Suzanne Calling

One thing that Game Teen does that makes me proud on a regular basis is his penchant for immediately putting his hand up at meetings when he hears the words "We need some scouts to..." Someday, it might be "...muck out stalls," but so far, if they want volunteers, he does it. His brother, on the other hand, is more cautious about what he pitches in to do. Barbeque fundraiser? Sure thing, he's there. Event at the VFW? Sign him up. Standing outside, directing traffic? He'll pass. However, Game Teen signed up to do it and Ed had to work, so Chef had to go. He protested and grumbled that "Game Teen didn't put his name on the roster" (Game Teen went up to the scoutmaster directly-he hates writing anything) "It's going to be too hot" and "But I didn't say I'd do it." My response was to tell him that he also needed some community service hours. We got to the event and their scoutmaster gave them hearty welcome...

Tonight, I am proud to say I am the mother of TWO Boy Scouts. Chef's Cub Scout pack had their annual Blue and Gold dinner and Webelos Crossover ceremony. I prefer the combined festivities, because it's great to have family and friends witness the highest achievement in Cub Scouting. What's really cool is that this year is the 100th Anniversary of Scouting in the U.S. To recognize this milestone, there are special patches for various ranks. For instance, last month, Chef's Webelos badge had 2010-100 years of Scouting emblazoned on it. He earned his Arrow of Light, and he and the other boys got patches with "2010" in red. When I think back to that little kid that brought home a flyer 4 1/2 years ago and insisted he had to do it, it makes me feel good to know that he's gained so much from the experience. Congratulations, Chef. We're very proud of you.

I'm working on a slide show for Cub Scouts this week. In the mix are pictures of the boys over the years. You don't really notice how much your kid has grown until you look at pictures from the first campout in October 2006: Or his first Veteran's Day flag retirement ceremony: And compare it to the picture you took last week and posted on the blog: This time next week, both boys will be BOY scouts. It has flown by!

This is Chef's last month as a Cub Scout. As it is February, we have two traditional scouting events and our pack's monthly camping trip (which is not uncommon in warmer climates). If you're a Webelo 2, the weekends are busy the month you head into the next stage of scouting. Today was our pack's Pinewood Derby, the first of the annual winter events (the other, Blue and Gold, is at the end of the month). For weeks, we wondered if Chef would get his act together as to what he was doing with his car. See, Game Teen kicked butt several years ago with his aerodynamic half teardrop design-Chef thought he'd copy that. Nope, you're not duplicating his winning design. The middle of last week, he told me he wanted a rounded wedge and explained the reason for it. Thankfully, one of our leaders cut the car for him and passed it off to us at this past week's meeting. On Thursday, he painted it and Ed assisted on wheel and axle setup. I would have been no help-I...

Started with me sleeping until noon-but I had a TON of stuff to do! Then, I realized I never took my cell phone off 'silent' when I left class last night. So, a nearly 3 hour trip to Panera later, baking mini cupcakes, making dip, mini caramel apples and setting up, we had a Boy Scout board of review. Oh, and in there somewhere, I think I got a professor in some hot water. Now, I have a paper due in 40 minutes. AAAAAACCCCCCKKKKKKKK! I'll fill in details AFTER I write 500 words on my favorite childhood book. As is typical, I had a hard time picking just one, but I kept coming back to the same one, Sydney Taylor's All of a Kind Family. It put me on a path for further exploration. You could say that the love for the Faye Kellerman Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series seed was planted with this series... ETA: Since I said I would tell, and Lou asked, I sorta got a Prof in hot water. Here's the Reader's Digest version: Web based class. The instructor never communic...

As far as future shutterbugs go, Chef Jr has really picked up on my love of being behind the lens. Game Teen, well, if you give him a camera, he'll use it-but he doesn't seek one out. We knew a long time ago that he had a different perspective on things. When a coworker handed both boys disposable cameras to use on our vacation at Walt Disney World (the infamous 'blizzard' trip), you could tell what pictures were taken by each child. Game Teen showed signs of being a very good private investigator, taking pictures on the sly. There were many pictures taken of unsuspecting park patrons. Chef appeared to be displaying our family's warped sense of humor, taking a picture of a souvie cart that had upended itself on the trolley rails while we awaited the 3:00 parade (which does start at 3pm, if you were wondering) and took pictures of several goat butts while we were at the Affection Section. This earned him the nickname "Chef Jr, Pet Proctologist". Sever...

We wrapped up one scouting year tonight. Cub Scouts, unlike the boy scouts, end their official year with summer break. So tonight, the Cub O Matic was called into service. Chef earned his third year scouting service pin, a few more belt loops, pins, and a new slide for his neckerchief. On the other hand, the boy scouts meet year round. I'm glad they do, because Game Teen thrives on routine. His first camping trip with the new troop was a resounding success. The leaders involved know that he responds better if they make demands rather than requests. He did very well, even participating in a substantial portion of the ten mile hike. (I honestly had my doubts) Game Teen has a very dry sense of humor. It's rarely on display, but he decided to share with those camping this weekend. When the Scoutmaster told the boys they'd be hiking to the dam on the reservation, Game Teen piped up with "We're going on a Dam hike?" This explains the picture I got via em...

Friday, I began working again. It's a job that looks very interesting. Fun coworkers. Training, depending on traffic, is 30 to 45 minutes from home. Weird, considering everyone lives near me, but hey, I don't make the rules (or pay the mileage). Today, the boss said no overtime, which meant that we should have left at 4:15. Works for me, I had to drive home, grab the boys, then drive another 30 miles to Chef's Cub Scout meeting. I wasn't sweating things, because I walked in the front door Friday afternoon at 5:35. Plenty of time to go get the kids from the friend's house, go home, change, grab a snack and then be on the road. Make or break to be at scouts on time is to be starting the car at 6:15. 4:35 rolls around and we're still working. I'm getting a bit antsy, but not too bad. 4:50, done with that section-but the trainer starts ANOTHER one that he says will take about 45 minutes. OH NO!!!!! I can see the look on the faces of the two people f...