On our evening out last night, Sam and I discussed a lot of things. One of the things we talked about was the girls' involvment in Girl Scouts.
At the moment only Hannah and Samantha are active members. Rachel dropped girl scouts in the beginning of the school year when it became apparent to all of us that she was really struggling to keep up with her peers, despite her leaders and my own attempts to make things easier. Nathalie also dropped it in the beginning of the year when her troop decided to meet on Sundays. Abby dropped her troop when their meetings also began to meet on Sundays or Wednesdays, in direct conflict to church services.
Hannah has only been able to maintain her troop attendance through the generosity of her leaders. They coordinated pick-up and drop-off between them for her. Samantha's get staken to her meetings by the school bus, and I am an assistant leader , so she has been able to keep with her troop too.
In our disucssion last night, it became obvious to both Sam and I that something had to give and that thing would be girl scouts. Between my new job, his new job, the cost of everything, and the busy-ness that comes with animals, we simply can't "do it all". We will finish out the year until June; just 5 more meetings, really. There are other things that are on the chopping block as well, but we will see how things shake out after June.
Showing posts with label Girl Scouts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Girl Scouts. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Meetings and Driving
I survived my first girl scout meeting! It really wasn't bad at all. The kids are cute, loud and wild, but cute. There is one child who was definitely testing the boundaries, not like I haven't dealt with that before. Samantha was funny. She wasn't quite sure how to behave. There were times when I could tell she wanted to cut loose with her friends but would catch my eye and knew she really shouldn't. I am sure if I wasn't there she would have easily been one of the wild ones.
Today is Rachel's girl scout meeting. Yesterday was Hannah's girl scout meeting. Her leader graciously drove Hannah to and from the meeting so I could be home to get Rachel and Samantha off the bus without putting a bajillion miles on the van.
The van. Poor thing. It will be getting a workout in the next few weeks. On the 21st the FFA is using it to drive the kids to the airport in the morning. In the afternoon it'll be transporting girl scouts on a field trip. Then on the 25th the FFA kids will be picked up in it. Of course there are the regular trips to girl scout meetings, 4H meetings, library trips, and church meetings.
Today is Rachel's girl scout meeting. Yesterday was Hannah's girl scout meeting. Her leader graciously drove Hannah to and from the meeting so I could be home to get Rachel and Samantha off the bus without putting a bajillion miles on the van.
The van. Poor thing. It will be getting a workout in the next few weeks. On the 21st the FFA is using it to drive the kids to the airport in the morning. In the afternoon it'll be transporting girl scouts on a field trip. Then on the 25th the FFA kids will be picked up in it. Of course there are the regular trips to girl scout meetings, 4H meetings, library trips, and church meetings.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Swept Into Another Vortex
At some point this summer, I was asked if I could become more involved in Samantha's girl scout troop. I heard the sucking sound afar off in the distance, but I figured, eh, "I can handle it". Well that swirling vortex has now closed in on me.
Last night was my first Service Unit meeting for the girl scouts. I am in charge of the magazine and candy sales this year. I am thinking, can't be any worse than being cookie mom... silly me. Oh, it won't be any worse, but it will be just as bad!
It is a good organization and the ladies are lovely. I enjoy working with kids and for the most part the girls are wonderful. My 4H training requirements should overlap some of their training requirements. And with all five girls involved, I am already driving to meetings anyway.
Yup, I 've been sucked in...
Last night was my first Service Unit meeting for the girl scouts. I am in charge of the magazine and candy sales this year. I am thinking, can't be any worse than being cookie mom... silly me. Oh, it won't be any worse, but it will be just as bad!
It is a good organization and the ladies are lovely. I enjoy working with kids and for the most part the girls are wonderful. My 4H training requirements should overlap some of their training requirements. And with all five girls involved, I am already driving to meetings anyway.
Yup, I 've been sucked in...
Saturday, April 26, 2008
My Calendar
I have a huge wipe-off calendar hanging in my "office". Around this time of the month I wipe off the first three weeks and write in the next three. I am always amazed that when I do this. Two days ago I had very little written in on it. I was thinking the month of May would be calm. HAHAHA! Not so much!
