I must say that I've having an absolutely fantastic time with Daniel's Beaver Scouts. Haven't actually been to one of his colony meetings yet (we've attended another colony twice as visitors), but I'm, or should I say, we are having a lot of fun.
So far I've attended the AGM, group committee meeting, emergency group committee meeting, popcorn fundraising kickoff, made a popcorn fundraising presentation, and sat on the sidelines for two Beaver Scout colony meetings. I've laughed, joked, made relevant comments and have witnessed adults working together to make children's experiences with Scouts safe, educational and a lot of fun. However, I don't think Daryle is very impressed that I'm not home very much. He certainly doesn't share my enthusiasm. Perhaps he'll join in the fun at some point - I'm not holding my breath.
This evening will be another busy one: I'm stopping by to visit Paul (Leader for one of the Scout groups) and then Wendy (another Leader for a different scout group) to drop off fundraising information. Afterwards, Daniel and I will head over to his Beaver colony, give our presentation, then he can settle in and get to know the other kids in his group. I hope I get along with the parents at the Thursday night colony as well as the parents at the Monday night colony. I may even switch to Monday night if necessary (I'm sorry, but Daniel has a blast regardless of what night he attends and I want to enjoy myself as well).
On Monday night Daniel did so well standing up in front of the children in Beavers to show them how easy it is to speak to others about selling popcorn. He used his own words, with a few extras thrown in by me. "Hi, I'm Daniel, I'm a Beaver Scout. Would you like to buy some scrumptious popcorn? We're trying to raise money so that our group can go camping." Scrumptious was actually his suggestion, so it stayed. I'm so proud of him - he did an awesome job speaking in front of his peers.
Feeling somewhat geekish (if that's a word) I can hardly focus on my work today in anticipation of how much I'll have tonight. Sheeesh, what have I become?
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Herding Cats
Last night was Daniel's first Beavers meeting. Excitement doesn't begin to describe how he felt. Secretly I was a little pumped too. I've been wanting Daniel to be a part of scouting for a long time.
After a quick leader/parent meeting, I stayed to watch and had to stifle many outbursts of laughter. Oh my goodness!!! It was so funny to watch. I've got to give credit to the Leaders for their patience and positive attitudes through all the typical 5, 6 and 7 year old behaviours.
At the beginning of each meeting they go through a certain routine, part of which is called 'Riverbanks'. The leader calls out "Riverbanks" and all the children are supposed to stop running around and line up together in two rows with their arms stretched forward to rest on the shoulders of the person in front of them to form the banks of the river where the beavers live. Cute concept, don't you think? The reality was this: when "Riverbanks" was called, some children paused in their play and sauntered around, wondering what to do, while others completely ignored the command. Two out of the ten kids lined up to form the river banks. Giggles of embarrassment from the parents. "I can't believe that MY child didn't listen..." "It looks like they're trying to herd cats."
After the kids have been rounded up and shown how to line up for Riverbanks, they sit in a circle (Beaver Dam) and have a discussion and play a game to remember each other's names. A minute or two later the Hawkeye (head Leader) asks "Marcus, do you need to go to the washroom?" A nod of his head and he heads for the washroom, followed by half of the entire troop. Giggles from the parents on the benches.
Five minutes later the children are divided into two teams to play crab-soccer. Within seconds they've jumped up from the crab pose to their feet to chase the ball. Then all heck breaks loose: leaders try to get the kids to get back down into the crab pose, Eric kicks Justin, Cathy runs crying to her dad that Justin got kicked and our Daniel stands in the middle of the melee telling the air that his arm has a cast and that he's not going to do the crab pose. Chuckles again from the peanut gallery.
On our way home Daniel tries to remember the Beavers Motto, Promise and Law. Heck, I can't remember all three, but I'm sure I soon will. Daniel will get a badge or perhaps his scarf and woggle, I think, if he gets all three memorized. Do I get one too? All kidding aside, I think this is a great opportunity for Daniel to broaden his horizons and become a very well rounded individual. On his Hawkeye's instruction that he's personally responsible for taking care of his uniform and needs to treat it with respect, Daniel has already hung up his uniform neatly in his closet ready for his next meeting.
I'm so glad that, despite my screaming headache, I stayed to observe the meeting. I'm beginning to pick up on the jargon and at least I'll be able to talk with Daniel about what's going on at the meetings. What a wonderful program - teaching responsibility, sharing, caring, self-discipline, etc. I'm going to do everything in my power to make this a wonderful, memorable journey for Daniel.
After a quick leader/parent meeting, I stayed to watch and had to stifle many outbursts of laughter. Oh my goodness!!! It was so funny to watch. I've got to give credit to the Leaders for their patience and positive attitudes through all the typical 5, 6 and 7 year old behaviours.
