Young Womens and Cub Scouts

Tonight was pretty crazy for us schedule wise.  I came home from work, answered Girl Scout/Church/Cub Scout emails - browsed Scout Stuff DOT org to find Tristan's uniform for cub scouts, browsed Old Navy online for some other items we need before our big Disney trip, made quickie dinners and we were all out of the house again for events.

Did I mention Blake fell backwards when standing and less than 1 minute later Kayla fell from a stool Tidy Cats container filled with cat food in the pantry backwards and hit her chin and heavily bruised her shin?  It was a mess for a moment but both kids are okay and I nicely asked made Tristan stay seated on the couch where it was soft and cushiony so he wouldn't also get hurt. I had to explain to my 8 year old that a lot of times in life, bad things seem to come in three's and that was his number!

Aside from miniature chaos, tonight was momentous for both Kayla and Tristan. 

Kayla had a New Beginnings 2014 Reception with church since she joined Young Women's. (Age 12+ for girls in our church)  We met and chatted with the Sisters when we got there and once everything was settled we sat down for what turned out to be a great evening for her and the Young Women in our Ward and another Ward. A few of the girls read values/testimony for Personal Progress, there was Leader Presentation and then closing remarks from our Bishop and another one.  Snacks were served, Kayla was given a gorgeous gift basket and a Personal Progress Journal and then all of the girls retired to "picnic blankets" on the floor to play Apples to Apples.  I got a few cute shots of them and Kayla was very happy to be there. I know she is excited, however I kind of fear she won't grasp Personal Progress or will struggle to get through it.  I know - through Heavenly Father she'll be ok - she'll get it, it will click and I have faith that the other girls/women in Young Women's will help guide her.  I really am VERY excited to see how she does with it and I am elated that I also get to go on a Personal Progress journey with her.

Kayla receiving her gift for New Beginnings 2014

All of the girls stopping their game to smile! (Notice the Boy Scouts in the background?)

 

Very much into their game.

 

This was passed out to the girls who read the information about new girls joining Young Women's

 

Young Women's - New Beginnings Values

 

Kaylas Personal Progress journal

 

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Tristan had a Cub Scout Blue & Gold Banquet tonight. 

To explain:

Most Cub Scouts celebrate Scouting Anniversary Week in February with a "birthday party" called the blue and gold banquet. In nearly all packs, the blue and gold banquet is the highlight of the year. It brings families together for an evening of fun and cheer. It's often the pack meeting for February.

The purpose of the blue and gold banquet is to celebrate the pack's anniversary, thank pack leaders and other adults who have helped the pack, and inspire the leaders, Scouts, and parents. Packs often like to invite former members and other Scouting or community leaders to take part in their blue and gold banquet.

The banquet can be like a regular pack meeting, with songs, skits, stunts, and awards. Or it can be something different and a little more special. Your pack may decide to bring in an entertainer such as a magician or a storyteller. Or you could have a video or slide show of what the pack did over the past year.

A good banquet needs lots of planning. Most packs begin to plan at least two months ahead of time.

 

Maurice took Tristan (and Blake).  They were instructed to sit at any table which was divided into sections by random letters. They were given a puzzle of the United States and was told the 1st table to get their puzzle together and write down as many places as they could on their table cloth that began with that letter.  The winner had 75 places!  (Their table had 20.)  The winner's prize was the balloons that decorated the whole banquet.  (Maurice would've been super-excited to keep the balloons for himself..)  There was a prayer and then a meal - pot luck form - then they sat down for song, skit, announcements and presentations - each kid came up and announced what they did this past year in Cub Scouts. Tristan was awarded the Bobcat patch for completing his Bobcat Trail - which included a pin for ME too and a patch for attending tonight.

Tristan's patches received tonight.

The pin I received :)

After we got home, Kayla and I separately from Maurice, Tristan and Blake - the kids went straight to bed because it was late and Maurice spent quite a bit of time packing up all of the food each of us brought home! (Cake, sandwich meat, cheese, rolls for sandwiches).

I love our busy schedule with church and the events within it and I honestly believe this is going to be an awesome year for our family's growth - especially with Kayla and Tristan.  I'm excited to see how they progress and look forward to sharing it on our blog!