In the next two weeks alone, I have two 4H related meetings, three children have doctor's appointments, and two children have orthodontist appointments. All five girls have girl scout meetings. The Saturdays are filled with activities for Girl scouts, 4H'ers and church functions.
My Nathalie is such a sweetheart. She figured out (math in the real world!) how much it costs in gas for her to be driven to girl scouts when Sam isn't home so I have to drive the van. We happen to live as far from the center of town as it is physically possible. Every one of my girls' meetings take place in buildings that are at least 10 miles one way. And most happen at times which require that I drop the child off, go home and return later to pick up. Forty miles of driving at 12 miles to the gallon (in the van) with gas at $3.65 per gallon! Nathalie has only two more meetings before they are done for the year, so she has offered to pay for the gas out of her babysitting money.
I have to find something really special for Abby, Hannah, and Samantha's girl scout leader. She has volunteered to drive the girls to meetings and events so many times! The girls wouldn't have been able to attend a lot of the events had it not been for her willingness to go out of her way.
And Rachel's leader reads my blog so I should probably say something nice about her too.... I am just teasing! She lets Rachel come to her house on girl scout meeting day so I don't have to drive Rachel to the meeting, back home and then back to pick her up again. She even feeds the child! It also helps that Rachel and her daughter are best buddies. You know, that whole socialization thing...
THANK YOU GIRL SCOUT LEADERS!!!!!!!
In the next two weeks alone, I have two 4H related meetings, three children have doctor's appointments, and two children have orthodontist appointments. All five girls have girl scout meetings. The Saturdays are filled with activities for Girl scouts, 4H'ers and church functions.
My Nathalie is such a sweetheart. She figured out (math in the real world!) how much it costs in gas for her to be driven to girl scouts when Sam isn't home so I have to drive the van. We happen to live as far from the center of town as it is physically possible. Every one of my girls' meetings take place in buildings that are at least 10 miles one way. And most happen at times which require that I drop the child off, go home and return later to pick up. Forty miles of driving at 12 miles to the gallon (in the van) with gas at $3.65 per gallon! Nathalie has only two more meetings before they are done for the year, so she has offered to pay for the gas out of her babysitting money.
I have to find something really special for Abby, Hannah, and Samantha's girl scout leader. She has volunteered to drive the girls to meetings and events so many times! The girls wouldn't have been able to attend a lot of the events had it not been for her willingness to go out of her way.
And Rachel's leader reads my blog so I should probably say something nice about her too.... I am just teasing! She lets Rachel come to her house on girl scout meeting day so I don't have to drive Rachel to the meeting, back home and then back to pick her up again. She even feeds the child! It also helps that Rachel and her daughter are best buddies. You know, that whole socialization thing...
THANK YOU GIRL SCOUT LEADERS!!!!!!!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Brownie Scouts Farm Tour
Fourteen Brownie scouts descended on us yesterday afternoon. Abby left for Cirque de Soleil with my parents and Hannah left for her volunteer job. This left Sam, Nathalie and I to herd the girls through our various "stations" that we had created.
We checked out the bees, the baby chicks, the 7 week old chicks, and the show chickens. The girls gathered eggs from the laying hens and scattered feed for the non layers. We talked about how everything on a farm has a job to do, even the non laying hens. We talked about livestock guard dogs and how we make maple syrup. The girls brushed the goats and then everyone took a turn at milking. The children pet the baby goats and let them suck on their fingers. We let them throw hay for Jazz and Patrick. The girls then washed the eggs that they had gathered. Nathalie showed them what we do with the milk after it is brought in from the barn and then I made a quick cheese. Rachel showed her goat milk soap and passed it around for everyone to feel and smell. Next we laid out apples with honey and maple syrup for dipping; also various kinds of goat cheese with crackers. The girls were hesitant at first with the cheeses but once one of them tried it and announced it was good, there wasn't much left at the end of the day!
The girls really seemed to have a good time. I hope we can have more groups come.
