Texas Andersons

It was a few big days for Ben and the scouts:

Saturday we headed out to Thousand Trails at Medina Lake for a family campout.  With everyone invited, we filled an entire campsite with probably a dozen tents and lots of parents and siblings for the whole weekend.  The boys got to play on the playground, go swimming, enjoy an ice cream social, go on a nature hike, and take part in three-legged and sack races.  We also walked the trails to do a clean-up.  And there was a fireside advancement ceremony…

All boys were honored for their achievements.  They all moved up in rank.  We got to present the boys with their new neckerchiefs, caps, belts, and handbooks.

Ben is now a Wolf Cub! 

And today was a pack meeting, with lots of fun and games.  Ben earned a couple of ribbons and a couple of new patches.  And he got to introduce his good friend Reagan who he brought along for Bring a Friend Night.

After the meeting we presented Ben with a blanket I had made for him, to congratulate him on his accomplishments.  It is a scout fabric, with all of the scout qualities listed on it: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent.  It’s stitched with a little Cub Scout boy along with Ben’s name and pack number.  And I added a bunch of patches that he’s earned.  He was really surprised! 

Usually Nathan and I are thrilled if people even remember our birthdays, if we have the money to just go out to eat.  Real celebrating and gifts are usually not in the cards for us.

But not this year, not for Nathan!  Still riding high on the excitement of purchasing our lot out by the Guadalupe River… I decided to buy us a canoe!

It all started a couple of weeks ago when I came up with the idea.  My parents and I carefully crafted the plan and got to work.  A large Old Town canoe was recommended for our family, life jackets were picked out, and a canoe trip was set.

On Thursday (his birthday) we surprised him with some homemade drawings and a card from the boys.  And I fried some venison backstrap along with some home-made mashed potatoes and corn.  He was excited about all of that, but he had no idea what was in store for him on Friday.

The next day, my parents showed up with the canoe, and I finally got to unveil the surprise to him (and Ben!).  Looks of astonishment and a few screams later… and a day of rain on Saturday… we finally got to take it to the lake today.

And what a fantastic day today was!!!  First, I got to sleep in until 8:30  (which I desperately needed).  Then we packed up and headed out to Boerne Lake.  We spent the next four hours canoeing around the lake, eating lunch along the shore, watching ducks and turtles, throwing rocks, and playing on the playground.  (Evan even got a nap in during our first lap of the lake!).  It was peaceful, it was fun, it was a great workout.  And I can’t wait to go out again!

Our trees, plants, herbs, and veggies are growing beautifully!  And the bluebonnets?  Gorgeous!  It is a thrill to be outside enjoying God’s handywork and all of my hard work.

We have already found catepillars on the fennel and dill.  And one has been brought into the house to make himself at home in our butterfly habitat.  We have also been alerted by noisy chirping to three new baby birds in one of our bird houses.

And thanks to the beautiful days and a new jogging stroller, we’ve been able to go for a walk around the neighborhood just about every evening.  It feels great to get out and get excercise.  It feels even better to see my numbers on the scale dropping! 

(With blog are some favorite pics- of Ben and Evan in our bluebonnets and my weight chart on the wii fit plus!  That’s right.  I’m posting it. I’m finally proud of it.)

 What’s been going on with the boys?  Evan and I enjoyed a MOPS playdate at the park last week.  And he is now counting, recognizes lots of letters, and is constantly talking.  (He is quite a chatter-box on his phone, saying “Hi.  Hello.  How doin’?”)    Ben just spent this past weekend in Corpus to spend the night on the USS Lexington and to visit my grandparents.  And he’s busy reading, building with his legos, and playing the wii.  He also just wrote and illustrated a short story for klrn’s writing contest.  They both really love to drive around the backyard in the power wheels, swing on the swings, or play “swords” with their light sabers. 

And Nathan and I are busy taking notes on home builders and what we’re looking for in our new home.  What a scary and exciting process!!!

What a wonderful Easter holiday!

Friday, we started off with Evan’s gymnastics class.  He jumped on the trampoline, he swung on the rings, he played on the slide, he walked the balance beam… all while talking, singing, and having a blast.  Then we headed to Fiesta Texas for a trip on the train and to enjoy a few other rides.  Both boys had a great time but couldn’t wait for our next stop.  Because we were then off to pick up the Easter bunnies for portraits.  (there was giggling and squealing all the way home as Ben held a bunny in his lap for both of them to pet!)

Yesterday I worked non-stop (Shutter-Happy offered FREE Easter sessions every half hour)!  It was exhausting, but it was so much fun to work with so many adorable kids in their Easter best!

This morning we headed out to the lot for play time, a picnic, and an Easter egg hunt.  The boys hunted for 100+ eggs filled with candy and the big prize (a big chocolate rabbit!).  Then we headed home for another egg hunt since the Easter bunny had forgotten to hide the cascarones out at the lot.    After the confetti subsided, we had a great bbq steak dinner… and that chocolate rabbit for dessert!