Marbles

Todd has been chomping at the bit every morning to get to school this week. You heard me right.

Todd.

Wants.

To.

Get.

To.

School.

My kid who five months ago hated school and would tell anyone withing hearing range. That kid.

Every morning this week he has been counting down the minutes, starting 30 minutes before. He herds Ben toward the door (somewhat nicely) and is so frustrated when Mr. Slow is his usual dawdling self.

What brought about this change?

Marbles.

Marbles are the new craze for the 5th grade boy set. They don't even play by the right rules--they have their own version. Every morning before school and every lunch recess they play. Todd was all excited today because he's playing for 3rd place in the "championships."

There is one boy, Henry (I think), who is the "marble expert." He knows what all the marbles are called and he can examine your marble and tell you its name. He has a gallon bag full of marbles, according to Todd.

This might seem little and silly, but it is another answer to my prayers. Todd's shell is cracking open bit by bit. He is meeting new, good, kind friends. He is expanding beyond his little world. I can see him growing and changing and I love this young man he is becoming.

And guess what?

Marbles are cheap.

Whose Head is it Anyway?

Can you identify this head?

I'm giving myself points for being an innovative mom with this one. Todd wanted a big Elvis head on a poster for his Elvis Presley biography report. I don't own an overhead projector, an opaque projector, or a cool DVD projector. But, I do own a flashlight, a card holder, two card game boxes, a stool, and a plastic bin. Combined with a cut out printable of the Elvis head, and Voila! Traceable goodness.

The poster turned out great, by the way, but did I think to snap a picture of it before he whisked it away to school? Nope.

By the way, you should read a biography soon about someone interesting. It really opened my eyes to see the world through a different set of eyes. (Yes. I read the biography, too.)

We Be Loyal Scouts!

Todd has some great Webelos leaders. . .super great. I am kind of a lame scouting mom (OK, kind of is an understatement. I'm a super lame scouting mom.) But, he has some dynamit scout leaders. Last week Todd earned his Webelos, Arrow of Light, and Religious Knot. Very exciting stuff! It was fun for him to earn this along with two other boys--Caden and Cristian. We're sure grateful for the people around us who help guide our kids. I love that my boys have examples all around them of good men who worthily hold the Priesthood and exercise that Priesthood. Hooray for great scout leaders! Hooray for my own little Webelo who is growing up WAY TOO FAST!

Am I a great artist or what? Todd hates this part of scouting, but he put up with it like a champ this time!