Great American Postcard Swap

Aimee of Adventures and Pursuits is sponsoring the The Great American Postcard Swap, during which 50 families, one from each state, will swap postcards over the next year. Going in alphabetical order, each state will have their own week to send out postcards to all the other states.

I've been wanting to do a postcard project with Tucker and this one looked like a lot of fun! Tucker's really excited to get mail from all over the country, too! I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

Blue and Gold Banquet

In the world of Cub Scouts, the Blue and Gold Banquet is held to celebrate the birthday of the Boy Scouts, which is in February. It is also the ceremony at which the Webelos 2 (the oldest) receive the Arrow of Light and move up to Boy Scouts.

I was able to get Tucker to stand still and somewhat smile for a picture in his uniform!

Another tradition is the father-son cake contest. The cakes have to be made completely by the dads and scouts, which is okay in our house because I'd probably do more damage than good! Their cake has a layer of yellow cake, a layer of chocolate (with three cans of frosting), graham crackers around the edge (with tootsie rolls as reinforcements) and then skittles on top! Yes it was a masterpiece!

Toys r Us donated Legos for all the scouts so they each got a small bag to keep themselves busy at the table. (Michael also kept busy!)

After a yummy dinner, we got to/had to eat our cakes for dessert. Here Michael cuts into ours... ( we brought our biggest knife for the honors!)

This is what the inside looked like


Each den then had to put on a skit of some sort. tucker's den each told jokes...(he's in the middle)

Tucker tells his joke: "what did the cookie say to the human?" "Don't eat me!"
The boys all did a good job. And even though we left early for his soccer game, it still a lot of fun and I'm glad we went!

Something New!

To say that Tucker was upset last week when he found out he needed glasses is definitely an understatement! By the end of the week, we had gone to Walmart and picked out a pair he liked (he told me in the car "they were really comfortable, Mommy!"). We had a message yesterday that the glasses were in so Michael took him after school to get the new glasses! He is so excited! He told me "everything is so much clearer!" We also ordered a pair of goggle-like glasses for him to wear to play soccer and baseball.

My Daybook

For today, February 15, 2010 (President's Day, observed; does it seem early this year to anyone else or is it just me?)

On My Mind...I got a disturbing phone call from my mother this afternoon. My Uncle Joe was found dead in his house this morning, from an apparent heart attack. His neighbor brings him the paper every morning and noticed this morning that yesterday's was still in the door so he looked in the window and saw him lying on the floor. This is the same uncle who had the eye issues in August. He just turned 67 in October and will be greatly missed.

Outside My Window...it is dark and snow is expected for the morning. Tucker and Michael have been working on a snow fort, the wails of which are 13 giant snowballs that I think look like meatballs.

What we're Reading...Emily's Quest had to go back to the library so I started Twilight Tues and finished it Sat morning. I started New Moon Sat afternoon and am 3/4 way through it. I already bought Eclipse when we were out on Sat so I don't have to wait to start it! Tucker is reading Blizzard of the Blue Moon on his own. His favorites this week were You Wouldn't Want to be a Civil War Soldier by Thomas Ratliff (this is apparently a whole series of historic books; we're going to get more, I think!), Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot by Dav Pilkey, and Arthur Meets the President by Marc Brown.

What We're Listening to...I'm still listening to A Lion Among Men about the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz. With Tucker I listened to Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective.

What We're Watching...LOVED the Survivor premiere; that Stephenie is one tough chick! Also liked Amazing Race-the cowboys are my favorite but not sure how far they'll get! Already had enough of the ditzy former SC Teen Miss America. Fell asleep before The Biggest Loser ended but heard there was no elimination. Did watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics but didn't think they were as good as the China opening ceremonies.

I am hoping...Tucker accepts that he needs glasses! We went to the eye Dr today on the recommendation from the school nurse screening. We looked at frames but he was definitely not into it! He told me his head is too big for glasses!

Quotable Quote...You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them ~ Desmond Tutu

In the Kitchen...chicken in the crock pot tonight, spaghetti and meatballs, not sure what else-we have a busy week!

Around the House...Tucker helped me clean out some toys in the living room and we had a pretty good pile for Goodwill as well as the consignment shop...dishes are done...laundry needs to be folded and another load done.

Coming Up This Week...Michael's off with Tucker tomorrow and is taking him and William to Kid City for the day...going out with people from work Wed night...soccer practice Thurs night...a game either Sat or Sun (we will get the schedule at practice)...my uncle's service, probably on Sat.

Some Picture Thoughts...

In memory of my Uncle Joe, a picture of us dancing at my wedding...

The fort Tucker and Micahel have been working on...


Tucker and I made chocolate hearts again for Valentine's Day...

Happy Valentine's Day

We celebrated Valentine's Day in our own small way...just some simple gifts and cards.
Tucker and Michael made a cookie, colored it red with food coloring and put it in a frame with a picture of them!

Tucker taped nickels to a card for Michael (we're not sure why but he made it himself!)

Tucker checks out the Starburst and Hershey Kisses he got (he also got a Phineas and Ferb Valentine book)

Hope you and your yours enjoyed a nice Valentine's Day!

My Daybook

For today, Monday, February 8, 2010 (James Dean's birthday)

On My Mind...thinking of joining Weight Watchers on-line. Need to seriously do something and I'm thinking/hoping that that could be the motivation I need!

Outside My Window...the sun is shining but it is cold out there! We're expecting snow on Wednesday.

What We're Reading...finished Emily Climbs this morning and will be starting Emily's Quest. With Tucker, we're reading a Magic Treehouse book : Haunted Castle on Hallow's Eve...His favorites this week were Bartleby Speaks! and Brewster the Rooster. Planning on reading books about Abe Lincoln and the Civil War this week.

What We're Listening to...almost done with Son of A Witch.

What We're Watching...the usual iCarly, Dirty Jobs and Mythbusters. Forgot Biggest Loser last week but did watch American Idol. Still watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Michael and I are also liking Shark Tank and Fringe. Looking forward to Survivor and Amazing Race starting this week.

I am Hoping...my ENT appt goes well this morning and I don't need surgery to remove the stone.

Quotable Quote...Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be. ~ Abraham Lincoln (in honor of his birthday Friday)

In the Kitchen...chicken brushetta, a new chicken recipe, chicken in the crockpot. (apparently chicken was on sale this week-LOL!)

Around the House...laundry to be folded (as usual)...dishwasher's running...not awful but not great, either.

Coming Up This week...new soccer session starting, not sure when practice/game is...Cub Scout Pack meeting Thurs night...Tucker and I are going to a UConn Women's game Sat night with my mom and then staying over.

A Picture Thought...Haven't been taking a lot of pictures; need to get back into taking pictures---I miss it!

Happy Groundhog Day!!!

Groundhog Day is celebrated every year on February 2nd in both the United States and Canada. The folklore states that on February 2nd if a groundhog emerges from his hole and fails to see his shadow, he will leave his burrow - signifying that winter will end soon. But if the Groundhod does see his shadow he will retreat down into his burrow, and winter will last for another 6 weeks!

source: theteacherscorner.net

(I'm hoping he doesn't see his shadow!!!!)