At the beginning of each meeting they go through a certain routine, part of which is called 'Riverbanks'. The leader calls out "Riverbanks" and all the children are supposed to stop running around and line up together in two rows with their arms stretched forward to rest on the shoulders of the person in front of them to form the banks of the river where the beavers live. Cute concept, don't you think? The reality was this: when "Riverbanks" was called, some children paused in their play and sauntered around, wondering what to do, while others completely ignored the command. Two out of the ten kids lined up to form the river banks. Giggles of embarrassment from the parents. "I can't believe that MY child didn't listen..." "It looks like they're trying to herd cats."
After the kids have been rounded up and shown how to line up for Riverbanks, they sit in a circle (Beaver Dam) and have a discussion and play a game to remember each other's names. A minute or two later the Hawkeye (head Leader) asks "Marcus, do you need to go to the washroom?" A nod of his head and he heads for the washroom, followed by half of the entire troop. Giggles from the parents on the benches.
Five minutes later the children are divided into two teams to play crab-soccer. Within seconds they've jumped up from the crab pose to their feet to chase the ball. Then all heck breaks loose: leaders try to get the kids to get back down into the crab pose, Eric kicks Justin, Cathy runs crying to her dad that Justin got kicked and our Daniel stands in the middle of the melee telling the air that his arm has a cast and that he's not going to do the crab pose. Chuckles again from the peanut gallery.
On our way home Daniel tries to remember the Beavers Motto, Promise and Law. Heck, I can't remember all three, but I'm sure I soon will. Daniel will get a badge or perhaps his scarf and woggle, I think, if he gets all three memorized. Do I get one too? All kidding aside, I think this is a great opportunity for Daniel to broaden his horizons and become a very well rounded individual. On his Hawkeye's instruction that he's personally responsible for taking care of his uniform and needs to treat it with respect, Daniel has already hung up his uniform neatly in his closet ready for his next meeting.
I'm so glad that, despite my screaming headache, I stayed to observe the meeting. I'm beginning to pick up on the jargon and at least I'll be able to talk with Daniel about what's going on at the meetings. What a wonderful program - teaching responsibility, sharing, caring, self-discipline, etc. I'm going to do everything in my power to make this a wonderful, memorable journey for Daniel.
Monday, September 19, 2011
What is This? Who am I? Where am I?
I feel like I'm in a spin. Out of control. My head feels like it is going to split into about 10 pieces. Not into 2 like a somewhat normal headache. If I could, I would put my head down on my desk and cry. It hurts THAT bad.
I don't know why I feel sooooo crummy.
It has been a really good day. Honestly. I had to tell our evening cleaning person that we've changed companies and the conversation went as well as could be expected. I HATE having to do these sorts of things. Very stressful.
I also arranged for Daniel to attend a different Beavers colony tonight instead of on Thursday because I'm in charge of the popcorn fund raising effort for the 4th Surdel Scouts and need to attend the information session on Thursday.
What else was good about today? I ordered Daniel's Beavers hat online (his head wouldn't fit into any of the hats stocked at the store - poor kid) plus I added a couple of books for him to read. I wish I had my paperwork from the hospital handy so that I could call Dr. Cast about Daniel's follow-up appointment to check that his arm is healing properly. I can deal with that though - just have to get through the day and get home first to look for the sheet of paper with the right information.
In addition to these little, and not so little, things that I've accomplished today I've managed to eat well. A bowl of cereal for breakfast and a large salad with chili for lunch.
Well, I haven't managed to talk myself out of feeling yucky. A glass-half-full type person would likely respond that I should try the reverse. Talk about feeling good, don't focus on the bad.
Sure.
Go away. It's time for me to put my head down and turn out the lights.
I don't know why I feel sooooo crummy.
It has been a really good day. Honestly. I had to tell our evening cleaning person that we've changed companies and the conversation went as well as could be expected. I HATE having to do these sorts of things. Very stressful.
I also arranged for Daniel to attend a different Beavers colony tonight instead of on Thursday because I'm in charge of the popcorn fund raising effort for the 4th Surdel Scouts and need to attend the information session on Thursday.
What else was good about today? I ordered Daniel's Beavers hat online (his head wouldn't fit into any of the hats stocked at the store - poor kid) plus I added a couple of books for him to read. I wish I had my paperwork from the hospital handy so that I could call Dr. Cast about Daniel's follow-up appointment to check that his arm is healing properly. I can deal with that though - just have to get through the day and get home first to look for the sheet of paper with the right information.
In addition to these little, and not so little, things that I've accomplished today I've managed to eat well. A bowl of cereal for breakfast and a large salad with chili for lunch.
Well, I haven't managed to talk myself out of feeling yucky. A glass-half-full type person would likely respond that I should try the reverse. Talk about feeling good, don't focus on the bad.
Sure.
Go away. It's time for me to put my head down and turn out the lights.
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