Taylor's "camping" experience with the cub scouts

We arrived about 2:30 pm on Saturday to join the boys camping in Covington at the Trailblazer camping event. Taylor had fun hanging with the boys, running around, sitting with Mommy and playing in the tent. She enjoyed using the ladies room many times (I think mostly for the fun of it) and loved using her glow sticks in the dark. We had spaghetti for dinner and then roasted marshmallows when it got dark. We didn't actually get to do any of the activities because by the time Taylor and I got there, Joshua was wearing down and just wanting to run around at the campsite and play with the boys. He had already done bb shooting, archery, and slingshots that day along with a bird show. I was wondering if Taylor was going to get comfortable enough with the campsite/tent to want to stay the night...and she gave it a good effort, but backed out around 10:30. She and I laid in the tent for an hour and she was having fun shining her glow sticks at the boys running around outside the tent, and then she realized that she was not going to be able to sleep in the tent and she asked to go home. I was well caffeinated, and so she and I drove the hour home and Taylor zonked in the car five minutes after I pulled out of the campground. I carried her to her bed and she happily slept until morning. It was a good experience for her, and I have a feeling that in a year, she will be more than happy to sleep in a tent! Daddy and Joshua are already looking forward to the next camping experience which will be in the Winter and quite chilly. Hopefully, they will stay warm around the fire!!

Camping with Pack 11

Tonight, Joshua and Daddy are camping at Bert Adams Boy Scout Camp in Covington, GA. I just spoke with Daddy on the phone about a half an hour ago and it sounds like you guys are settled in at the campground. The tent was set up with all of the things inside. You are running around with your classmate Jack. It was sweet to talk with you, Joshua, and know that you are having fun with Daddy and your friends. Taylor missed you two tonight as I put her to bed. She wanted Daddy to read her a book. We will be heading to Covington tomorrow after stopping by Maddy's birthday party in the morning. Daddy and I are so excited that you have found an activity that you really enjoy in the Tiger Cubs and Daddy has found something that he enjoys in being your Den Leader and getting to spend time in the outdoors doing "boy" stuff together! Love my boys! And my sweet girl, who cannot wait to sleep in her new sleeping bag and tent!

Muffins with Moms

I got to spend the morning with my sweet boy during Muffins for Moms. He was so cuddly this morning with me and I think that I got at least 20 kisses during the event. He really enjoyed having me all to himself without having to share:) Daddy and Taylor hung out at home while I set up for the event and sat with Joshua during the program. Quite a few of the kids got to get up and share the answers to questions that were sent home for the kids and dads to fill out. I got the form today that Joshua filled out and here were the questions and answers:

1. How has your mom helped you in learning how to "Let Your Light Shine"? because she tells me the right thing to do

2. What is your favorite time with your mom? when my mom plays with me

3. What is the best advice your mom has ever given you? when she tells me to treat others as I would like to be treated.

4. If you could give your mom anything, what would it be? make some jewelry out of paper and give it to her.

5. If your mom could give you anything, what would you want it to be? a remote control helicopter or plane.


Joshua, I love your answers and I will do my best to play with you as much as I can and worry about those items on my "to do" list for later in the evening. I love you so much and you mean the world to me! I am so very proud of the young man you are and know that you are going to do great things! Let your light shine always!!

Joshua is mastering reading

Joshua is doing so well with reading. He definitely made a huge leap at the end of the Summer after spending the Summer reading prior to bedtime. He has taken off in his skills with the start of the new school year, which is such a blessing because he didn't seem to enjoy it before his 1st grade year. Now that it is becoming easier for him, he is having fun reading new books and it is a joy to hear him read and know that it is no longer an assignment or chore, but something he is enjoying on his own. He picks up a book or tries to read signs/labels on his own here and there, and we look forward to him make reading his own more and more. I will always love to sit with him at bedtime and listen to him read so I hope that that won't end anytime soon! Keep it up, Joshua! You are awesome!

Taylor announces that her potty training is done!

Doug told me that Taylor announced to him that she was done potty training. That would be such a huge blessing!! She has been doing so well lately. An accident usually happens once a day and sometimes she has no accidents in a day, as was the case today. She has come a long way and we are soooo proud of her. She knows that she will get a Minnie Mouse cake and party when she is done training and it will be so much fun to celebrate with her. Once she is done, we need to decide if she should go back to preschool or not. There is definitely positives and negatives to both options and we'll just need to pray about it and make a decision when the time comes. We are so proud of you, Taylor!!

Tiger Cubs

Joshua is an official Tiger Cub!! He has attended three meetings now and Doug has agreed to be co-leader of the Tiger Cubs if he is accepted (which I'm sure that he will be). It has put an extra pep in his step and he is excited to "give back" in this way. Joshua seems to be really enjoying the scouts and they are looking forward to their first camping trip on the first weekend of October. Joshua is now officially outfitted in Tiger Cubs gear as of this weekend. He and Daddy and Taylor went to the Cub Scouts store and purchased his shirt, necktie, slide, and cap. I get to sew on the patches to his new uniform. This is going to be a great time of bonding with Daddy and son, and Taylor and I will join in on the fun as much as possible as well. I am still trying to decide if Taylor should join in on the first camping adventure or not. We only have two sleeping bags now (one just ordered for Doug!), so we would be short on supplies...It's going to be a great year!

Labor Day with the Michalaks

We spent Labor Day weekend with Grandpa and Grandma and Aunt Angela, Uncle Doug and the kids in Charlotte. Joshua spent all of his time with Daniel, which was expected, and Daniel wore Joshua out! Joshua can keep up with Daniel, but he definitely is exhausted at the end of the weekend and it takes him a day or two to catch up on his sleep! They had fun jumping on the trampoline and play fighting with their light sabers. We went to the Matthews parade on Saturday morning of the weekend, and the boys and Ashley had a blast accumulating candy and goodies from the people walking along with their floats. Taylor and Lindsay got in on the fun about half way through the parade and collected some candy as well. We then had a picnic lunch and then walked through the craft areas and got to ride the crazy train. This train ride was a small train (holding approx 20 people) that makes sharp turns and zigs and zags through a parking lot with this crazy old man who had quite the personality. This man has definitely found his calling! Joshua and Taylor both really enjoyed the silliness and the man even asked Taylor if she was following him. Joshua and Daniel rode a spinning ride and Taylor rode a car that flew up and down and around in circles. We attended Doug and Angela's church on Sunday and then we headed to the National Whitewater Training facility. What a place! This is an Olympic training center for rafting and anyone can pay and spend the day rafting or kayaking around this man-made course. They also had a zip line, rocking climbing, and a mountain biking course. It was really impressive and I'd love to take the kids rafting their someday when they are old enough, which will be awhile considering the age requirement is 12. We had a good time just watching the rafters and kayakers and we even climbed onto the rocks and stuck our feet in the water. A great weekend with the family and we are hoping to make it back for Halloween!