Scout Camping Trip

Tuck had a great weekend. He did the Polar Plunge (jumping into a swimming pool that was cold, and this differs every other day because???) hiked for miles, set up his tent for the first time "solo" and had an all around great trip. We had a pancake breakfast on Sunday together and it was fun to see him so happy. He met lots of other guys and made more friends. He ended up sleeping with some new friends in their large tent giggling and joking all night.

Sunday on the way home he promptly fell asleep in the car and woke up only to stumble into the house and go back to sleep for a couple more hours. He woke up later in the afternoon just in time to play with his friends.

He is definitely changing since we began home schooling. He seems to have more independence and confidence in himself. I am sure it has everything to do with not being in trouble every day of his life. That would create a self fulfilling prophecy, why the school system does this I have no idea... He learned tons on the trip and it just makes me aware of how much schooling we do that is away from the formal education system. We work every day on his regular work and he is really enjoying moving through the material at his own pace.

Anyway, I still have a dining room full of gear to put away (I have been cleaning it all, it was very dusty at the camp) and I feel like I need a day off after the trip but no such luck. I am right back at the office.

Thank goodness it is a three day weekend for Easter. I would love a day off.

A Windy Day

This morning I woke up at 3 am to a little boy saying "mom the storms woke me up" with that wide eyed scared look. I squashed down the irritation (I get up at 4:30) from being woke up and looked outside. He was right massive storms were passing through. Luckily, down here the weather changes very quickly. This morning it is going to be in the 60s, although the wind is still blowing (20mph).

I hope this passes soon as Tuck is going to scout camp this weekend (Friday through Sunday) and gets to hang out with the boy scouts Sat night. This means I have to go and camp with him (even though I will not be participating in any of the activities). Why I have to be there I have no clue. Tuck and I love to go camping but I will just be hanging out on my own... Maybe I should just use it as a chance to relax.

This means a busy night of packing gear that I have not used in quite a while. I hope that I can find it all. I will be fine as long as I remember to bring the tent poles (I did forget them once, you can use rope and trees to stake out a tent in a pinch!) and good coffee. As long as I have good coffee everything will be allright.

Pennsylvania

I went on a work trip a couple of months ago to the North East. It was frigidly cold but I did get in a little sightseeing. We (me and three co workers) went to the Philly art museum (Go Rocky!) as well as Valley Forge. Headquarters for George Washington. I toured all of the buildings, the house itself was small, but it was great to see it.

My favorite part was a really great church with a blue door. My signature color!

We ate Philly Cheesesteakes, not my favorite, I HATE plastic cheese. We did find fabulous Italian at Cafe Verona. I would fly back to Philly just to have dinner there.

Home

Our house is getting quieter and quieter. The boys are all at college or living their lives. I have Mitch, Cody, and Tuck left at the house. Thank goodness for my friend Jenny's kids (4 of them). They come over and break up the evenings.


Tuck is loving his home schooling. He is happier already. Here is Tuck with his kitten Feisa (now a teenager)

I have been trying to make decisions and figure out where I would like to be. I have loved where I am, but it is a little odd to be all the way across the country from all of my family. They have been wonderful to travel down here so often, and support the boys in all of their endeavors. It is strange to make decisions for myself and Tuck without worrying about all of the boys. I guess I will just have to get used to it. I am glad all the boys are living their own lives and making their own way in the world, mistakes and all.

Ah well, we have plenty of time to make decisions. Now we need to get our pool in shape for the summer season. I drained it, so Tuck and his friends have been using it as cover during their Nerf gun wars. Saturday is pressure wash and bleach the pool day. I can't wait. The pool is so beautiful when it is clean.