Cast Iron

A few weeks ago I bought some cast iron skillets at a yard sale.  Today I used them to make corn bread.  The results were yummy.

Keeping them young

I am not ready for my children to face certain evils in our world.  I do not think they need to know about every shooting incident, every kidnapping or how corrupt businesses and governments are.  I do not feel they are old enough to be exposed to the topics of abortion, sexuality or many other subjects that are common place in politics.

My oldest still plays with dolls and not because little sister asks her too.  They still get dirty, build forts, pretend my furniture is something else, get lost in stories and lots of other great things children do.  I treasure those moments because I know in a blink they will be gone.

Sadly their friends sometimes discuss topics our home has sheltered our children from.  We then have to try to explain and answer questions that our young ones should not be learning about yet.  These are heavy adult conversations and choices.  When children are given so much information at a young age we can no longer truly consider them young children.  It steals their childhood and innocence.  I do not believe any adult or other child has the right to steal innocence from children.  That does not mean they are uneducated, or have no idea how the world works.  I have heard them make many educated statements about the government or elections, rights and wrongs of the world and more.

They only get to be children for a few short years.  Let's slow down and let them be little while it is ok for them to be little.

Reflections of Camp

Good times.  My kids all walked away with new skills.  I walked away with new skills too.  We are all excited to go cook some food over the camp fire and try new things.  They loved the knife safety lessons and all want pocket knives now.  While we know they are not all ready for one it is nice that they all want one, gives them incentive to work for. 

Just as we are resting up and relaxing this week it is almost time to pack up my husband and son for cub scout camp.  I understand there will be more outdoor skills and horse back riding to do.  They are both excited for the new adventure.

Our girls also have more camp adventures to enjoy this year.  Horse camp, service unit encamporee and a few other things. 

My house is currently filled with camp songs and games.  Most importantly happy children.

Day Camp here we come!!

Probably the largest Summer time event we attend.  It is a whole week of getting up early to pack our lunches, eat our breakfast and loading into the car for a drive to camp.  We all come home tired and so for that week things are planned to a "T".  But that is not what is so good about this.

All week our days are packed with hikes, crafts, creek walking, exploring, hiking some more and enjoying new people and new skills.

My kids come away having conquered challenges, learning new skills, new songs, new games.  And they play them and sing them all year long.  I network with othe girl scout leaders where I get new ideas and enjoy the conversations.  We all make new friends.

Day Camp has gone from a fun event to attend to the must attend event of our summer.  We are all excited to pack our lunches, back packs and eventually over night gear for this week.  The stories we will share after this week are going to be so much fun.

Happy 4th of July

We never seem to do the same thing twice on the fourth.  This year we are staying home for a "quiet" fourth in the neighborhood.  I do not really think it will be quiet but it has been fun not running around and getting ready.  We did some chores, bought some fireworks and will soon eat a simple dinner.  Then the kids will play until it is dark enough to let the fireworks go.  How did your 4th go?

Busy, busy

It has been a busy week.  I celebrated my birthday by hitting up the Value Village.  My oldest had no shorts and only a few tees, these were not just needed for home life but for her upcoming camp trips.  While there I found a nice dress and two skirts for me as well.  Then we went to see the Croods at the $3.50 theater.  It used to be the $3 theater but I am guessing times have been hard.  The movie was cute so long as I watched and did not think about things like personal beliefs or if it was a propagandist agenda maybe.  I do not think it is one we will watch again, but the kids liked it and if they watch it on Netflix I will use that time to teach.  Then we went to Costco for dinner and ice cream.  Very nice day. 

The next day we took our oldest to her first camp.  She is in the Program Aide training program for girl scouts and they were planning a badge day for the Brownies.  She is so happy there and loving every second.  I am excited to pick her up later today and hear all her stories.

Yesterday was the badge day my oldest was working on with the other girls.  I took my youngest daughter, my niece and a friend.  All cute little brownies in my troop.  We had a blast hiking and learning about science in the kitchen. 

That about sums up what has been going on.  Looking forward to a low key weekend with my family before day camp next week.  That is where I will be super busy.