One of the current programs is Motts for Tots. I’m excited about this one. Our younglings love juice. B will ask (in one long string of conjoined words/syllables: “Me yuse? Bix yuse? Arwin yuse? Aanna yuse? Widdeon yuse?” (He’s currently very concerned with everyone getting whatever he is asking for.)

I will post a review when I receive the sample and/or coupons.

*Disclaimer: This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Motts for Tots and Vocalpoint who will be suppling the product sample and/or coupons.

I found another set of coupons that has more space on the left edge, complete with marked spaces for punching holes, but I can’t remember where I got them from! I’ll edit this post if I figure it out. That set could be sewn together and then a bit of ribbon could be threaded through the punched holes for decoration.

I would love to hear about what you are planning to make, do or get for the fathers in your life!

I have gotten the OK from the cardiologist, so hopefully the PA will sign my form sometime this week. I haven’t blogged about that saga, but for those who know what is going on, the verdict is that I have three heart murmurs. Two are common – 50% of people have the same type of murmur. The other one is not likely to give me any trouble until I am in my 80′s or 90′s, so there will be no change in my care, except that I will return for another ultrasound in three years. Also, my heart is pumping the correct volume so that’s not the reason that I have been feeling so poorly as of late. At this point, I just hope I start to feel better before camp.

We had a blast at camp last year and we’re all excited for this year! The Webelos are already talking about getting flags, shooting BB guns, swimming tests, and woodworking. 1st year Webelos wondered out loud about the possibility of fireworks at camp! (ugh!) He was more than a little disappointed when I explained that I was pretty sure that would violate multiple BSA safety rules.

In preparation for camp, I have been drooling over all the equipment I want to get from REI. I also found this giveaway at Busy Mommy Media, and had to enter! We have always had good lucky with Kelty equipment. We have a backpack child carrier that Griffin and I bought 17-ish years ago when there was only one child, but she was too small to hike through the woods all day. We also have a large Kelty backpack diaper bag that M’duine and I purchased on the interwebs when I was pregnant with 1st year Webelos. It is great for trips to Grandmas! If we are only going to be gone for a weekend, then that and a tiny diaper bag are all we need. Otherwise, I can get an entire week’s worth of clothing in there for an infant or toddler. I have worn it while wearing a small child in a sling on my front, but it is awkward to swing said child to my hip. I would do a review on it, but I don’t see it on their website, so I doubt it is still available. Perhaps I will do some reviews of equipment after 1st grand-baby is born.

Feel free to let me know your “must have” items for camping with children in the comments!

Some of the Boy Scout troops will be traveling the entire trial. At least one troop will be hiking from Ottumwa to Agency and then they will turn around and hike BACK. Seriously! 22 miles? Have I mentioned recently that I am in complete awe of the average Boy Scout?

Anyway, it’s now 04:00, so I should probably try and get some sleep, especially since it appears that I will be taking Arawn back to Kids Clinic in the morning for a possible sinus infection.

Night, all!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments … please try to be nice to me!

*update* The link is not working on this.

Some days, though, I really wonder if the Universe takes exception to my attempts to be positive. Last night, I made (what was supposed to be) a quick trip to the grocery store. I came out to find that the PT Cruiser’s battery, that has been giving us fits, was dead (again). I then realized that my mobile phone was not in my purse where I thought it was. but instead it was in the basket on my night stand charging. So, instead of being able to call for help, I got to walk home, get the van, go back to the grocery store, jump the car, and then finally go home.

My wonderful DH then hooked up the battery charger, so that the battery could (hopefully) get over its attitude problem. The Cruiser started nicely in the morning, but by the time it sat in the cold all day it refused to start when it was time to leave. So, I skipped the board of directors’ meeting that I was supposed to go tonight. I was NOT in the mood to get stuck with a dead battery 35 miles from home! I didn’t remember until 8:30pm that I was supposed to stop at Menard’s to get some stuff from the Contractor’s Desk for one of the guys at work. So, now I get to come in on my day off Wednesday afternoon so that I can get the delivery.

B has his post-op appointment Wednesday morning. I am hopeful that the Cruiser will decide to work, but we’ll see. He’s been doing very well during the days, but has been waking at night again since we started backing off the pain meds. He’s been using some acetaminophen and ibuprofen, because he’s still complaining of some pain. I’m not looking forward to the doctor removing the dressing! An adhesive bandage and steri-strips that has been on for two weeks is not my idea of something that will be enjoyable to have removed.

Anyway, I’m going to stop complaining now and try to get some sleep.

In Nature Conservation the boys learned about animals native to Iowa and how to recognise their tracks. Then they made track casts to take home. They also learned about poison ivy, oak and sumac, and how to treat they resulting rashes.

At Shooting Sports they shot bb guns and bows – always favourites!

During Wood Crafts they built stands for their Pinewood Derby cars, and earned their Whittling Chips by carving a bar of soap with a plastic knife.

They swam – is it really camp without swimming?

To fill the time between “big” activities the staff taught “little” things … like what items should be included in a 10-Piece Kit, basic first aid, and the history of Camp Mitigwa.

The staff was wonderful, especially our Den Chief. I am still getting used to being around so many Boy Scouts all the time. It amazes me how *not* used to contentiousness and courtesy I have become. It makes me very sad to think on it. It shouldn’t be so unusual to find “common” decency outside my own home that I am taken aback by the simple acts of kindness executed by Boy Scouts. Alright, so moving away from the decline of society …

The only real problem that we had (okay, the only one I’m willing to share) was that Guy started to get sick last night. This happens every time we go to camporee, too. By the end of the second day he’s starting to get sick. I’m not sure if he’s just reaching the end of his endurance or if he’s dehydrating or what …

I feel like we (the Cub Master, Ass’t Master and I) are really good about trying to push fluids, but I’m at a loss of how to get him to drink more (I honestly don’t think he drank enough). Any ideas?

Anyone who has known me for more than about three seconds knows how much I *love* watching sports on the tele. But, really … Super Bowl Sunday has gotten almost as ridiculous as Christmas and Halloween. This Sunday is also Scout Sunday, which will mark the 100th Birthday of Boy Scouting in America. The boys will have the opportunity to mark this occasion by wearing their uniforms to Mass. I will spend the rest of the rest of the day hiding in my bedroom pretending the Super Bowl doesn’t exist.

On The Needles

AM’s hat is finished, complete with the pompom that she requested. She proudly wore it to school yesterday.

I’m currently working on the Montavilla Market Tote from Knit Picks. I like the look of the woven stitch bottom, but it feels very fiddly. The rhythm is very similar to 1×1 rib, but I have to keep actively paying attention or I knit (or purl) my slip stitches. The four balls of yarn I purchased are supposed to make two full-sized bags. I may purchase four more balls of yarn and alter the pattern to make (four?) small bags.

I purchased a set of color cards so m’duine and I can choose the colors for his Original Dr. Who Scarf.

I’ll try to upload some photos later … P & I got our hair done yesterday … bright, bright, bright!