101 POUNDS & THEN SOME...

Isn't cub scouts awesome!

H built this tower out of popsicle sticks. They were allowed up to 100 popsicle sticks and limited to only Elmers glue. His tower held the most weight! We stacked up all the weights they had... 101 POUNDS and it was still standing strong.

I think I see an engineer in the works!

Pinewood Derby 2009

Saturday nights derby was one of those proud mom moments when you really appreciate your kid. It was also a great reminder that: NOT everyone is a good sport, NOT everyone will win, life goes on! H's car wasn't the fastest but he still left with a smile which is what made me proud. He did receive an award for the car with the most "MUSCLE" and we had a lot of fun.

Saturday was also the first time we used the powerchair indoors which means Crew also had fun. I forgot to take a picture of his FIRST time driving indoors so this one with him in the background will have to do.

WE did it!

S and I have been in this together since he was a WOLF. Tonight, he earned his Arrow of Light. As a Webelo, he also earned 19 out of 20 badges. I'm a little bit sad to have him move onto 11-Year Old Scouts. I will miss having him in Cubs.

Ah, but the truth of the matter is... Scouting has just begun:)

Startling Statistics about BOYS

Not to long ago, I attended a Scout leadership training. I didn't know what to expect going into it but had the desire to attend as I'm into my 3rd year as a Cub Scout den leader. I took an itty bitty piece of paper with me to take notes on and ended up filling it within the first few minutes. Fortunately, my neighbor saved my bacon by generously giving me several sheets of paper from her notebook where I frantically scrawled dozens of statistics about BOYS!

I lost the itty bitty paper but here is some of what I wrote part way through the meeting... just a few of the statistics:

• College enrollment is 60% women.
  
• Girls are approximately 1 1/2 years ahead of boys in reading and writing.


• Those diagnosed with ADD are 80% boys.


• Boys are 50% more likely to be held back a grade.


• Dads are spending less than 20 minutes a day with their children.

Some current issues:

• Misunderstanding of Masculinity


• Increase in depression


• Increase in violence


• Learned helplessness


• Decline in Self efficacy


• Pro social behaviors not being learned


• Decline in adult involvement

Whoa, as the mother of 3 boys I am very concerned about this!

Here is one fact that makes me smile: Boys score higher in math, science, ACT scores, and have fewer eating disorders:) Oh boy, is that true or what!!! However, it makes me wonder why there are more women attending college if the boys are the ones scoring higher on the ACT???

Obviously, there is an intense need to address these statistics. We are failing to teach: Problem solving, Decision Making, Creativity, Money management, Leadership, Overcoming challenges, Endurance, Self efficacy, Innovation, Conflict management...

What Can We Do? Change the experience (Rites of Passage). I had to review the definition of "Rites of Passage" which is an experience that changes a person. We can change the "experience" by creating mini experiences such as hiking and camping where the boys are put in a situation that forces them to grow in a positive way. A great emphasis was placed on the "need" for our children to experience nature. Why?

NATURE: Enhances peace, self control, self discipline, reduces ADD, improves cognitive ability, develops imagination, feel less angry, better coping skills. Children in nature are happier and smarter! Why does nature help? It has to do with "living organisms"- trees, flowers, bugs, animals etc.

Why are youth not going outside? Safety 94% and TV/Video 85%. Children are spending approximately 45 hours a week with electronic media. OUCH!

Wow! To sit there and hear all these statistics, I was appalled and very concerned not only for my cub scouts but more importantly my own children. I know that I was not the only one there that was greatly concerned. As I walked out I told my friend that "it makes me want to go home and unplug everything" and she said, "I know... Me Too!"

As a family we have made some changes as I know other families have too! We were encouraged to plan a MONTHLY outdoor activity and we have started this tradition. Each Sunday we sit down and go over the calendar and add to our busy lives a "planned outdoor activity". It gives us something to look forward to and we have loved getting outside. So far we have used our days to go skiing but as soon as it warms up we will be hiking, swimming, and camping. I've been wanting to take the kids to Disneyland but my focus has changed and we are looking at visiting some National Parks (Yellowstone, Zions) in the near future.
On a final note it was said that, "Families that camp/hike, bond more than families that go to Disneyland" and while I do think Disneyland is in our future it is no longer the focus of my vacation fund:)

Oh, and I just want to say... Wii do NOT need a Wii! (That statement is for my boys;)

What are your plans for the summer?

Appointments Appointments

I've had so much to say this week but no time. I guess that is how the game goes. On Tuesday, we had Crew's 4-year Well Child Check. It almost seems silly to go to the Dr. for that when we are always at the Dr. anyway. Crew weighed in at 27 lbs. He is below 3% for weight and between 5- 20% for height. I'm just glad he's on the chart:)

On Wednesday we made two trips to Logan. When we arrived for our morning PT appointment the PT told us he had Strep. He said he had been on antibiotics for 30 hours but could be contagious for another 6 hours. He let us decide if we wanted to do PT. I decided to play it safe and leave but I could tell Crew really wanted to swing. I ended up staying and swinging with him by myself for 45 minutes. Sheesh, I'm really glad I drove over for that.

Later that night I hauled the kids to Logan again for a party put on by the Therapists. We were able to meet some of the other kids and their families. They had food catered by Panda Express and a carnival for the kids. Crew was really motivated seeing so many kids in their walkers and he buzzed around the place for awhile playing basketball, PLINKO, bowling, fishing and the Cake Walk. The Cake Walk was his favorite. He probably walked around that circle twenty times!

On Thursday we took Crew down to the Childrens Hospital for Botox. He got 8 injections this time. He did really well. Carl came and we discussed the Baclofen Pump with the Dr. again. We will probably go this route eventually. The question is when. I really want to fatten him up a bit before we take that route.

I made the trek to the Childrens Hospital again on Friday. Crew had his 6 month Opthalmology followup. His right eye has been turning in. We have to patch for a couple hours everyday for 2 months and then we will look at having another eye surgery. We patched him when he was just one and didn't have problems but now he is four! How will we ever keep that patch on him? If anybody has any experience or ideas let me know. He cannot be bribed because developmentally he just doesn't "get it".

On Friday night I made the trek back to SLC but this time it was for pleasure. One of the drug reps that comes to our office took the office to dinner at Flemings Steakhouse. Honestly, I'd have to say it was probably the nicest restaurant I've ever been to. I had the Petite Filet Mignon ... so yum! Carl took work off and we'll chalk it up as an early birthday dinner for me.

Today I survived another Blue and Gold Banquet with the Cub Scouts. We put on this skit. The boys laughed their heads off . We also had a couple pinatas which generated some good laughs.

There is so much more to say but I'm ready for this week to be over already.