Sea Scout Ceremony

It was AWESOME!! My son headed off to his big AMR Regatta over Memorial weekend and Monday we got to go watch the ceremonies. Him and his crew are THE BEST!

They got a 3rd place win and like four 2nd place wins and got Schooner in the overall scoring (which is like second place…all very complicated and I didn’t fully get it either). I know, I know…they were disappointed, they usually take 1st and 2nd place wins with an overall Clipper award but it was still exciting.

Okay, to start at the beginning of the Sea Scout Memorial Day Adventure…we got the kids up at 5:30 in the morning and did the usual routine (morning arguments and preparations…yada yada yada).

Then we drove to the Sea Scout docking pier and met the bus along with thirty other parents and siblings. They drove us to The USS Hornet in Alameda where the regatta was hosted. Did you know those bus windows have very bright red levers that open them in case of emergency. This bright red just calls to little toddler boys…just saying. It kept the trip interesting, that’s all.

The USS Hornet is SO huge…you think its big, it looks big in pictures and film…then you see it and it’s massive HUGE. The little guys were in heaven…a huge toy boat with airplanes on it and EVERYTHING.

Inside the Hanger Deck there’s several historic airplanes, and the Apollo 11 capsule and decontamination thingy (it’s like an RV without wheels).

Ok, so after entering Hanger Deck…we head to Hanger Bay 3 where this whole ceremony set up is ready with rows and rows of Sea Scouts in uniform…they are awesome…so handsome and cute and like little sailors (okay, mommy moment over, just look at the picture while I dry my eyes).

Okay, dry for now. So winnings are called (along with mommy catcalls to the Chaser and her crew). Ashley walks the boys around the museum and planes so Scarlet and I can enjoy the ceremony without the glares that usually accommodate there presence.

Afterwards, it’s chaos and little sailor people crowding around and I can’t find my guy. Several minutes later I was able to get this picture of him in uniform…isn’t he handsome. Look, I got in a shot…there will be a record for my childrens children.

Okey, dokey…so then we all head to the Chaser for the ride home…yes (wiggles in seat from excitement) we get a ride home from our boys in uniform on their wonderful Sea Scout ship. I’m trying to play it cool so I won’t get Billy’s “Oh my God” look and I remain in the cool category.

Ok, isn't from the day…in my excitement I forgot to get pictures of them docked in Alameda’s Naval pier (I know, I know).


I did get shots of Billy working the boat after it was under way. Here’s the best of them.


We were on our way. The boys decided to detour through the bay under the Golden Gate Bridge and by Alcatraz for their passengers. It was cool, here’s some pictures:


Scarlet had a little bit of a rough time during lunch when we were in the boat. Some fresh air up top cured that right up and she was once again her hyperactive, dramatic self (man, I love her!).

Even between wrangling the little boys and keeping them from damaging anything vital, I was able to relax and enjoy the perfect day.

Parents are always proud of their children, and I’m sure they have reason to be…but at the moment their pride in their kids ball game, track record, or grade just seems a little…less to those of this Sea Scout parent. And it goes beyond my own son as they work in teams and I kind of feel parental to them all at the moment.

Come on, does their 14-21 year old know how to drive a 90-foot bigg-ass boat and learn Deck (lookout, helmsman, handle lines, fenders and anchors), Engineering and Navigation duties? I think not.

I’m feeling damn right cocky as a parent right now as it’s obvious these Sea Scouts ROCK!

Super-Wy vs Flame Throwing Figurine

In another episode of The Perils of Super-Wy we find him in the midst of battle with the newly decapitated Flamer Thrower figurine...all signs indicate possible defeat of Super-Wy and the end of peace in the city of Playtime.

Does he give up? No, he lets out his blood screeching warrior bellow (also known as a tantrum scream) and calls for back-up...Sci-Fi Geek (aka mom).

Coming to the rescue, I find Flame Thrower hasn't lost his head as Super-Wy fears...but only his helmet.

With helmet on and secured...peace resumes in the city of Playtime. Super-Wy and new partner Flame Thrower toddle off into the sunset (of the backyard).

*my work is done for the day...oh wait, he's crying again, off I go*

Photo Show

Been a few days, I've had to finish up loads of work to start my home vacation...now it's here! Ya! Not too much happening so I thought I'd dedicate today's post to a little photo show of the residents of the Norris Ranch.

