Cub Scouts

Yep, we areThere. Josh is a cub scout. He went to one scout meeting a couple of weeks ago only to completely fall in love with scouting. He has since worked really hard so he could receive his Bobcat award at his first Pack Meeting last Tuesday.






Here are pictures of the ceremony. I got to paint his face to symbolize cub scouting and the Wolf program. He wanted so desperately to keep his face painted for school the next day, but I nixed that one.

Momma!

I am finally Momma! (Don't get any weird ideas now) Adam has said sounds like mum and momma a few random times, but never in reference to me. One afternoon, I was apparently not paying sufficient attention to Adam's gurgles and squeals, because he looked straight at me and yelled "Momma!" He actually meant Me too. He proceeded to spit and mumble something very important to me and then was content to continue and play.

Slow-Mo

I now know my kids have been far too influenced by digital cable. You know, where you can rewind, pause and place in slow motion any live TV action.

On our long drive to Tucson last Saturday, the kids were so good keeping themselves busy and had progressed to the Rock-Paper-Scissors game. I guess something "so cool" happened. Some really crazy move, but instead of describing the moment, Josh told Em "Let's do a slow-mo so mom can see how cool that move was!" Then they proceeded to show me, in slow motion, how their funny move. I barely saw "the move" because I was laughing so hard.

I must confess that I find my self wishing that digital cable abilities applied in other parts of my life too, like the radio. I can't count how many times I've only half-heard something and reached up to rewind the program only to be disappointed at such a primitive feature as a car radio.

109

"Mom, do you want to know how I finally fell asleep in the car? I counted 109 sheep!" said Emily.

I guess our trip home from Tucson was a little long. I've tried counting sheep before. I don't think it has ever really worked. And I never really thought I'd ever remember what number I ended on before drifting off to sleep. I guess I was never patient enough to get to 109

New Talents

Adam can wave hello and goodbye. He also says a sweet Haaaaaaay for "Hi" which is most often accompanied by a wave. He has said the word mum, but has yet to refer it to me though he often has entire conversations with his pal Da, da, da, da daD! If he is hungry and you ask him if he wants a Ba ba (bottle) he gives a little giggle and a smile. He can drink from a straw. Best of all, Adam loves the telephone. Anytime anyone is on it, he is completely enthralled. He giggles and paws at who ever has the phone dying to have his turn. And when he gets his turn to listen to grandma or daddy, he gives a breathy giggle all the while. He still is confused why he can't turn and see the face of whom ever is on the phone, but this does not discourage him. Here are a few more of his latest tricks

I can . . .

. . . Blink!



I can . . .

. . . Slurp!

Josh's Baptism

What a wonderful day. The weather was wonderful, the day was peaceful, family everywhere...I could go on forever. There was so much anticipation in the air. Dad and Josh started the day by practicing again the correct stance for getting baptized. Josh was so cute in his little suit with his new scriptures in hand. We were so grateful to the family and dear friends who attended this special occasion we shared with the Herron family.

The program was beautiful with such a sweet spirit. Josh said the water was nice and warm, but was instantly freezing when he was done. Josh and Emily sang "I am a Child of God" with Alexis Herron and her sisters. Dan did such a great job with the baptism and confirmation. I felt so blessed to have a sweet husband who Dan holds and honors his priesthood. What a perfect picture to see Josh surrounded with dad, grandpas and uncles all there to assist in this special ordinance.


G & G Palmer / Grandpa Hilton & Uncle Mike
When the baptism was complete we gathered in the lobby to give hugs and offer congratulations to Josh. He received a few kind gifts which, for Josh, was icing on the cake. I wondered if all these fun gifts would distract Josh from remembering the specialness of the ordinances he just made with the Lord. Later that day, as Josh was surrounded with his new discovered treasures, he proclaimed, "Mom this is the best day ever!" I was sure he was going to follow with- 'Look at all these cool things', but no, he simply said, "I am so glad I am baptized mom." All I could do was hug him. He did understand. He was genuinely happy and knew he had made a good decision in being baptized.


Great G & G LeBaron/ Great G & G Palmer


Josh with his maternal Grandpas

That night we went to one of Josh's favorite restaurants, where he ordered his favorite dish, pizza and corn on the cob. As if his day couldn't get any better, the corn on the cob loosened his wiggly tooth just enough so that when we got home, it came right out at the first little tug. For an eight year old it was Cherry on Top!

Super Spy Party

I just can't bring myself to spend a load on parties. I admit it. So for $20 and a good amount of my time we planned Josh's Super Spy Party. It really was fun. The boys each got their own Secret Agent name, ID card and disguise. They went through Spy Training camp where they learned how to defuse a bomb, reveal secret messages, decode words, avoid laser surveillance, and defend themselves from enemy spies all while wearing black fedoras and sunglasses. Here are a few moments:

Beginning their mission

Laser Avoidance Training

Team Work

Retrieving Top Secret Information

Decoding messages

Flying to a "foreign" country to rendezvous with Agent Kaylani Power

I missed pictures of them using water guns to disarm the Enemy Spy (me) after which they promptly disarmed the bomb. At the end of "Week-O-Josh" he was pretty caked-out so we opted for making Monster cookies instead of the traditional cake for the party. The cookies were hidden inside the Top Secret Safe. Luckily the boys defused the bomb next to the safe and thus rescued their dessert. Missionaccomplished!