Friday, March 27, 2015

Sugar Camp Days: Bendix Woods

This past weekend we headed out, despite the chilly temps, to Bendix Woods for their Sugar Camp Days! We have wanted to go for years, but either the weather was waaaaay too chilly, or the kids were just too young to really appreciate what was going on.

We first headed toward the Nature Center, and just outside was a tree climbing station. There, professionals had gear set up, and help the kids to use it to climb trees. D was all over it! L was a bit cautious about going up, he seems to have developed a fear of heights recently. They started to shimmy up the rope, and Adam yelled up that if they were able to ring the bell at the top, then they would not have to clean their room later that day. You should have seen how quickly D got up to the bell!!! L got almost all the way to the top, looked down, and froze. The guys running the station were great with him, very patient and reassuring. They also allowed him to come back down at his own speed.






Once inside the Nature Center, there was a maple syrup taste test, maple leaf headband craft, music, bake sale, and a fun spot to explore pioneer toys and local animals. We picked up some maple syrup, maple pecan cookies, and some maple cotton candy! If you have never tried maple cotton candy, YOU NEED TO!!!!!

Back outside and slightly up the trail was a candle making station. For a donation, the kids could dip candles over a fire, and walk in a circle to let them cool. This was the same nice lady we saw at the Blueberry Festival last year!





A further hike up the trail led us to some really neat ice sculptures, and of course they needed their picture with the Minecraft creeper. We also waited here to hop on a horse drawn wagon ride out to the sugar bush.




Once we arrived at the sugar bush, they had different stations set up here too. One showed how the Native Americans would collect and cook down the maple sap. Another showed how the pioneers would camp and collect the sap. L and D took turns trying out carrying it. Adam showed how to carry the pack of supplies they would take. The pack would weight around 90 lbs, they would take 2 of them, and they would strap them to their forehead to carry.








The kids were really excited to pass by the Blacksmith station on the way to get maple kettle corn and see the modern day collection and boil down of the sap.





Thursday, March 26, 2015

Cub Scout Blue and Gold banquet

As I have said, this past month has been all scouting all the time! We had the Pinewood Derby, coupon book fundraiser, scouting for food, and then the Blue and Gold banquet.  This year the scouting for food, and Blue and Gold banquet fell on the same week. So Wed afternoon, we headed out to put wrapped up bags and a note on people's door handles. Having only 2 boys in our den makes this a little harder than most dens have it. We often employ siblings to help us out. This year we were thrilled when the temps soared into the 60's and we had to jump over giant puddles as opposed to temps in the 20's, giant snow piles, and it actually snowing while out. For 2 1/2 hours we walked around passing out the bags.

Friday night we all got together at the church to decorate for the Blue and Gold banquet. This year's theme was Under the Sea and once again Adam was in charge of the decorations. He and our den leader always work really well together, and get a game plan going. Both families get along fantastic as well, so we all worked really well setting it all up.

Saturday morning, both families once again headed out to collect the food from the neighborhood for the scouting for food.

That afternoon was the banquet! Tons of delicious pot-luck dishes, awards for most of the boys, and a chance to be proud of all the accomplishments.

Next up for the scouts: spring camp out to Fair Oaks Farm!


















L earned his 1-2-3 go Nova award. How appropriate to receive this on Pi day!!!

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Pinewood Derby 2015


We have been in Cub Scout mode for the last month almost non-stop! Our pack held the annual pinewood derby at the end of Feb, and this post has been sitting here waiting to be published ever since. We had a little fun this year with the decorations! Our den leader made a garage area with a back drop for the cars while waiting. Adam and another dad made driver's license and a test they had to pass for each boy.

Both L and D made cars again this year, we brought a friend to watch with us, and Adam was the official time keeper, so we were a bit busy. I think everyone had a really good time!

In our pack we have the top 2 boys per den move on to compete in the finals. Since we only have 2 boys in our den, that means L always advances. Normally he comes in 10th place in the finals, but this year he came 8th and was super stoked!

D ended up coming in 1st with the Pixie race and was cheered on by a few of the boys from her class. There are 3 of them that stick together at all the events, and it is so cute how they always cheer each other on.


























Thursday, March 5, 2015

An exciting new opportunity

About a month ago, a friend contacted me with an idea. The Children's program director of the Kidsfirst Museum was pregnant and needing to go on maternity leave, they needed someone to cover. She thought of me. I was super excited but a bit nervous. Could I work during the week outside of the house? Would this be possible? Adam asked one question, Would I enjoy doing it? My answer was of course I would. I would get to do story and craft time 2 days a week, and be in charge of keeping the museum together. I have since been asked to help when school groups come in as well. I am now almost through my first week, and I have to say, I LOVE it! It is exactly what I needed for now, and am happy to fill in for as long as needed.

I did want to share some of the really amazing things we have going on in the museum. Everything is hands-on and interactive.

There is a canoe and wigwam for the kids to experience.

A fishing spot and cooking fire


A horse barn, blacksmith shop, trading post, and 1 room school house for the kids to explore. And for the little ones, a dollhouse and play farm.

One of the coolest things is a Conestoga covered wagon for the kids to climb in!

And last but not least, a log cabin to see how they lived back then.

We have story and craft time every Monday and Friday at 10:45, and here are the ideas we get to do this month!

I am so very excited for this chance to do something so fun and perfectly fit to what I love to do. So, thank you!

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