Allegiance

This is the cutest thing ever. I know that American parents have seen this for years but it's still a big thing for us. So anyway, this is for grand parents in England:

Date Fiasco & Start of Halloween

Tonight we got a babysitter and went to watch "Gravity" in 3D. I was excited because it's got rave reviews and even Craig was excited and he hates Sandra Bullock. I was also looking forward to getting out for a couple of hours. So we got to the cinema and it was closed for renovation until next summer. Then we got stuck in traffic. And to really put a downer on the evening we did a spot of grocery shopping when we saw a supermarket. We did finally get some dinner but then we were home by nine. So much for a romantic and cool night out!   The big question is - how did I find a movie listing and time for the film at that place if it's closed?  I guess my senile dementia has struck again.

I've been crap again at this blog and I'm not sure why, because I think about blog posts every single day. I just don't seem to have the energy to get to it once the kids are in bed and all my chores are done. All I can think about is sleep. November (national blog posting month) is coming up though and that means I get to post every single day!

A few highlights from the last few days: Jack scored a goal at soccer and is loving the cub scouts. He's still doing Tang Soo Do but we've told him he can do no more activities. He's got the energy of 10 men but we don't. Danny's doing fab at school and just an absolute character. What a clever lad he is too. I must get a video of him reciting the Pledge of Allegiance as it is far too cute.

We are in full Halloween swing here. The house is decorated and we are going to a "Trunk or Treat" tomorrow. A "trunk or treat" is like "trick or treat" but instead of knocking on doors, kids go from car boot (trunk) to car boot. We are dressing up our car boot and joining in.

Another thing we are doing: pumpkin farms, hay rides, and fall play farms.  Halloween is turning into one of our favourite holidays.

Boy Scouts

Jack is a Cub Scout!

Craig was a scout and wanted him to have the same fantastic memories that he did as a kid. We were reluctant because the Boy Scouts of America  (BSA) did not allow gays, atheists or agnostics to join. Since we have a ton of gay friends and we are atheist/agnostic we didn't want to join a group we disagree strongly with.  This year however they have accepted gay scouts up to the age of 18, which is a step in the right direction I guess, but obviously not fully inclusive yet. Hopefully they'll get there. What they need to do is allow gay people, regardless of age. So, with that said, we are not 100% "in" until they do that.

So Craig and Jack are doing this as a dad and son thing and it's GREAT! For the first time in my parenting life I'm standing back and enjoying the dad and son experience. They go to meetings together and this weekend they went camping together.

The Scout Salute

At his first camp out he and Craig  pitched the tent then they had a cookout, flag raising ceremony and campfire with all the other scouts, then he went back to his camp with his "den". There are 6 kids in his den, including Wesley (his friend from school) and Marshall (the Den leader's kid), and 4 other kids I can't remember.

First camp fire

Jack & salamander

I went to the cook-out but didn't think I'll be too involved in the future. During dinner the couple next to me grabbed my hand during grace and made me join in their prayer, even though I didn't know them. I don't like that.  I didn't have too much in common with the people I met. But hey, this is a father and son thing - and Jack is LOVING it. He had a smile on his face the whole time Craig said and played and played till he dropped.  It's a good thing.

Me and Danny came home and watched the Buckeye game then went to bed very early (they were losing by half time but then they won!) Anyway, Danny slept with me and it was awesome. He's such a snuggler but then every hour he socks you in the eye. I love that boy.

At 9.30am on Sunday my mate Ed came over for an Irish breakfast. He's one of my best friends and lives in Chicago. We had a fantastic chat and caught up. That was time well spent. Then Craig & Jack got home not long after (Craig got to see Ed, which was great). So,  Craig and Jack had had a bad night of camping - it rained and rained and rained BUT they had a fab time overall. Jack caught salamanders, played with friends and just LOVED it. He really does love it and I'm happy for him.

Dad & Sheila Catch-up

It's been over two weeks since I've posted, which might just be a record for me. There's so much to tell and so many good memories but so little time! So I'm going to post pictures of my Dad & Sheila's visit and a few notes about our travels, for prosperity, because I've noticed already that if it were not for this blog, many precious memories would be gone from my ever-crumbling mind.

Drive-in movie night was Retro night: Back to the future

British Ex-pats came for a cook-out. Lyn lived on the same street as my dad in Worcester Park, London!!

First time having s'mores

Covered Bridge Bluegrass Festival

Plymouth, MA.  The English pilgrims landed there in 1620 on the Mayflower. Myles Standish (from Chorley, near my Dad & Sheila's house) was on the ship and was a leader of the colonists for many years. 

The Mayflower ll. 

Duck tour in Boston. Driving into the water scared me to death! What a fun trip though. 

The USS Constitution. One of many fabulous ships in Boston Harbour.

Salem: home of the 1692 witch trials. We got to see a zombie parade, which was great. Dad & I took Jack in a haunted house too and it was very funny but also a bit scary as it was pitch black and they kept jumping out and grabbing us. I'd like to spend a lot more time in Salem & Gloucester. 

Salem burial ground. No witches buried there, since it wasn't allowed, but each stone bench is dedicated to the poor  souls that were persecuted. Mr. George Burroughs didn't attend church too much and had extraordinary strength, so was accused of being a warlock. At his trial he was asked to recite the lord's prayer but couldn't because he was illiterate, so he was hanged. 19 others (mainly women)  had the same fate.
It's a very sad and very interesting moment in history. 

Plimoth Plantation. Fantastic and very educational visit about how the native Americans and colonists lived

My dad with Jack & Danny.