and I knew someone just needed to be decisive so at a committee meeting where there were about 5 of us I just started talking and making decisions.  We decided on a camping theme which was fun.  We picked a really simple menu that night and then I picked out some decor and some activities.

We had hot dogs, chips, lemonade and oven baked s'mores.  Not a fruit or vegetable in sight.  Seeing as how I knew this was the menu our family had a smoothie beforehand so that was a good idea.  Mark grilled the hot dogs at home and then brought them to the church which was a super good idea. There was just enough food.  I planned for 24 people and we ended up having 30.  So there was enough for people to eat something but I wouldn't say it was the most filling meal.  The S'mores were a big hit which was fun.

We started with the flag ceremony and Scout oath and law and then handed out the few awards earned.  Next was dinner and then while people finished their s'mores the cub master told some ghost stories which I thought was a really fun idea.  I really neglected to keep him in the loop and felt bad that he didn't know what was going on.  He was a good sport about it.

Next up was activities.  I had three stations:  tent setting up, sleeping bag rolling practice and flashlight games.  We split into 2 groups and then rotated through the stations. I was in charge of the flashlight games so I wasn't around to see how the other stations went but from what I understand it all went well. the kids loved the flashlight games and there were only a few injuries.  People were quick to help out at the actual event and from what I understand people had a good time.  I am happy to cross it off my list of things to do and am looking forward to learning about the new program in place for the boys and girls in the church.

We ate with most of the lights off to make it more camp out like.  I made little campfires (they had a battery operated candle under the cups) and s'mores for the tables.  Simple is good. 

I asked a friend if she thought her sons would be wiling to make these tents for me and they kindly agreed.  I thought they were a fun touch.

Michigan

Last weekend we hopped on a plane and went to visit some friends in Michigan.  We had been trying to visit them for awhile and things just kept not working out.  We drove to Dulles this time so we could catch a direct flight and didn't have to leave super early.  The original plan was to keep Jared and Lydia home from school because we would be leaving by 9:45am but Jared really wanted to go to school.  Lydia planned to stay home but then at 7:25 Friday morning she decided she wanted to go to school too.  It was probably good that they went because they are missing 7 days in 2 weeks to go on a trip for my spring break at UVA.  I hope this day doesn't count against them.

We got to Dulles and got right on our flight.  We have been thinking about trying to use Dulles more because it is not a Delta hub so less people are trying to get on flights like in Atlanta.  CHO is best but it always means trying to make 2 flights and Dulles is often 1 and its bigger than Richmond.  We arrived in Michigan by 1:00 and made our way to the Wooter's.  Everyone had been there before except me and I had heard again and again how awesome their house is.  It is a really cool floor plan and Jared and Lydia had a great time playing there.  The Wooter's kindly offered to watch Jared and Lydia so Mark and I could attend the temple together.  It was great.  Neither of us had been since the changes had been put in place and it was a neat experience.  It's also fun to go to new temples. We really appreciate the Wooter's kindness and generosity.  We stayed up late visiting with them and had a great evening.

The next day we headed over to a trampoline park.  Lydia, Harrison and Jared (they are 7, 8, and 9) jumped for almost three hours and loved it.  Both Jared and Lydia pulled out some nice flips into the foam pit.  We went out to lunch at a Middle Eastern restaurant which brought back some fun Egypt memories. Michigan has such a large Middle Eastern population.  I think it would be pretty cool to drive around Detroit.  It got hit so hard with recessions and the automobile industry I think it would be fascinating to see what it's like. We didn't have time this trip but maybe some other time. After lunch we headed to the airport.  Fun, super quick trip.  Mark really tries to not miss Sundays and we try to not put people out too much.  We got on our flight with no problems and landed in Dulles just before 5:00.  We actually landed a little early and were able to stop at Moo-Thru on or way home and enjoyed delicious ice cream for dinner.  One more trip in the books!

Wait, who are you?

A few weeks ago my car was in the shop so we were sharing Mark's car.  Jared, Lydia and I went home after church and when he was ready Mark would call me to come get him.  He finally called me  at 2:25 (we finish church at 11) (this was much later than we anticipated which was bad news because we had people coming over at *3:00) to come get him.  I walk inside the building and see him talking to a guy we knew when we were in the 1st ward, 3+ years ago.  I get pulled into the conversation because he wants our opinion on an Elder's Quorum activity he was trying to organize.  We gave him some ideas and then he said well I look forward to seeing you there, you're on the email list right?  Mark and I sort of looked at him confused and then realized that he thought we were in his ward.  I put my hand on Mark's arm and politely said, "This is Bishop Spencer, of the Rapidan ward." It was hilariously awkward.  Where did he think we had been the last 3 years? That being said his activity was a good one and we both got personal emails inviting us to it so we went!