Here's Daddy Fisherman and our hound Conner...gophering in a field.

And another of Fisherman in his natural habitat.

Here's the crew...Skater Boy, Drama Queen, Holy Terror, and Super-Wy.

It only took 20 minutes to round them up and get them all halfway looking forward in semi-normal expressions to get this shot (yeah, I'm a pro!)

Here's a solo of Skater Boy...ain't he just so handsome? He's starting high school next year..unbelievable, it went by soooo fast...

And my Drama Queen...she is the greatest, melodramatic, fun, peppy, melodramatic, quirky little girl...did I mention melodramatic?

Here's my littlest guys: Holy Terror and Super-Wy...ain't they just the cutest?!

Yes, this is exactly the kind of fractional moments that trick people into babysitting, realxing around valuable objects, or going with me to the store...heeheehee.

Well, that's the whole shambag...I'd give you a photo of me but, well, I'm always the one behind the camera.

Running Errands

So we've decided to start a garden in the back yard. Can we do a small garden with maybe one row of plants? Oh nooooo...Ash has cut out a 20 foot by like 10 foot patch out of our yard, 3 or 4 rows, and yesterday we got like 15 different garden vege's and fruit.

That leads into mu blog entry, our trip yesterday. Let me list it for you:

• Dad tries to get older gets to go with us and pick out garden items
• Older kids clarify the lameness of hanging out with parents and going to store with said parents
• Dad wrangles little boys back into clothes (for the fifty-millionth time)
• Dad draws patience out of some inner depth
• Dad fights through commute traffic
• Dad and boys pick up mom from work
• Little boys ask where we’re going over and over and over….
• Go to Ash’s work and pick up check
• Tantrum from little boys in car because they can’t go into Weeney’s (actually called Sweeney’s but Holy Terror has trouble with his S’s)
• Go to bank
• Tantrum from little boys in car because they can’t help dad give money to the bank
• Park and enter restaurant for a nice Mexican dinner
• Mom takes Holy Terror to Restroom
• Dad sits with Super-Wy and orders food
• Mom and Holy Terror joins table, wishes she brought rope to keep Holy Terror in his seat
• Holy Terror causes first spill of the meal
• Mom takes Holy Terror to Restroom AGAIN
• Super-Wy “cooks” the chips in his glass of water
• Super-Wy causes second spill of meal
• Boys don’t eat their food head back to car with boys asking where we’re going over and over and over…
• Head to Wal-Mart for garden supplies and a birthday gift for friends daughter
• Mom and dad split up for tactical efficiency
• Super-Wy talks incessantly always beginning EVERY sentence with “mom” sometimes “Mom, mom”
• Mom and Super-Wy get gift and wrapping supplies, head to fish area to wait to Dad and Holy Terror
• Dad arrives late due to fact Holy Terror had to go to the restroom AGAIN
• Get supplies and head out to car
• Tantrum by Holy Terror because he didn’t get to put ANYTHING in the back of the vehicle
• Head to Home Depot to get garden fencing
• Holy Terror throws fit because we won’t allow him to go to the bathroom AGAIN
• Super-Wy proceeds to howl all the way through the store like an animal to hear the massive echo and volume of his voice in the large warehouse store, thoroughly enjoying himself
• Dads nerves fray and electricity shoots from his head, stops talking at this point and takes on a caveman like gait
• Dad looses mind at checkout line due to lack of checkers
• Dad goes in to pick up pizza for older kids
• Holy Terror throws tantrum because he can’t go “help” dad get pizza
• Somehow manage to get home without having a full nervious breakdown

That’s about the standard for running errands…but the garden’s looking great and only minimal amount of manure was thrown on Super-Wy by his own shovel.

Aww, the joys of parenting.

Western Stand-Off

I went home early today, not feeling very well. After resting ,I laid listening to the sounds of my house with Cold Play quietly singing from my radio. Scarlet and Billy bickered in the living room, then left to cruise the neighborhood. Ashley mowed the lawn in the backyard.

Wyatt started crying, awake from his nap. Going in, he actually let me carry him from his bedroom, which he rarely let’s me do now that he’s a “big boy” of 2 and ½. Settling him down to eat (top activity for my littlest man) I went to go check on Ashley’s project in the backyard. A few moments later Wyatt’s calling me back in.

