End of Cub Scouts

This week we went to Jacob's last Cub Scout Meeting. He has been in Cub Scouts for 5 years, from Tigers to Webelos. This week was the Crossover Pack Meeting to Boy Scouts. It was fun to see the boys celebrated for their hard work over the years and to look at pictures of how little they were and the fun things they've been able to do. Jacob has really enjoyed Cub Scouts and it has been so fun for the whole family. There were 4 boys who have been together for the entire 5 years and 6 boys that we have been with anywhere from 1-4 years. This is a lot of history. We have seen each other every week for 5 years. What a big change it is going to be not having that group of boys and parents/families at Cub Scouts. I will still be there, as I have committed to serving the Pack for awhile still, as will another mom, but not the whole group, it will be strange that first Tuesday when they aren't there. For the Pack Meeting the boys recieved gifts of shadow boxes with all the awards they had earned while in Cub Scouts, this was a lot more work than I imagined but I'm happy how it turned out, and they crossed-over the bridge to the Boy Scouts. Our wonderful Den Leader transferred each boy to Boy Scouts and the leaders and scouts of the Boy Scout Troop welcomed each boy to the Troop. It was pretty cool and so fun to see the boys reach this milestone.

Here is Jacob and I with his shadow box

And when he crossed over

So, now it is on to Boy Scouts, for Jacob and Jeff. I will enjoy hearing all the fun they have and enjoying this adventure as mom only. Jeff is so excited to be involved in scouts now, he had to work during Cub Scouts when Jacob started and so I ended up helping and now he is free to jump in. They can't wait to begin, and tomorrow will be the first activity; they have a campout this weekend. They have been so busy gathering all their camping supplies and are so eager to get going. They should have a lot of fun and we will enjoy staying in the warm, dry, comfortable house while they are away :)

Sheri

Happy St Patrick's Day & Room Completion

This was a busy weekend; we had errands to run, fun games to play, cleaning projects to do, scouts projects to complete, building, building, building, plus church and a meeting. We stayed busy!

The kids loved getting all the green out Sat:

As for the building, we finally finished the girls' new room. Their furniture came in on Fri so we picked it up and began assembling the new beds and bookcase we bought. Then the arranging and placing each item in it's new home. The girls loved it! Neither of them have ever had their own big twin bed, Bailey just left the toddler bed behind (like in one of the Dr Suess books Ned and his little bed, she stuck right out), and Camryn has been using Jacob extra bunk bed for a couple years. They are so ecstatic about their new room. At this time they both say they want to be marine biologists, Camryn taking care of sea otters and Bailey wants to work in the Sea Lion Show at Sea World; so the room is all blue and white with sea creatures everywhere. We all are enjoying the cute, finished product.

Bailey's Bed

The Cottage & New Bookcase

Camryn's Bed

And the rest

They were so HAPPY!

It is so nice to have that project done and to get to see the girls enjoying their room with each other and the rest of us.

Sheri

Sleepover

This past weekend we made further strides in our plans to set up the new girls room. We painted the room the new ocean blue color they choose and now we are just awaiting the furniture so we can have the whole room put together. After the painting we needed to leave it to dry so we didn't put their things back in it, this meant that Jacob's room was full of so much! They decided to make it a sleepover in the living room. They got all settled, in their pjs with their sleeping bags and we watched a movie together. After the movie, and a bunch of reminders to settle down, they finally fell asleep. We were surprised, and glad, that Isaac understood to go to sleep for his first time in a sleeping bag. It was fun, but with the late night, 11:30 for the kids, and the time change it was too short. But they sure were cute

Sheri

His shirt says it all

With all the repairs going on, we got really behind on Isaac's hair grooming. He was really in need of a haircut and finally, last weekend, he and Jeff made it to the barber to get a trim. He actually didn't scream through the whole thing this time so it was a great success, maybe had a little to do with the suckers he brought along. And look at how handsome he is today!

Sheri

Home Repair Update Days 19-21 (Week 4 & 5)

Whew, we have had quite the last week! So, after many days of waiting for delivery of flooring materials we had work happening again last Thurs. Leading up to them coming on Thurs we had to do a lot of work as well.