We checked out the bees, the baby chicks, the 7 week old chicks, and the show chickens. The girls gathered eggs from the laying hens and scattered feed for the non layers. We talked about how everything on a farm has a job to do, even the non laying hens. We talked about livestock guard dogs and how we make maple syrup. The girls brushed the goats and then everyone took a turn at milking. The children pet the baby goats and let them suck on their fingers. We let them throw hay for Jazz and Patrick. The girls then washed the eggs that they had gathered. Nathalie showed them what we do with the milk after it is brought in from the barn and then I made a quick cheese. Rachel showed her goat milk soap and passed it around for everyone to feel and smell. Next we laid out apples with honey and maple syrup for dipping; also various kinds of goat cheese with crackers. The girls were hesitant at first with the cheeses but once one of them tried it and announced it was good, there wasn't much left at the end of the day!
The girls really seemed to have a good time. I hope we can have more groups come.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Girl scout cookies
Yes, it is that time of year again: Girl Scout cookies. It is the time when I begin to question my sanity and really wish I could learn to say "NO"! I also begin to question why I bother to make deadlines or why I bother to meet my obligations since apparently half of the "real world" doesn't bother.
On Tuesday the girls and I loaded over 1000 cookies into my van and brought them into our living room to sort into piles for each family in the girl scout troop. My girls were a great help as I was able to sit on the couch and yell out cookies and numbers: "Nathalie, 6 tref; Abby, 38 Sam; Hannah, 14 Dosies...". It only took 2 1/2 hours from start to finish.
Yesterday, Wednesday, was cookie pick up day. Rachel's troop leader was kind enough to drop of Rachel's cookies at my house. As was Hannah and Samantha's troop leader. She picked up her daughter's cookies from my house at the same time. Cookie pick up at my house ran from 5-7PM. Of course, we, in that time period, were feeding animals, making syrup, and cooking dinner. Sam also ran out with Nathalie to go and pick up her cookies from her troop leader's house.
By 7PM I still had 7 families that had not picked up cookies, out of a troop of 15. Not one of these people called. I now will have to call them. Last year I drove cookies around to people's houses. Not gonna happen this year; I have kidding, I have a van that gets 12 miles to the gallon on a good day, and I live completely on the other side of town from everyone else (and it is a big town! 13 miles just for me to get to the center of town).
This is on top of people who didn't turn in their forms on time, said they would email me their orders the very next day and didn't. And if this year is like last year, they won't turn in their money at the deadline either. I will be calling them and trying to arrange a pick up for that too.
I enjoy being cookie mom. It gives me the chance to help out the troop in a way that only involves the month of March. It just seems that each year more and more people are failing to meet the deadlines. To me it just boils down to being inconsiderate. My time is just as important as their time, so please don't waste it.
On Tuesday the girls and I loaded over 1000 cookies into my van and brought them into our living room to sort into piles for each family in the girl scout troop. My girls were a great help as I was able to sit on the couch and yell out cookies and numbers: "Nathalie, 6 tref; Abby, 38 Sam; Hannah, 14 Dosies...". It only took 2 1/2 hours from start to finish.
Yesterday, Wednesday, was cookie pick up day. Rachel's troop leader was kind enough to drop of Rachel's cookies at my house. As was Hannah and Samantha's troop leader. She picked up her daughter's cookies from my house at the same time. Cookie pick up at my house ran from 5-7PM. Of course, we, in that time period, were feeding animals, making syrup, and cooking dinner. Sam also ran out with Nathalie to go and pick up her cookies from her troop leader's house.
By 7PM I still had 7 families that had not picked up cookies, out of a troop of 15. Not one of these people called. I now will have to call them. Last year I drove cookies around to people's houses. Not gonna happen this year; I have kidding, I have a van that gets 12 miles to the gallon on a good day, and I live completely on the other side of town from everyone else (and it is a big town! 13 miles just for me to get to the center of town).
This is on top of people who didn't turn in their forms on time, said they would email me their orders the very next day and didn't. And if this year is like last year, they won't turn in their money at the deadline either. I will be calling them and trying to arrange a pick up for that too.
