From Tiger to Wolf

Today Jonah participated in a rank up ceremony for Tiger Scouts.  His Den met at a local park as Tigers and after the ceremony they graduated to Wolf.   Drew took Jonah so all information is courtesy of Drew and Jonah including the pictures!

At the beginning of the ceremony each boy's neckerchief was removed.  They then left on a hike through the woods during which each boy collected representative symbols of a wolf.  The symbols were a feather (the fur of the wolf), a wolf claw, and the mark of the wolf (red paint on his cheek for the arrow of light).  After the hike, the boys received the Wolf neckerchief.  Lastly, the boys each etched their initials into a piece of leather which will become part of a Pack Banner. 

No neckerchief!

Off they go on the hike

Getting his Wolf neckerchief

Jonah loved all of it and is very excited to be a Wolf.  It is just one step on his Boy Scout journey.  I am very thankful that Drew willingly does with Jonah and loves it as well.  Two years from now Samuel will be a Tiger Scout and he cannot wait!

Jonah earned his badge

Yesterday was a big day for Jonah.  Really it is going to be a big weekend for Jonah.  Gymnastics watching/helping, Tiger Scout awards, and a gymnastics competition.  He gets to experience it all with Drew.  Jonah has been so excited about his special time with daddy this weekend....so sweet!

Yesterday Drew got Jonah out of school early to go to volunteer at a Trampoline and Tumbling contest.  A little bonus was getting to watch the Texas A&M men's gymnastics team and the Chinese National Team warm up for their competition.  Drew said that Jonah was so excited...more than words can describe at watching their tricks.  Jonah was also a little frustrated that he could not practice his own skills.  They were at the competition for three hours before heading home for his Tiger Scout award ceremony. 

After completing all the required assignments, Jonah earned his Tiger Scout badge.  It was a proud moment for me and Drew.  Jonah thought it was pretty cool as well.  He just looks so handsome in his uniform!

The table centerpiece

All this happened after he spent the morning playing cowboy.  Friday was "Go Texan Day".  It signifies the beginning of rodeo season, which is a HUGE deal!  Emma and Jonah had hoedowns at school.  Elena and Samuel just dressed for the occasion because why not?  I think our rodeo gear is lacking and I need to get the kids cooler stuff for next year.  I know they would all appreciate boots!

A Halloween Filled weekend

Oh my gosh I am tired.  This weekend was jammed pack full of fun in addition to a soccer game, running, and doing stuff around the house.  Thank goodness the kids go back to school tomorrow!!

Friday night Jonah's Cub Scout Pack hosted a Fall Festival.  Jonah is only a Tiger Scout, but all the scouts in the pack participated in the event.  Friday was our first cold night of the fall and the event was outside.  Thus, we did not stay long.  That was plenty fine with all of us.  The kids had played games, eaten treats, and received candy.  They were ready to go as well.

On Friday, the kids dressed as

Samuel the carpenter, Emma the gymnast, Elena the fairy, and Jonah the batman.  So cute!

Blurry I know, but so sweet of Emma to help Elena play the games

Elena doing what was most important...eating her candy.

Counting his loot!

On Saturday we attended our friends annual Halloween bash.  This year I decided on a theme for our family's costumes....the Duncans from "Good Luck Charlie".

Introducing Drew as Bob, me as Amy, Emma as Teddy, Elena as Charlie, Samuel as Gabe, and Jonah as PJ.  I think we look pretty good.  Well, not me.  I am definitely not meant to be a blond, but we look good as the Duncans.  Drew is under strict orders to regrow his go-tee. 

The food was very creative and super yummy!

I made spider PB crackers

Our friend Tami made these delicious treats!

I made this spider layer dip...yum!

Tami made this too!

The kids played two different games.  To get their attention I told them to put bubbles in their mouths.  Elena thought that was hilarious!  Samuel has the best time playing "pass the pumpkin"!

All the kiddos!

If that was not enough, then today we went to the Halloween Trunk or Treat at our church.  Emma wore her third costume of the Halloween season.  I might like this one the best!

A rainbow!

Elena tried her first ever cotton candy.  She was a little skeptical, but she ate it all.  Jonah loves cotton candy!

Elena had a blast on the slide.  Jonah loved pretending he was flying.  They of course got more candy then they need and played games.  I already have more candy in this house than we need.  Some of it might disappear tomorrow!

I wanted a group photo before we left.  Elena was a little disgusted that I was asking to take another picture!

Until Wed....who knows what they will dress up as on Halloween Night!

The first Tiger Scout camp out

This past weekend Drew, Jonah, and Samuel went on a Tiger Scout camp out at Huntsville State Park.  Jonah is the Tiger Scout, but it was a family camp out.  I decided this was a good opportunity for the boys to bond while camping and the girls to bond while shopping!  So, off they went Friday afternoon with more stuff than seemed reasonable.  Camping requires so much stuff and the unpacking is even worse.

This is Jonah's first year as a Tiger Scout.  He seems to be really enjoying it so far.  I think Drew is as excited as Jonah because he is all about doing outdoor activities.  Samuel is loving following along as much as he can.  Samuel would be a Tiger Scout tomorrow if he was old enough.

Jonah receiving his neckerchief

The weather for camping was a little warm, but pleasant enough to have a nice weekend in the woods.  Huntsville State Park is about an hour from our house.  It is really a very nice park so I knew they would have lots of fun.

Friday night I texted Drew to make sure all was well.  He texted me back with a picture of this...

He said the boys were distracted by the 8 foot alligator in the lake so they were late getting dinner started.  Seriously, that would have been the end of me camping.  Their site was uphill approximately 300 feet from the lake.  No thank you!

Saturday was filled with free time, a scavenger hunt, a hike to learn about trees, a flag retirement ceremony, and some other badge activities.  Jonah had a blast.  Samuel loved it too.  Both boys played to the point of exhaustion.

I asked Jonah what happened at the flag retirement ceremony already knowing the answer.  Jonah said, "we burned flags".  We had a little chat discussing what really happened, which was the third chat Jonah had received about the ceremony.  Jonah is more of a doer and not the best listener!  The flags were old, ripped, tattered, and just well used.  The flags were retired properly meaning they ultimately were burned.  Drew said it was a really cool and meaningful ceremony. 

Unfortunately storms moved through the area starting late Saturday night.  The tent stayed dry so they slept just fine.  Drew packed all the stuff earlier on Saturday helping to make for a speedy getaway on Sunday morning.  Drew had planned for a nice breakfast, but he decided breakfast at Denny's would be better.  The boys loved that too!

The boys were so tired when the got home on Sunday afternoon.  They are still tired today.  Maybe I should send them camping every weekend?