We are so grateful for home owners insurance and God's provision to cover the necessary costs of this project. Insurance paid for the repairs and so much of the flooring, God blessed us with providing for the additional cost to replace the carpeting in the bedrooms as well. Our carpet has been in such bad shape for years but between the cost of replacing and the large number of children who tend to spill living here we had not wanted to replace it. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to replace carpet while they were already here doing most of the house, and this way we would have one carpet thoughout instead of 3!

After the countertops were finished we began preparing for the flooring. We had already emptied most of the kitchen for the other repairs so it was ready for flooring but the rest of the house was full as usual. We packed up, or filled shelves in the closets with everything we could do without. Knowing they would be coming last Thurs morning to begin upstairs we were down to just a couple dressers and mattresses on the floor by Wed night. That morning we hauled the dressers into the bathroom and put the mattresses downstairs out of the way.

Jacob and Camryn headed to school, Jeff to work and my mom joined the little kids and I for a day running errands while the work happened. We had held off on any shopping or errands needed until that day to give us plenty to do. We went to 2 banks, for Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and our personal account. We got some things for the Cub Scout Blue & Gold Banquet Silent Auction coming up. We got some things at the Scout Shop for Jacob as he finishes up Cub Scouts this spring and prepares to join Boy Scouts. We browsed the Girl Scout Shop as Bailey looks forward to joining in the fall. We had lunch at KFC, Bailey's choice. The little kids loved browsing for books and playing with the trains at Barnes and Noble and we did some shopping for upcoming birthdays (now I need to find the wrapping paper :)

We came home to enjoy the new carpet!! The kids did "carpet angels" and Isaac ran like crazy though each room and around and around. We were so excited. Then we got right to work, getting all the things moved back upstairs and clearing the downstairs for the next day. The stuff filled everything up fast and we ran out of room, the guys ended up with the couches and dining table & chairs on the deck outside. Thanking God for the beautiful weather, 50s that day.

While they worked downstairs, installing the carpet and new kitchen flooring, putting the dishwasher back in and other small details, we were putting everything away upstairs. We got a lot done and enjoyed our last picnic upstairs for this project. Bailey, Isaac and I were so glad to see the end of our confinement upstairs.

This weekend we worked on more and more organizing and decluttering. We did enjoy this opportunity to clean out so much but it is nice to see the house coming back together.

Yesterday the final things were completed. The stairs got new carpet and a few last minute items finished up. How awesome it is to have it all done and to enjoy the improvements. We have the kitchen all back together and most of the rooms. We still have a lot in the garage to go through and find places for or give away.

We did a bit of rearrangeing while we were moving furniture already. The girls got a new room together and Isaac got his own room. Lately Isaac has been climbing a lot, trying to get out of his crib; he was really interested in Bailey's bed. In order to avoid putting the crib together one more time, probably just for use for a little more time, we moved Isaac to a big boy bed. All the rooms need some work but we will work slowly to get their. Isaac's room needs non-purple walls and some more boy touches, the girls need their new furniture and would like to paint their room as well, Jacob just needs some paint touch ups before putting his loft bed back up. The house is being enjoyed by everyone and we are looking forward to the finishing up to come.

The new carpet downstairs

The new kitchen

Girls' Room

Camryn's bed

Bailey's side

And Isaac's new big boy room

The final change was for Jeff and I to move downstairs to the actual Master Bedroom. The girls are now in the room we have used for the last 4 years. It is a bit different to be on a different floor than the kids, and to have to use a baby monitor again, but it is peaceful to have a room that is just ours and not family room. It has been fun to change our routine at night to go upstairs, get all the kids ready, showers/baths, pjs on, clothes out for tomorrow, stories read, prayers said, goodnight kisses and hugs, and then downstairs we go. It is a good different, only difficulty was last night when the flu hit Camryn at 2am, another blessing that she made it just to the edge of the new carpet before it hit her.

We are so enjoying the "new house" and looking forward to getting into a new normal again. After surviving this I think we will be able to add in other things we have been wanting for our family on a daily basis.

Sheri