Tooth #4 GONE

I was reading tonight in bed with Will as he wiggled his loose tooth back and forth.  I had just mentioned what a snaggletooth he had pondering when it would come out.  Then he surprised us both by pushing a little too hard forward and a terrible ripping sound came out.  Yuck!  This was followed by blood and a VERY surprised expression.  Tooth #4 GONE.  Thankfully these front ones seem to be growing in quickly which means he won't have a big space forever.  Still...it's cute.

cub scout camp

At first, I googled 'cub scout mom' to find the perfect picture of a camp mom and then I felt bad.  partly because of the pictures....and partly because if you'd have seen the mom outfit I threw on this morning you'd have thought I was one of the googled images that I was too embarrassed (or sad for) to put up.  Cargo shorts with pockets, shirt, my Brooks running shoes which are meant for 85 year old unstable people, and socks pulled just above the ankles.  Ponytail in the hair and no make up.  It was great!  Rob woke up crabby and only told me after we got home what a 'mom' I looked like.

But yeah.., we went to camp today.  shot some bow and arrows, ran an obstacle course, sang some songs, cheered, stood a LOT.  My back is killing me and since i officially hit fat pregnant woman stage yesterday, I can only say that it could be a loooonnnng week.  BUT>>>>>Will is having a blast.  He loved the archery station and did great at obstacle course.  It's fun to see boys be boys.  I've got pictures but they are stuck on my phone and I don't know how to get them off just yet...

wait...here is one....taken with my cool app on my phone.

The annual bike ride

Last year Rob and Will thought it would be fun to ride bikes out to Nana and Papa's house.  And this year they thought they would do it again.   The ride is about 15 miles and goes through all sorts of terrain and parts of the city and is more fun than anything else that day.  This year's trip coincided with Papa's 60th birthday party and was epic.  The planning started about 2 weeks ago and the route was not certain until Saturday morning.  At first, Rob though Will would need to use his small bike but a few training runs on the shifting bike and Will was set to go. 

These two boys are the apple of my eye.  They are so similar in so many ways that it's scary.  Will LOVES his dad more than anything else in the whole world.  He loves his wild ideas, his imagination and his get up and go.  This bike ride is the perfect adventure for the two of them.  I have a feeling that this tradition will continue for many years and may get longer and longer as the years go by.  For the rest of us, we drive....waving as we pass them by on the road. 

 First stop....doughnuts!  and a Coke.  Will's first Coke and he says he LOVES it.

 5-miles marker.  Looking so big

 Lunch time stop.  Will was hungry just an hour after doughtnuts.  It's hard work out there!

 10 mile marker

 The two buddies in a self portrait. 

Final stop to feed the cows at mile marker 15.5.

Conversation of the day...

I love summers with my family.  My kids are more relaxed, the days move slower, I can breathe and not worry about the next to-do, I can put off today what can wait until tomorrow and everyone just feels rested.  I had high hopes of a cute way to display our summer goals this year.  Something fun and summery for the wall that we could cross off.  it didn't happen.  But we still talked about goals back in June before school let out.  Will is the most goal oriented one of us.  he likes to know what he's supposed to be doing and when, and all the details in between.  On his summer goal list were the following:

1. Learn to tie shoes
2. Move to the big boy bike with shifting gears
3. Wipe is own bottom after going to the bathroom (you know what I mean)

Today he came inside while I was fixing dinner and says 'The only thing left to do this summer is to wipe my own buns!'  and then he smiled and walked back out to the garage.  He mastered the big bike and flew up the hill using gears and shifters and handlebar breaks.  This weekend, he and Rob will head for Nana and Papa's house on their bikes....taking on all 22+ miles.  WOW.  It takes most of the morning to complete but the two have the best time.   Addison and I will be garage saling!

Tying the shoes is a work in progress (I think all children's shoes should come with extra long laces so that they can be more easily maneuvered for the tight tie that kids want but just can't get) but he's getting it.  I can say 'Tie your shoes Will' and he will!  WHAT! WHAT!   Best news of the day.  So nice to not tie shoes all the time (who am I kidding....i never let them wear tie shoes) so Yeah for cute tie shoes!

In other summer activities, Addison is reading her first chapter book and is so big and grown up.  Will is engrossed in the Charlie Bone series that he and I are reading together. 

I'm a few books behind him thought because he reads so fast and so much but it's fun to have another human to discuss a book with around this place.  Usually it's just me and amazon.com reviews.  I'm also reading the Hunger Games series which is the perfect excuse to sit on a couch cuddled up in a blanket. 

The baby continues to kick away like an acrobat and it's hard to believe that we will be 5 in just a few short weeks.  crazy.  no name to date although a lot of suggestions from the who;e family!