His (and our) idea was simple car maintenance.  My first suggested activity was to learn how to clean headlights.  Our cars lights were so foggy.  It was bad.  I mean my car is from 2001 and we had never attempted to clear them up and there are no street lights here!  So we showed up Saturday and met with the 1st ward to get our headlights in shape. It was a good activity.  They are planning on meeting most Saturdays.  We cannot attend this week as we are heading out of town but I am sure we will try to go another time. We had Jared and Lydia come along and help clean the lights too.  They are so much brighter now, its great.

  

I also managed to hang out with people in my own ward.  There is a really kind sister in our ward who hosts monthly get togethers at her house.  There is normally a simple theme and I have been thinking about going for awhile now.  Schedules have not matched up but this past week they did.  I drove a friend and I out there and had a lovely time eating dumplings (it was a Chinese New Year theme) and visiting.  I will certainly try to go again if schedules line up.  I have been very disinclined to get together with people the past six months (that who heart being broken too many times this past Summer, and the one before) but just maybe I will attempt to hang out with people again.

Also: Hot chocolate after piano lessons one day.  They make me happy

 

* I had the fun idea to host a hot chocolate party with some of my ministering people. The crazy thing was that we had it on like the hottest day of 2019 so far.  Kids were outside playing in the 60+ degree weather after drinking hot chocolate.  I could not believe how warm it was.  Oh well it seemed to go well even if we were rushing to get it all together.  I couldn't make the fresh whipped cream that much in advance and was making hot chocolate on the stove top so couldn't warm it up that much in advance either. It all worked out and I would totally do it again.

Great To Be 8

A few Sundays ago Mark told me that Great To Be 8 was happening last Sunday (February 10th).  He was in charge of conducting and giving a little talk at the program.  Because Lydia's birthday is in January we thought it would be better for her to attend this year.  I asked the Primary President if we could crash this years program since it would allow Lydia more time to think and apply what was discussed if we attended this year.  She was of course okay with it so off we went.

 Quite a few people were confused as to why we were there but once I explained it they also realized that it made more sense.  If we waited till next January she would only have like 2 weeks before she got baptized.  As we got in the car to drive to the church it suddenly hit me, how grown up she is becoming.  With Jared it just seemed normal but with Lydia it is making her seem so old.  It could be because she is the youngest, my last one to be baptized but when there are only 2 kids that feeling doesn't normally come to me but it sure did this time.  She is so excited to get baptized!  She was in charge of our FHE lesson 2 weeks ago and did her lesson on Baptism.  She has been having some really special experiences lately and great conversations with Mark about spiritual things and I am really excited for her.

They gave all the kids a soft fuzzy blanket to remind them of the comfort the Holy Ghost gives and she loves it.  We got her her own set of scriptures last month for her to use with Come Follow Me and she has loved having them. I am sure she will be ready next January.  I'll try to be too.

Valentines Festivities

It's been a fun Valentines week.  Last week Mark and I went on a date that included some gift shopping for little Valentine treats to put in Jared and Lydia's mailboxes.  They so look forward to this tradition.  The mailboxes are looking old and most of the things we ended up buying didn't actually fit in the mailbox but it all worked out.

We really stepped up our game with their class mailboxes this year.  They both turned out super cute.  Jared continued his starburst Valentine tradition. This was either his 3rd or 4th year doing the same Valentine he's basically done it every year he has been at Baker Butler.  Lydia wanted to make a love bug/butterfly Valentine so it was a little more involved than I thought necessary but she was happy with them and it was nice to do a craft together as it had been awhile.

Lydia knew early on she wanted a camping theme and Jared came up with his basketball court pretty quick. Mark took care of the nets and they turned out great.  At first we only had enough white string for one hoop and were irritated that we would have to go buy more but then Jared remembered he had used some in our attic months and months ago so we could finish them in one setting.  So much nicer.
I was also so glad Mark was around to help make them.

 

I really enjoy making Valentines.  I had all kinds of good stuff left over from preschool and put it to good use!  We made sure to send some out to family members too which was great.  

Mark stopped by UVA to visit me today and brought some delicious donuts for us to share.  For the first time in a really long time (Like 9 years) I was actually not at home working or just being home on Valentines Day so it was fun to have him come see me at work. He had never been to my office before.  Yesterday after work I stopped by Trader Joes and grabbed some daffodil bunches for Jen and Jennifer at work and for Lydia and Jared's teachers. It was fun to have Jared and Lydia make their teachers special Valentines and to make some for my co workers.  I made Mark a mint ice cream pie and on the recommendation of a friend grabbed some guava passion fruit yogurt for him. She had posted a picture of the yogurt and talked about how it was like Brazil in a cup.  She also served her mission in Brazil.  I was really excited to give it to Mark and he loved it!  I was so glad.  When he saw it this morning he looked suspicious.  He had never put the flavors together and wasn't sure they would go but they were awesome.  

We had heart shaped pizza, strawberry Jello and strawberry floats for our Valentines dinner.  It was lovely to make the extra effort to show love for my favorite people this week.