Scout Advancement

 Joshua's Webelos leader  has been working so hard to help prepare him for Boy Scouts. Thank you, Sister Stubblefield! He's been working hard too, to finish up a few things in Cub Scouts. Well, the hard work has paid off. Joshua earned his Arrow of Light and participated in the crossover ceremony tonight. He's now a Boy Scout! Congratulations, Joshua!

...the rest of the story...The Swing.

After Josh's genius idea, which drew every one to the back yard, and ended in some tears (after Andrew sat in the swing and broke the "oh-so-strong" branch it was hanging from) (oh, the tears were from Josh, not Drew) Ben went to work.
And this is what he concocted...

He used the same tree but a different, much larger, branch to hang this.

Just Jenna...

 

(figured it's about time to share pics of the girl)

My creative one...

Josh disappeared for awhile last night. I was busy getting dinner ready so I didn't hunt him down. Just before I finished, he came in the back door and asked if I would come look at what he did.

 

He showed me the swing that he crafted all by himself.

Bigger and Better...

 

How's this for one of the critters the kids found in the back yard. Imagine the size of the spider when you figure that the leaves are 2-3 inches long. It's called a trap door spider and it's built like a tank. There is NO way I could step on it, even as {SHUDDERS} much as I cringe at the sight of it. It would be like stepping on an acorn. Eeew! So we did the next best thing. Catch and release. Caught it in a jar and released it in an empty lot down the block.
I know you're jealous! I know you want to have critters like this in your back yard. Well, the only thing I can think to suggest is that you move to Tennessee and become our neighbors. I'd be happy to share....

Jenna

 

17 months

family pic

 

Just a snapshot of our family at the Atlanta Temple openhouse.