Back to School

Last week, the boys started school. Benjamin is in 3rd grade this year. Alan started Jr. High and is in 7th grade. Wow!

Here's a look at the first day photos:

Back from Camp Roger

I picked up the boys from Camp Roger on Friday. Parents and family were invited to a dog tag ceremony, dinner and skits around the fire. Dog tags are awarded for one of four qualities that the YMCA represents: honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. Each camper worked on these all week in hopes of earning one. Alan was awarded responsibility for his behavior during camp and Benjamin was awarded honesty for his willingness to honestly and openly speak his mind. Dinner was interesting. The was a certain routine the camp follows to try to keep order. The staff performed a skit and we ate family style (each table getting plates of food to pass to each other). After dinner, each cabin performed a skit on stage at the fire pit. I was impressed with the staff and the facilities are great. It is quite a beautiful place. Highlights were when the moose in camp cancelled the sleep out and the dance night. I think they had quite a lot of fun and would enjoy going back next year.

I forgot my camera and tried (unsuccessfully) to take pictures with my phone. So all I have to post is the souvenir photos each boy got at the end. Maybe we'll have more when the disposable cameras get developed.

Summer Camp!

We dropped the boys off yesterday at (YMCA) Camp Roger. Alan has been to camp before but this is Benjamin's first time. They were both so excited, Benjamin because it is the first time and Alan because he's going to "extreme" camp. Alan gets to do extra activities like rock climbing, white-water rafting and a ropes course. Benjamin has the tradition camp activities like horse-back riding, archery and crafts. Here is a shot of them in front of their cabins which are next to each other:

I am the typical worrying mom and so far can't keep Benjamin far from my thoughts. But the camp is nice and the staff seems great. I have to let go and give him a chance to be independent. I hope they have a great time! I'll post more when I pick them up, they have some activities on the last day that parents are invited to. We pick them up on Friday.

Latest camping event

We went to a really fun event a few weeks ago called Artemisian Games held in the Uintah National Forest north of Roosevelt, UT. It was relaxing and fun, the food was fabulous and the surroundings beautiful. Here is our camp:

All these were taken at the end of the trip. I did get some pictures of the figthing which maybe I'll post at a later time. It rained at the beginning of the trip, while we were setting up which wasn't much fun but the rest of the time was so enjoyable! Too bad we can't schedule any more trips until Labor Day weekend.

Melee at the Castle

We just went to Melee Madness held at the "Castle" behind the Utah State Hopital in Provo. I was pretty busy with a lunch fundraiser so I only snapped a few shots, including a nice one of the boys...

I didn't get any of the "castle" itself except for the tower behind the boys. Well, there's always next year!

The BEST report card ever!

Benjamin received his report card from second grade. He is doing wonderfully! Check out the best report card ever!

May was a very BUSY month!

Take a look below and see all the things we did in May. I never got a change to post them and now it's June! I hope I didn't forget anything. We are looking forward to the rest of the summer being just a busy! I'll try to keep it all posted. Our next event is "Melee Madness" which is this Saturday (June 6th) at the "Castle" in Provo (a rock amphitheater be ind the State Hospital). It's a free SCA event so we've invited as many folks as possible. I hope if you read this before then, you'll consider dressing up and getting to know what life in the current middle ages is like!