More Scouts and Other things.

Blue-Gold isn't the only Scouting things going on around here.  Last summer I lead 6 Scouts in earning the Ad Altare Dei award.  That means "to the Altar of God" in case you were wondering.  Every three weeks or so, we would gather at our kitchen table or virtually and discuss the seven Sacraments.  Here's a great shot by George of me announcing the Scouts at Mass on February 14th. 

George did he best but the other parents kept getting in the way.

Here are the 6 Scouts, including Patrick and Rebecca.  We are very gratefully that our parish let us award this metal at Mass.

In other news, Becca allowed a friend to do make-up on her for an art project.  

Mary wanted to show off her present for Aunt Pat, matching pjs for her doll and herself.

And her Lego set from her Godmother.

After a few weeks of sub-zero temperatures, this spring-like weather is much enjoyed.  Becca's shortened volleyball season is winding down with basketball starting up soon.  She just finished Lego League competition and it looks as if her team will make state this year.  She is also involved in the school Scholastic Bowl.  Patrick's Sco Bo season just ended but pep-band will be starting soon.  He's also been singing lots of sea shanties for Solo and Assumable Choir.  Soccer for Cecilia and Mary should happen this spring and George is still begging to play football, La-Cross, or rugby.

Blue-Gold Banquet

 This past weekend was Pack 168's Blue-Gold Banquet and it was awesome.  Like everything else for the year, we had to do some adjusting for Covid.  With a dog theme, we had Homer the mascot of the Peoria Chiefs visit us.  Inside the costume is the one and only Rebecca who charged us a Shamrock Shake.

Color Guard advance.

A couple of policemen from K-9 units in our county came and told us about their work with the dogs.

The Tiger den performed the timeless classic, "My Turtle".

In Cecilia's den's skit, she played the boss.  Talk about type-casting.

Cecilia has completed her Wolf rank requirements and is ready to move on to Bear.

Both George and Cecilia won 1st place in their den for Pinewood Trophy.

George also completed all the requirements for his rank, earning his Arrow of Light and crossing over to Boy Scouts.

Here are Troop 206 and 2206's newest members.

Tilly is not to be left out, even if she wants to be.

I don't have any pictures of the crossover because I was in it.  It was a good day to spend time with other Scout families, close but still distant.  George has already been to 3 BSA meeting and seems to be enjoying himself.  Next year Mary plans to join the ranks of Scouts as a Lion so there are many more years of Scouting events to come.

Mary is 5!

Today our sweet Mary turned 5-year-old.  It doesn't seem like that long ago she was barely bigger than my hand and hooked up to an apnea monitor.  Here she is at breakfast.

 

There was no school today at St. Pat's due to the drifting snow and cold temperatures so we opened presents early.  Grandma Sullivan went a little nuts and made a ton of doll clothes for Mary and Cecilia to share.

Mary also opened Grandma and pa Hattons gifts.  It didn't take long for the tea set to come out.

We can't forget Aunt Pat's gifts with lots of sparkles.

You may see a recurring theme in these gifts.  She told me she wanted Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so that's what she got.

Its a little cold right now for this dress but it will come in handing this summer.

Finally, after a dinner of baked potatoes and topping, we had some chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.

Mary's Turn in the ER

Once again, February takes a Hatton kid to the ER.  Yesterday, while messing around with George in the living room, Mary went down in the corner of our sectional couch.  I thought she hit her back so I hugged her rubbed her back.  When I pulled her back to see her face, I notice blood on the side of her head.  I moved her to the bathroom, pulled her hair up, and got my first good look at her ear.  She had managed to cut through the ridge of her right ear.  So we were off the Urgo.

Patrick stepped up as Scout and came with me to hold the paper towels to her head.  He also put himself in charge of texting Mike at home and keeping me sane.

After taking look at he cut, the staff at Urgo suggested that we go the ER for a better trained hand for the tricky stitching needed.  So off we went.  The bleeding was under control by this point and Mary calmed down.  She even managed to smile.

Patrick and I tried to get a picture of the cut on her ear and this is the best we got.  The ridge was cut clean through and there was a sizable scratch on the inside.

We were there for several hours but Mary was a champ.  We told her she could cry while we waited but when they were putting in the stitches, she'd need to hold as still as possible.  In total she got 4 stitches on her right ear, three on the ridge and one inside.  It is sore today and rather black and blue but that's not holding her back.  Wearing a mask might be interesting.

 

A big thank you to Patrick for being my ER buddy.  He said he didn't do anything but him just being with me was a huge help.  He missed his homework deadline so I hope his teachers understand.  And thank you to the ER staff who did a beautiful job sewing our girl back up, despite being a Michigan grad.

George is 11!

Somehow George turned 11 last week.  He's still the same sweet, crazy boy he's always been but he was much better about talking to people on the phone this year.  I have also seen his reading and writing improve a ton, mainly due to the fact that he is actively participating in the process.  Here he is first thing in the morning with his cereal bowl.

We knew he wanted homemade pizza for dinner, but the night before, George came downstairs after bed time to let me know he wanted chocolate cupcakes with white frosting.  Good thing Kroger is 3 minutes away!

He got a good haul including a magnetic dart board, an Asoka Tano poster from Star Wars Rebels, and a skateboard.  Maybe when the snow melts and the temperature is about 40, he can try it out.

Other things have been happening around here.  Mary built a snowman out of Play-do at school.

Cecilia got her first pair of glasses.

Becca and the Sassy Sea Turtles kicked butt at Klodike.

And Patrick got his learners permit!  (Am I really old enough to have a kid driving?)

George wears the same sweater to church every week.  I asked him to please wear a shirt and tie on Christmas day.  This is how he showed up that morning.  I did make him change his shirt.

The kids all went back to in-person school in one form or another this semester.  George's school is even going back to full schedule for all the students after President's Day.  Becca started playing volleyball but we aren't allowed to watch in-person and there's no bus so away games are interesting.  But in the end, its nice to do some normal things again.  We hope life is treating you all well and that you are keeping warm during this polar vortex.