With Conner, our horse-size dog, on my heals I walked in to find Super-Wy and Hazae the Psycho Cat in the heat of a Western Style Stand-off. Hazae, seated on the table, leans in with his stare of death aimed at the brave Super-Wy. Super-Wy, defender of the lunch, has his fist on the food and is staring back with his fiercest returning glare.

They are at an impasse, the tension fills the air.

“No, Hazae, no!” Super-Wy harps strongly.

Hazae responds with a narrowing glare and flick of the whiskers. Super-Wy purses his lips in determination.

I sit at the table and tear off a little piece of the food, giving it to Hazae.

All is right again in the world as the moment of danger passes.

Wyatt and Hazae return to some unknown conversation only the two seem to understand; I get to sit and bask in the success of my mission.

My First Little Guy

This weekend was one of those relaxing weekends you wished you could experience every time.

The only thing missing was my oldest son Billy, then it would’ve been perfect. He’s part of the Sea Scouts and had color guard this weekend. I don’t get to experience these events with him; it’s something he does with his “guys” and his dad.

It’s hard watching him grow up; mixed emotions seem to be a constant at this phase of parenting. Pride at what a great young man he’s becoming. Sadness at what a great young man he’s becoming.

This weekend I couldn’t help feeling like I was losing him. I know, I’m technically not. He’ll always visit and I might get lucky enough and he’ll live in the same town or nearby.

But I AM losing him…

Soon he won’t be my Billy anymore. The young vibrant skater/Sea Scout. Waking up on weekday morning’s complaining about school and me getting him up late. Walking into the kitchen and seeing him eating his bowl of cereal. Him coming in excited because he accomplished some new death defying skateboard trick, or explored some new part of town with his friends.

No, he’ll turn into Bill…or William. He’ll get an apartment after college; get a job (hopefully one he loves). He’ll call once a week to remind me he still loves me and that he’s still alive. He won’t think about me every day. Won’t be thinking about what his dad’s going to cook for dinner. He’ll be wondering what he’s going to cook for dinner.

He’ll become the world’s Billy and I’ll be a backdrop in his life.

I might be getting a case of nostalgia; Billy’s 8th grade promotion is coming up and he'll be going to high school next year. I got like this when he graduated elementary school.

The little boy so like me when I was a kid: artist, creative, adventurous. My first little guy, the one who started me on this voyage of motherhood. Showing me the greatest parts of life as I watched him grow and explore his new planet.

Man I love that kid, and the man he’s growing into.

Day at the Races

Yesterday was a trip to the Race Track for the family. The night before I worked diligently to prepare for it: diapers, wipes, extra clothes, snacks, Advil…you mother’s get the drift. My husband Ashley was gone fishing and my two older kids were roaming the neighborhood catching up on their social networking and whatnot.

The little boys were busy with the task of derailing my preparations at all costs, succeeding quite well. The front room was a war zone of toys and blankets (sorry, “tent coverings”). The hallway was overflow from the front room massacre. I’m not even going to start on the state of their bedrooms.

Needless to say, they were at their highest form, Brothers in Arm, against the enemy of cleanliness and order and their charge master, The Mother. But, by American Idol time I had conquered, and my daughter and I were happily enjoying the competition.

The next morning we actually headed out only about 20 minutes later than scheduled and were on our way to the racetrack where an action-filled day of engines, tires, asphalt, grand stands, and short men in very tight suits awaited us.

It was the best trip we’ve had with the little guys. I was expecting the normal hyperactive, whining, tantrum filled day that usually describes our family trips. They can’t help it…what do you expect when you try to take two toddlers to an aquarium and they CAN’T jump in to swim with the fish? Or you visit an historical submarine and they CAN’T actually go behind the barrier to the underbelly (and coolest part)?

No, today I realized we were in THEIR element. This was the spirit of two young toddler’s and their older siblings. The loud roar of the motorcycle engines, the squealing tires on the asphalt, the men with their toys (sorry, I mean tools) tinkering away at over sized matchbox cars.

This was the real-life version of their front room war zone! All the little action figures were life size in racing suits, the larger than life vehicles...with actual moving parts. The race tracks of huge proportions just waiting for the next green light.

It was their imagination come to life and mom and dad wouldn’t tell them to clean it up before bedtime.