CAP Summer Part 3

Power Flight Academy and Encampment are done. Encampment was a big success for both boys. Ian graduated from ATS (Advanced Training School) and is now qualified to be an instructor at encampment. Jack's 68th Squadron did very well and finished encampment with quite a few awards over the three flights. Saturday Jack leaves for his third, and final, CAP activity of the summer. Cadet Officer School. COS is considered by many to be the most rewarding and valuable activity a cadet can take part in. About 110 cadets, the top 1% nationally, are accepted to attend each year, usually 2 per Wing (state) with the exception of Texas and a couple other large Wings who are allowed to send a few more. There will be 4 cadets from TX this year.

{pretty,happy,funny,real}

I've been neglecting the blog again.
It is a quiet week around here as the boys are at Civil Air Patrol, Texas Wing Encampment. I'm looking forward to attending the Pass-in-Review on Saturday and hearing all about their week.

Ok on to {phfr}

Pretty.....I have to reach into the archives for this one:


{pretty}

Our street.

{happy}

A very sweet Max on his first birthday. got cake?



{funny}

Tristan has turned into my little optimist. Whenever he is denied something like ice cream or even a bath he gives you this face:



and cheerfully says, "Maybe tomorrow!"

{real}




Grace riding. Pardon the hokey music. It's better than listening to my mom and I talk about the weather and hearing the dogs playing.

Sometimes I think I am crazy to let Grace do what she does. She is a 100lbs soaking wet and 12 years old. Every other week she gets in close proximity to a very large animal that could throw her off if the horse wanted too. Grace saddles the horse, leads her to the ring, rides in the small and/or big ring under Scott's instruction and then takes the horse for a trail ride around a 10 acre perimeter by herself, out of sight for a good 10-15 minutes. Equine pursuits are inherently dangerous, even for experienced adults. So why do I let my precious girl do this? She loves it. It is her passion. She studies it, she works at it, and she is pretty good for a child her age who doesn't own a horse. We have to let our kids try, try things that are hard and sometimes they may get hurt. The important part is that they get back up and try again.

Flying High

Jack had an amazing time at the TX Wing PFA. I am so thankful he was able to go and able to solo. Chris, Mom and I arrived a few minutes before the ceremony began, which was remarkable since we left 30 minutes late and had to drive 360 miles. Jack chose me to pin on his wings and I am so honored and happy that he did. Here is the video of Jack receiving his wings and his "official" call sign. Transcript below.





MC: In the name of the pilot
Audience: Keep the blue side up!
MC: In the name of the copilot
Audience: Keep the brown side down!
MC: In the name of the Cessna 172
Audience: Stay out of the Trees
MC: Air Force
Audience: HOORAH!
MC: Air Force
Audience: HOORAH!
MC: Air Force
Audience: HOORAH!
MC: From now on you will be known as.....RUDDER. Welcome to the brotherhood and sisterhood of aviators.
Audience: HOORAH!

Cue mom tears.

Some photos of the traditional post-solo CAP 'ceremony'. I am one who loves tradition and ritual, and I am enjoying watching my boys take part in these decades old CAP/AF traditions.
First the boys 'tails' are cut. In days past when instructor pilots (IP's) sat behind, instead of next to, their students the IP would pull on the shirttails of the student to signal them to go right, to left etc....after the solo the tails were no longer needed and it became the tradition to cut them off. After that is a dunking in water courtesy of the other students.



Jack and his IP, "Pappy"







This isn't Jack, but another cadet , I just loved this pic:

Solo

My son just had his first solo flight!!
I am so excited and proud. 4 years of CAP, lots of work from Jack and lots of support from family,friends and fellow cadets and senior members....all working towards this goal...onwards and upwards!!

{pretty,happy,funny,real} First Holy Communion Edition

Reaching back a few years ago for my {pretty} post. Grace on her FHC morning.



Ben's FHC. Jack was sitting at just the right angle. I, of course, was in the cry room with Tristan and Max. Christopher, sadly, was away on business so it was a one-parent morning.

{happy}
It may be FHC, it may be one of the most important days of a young Catholic's life, the entire parish may be taking pictures....but Ben is still 7 and is still Ben :D

{funny}



I'm sure they were discussing what they were discussing who they were offering their FHC's for, or finding the right place in the missal.....right?

{real}

{pretty,happy,funny,real}

I would usually never put a picture of myself under the {pretty} heading but cutting off over 12 inches of hair just about requires a picture on the blog. So, me with short hair.




Maybe this pic should go under funny but Max making his fish lips face makes me { happy} 'cause it is just so darn cute.[sarcasm] If he was throwing up a peace sign it could be his Facebook profile pic.[/sarcasm] How did making fish lips become 'attractive' or cool anyway. And I get teased about my spiral perm from my misdirected youth? I know I looked like Ronald McDonald but at least I didn't look something you see at Sea World!
{funny} Jack gets a little excited at birthdays...even someone else's.... :D



{real} the off-key, loud, dissonant singing of "Happy Birthday" at our house. This is just our 'little family' plus my spare (Grace's bff who eats with us more than she doesn't :D )

Shout out to Catholic Icing

In my sidebar you will see a link to a blog called Catholic Icing. Lacy is one of those women who can look at everyday objects and come up with amazing and creative ideas. (She should have been in Odyssey of the Mind). I mean, really.....who can sees a pool noodle and thinks, "Hey we can make a Monstrance out of that!!" Pool noodles have three uses around here....as floaties, as weapons and as dog chew toys.
She had a cute little project the other week for the letter W. He's got the whole world in His hands

Now along with not being very creative I am not a 'circle time,letter of the week' kinda homeschooling mom anymore but I still thought the craft was super cool so I worked it Nine Texans style which is "here kids, color these coffee filters and then look what happens when we sprinkle water on them!!" They love it-well my artsy ones did. The 12,10,7 and 5 year old would have gone through a pack of a 100 filters if I let them. I make myself feel better and call it a lesson in abstract art :D We hung them up in our kitchen.I know Martha Stewart would be cringing but my kitchen is pretty bright and 'tacky' already, what's a little more color :D


My curtains, yes, that is Texas themed toile.


Two of my crosses. The handpainted one on top even has momma's with babies in slings and the bottom one is dyed straw.