I enjoy being cookie mom. It gives me the chance to help out the troop in a way that only involves the month of March. It just seems that each year more and more people are failing to meet the deadlines. To me it just boils down to being inconsiderate. My time is just as important as their time, so please don't waste it.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Girl Scout cookies
It is Girl scout cookie time here in Connecticut! With 5 girls in scouts it gets very interesting around here. At least this year they reduced the number of boxes the girls have to sell in order to get a patch from 45! to 25.
Twenty-five is still a lot of cookies when you have to multiply it by 5! So we have developed a system where the youngest child gets their 25 box quota first and then the next aged child and so on. The older girls all have their own friends and contacts from babysitting and such, so they can usually get pretty close on their own. If the older ones are 2-3 boxes from hitting the 25 box mark, I will make up the difference.
One of my husband's nieces called me last night about buying cookies. I should probably preface this with the fact that this niece is 25 years old. Her first question: "What color is the box the shortbread cookies come in?" Now the normal mom wouldn't know the answer to that question, but, I happen to not be a "normal"mom. I happen to be cookie mom for 2 troops, 3 years running. Yes, I have been called "insane"; I actually knew the color was blue. This niece then proceded to order cookies based on the color of the box.
When I relayed this little conversation to my husband who was lying on the couch barely alive from this super nasty cold we have been cursed with, he nearly died. No, I am serious. He started laughing and then he started coughing and he nearly stopped breathing. It took him 20 minutes to be okay again.
Twenty-five is still a lot of cookies when you have to multiply it by 5! So we have developed a system where the youngest child gets their 25 box quota first and then the next aged child and so on. The older girls all have their own friends and contacts from babysitting and such, so they can usually get pretty close on their own. If the older ones are 2-3 boxes from hitting the 25 box mark, I will make up the difference.
One of my husband's nieces called me last night about buying cookies. I should probably preface this with the fact that this niece is 25 years old. Her first question: "What color is the box the shortbread cookies come in?" Now the normal mom wouldn't know the answer to that question, but, I happen to not be a "normal"mom. I happen to be cookie mom for 2 troops, 3 years running. Yes, I have been called "insane"; I actually knew the color was blue. This niece then proceded to order cookies based on the color of the box.
When I relayed this little conversation to my husband who was lying on the couch barely alive from this super nasty cold we have been cursed with, he nearly died. No, I am serious. He started laughing and then he started coughing and he nearly stopped breathing. It took him 20 minutes to be okay again.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Busy Day
My day today starts out with getting everyone moving, breakfast on the table, getting children to feed animals. Then the two little ones get on the bus, we will give Delight (female puppy) a bath, and then take both Turk (male puppy) and her to the vet for their boosters etc.
After lunch we have orthodontist appointments for Abby and Hannah. Immediately following that, Hannah will be picked up by the neighbor to be her assistant at gymnastic lessons. She'll get home around 9PM.
Next Samantha gets off the bus and we throw a sandwich at everyone as we drive Rachel to Girl Scouts. Today is Rachel's birthday so at some point today I need to make cupcakes for her to bring to her Girl Scout meeting. Her meeting is only an hour long so it isn't worth it to drive the 18 miles back home just to turn around again, so we will go to the town library and kill an hour there.
When we get home I will help Rachel finish her homework. Abby will go and give the animals their grain. Nathalie will clean up the kitchen.
Tomorrow will be easier: No vet, no dentist, no Girl Scouts, no homework.
After lunch we have orthodontist appointments for Abby and Hannah. Immediately following that, Hannah will be picked up by the neighbor to be her assistant at gymnastic lessons. She'll get home around 9PM.
Next Samantha gets off the bus and we throw a sandwich at everyone as we drive Rachel to Girl Scouts. Today is Rachel's birthday so at some point today I need to make cupcakes for her to bring to her Girl Scout meeting. Her meeting is only an hour long so it isn't worth it to drive the 18 miles back home just to turn around again, so we will go to the town library and kill an hour there.
When we get home I will help Rachel finish her homework. Abby will go and give the animals their grain. Nathalie will clean up the kitchen.
Tomorrow will be easier: No vet, no dentist, no Girl Scouts, no homework.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
