“Hiking’s not for everyone. Notice the wilderness is mostly empty.” ― Sonja Yoerg

Kev and I aren’t really big fans of hiking, mainly because I have a tendency to feel crappy in the heat. As a result, our kids don’t have a lot of experience with stuff like that. So when Nathan’s scout troop planned a campout where they had to hike up to the camping spot and pack all their gear in, he really had no idea what he was getting in to. Nevertheless, we helped him gather up everything he would need and sent him on his way yesterday afternoon. When he arrived home around lunch time today, he told us that it didn’t go so well. His troop leader had never hiked that particular location before and while the hike was not long (only about a mile and a half), it was steep. Really steep. Which made things much, much harder. And with his inexperience, it was even harder for Nathan. It took him longer than the other boys to complete the hike and once he got to the top he spent the evening throwing up from heat and exertion. So definitely not his most enjoyable campout.

To his credit, once he got showered, ate something and started to feel better, he was able to laugh about it. I think being able to chuckle at his own crazy life is an awesome skill. And to be able to laugh so soon afterward is pretty amazing. (It always takes me way longer…I’m still not to the point where I can laugh about having the cops show up at our house after Matthew’s birthday party.) I think that it was a valuable experience for him. It allowed him to do something he has never done before, prove to himself that he can complete something hard (in spite of the unpleasant after effects), and learn that even tough things can be managed with laughter. In my opinion, that made it a successful trip for him…and because he was out in the wild no one had to clean up the vomit.

Wet and Wild

After last summer’s water play improvisations, I decided I’d better pick up a kiddie pool for the kiddies. I chose a small one that would fit on our patio since our grass is struggling enough as it is and doesn’t need a pool sitting on it killing it even more. Malia was super excited to fill it up, requested cups and bath toys and jumped right in. Matthew was also pleased with the addition to the yard. When he got home from school and saw Malia basking in the water, he didn’t even bother to come in the house, change his clothes or take off his shoes before he took the plunge. He did take his shoes off eventually, but they were already completely soaked. He and Malia are both happy.

Just Plane Fun

Four years ago Kevin took the boys to see one of only a handful of B-17’s that are still flying. One of those few remaining planes was in our area again this year and they were not about to miss a chance to see it again. Daniel had a parade this morning, so after he was done Kevin took all the kids to see the plane. You might think that Malia would be happier doing something else, but you would be wrong. She is just as into airplanes as the boys. (When the blackhawks from the nearby base fly over our house, she can identify them by the sound.) Really the only difference between her zeal and that of the boys is that they are not inclined to cry when it is time to get out of the airplane. Malia, on the other hand, shed real tears when it was time to climb down.

As for me, I spent a quiet afternoon at home. I went to an airshow once and it was one of only a handful of times that I’ve gotten sunburned. Add to that the rockin’ migraine that accompanies the heat and I’m much happier in my air conditioned abode. And the extra bonus is that it was quiet…which really doesn’t happen all that often.

One Last Round of Birthday Cheer

Because Nathan’s birthday fell in between two of our every other week family dinners, we didn’t celebrate his birthday with my family until today. He opted to stick with the music theme and his cake was the first three notes of the Moonlight Sonata. I probably would have just picked some random notes, but he wanted it to be an actual song. He picked up the piping bag again to do the dots around the bottom of the cake after I did the top at his request. Once again, an easy decorating job. And only two colors of frosting. And only one of those needed to be tinted. And (most importantly) Nathan loved the way it turned out.

He’s Officially a Young Man

Today Nathan was ordained to be a deacon. I'm so proud of him for the good choices he makes. But when did he get old enough for this? When Daniel turned twelve I don't remember looking at him and being surprised by how old he had gotten. But I looked up at Nathan today and I was honestly caught off guard by the fact that he is twelve. The time is passing far too fast.

“If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane.” ― Robert Frost

Kev and I gave the kids "experiences" for Christmas. Nathan's first experience was this evening. We took him to see a show at Desert Star Theater. For those of you who have never been, Desert Star is one of those theaters that makes fun of pretty much everything. Kev and I have both been on multiple occasions, our first date being one of them, but the last time we were there was just after we got married. So it has been a good long while. The show Nathan chose to see was "Into the Hoods." We laughed and laughed. Nathan didn't get all of the jokes but he caught a good number of them. I have a feeling he's going to want to go back.

It's an Honor and a Privilege

We’ve been really pleased with our middle school. They have some really great programs and Daniel has been able to participate in several of them. In eighth grade, the kids can apply to participate in PSTA which is this school’s version of service club. Daniel had a great time doing that this school year. For the ninth graders, they can apply to be members of the National Junior Honor Society. NJHS also provides service to the school. Only those who are invited can apply and of those who are invited, less than half get in. Daniel and a number of his friends were invited to apply and most of them, including Daniel, got in. Tonight was the induction ceremony which was a suit and tie, cookies and punch event. I’m so pleased that not only is he excelling in school (and all on his own prerogative), but he has gotten himself all mixed up with a great group of kids. They are all focused in school, fun and polite to be around, and most of them are involved in some aspect of the school’s music program.

Sounds a lot like the group I hung around with in junior high and high school. Most of us were firmly entrenched in the music programs. We performed hither and yon and attended performances of our other friends. We spent nearly every weekend hanging out at someone or others house (I’m equally grateful for all those parents who accommodated our social habits). We consumed unbelievable amounts of M & M’s and root beer (my mom didn’t even get mad when we took to throwing M & M’s). We laughed and cried together. We went through some tough times (teenage emotions can be a killer) and somehow we managed to make it out together. Basically, we were inseparable.

I can’t even begin to express how thankful I am for all those friends. I’m so grateful that I never had to deal with being isolated or ostracized. I will never be able to repay the kindness of those who stood by my side and defended and protected me from a variety of hurts. It makes me think back and as an adult, I’ve realized just how lucky I was to be all mixed up in my very own great group of kids. At the time I think I took it for granted. I thought that everyone had an amazing group of peers with whom they felt totally accepted and loved. As an adult, I know that is not true. A lot of kids come out of high school feeling grateful that it is over. But I cried when I graduated. I knew things would never be the same. And while that was definitely true, it is also true that a number of those relationships have carried over. I’m still in touch with a pretty good number of those friends that I shared my teen years with. Of course, blogging and facebook have definitely facilitated that ongoing connection, but really I think it is a reflection of just how much we cared about each other. They were not friendships of convenience, they were the honest real deal.

So for Daniel it is an honor to be accepted in the NJHS, but it is a privilege to have a group of amazing kids. I’ll pray that they will be able to stick together.

Daniel and a couple of his chums.

 

Me and my cronies.

 

Easy Peasy

Although his birthday is not until next week, Nathan had his birthday party today. He decided he wanted to invite a smaller group and go bowling. Two of his friend ended up being sick so it was just Nathan, his friend Nik, and his cousins Ella, Jacob and Corbin. It was probably the easiest party I've ever planned. All I had to do was bake cupcakes, make frosting and reserve a lane at the bowling alley. Nathan decorated the cupcakes (after a brief demonstration by me as he has never used a piping bag before) and made the invitations and Kevin picked up pizza on the way home from the bowling alley. Seriously easy on my end. The kids had a great time!