Ethan's First Court of Honor

I remember as a child dying of boredom at my brothers' Scout meetings.  They were these long, boring affairs where the adults talked and talked and nothing interesting happened.  I am proud to say that my children seem to feel the same way.

Amen, Grace, Amen

Translation (middle, top, then left side):

I feel like everyone has been spending too much time at school and work and home work.  Next Saturday, I think we should have Family Day.

We didn't get to spend a family day that particular Saturday but we did get one scheduled.  This little girl is good at reminding us what is important.

Scout Camp

Ethan gets to go to Scout Camp as a full fledged Scout this year.  This means overnighting, no parental oversight, and probably lighting many and various things on fire. Okay, there is no "probably" about it:  He will light stuff on fire but my mother heart clings to the possibility he won't. He was extremely excited; until he found out the cost: Two hundred eight dollars!  He was pretty upset.  After getting over his shock, he started to plan.

He sent out an email begging for work and also started taking orders for homemade cinnamon rolls, despite having never made them before.  Much to his excitement, job offers and orders started rolling in.  He weeded, scooped poop, cleaned homes, moved bags of dirt, and did any menial jobs offered.  Relatives were generous with their payments.  Scout Camp, trek, and swim team, all of which he needs to pay for, seemed to be within reach.

His last effort was cinnamon rolls, after which he would have enough money for everything he needed plus a little extra.  He took orders for twelve dozen.  I was kind enough to help him with the first batch, but after that he was on his own.  Well, not exactly on his own.  Libby wanted to help and Ethan wasn't about to turn down the offer.

Each batch made four dozen.  Three batches later he was finally done.  Unfortunately, he had sold every single cinnamon roll he made, so there were none left to sample.  After smelling cinnamon and sugar for two days, there was great sadness from the other kids that they didn't get a cinnamon roll.  I hope they tasted good and nobody suffered from food poisoning.

Weeds

I know they are weeds.  I know I should spray, poison, destroy and eradicate them.  But I just can't seem to bring myself to destroy these little yellow balls of color that pop up in my lawn.  The leaves are edible, the roots are edible, even the flower is edible.  Plus my kids can pick great big handfuls, and nobody minds.  The neighbors even invite them to pick the blossoms from their lawns.  How can I kill these when children love to bring me handfuls of them?

Bonus Pictures!
Apparently, Grace and/or Libby got a hold of my camera and wanted to take pictures of all our spring blossoms.  Lovely spring flowers.

WARNING: White Boy Dancing Ahead

Even a Twelve Year Old Needs the Occasional Nap

Although I think his bed would have been more comfortable.

There Is No Use Crying Over Spilled Milk

Alternate title: The day I learned not to set the gallon of milk on the railing while opening the door.