A lot has happened.  Obviously Buddy went to Holland.  He had a great time, though the first day his group (of about 20 boys and girls, with one, new, young, chaparone) spent in Raleigh and Newark at the airports due to weather.  The kids were supposed to spend that day team building but they bonded as a group instead.

After that it was a regular schedule.  Their days were packed with little time to get in trouble or replace needed items.  They had a good time.  Bud was a little homesick but mostly at night when he was alone and tired.  Our cell phone bill was scary.  I was on high alert the whole time he was gone.  Listening to everything on the news etc.  With the exception of having to warn him about putting the cheese he had bought with any electrical devices on the way home, all was well (see news alerts about fake bombs consisting of cheese and wires). 

Danny was gone most of the time too so CJ and I spent quality time with Hunter.  Danny was in Georgia with my mom for 2 weeks.  He had a great, relaxing time.  He went to a Christian soccer program for the first week, which really helped his confidence.

We had him tested for a chormosomal disorder that might explain his Learning Difficulties and some other stuff.  The tests came back that he is normal in that aspect.  His teacher talked to the school phychologist and asked me to fill out a survey for ADD.  It came back that we should have further testing done on him.  He is a candidate.  If he does have it we will not put him on medication.  We will just have to teach him to deal with it, which is what we are doing now.

Hunter is playing soccer and I am his coach.  I can't help but have fun with my team.  They range from 3-5 year olds.  Hunter is the second youngest but you wouldn't know it.  He is the tallest.  He has also had plenty of practice with his brothers around.  Last night was a typical night.  4 of the 5 players were there.  Hunter had just gotten up from a nap and was not fully awake yet.  He refused to go down and play and wouldn't let me go.  Thank goodness Buddy was there.  He took 2 of the 4 down and started with them.  The youngest player hadn't had his nap yet and would not go down unless his dad went with him.  He didn't want to participate in the team practice so Dad played with him, getting him to pass, dribble and score.  Buddy was drilling and having fun with the other 2.

Finally about 1/2 way through practice, Hunter said he wanted to play.  We went down and had a scrimage, 3 against Buddy.  What a riot.  The little one was still not into playing with us but ran along with his dad beside us.

Then one little boy kept hiding behind me and we played the 'Has anyone seen Lucas' game.  Soon I had the whole team hiding behind me.  I had the soccer ball and started running, dribbling it, with a tail behind me: Lucas, Brooklyn, Hunter, Buddy, Clay and Dad.  We ran zigzag around the field following the ball until I shot and scored.  I threw the ball at the next person behind me and we all followed her until she shot.   That worked for a little while, until Buddy quit.

We practiced them against me trying to score, I would pass it to Dad and he would try to get the littlest to play.  The others would charge me and I would let them try to score.....They are so cute!!!!

Last Sunday we volunteered at Fort Defiance.  They have several weekends a year with special functions.  This was a heritage day kind of thing.  They had spinning, looming, dying, cooking, flint napping, oxen, music etc.  Danny and Hunter were in costume and helping the drover tend his animals.  They learned how to drive the oxen.  I ran the store and CJ took admission.  (Bud couldn't go because he has poison ivy on his feet and they hurt too much, besides he had gottten the email of a girl the night before and spent the day on the computer).  We had a blast at the Fort.  The director, Becky, said that she was going to give CJ and I a script so that we could dress in costume and give tours of the General's house. 

The next one will be Halloween and the guides will be the ghosts of the family.  After that will be a Christmas event. 

We are still doing scouts and I am now the Tiger leader because we got a bunch of new scouts the other week.  Possibly 11 Tigers - we had none before- and about 7 other boys.  Tigers are the easiest and the families are going to help.  I hope this will make things easier on me.  I am still done in May, until Hunter comes up.

That's all for now.

Cris