Swim Banquet 2011

Last night was Nathan's final swim team banquet. It was very bittersweet for me. This was something that I looked forward to planning and putting on since the start of the year. However, it was not my destiny to put on the banquet, as the coach ended up with different plans. Anyways, after a bit of drama, I relinquished my role and planning and succumbed to the rumors and accusations that flew. Coaches vindictiveness did not end there, as she would not let three of the captains help with the planning or make the paper plate awards. Thank goodness Steve could not take anymore swim drama and kept Nathan at bay by not allowing him to do his "Paper Nate Awards". That could have been bad.

It was also bittersweet, as it means never going to the pool and watching my goofy son swim again. It is yet, another sign, that Nathan's senior year is coming to a close soon. And that means it is just that much closer to him leaving the home....{sob sob}.

With that being said....here are some pictures from the evening. Enjoy!

Nathan and Pam before the dinner started 

The Captains
Dani Linde, Tyler Ellzey, Pam Coyle, Nathan

Nathan and Coach Wang
receiving his senior gift

Nathan Berg, Nathan (Nate) Wadkins, Pam Coyle, Tyler
They all lettered last year and are receiving varsity plaques

Pam and Nathan received "The Cutest Couple" award (or something like that)

The Family Picture
Forgot at the actual banquet..but remembered when we got home

Ramblings on a Monday night

nothing like a self portrait after a long day.
Not very glamorous

I must admit, that at the present moment....I am Bored stiff. Yes, that's right....Bored! I have the crafting and project bug in me bad. There are a few different projects to which I have started and a few that I would like to do in this head of mine. And, well, the weather is just not cooperating with me to get the ones I've started done. Then there is the blasted money issue of really needing to not spend (work was on the slower end for a while). Sigh...Ugh. What is this girl to do.

Last week, my car got broke into and the stupid thieves attempted to get into Nathan's car and now his driver side door is jammed closed. So tonight, I am stranded, as I let Nathan drive my car to work. Along with yesterday, Saturday and tomorrow night too. Not that he can't drive his car and crawl in via the passenger side. He does this at school...I just don't want him showing up for his job and be seen crawling in and out. I just feel terrible that the nova is in need of some serious repair. Anyway, this is keeping me from heading out Hobby Lobby and spending that money that I really don't have.

Last week the weather was so nice....70-80's. It gave me the gumption to work on my yard/planters. Mom and I cut down all of my beastly plants. The edging has begun and the front bushes and my planters are now crying for my attention. Only problem is that the weather changed to the 60's yesterday and I don't get a thrill working in the cooler conditions. And this was one area of focus that I wanted to have done before leaving for Seattle next week.

I am also falling into Zumba withdrawal. It has officially been 8 days since I have been to a class. I love my zumba time and the gals who come with it. Hopefully, nothing will come between me and my Wednesday evening shake my hips session. However, I did buy a set of 5lb hand weights and a medium fitness ball. I should consider taking the ball out of the box and inflating it for use.

Enough rambling now. Daylight has turned to darkness and I will change into something comfy and attempt to find something to watch on TV.

Eagle Scout Court of Honor

Last night, we finally held Nathaniel's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. This evening has been in the works for many years. He started the Boy Scout journey when he was 12 and was ready to quit when he was around 15. But being the mean parents that we are....we made him continue as he had come to far to not finish. After all was said and done....we think he is quite happy to have reached this accomplishment.

Chris Colby - Master of Ceremony
 Nathan really wanted Chris to be the master of ceremony and had wanted Chris to "Roast" him. Lets just say that like most things that my son does...its hardly ever conventional. 

Nate pinning on Steve's pin
sorry for the blurry picture

 Every time a scout advances a rank, mom is given a pin. It isn't until the scout earns his Eagle Rank, that the father is given a pin.

Pinning on Nathan's Eagle Rank pin

 I was given the privilege of pinning on Nathaniel's Eagle Scout pin

Nathan chose Scout Master Bob Tucker as the person who he would give his mentor pin to. I agree that Bob  (and Patty too) helped Nathan immensely with everything that scouting entailed and earning this rank. But along with Bob, were many other leaders, scouts and friends that all played a part in getting here tonight.

the cub scout bridge

 In our cub scout den, the boys would cross this bridge and sign their name with each rank advancement. Nathan decided that he wanted it at his court of honor and to be able to graffiti it one last time.

In full Eagle Scout attire.
A site that we may never see again

Nathan's Court of Honor was far from traditional, but it made for a fun evening. Many friends and family came out to show their support...and I was very grateful for that. Now it is up to Nathan to remember the skills that were learned and the memories that he gained as he starts his next phase in life.

I've been in hiding

I have been overwhelmed with my marriage...helping Nathan decide on a college that we can somewhat attempt to afford....and well.....life in general. This has pretty much taken me away from blogging the good things to which life has offered. But it is time to grab life and events by the hand and just get on with it. So please stay tuned in for the blogging to return.

Pictures of Nathan's Scouting Years

We are finally having Nathaniel's Eagle Scout Court Of Honor in the next couple of weeks. I have been putting together different ideas for the program. Lots of kids do slide shows. Nathan did not want one, so I put together a photo album that I will have out on the table for people to flip through. Feel free to check it out on snapfish.


http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/projectshareewelcome/l=10646152014/p=34561299424441308/g=88792033/cobrandOid=1000/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/otsc=SYE/otsi=SPBKlink/

Film Festival Conclusion

Now after the festival was over....Isaac had gone on stage to try and make the audience aware that they did not show his film. The way he went about could have been a bit different...but he is 17. But this was to be the beginning of the drama. Nathan, mom and I left and found out today.

After the festival, each entrant was provided with feedback and score sheets from the judges. While at school today, we come to find out the following:

Isaac and Beau were not provided with any comment/score sheets. Were there films even judged? No one will answer.
Then Isaac was pulled into the principals office where they demanded an apology for going on the stage at the end to make the audience aware. Isaac chose the three day suspension as he refused to apologize to them. But where was the apology to Isaac?

They should have apologized to Isaac...as he was the only one out of 284 entrants to not have his film showed. They could have handled this more appropriately seeing these are leaders to our kids. Call me funny....but how do we expect our kids to act if this is the example shown by grownups (let alone leaders).

Was the film festival fair. Maybe some parts...the entire process...I would have to think twice. During the week of voting, mom had gone to vote on what was to be the last day, only to find out that they closed the voting early. The reply to moms email was vague...we chose to close it early...we hope that you got to vote...{hmm}. Between that and what happened to Isaac...I'm not so sure.

On a good note...Nathans comments and scores were pretty good and he seemed pleased. Also, this suspension probably won't keep Isaac out of college. As many of the colleges got a kick out of Nathans three day suspension for donuts.