Spring Break Fun - Day 2

Today, Prince and Princess came over to Cookie's house for a treasure hunt.

The boys ran around outside for a while with safari hats and swords.  Then B10 appeared at the door with these critters:

That boy can find snakes ANYWHERE!

After decorating their swords and playing in the front room, we all went to Cici's Pizza for lunch, then back to our house to watch movies and play games while it gently rained away some of the pollen.

I cooked chicken for dinner, and we had another nice day with the Royal Family.  It's not camping, but it's still great to spend time with friends.

~Lone Butterfly  )i(

Spring Break Fun - Day 1

Since we weren't able to go camping, Queen and I decided to have a "fun day" today.  We started with an early morning at Chuck-E-Cheese.

Everyone got 40 tokens (and GO got 10) - and spent the morning playing games and eating pizza.

Princess was allowed to "help" GO use her tokens - she did a GREAT job of helping!  She is such a good "big sister"!

Then we headed to the playground to play for an hour.  It was mighty hot outside, but the kids love it.

Our final destination was the local mall to see "How to Train Your Dragon".  CC met us there, and Princess Flower came to see the movie with us.  It's a GREAT movie - I highly recommend for adults and kids alike.  It reminded me of "Monsters, Inc."...a movie that is kind of scary the first time, but then even younger kids (like Brother Sheep's age), would enjoy it over and over again.

It was such a pretty day - my only sadness was that infernal pollen count!

~Lone Butterfly  )i(

Eggs Over Easy

B10 has slowing been working on adding different foods to his repertoire, so today when Queen was here, she showed him how to make his own eggs-over-easy.  He was really proud of how well he did with the hot skillet (and non-scratching tools).

Plus, Queen had a huge smile on her face - she had quite a bit of fun teaching him!

~Lone Butterfly  )i(

A Shrunken Christmas Carol

The Cub Scouts and the Daisy Girl Scouts came out to see "A Shrunken Christmas Carol".  CW wasn't in the show (he came with Cookie and Doc) - but they got to see B10 doing his extra role (Turkey Boy).

It was so much fun to have our friends out to see the show!

~Lone Butterfly  )i(

Thanksgiving Camping - Day 5

Our final morning was similar to the other three, we gathered around the campfire for one last breakfast.

 

Hubby and I let B10 and CW play, while we packed up the camper.

B10 found an awesome katydid!

GO slept for a while on the bed in the camper.

Then she hung on Hubby while he worked to clean up the outside of the campsite.

After we were loaded and hooked up, we all drove to the State Park Entrance and took family photos.

 

Then we let the kids go out onto the bridge and toss sticks over one side to let the "race" under the bridge and over the waterfall.

 

I used my new telephoto lens to get a great shot of them leaning out of the windows.

 

Hubby took each child, individually, out onto the rock dam wall to look at the cool mechanical things.

Then we were done!  Another Thanksgiving at Watson Mill Bridge State Park comes to a close.

 

We've already discussed going even further away next year!

~Lone Butterfly  )i(

Thanksgiving Camping - Day 4

Early to awaken this morning!  GO wore her sleep sack again, and we all sat by the fire for our breakfast.  This is one of my favorite things about camping!  Sharing breakfast with friends and sitting by a warm fire.

We took an early hike today, it was our longest yet - over 2.5 miles!  All the boys collected dried lichen to use as tender for their fires.

The views were amazing.

And none of the Caterpillars complained at all!  We were so proud of them.

Hubby had gotten a nifty Ergo Carrier from some of our friends to borrow, and GO loved riding on her daddy.

She was "helping" him hike part of the time.

 

And sleeping soundly the other part.

After our long hike, we had a picnic lunch by the South Forks River.  More beautiful views and a nice sheltered area, so the wind wasn't bad.

Then, Hubby and King helped all the boys build another fire.  This is such an important part of preparing them for Boy Scouts - we were glad to have the opportunity to work with them in a smaller group (rather than ALL our Scouts on a Sunday).

Sad to believe we leave tomorrow!

~Lone Butterfly  )i(

Thanksgiving Camping - Day 3

Happy Thanksgiving!

We woke up early today, and left GO in her sleep sack over her jammies while we went out to the morning campfire.

The Caterpillars were already awake and dressed quickly to sit with the Royal Family.  Prince had his camera out and was enjoying taking photos of CW and GO.

B10 was simply enjoying eating.

We decided to have a morning around the campsite today, in preparation for our big feast.  King worked with B10 and Hubby on knot-tying.  (Always a handy thing for a Cub Scout or Cub Scout Leader to know!)

CW and Prince spent their morning climbing trees.

Queen prepared a Pumpkin Pie in the Dutch Oven (and an Apple/Sweet Potato Crisp, plus I made rolls).

It was delightful!  GO worked on her standing and walking with Hubby.

We gathered at our campsite for the Thanksgiving Lunch - very "traditional" with turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, rolls, green bean casserole and the Apple/Sweet Potato Crisp.  For our special meal, we even had Ginger Ale for everyone to drink.

B10 and Prince worked with King and Hubby to build a fire.  It's part of their Cub Scout requirements and they did a great job!

After lunch, GO and I laid down, just long enough for GO to get some lovely bedhead!

Then we headed out (everyone except King) for a short 1 mile hike.

The Caterpillars did awesome and GO loved the nature as much as her brothers do!

It was such a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I am so glad that we have created a tradition for our family that is special and also different.  Plus, it helps us remember so much of what Thanksgiving should be about: friends, food and the wonderful world that God has given us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Lone Butterfly  )i(