Spring is in the Air (well sort of)

I empathize with my upstate NY friends about the terrible winter they have been experiencing. I want to assure them that spring is on the way, maybe not soon enough, but it is on the way. And I have proof, pretty daffodils, aren't they? Anyway, I took Matthew to the Sandy Bottom Nature Park to see if I could find Ted and Alex who were camping with the Boy Scouts. I had my camera with me and was delighted to see daffodils in bloom....and it's only February! O.K. ...I must admit, that is rather early for spring flowers to bloom, even for down here, but that is what happens when you get a couple of days of warm weather....like mid-60s to low 70s, in a row.

Yesterday was quite a busy day for our family. Ted and Alex attended Pack 242's Blue and Gold Ceremony which was held at the Officers Club at Langley Air Force Base. They were served a nice breakfast and their keynote speaker, Stephen C. Sullens, is the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force's Air Combat Command. After the B&G, the new scouts that crossed over to Troop 242 were immediately taken on their very first camping trip with the Troop. What a way to break them in. Apparently this is a tradition of theirs. What was amusing was all the camping gear both Ted and Alex packed just for one night....and the park is only 1 mile away from our house. And so the motto goes...BE PREPARED.

Sophia participated in two Girl Scouts events yesterday. The first was Thinking Day (which really should be renamed International Day). Her Troop was responsible for gathering information, making crafts, learning the history, etc. about Scotland. Their school uniforms came in handy for the day because of the tartan design (plaid). Other GS Troops in the area either "hosted" a country or went around visiting them. She had a lot of fun. Afterward, she and several other Junior Scouts headed over to do cookie booth sales (outdoors). Sophia was only supposed to sell from 2-4 p.m. and ended up staying until 6 p.m. because she was having fun. Well, at least since she volunteered for two shifts, she didn't have to participate in today's cookie booth sales. This was good because she still had lots of cookies to deliver to folks in the neighborhood. I think delivering cookies is worse than selling, unless it is the cookie booth where you have the items already on hand.

I know Ted had mentioned previously how he much he enjoys being an Asst. Scoutmaster, mostly because the job was pretty laid back. Well, that didn't last long. He is now the new Committee Chair for Troop 242 (yikes!). Geez, he's only been with the Troop since August...and they barely know Ted...I bet it was because the leaders all found out that Ted brews his own beer. LOL Fortunately, we won't have to host Committee Meetings at our house since they do it at the K of C. Apparently, Dave M., the old Committee Chair had to step down due to work. Ted's name came up in a committee meeting which he did not attend. It was a unanimous vote from the Committee to elect him. I don't think they really had a choice, it wasn't like anyone else was jumping up and down, saying, "Pick me, pick me." Of course Ted did not give them an answer right away. He thought about it and was smart enough to double check with me. Now he has to attend those monthly Roundtable Meetings again. I asked him if he needed me to be his personal secretary. ;o) (Yes, I know, I make him look good.) He will have to blog later and let you guys know if he likes it or not.

On another note, I got the boys signed up for soccer again. Unfortunately, I had to sign Alex up with the same rec. league as before. I tried to get him registered with the Newport News Recreation Dept., but you had to be a resident. But for Matt, I got him registered with the YMCA soccer league (1 practice and 1 game a week) which starts the first week of March. Sophia's swim season doesn't end until April. She might want to go back and do recreational gymnastics or even join a summer swim league.

By the way, we finally got rid of the rats! We found a local pet store that took them. They told the kids that they will try to sell them or breed them. They also promised them that they wouldn't be used as feeders but who knows. Our plan is to get a dog from the local SPCA hopefully by summer, so all three kids can take of it.