May 2009

Cub Scout Family Camp

We decided that since this was the last summer that Ricky would be a Cub Scout that we better attend Family Camp since we’ve had such a great time in the past. Again we brought our good friends, the McKay’s to join along in the fun.

The camp was over Memorial Day weekend and it started off a bit rocky as Ricky came down with a stomach virus. So Rick, Jordana and The McKay’s headed off to Cub Scout camp without a Cub Scout. Rick said that they received some funny looks at check in when they stated that there was no Cub Scout with them. But Ricky prevailed and he and I headed up to the camp early Sunday morning so we did not miss the major events of the weekend.

One of the cool things about this year’s camp was that there were a number of new and fun things to do. The kids got to make plaster casts of animal prints at the “prints and scat” station. We also got to make our own hats, moroccos, and rope.

There were also our favorite stations to visit including fire building, archery and the BB Gun range.

Again one of the highlights was the swimming hole. I just couldn’t believe that the kids insisted on swimming as it was very cold – high was only 68 with a cool breeze off of the ocean. So they came out to warm up in the sun and went back in again. I guess that there were too many cool bugs and creatures to examine and that took their minds off of being cold.

Ricky got to participate in one of the flag closing ceremonies as he is a Weblo. (His entire back is to us and is in the middle in the picture).

The new and funny camp songs and the campfires did not disappoint. All in all it was a great last visit to Cub Scout Family camp.

Yulupa Open House

Last May we attended another great Open House a Yulupa. However, this year we were back in Kindergarten and it was Jordana’s turn to take us on the tour. After enjoying another great hot dog dinner and ice cream social put on by the Student Council, it was off to Mrs. Bashe’s K3 class. We started off sitting at Jordana’s table while she took us through the scrapbook she made highlighting her Kindergarten year (Yes that was my favorite part J).

She then took us on a tour of the classroom. We got to see lots of neat things including great art work on the walls.

The highlight of the tour was getting to meet the newly hatched chicks. They were so cuddly and cute.

Weblos I Bridging

In the beginning of May, Ricky and the rest of Den 6 (aka: The Flaming Marshmellows) of Pack 55 completed their final Cub Scout bridging ceremony when they bridged from Weblos I to Weblos II. It was bittersweet as Ricky and two of the other boys (Ben Sapers and Michael Lahaderne) have been together since they were first Tiger Cubs in 1st Grade. They all have grown up so much.

Ricky earned a number of awards and is now working with the rest of the Den to earn the right to bridge to Boy Scouts in February. Where has the time gone??

Posted by Jena

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother’s Day this year. The family really pulled through on giving me what I wanted, and that was to do “absolutely nothing”!

I was even more surprised to receive several heartfelt gifts. Ricky made me a pair of ear rings in school. His teacher brought in the supplies and Ricky did the rest. For those of you who know Ricky; crafting is NOT something he enjoys so I was very touched that he did this. Not to mention that the ear rings are gorgeous.

Jordana also made me some really neat things in school too. I received a paper mache vase with a sunflower growing in it and a picture frame with nice picture of Jordana in it. All presented in a handmade bag

Rick and the kids also picked me some great bouquets from the rose garden and bought me a purple calla lily flower – may favorite!

I was also blessed with many other great cards and gifts. Thank you all!

Posted by Jena

Strawberry Beginning Band

The Strawberry Band Spring Concert was held on May 6th and the Beginning Band was the first up to play.

Ricky was up front playing the flute with all of the others.

We all were very impressed as how good the band sounded considering they had only been playing for around 8 months. Here’s an excerpt from the concert of the Beginning Band playing the Strawberry Eagles fight song.

Bale Grist Mill

Ricky chose the Bale Grist Mill in Napa County for his 4th grade California Landmarks project. Since he chose a nearby location, we were able to take a field trip and gather information for his project.



There is a Miller who tend to the mill and still mills flour to this day. He gives great demonstrations and was really helpful to Ricky as the Miller knew all of the history of the mill. We also provided a donation and took home a couple small bags of flour which we’ve been enjoying really yummy pancakes from. Ricky also used it for his oral report.

Ricky was able to write an excellent report, made a really cool model of the mill (It helps to have an Architect for a Dad), and gave a great oral report. He earned himself an A+ for the entire project. We are so proud of him!!

Jordana’s New Smile

The week right after Easter Jordana lost both of her front teeth. It’s really funny to listen to her talk. What a great smile!

Posted by Jena

Girl Scout Luau
Jordana’s Daisy Troop participated in a Luau hosted by a Cadette Troop at Rincon Valley Park. The girls had fun learning how to do the Hula.

After the dancing we all enjoyed a tropical picnic lunch and then it was craft time. The girls got to make their own lei’s and fish mobiles.

Then they finished with a sandcastle building contest and some fun playtime before the sister circle to say good bye.

Posted by Jena

Easter

Easter Sunday started really early at our house as Jordana woke up at the crack of dawn and noticed that the Easter Bunny had come. He had moved her empty basket to her night stand during the night so Jordana was anxious to begin the hunt.

As you can see Ricky and Jordana were very good and the Easter Bunny left them lots of eggs and other fun surprises.

After having candy for breakfast, it was time to get ready for church. I had Ricky and Jordana pose outside in front of our beautiful dogwood tree. (They HATED doing this and so I had to take many, many pictures.)

Then we headed off to church to enjoy a healthy brunch and take part in St. Mark’s annual Easter Eggstravangza. The kids had to find 6 eggs, each of a different color and then they took them inside to make a craft before we headed off to church.

If you scroll down to an earlier post you will get to enjoy the song which the Sunday School performed during the Easter service.

Posted by Jena

Video: Rose Parade

Here is a quick video of the Strawberry Eagles Marching Band playing "Rock Around the Clock" in Saturday's Rose Parade. Ricky is the second one marching closest to my camera. I will post links to the online recording of the parade after I get a chance to figure them out. But I know that many of you are interested in hearing how it went so here is a quick tidbit.

Posted by: Jena