girl scouts | gwyneth is a junior

Oh boy, let me tell you, this day did NOT go as planned!

Gwyneth was so, so, so…SO excited to become a Junior. Ever since Annabelle had her bridging ceremony (posted back here) she has been planning her own. This girl loves girl scouts and couldn’t wait to get that green Juniors vest.

There were a few jumbled plans and B booked a catering gig that evening which she was a bit bummed about. The show must go on though so we headed over to the bridge she had picked out and started setting up.

The skies turned dark quickly and we knew we wouldn’t have long before the rain storm arrived. She REALLY wanted the brown and green balloons and we did our best to get them in place. The wind was blowing like crazy!

The girls made it over the bridge to receive their new vest right before the rain started to pour on us. We quickly gathered up our supplies and ate cupcakes huddled underneath a nearby rain shelter. It definitely was not the celebration that Gwyneth had in mind.

When we got back to our house Annabelle and I could tell Gwyneth was sad about the night. Annabelle asked to take lots of pictures and then went over the top trying to make sure Gwyneth felt really special. Annabelle is a pretty great big sister and Gwyneth was as happy as can be!

Brownies ready to become Juniors

Such sweet girls

Me and my girl

Sisters!

science museum | camp sleepover

While Gwyneth attended Girl Scout Camp, Annabelle and I explored the science museum. It is still one of my favorites. I love it and I’m always intrigued by the special exhibits.

The special exhibit this visit was Nature’s Amazing Machines. It was amazing. We saw an actual giraffe heart which was super grody and awesome. Annabelle didn’t think it was so cool and I’ve spared you a photo of it here. It was huge!

Annabelle was rocking some pretty rad pink hair today. She wants to dye her hair permanently pink but we’ve compromised on the chalk dye for now. It washes out but I do have to admit she looks pretty punk with it and she absolutely owns it.

Taking a trip on the rock wall…in flip flops.

I had a great day with my girl. She entertains me with her stories of friendships and her take on the world. She is a funny girl and keeps me on my toes.

Where did my baby go?

We scooped up and B headed up to Boulder to tuck Gwyneth in at her camp sleepover. The girl scouts do little skits and show us their sleeping arrangements. No nerves for our girl this evening. She was ready to hang out with friends. The sleepover part of the camp seems to be her favorite part.

Monkey had to join in on the fun.

Skit time:

It was quite silly and involved jumping/getting thrown out of an airplane:

Gwyneth was in her element and laughed her way through the entire skit.

Bed buddies. They set up sleeping bags right next to each other. These two are inseparable.

Sweet friends from kindergarten. I love watching them all grow up together.

among the pines | whimsy | swimming

Gwyneth attended Among the Pines camp again this year. We’ve had a girl scout at that camp for the past 3 years and I’m pretty certain we’ll keep signing up for a few years to come. It’s a pretty great camp and the girls have had such wonderful experiences. Annabelle took this year off, but after seeing all the fun that Gwyneth was having I think she was wishful that she had signed up again too.

It was a week long camp and Gwyneth came home worn out at the end of each day. During those days I had some special one on one time with Annabelle. We played and we worked and we certainly kept busy.

Gwyneth and her camp buddies:

One of the days Annabelle joined her friend, Karsen at Whimsy. They painted these grumpy cats. I love it and it’s hanging in their playroom in our basement. Annabelle nailed it – her cat sure does look grumpy!

We grabbed lunch at Hu Hot and the girls enjoyed some Smores for dessert.

Annabelle and Karsen played at our house while we waited for Miss G to arrive home. She was pretty tired after camp but agreed to go for a swim. On the way to our neighborhood pool I got an update that the pool was closed because of a poo accident. Yuck, yuck, yuck. We quickly changed our plan and headed to the indoor rec center pool. Turned out to be a lucky change because it started raining not long after we arrived.

More fun with the underwater photos:

girl scouts | painting party

Tonight was the last night of Brownies! What a journey we have been on with these little ladies. We started as Daisies in kindergarten and now they are going to be in fourth grade and Juniors. It has certainly been an adventure.

I asked around to see if anyone wanted to keep on going and we had just one girl drop out of the troop. Soooo, we celebrated tonight, we’re taking the summer off, and we’re going to start up again next year for our FIFTH year. I feel quite lucky to be a leader for this amazing troop of young ladies.

We had our end of year celebration at Color Me Mine. I thought these ladies (especially mine) would be sick and tired of this place, but nope! They all still love to paint and throw in a little pizza and the night was a big ol’ hit.

Not all the girls could make it tonight, but the ones who did brought along a few siblings (and a few sneaked away before I could get a group photo).

first assembly and first aid

Annabelle’s choir group was asked to sing at the First Friday Assembly. The girls were a little nervous in front of the whole school, but they did great.

We are working on the exterior of our new location for Color Me Mine. I wanted to get some before and after pictures. Here’s before: (stay tuned for after)

Tonight a few girls and moms from Annabelle’s troop helped Gwyneth’s troop learn about First Aid. They learned so much and had a lot of fun.

Learning about 911:

Making first aid kits:

Wrapping up their wounds:

The Juniors…and a photobombing Brownie

juniors: archery

Annabelle’s Juniors Troop met at the Empty Quiver for an archery lesson. Annabelle was very apprehensive of this meeting. She wasn’t sure if she would like it and she was nervous about not doing well. I could tell she was uneasy, but she hopped in the car and off we went.

Much to her surprise, she absolutely LOVED it. She had a blast and took to it quite quickly. The girls shot those arrows for nearly two hours and she said she could have stayed two more!

Proud of this girl and her willingness to try something new and not let her nerves get the best of her. That is quite easier said than done.

juniors: holiday party

Annabelle’s troop met up tonight for a holiday party. They had pizza, treats, and enjoyed a hot chocolate bar. They also played several games which had me cracking up.

The girls exchanged secret Santa gifts and we loaded up the cars for a holiday lights scavenger hunt. A fun time was had by all….well, by most. They are nine and ten and sometimes this troop is not easy. I do love my girl and her dear friends. Annabelle was all smiles and happiness so I’m calling it a success.

brownies: holiday party

Annabelle helped me out at work today. It was nice to have her along and she really is a good helper. She also made her teacher a mug for Christmas and we went out for a little lunch together. She’s a good girl and I really get a kick out of her.

Her candy cane poop emoji shirt is a big hit. (so, so weird. my aversion to all things disgusting makes me not want to like this, but you just have to love her and her emoji obsession).

Gwyneth was so excited for her Girl Scout holiday party tonight!

We had a small group but its impossible to find a night around the holidays when everyone can make it. We did a secret santa style gift exchange, learned about being organized (another one of my favorite things!) and went on a holiday lights scavenger hunt. We used this scavenger hunt as a guide and cruised around our neighborhood. The girls found all but 3 or four. It was a really fun night with a great group of little gals.

juniors: simple meals

Annabelle’s troop met at Blue Mountain Kitchen to earn their Simple Meals badge. How lucky are we that we know a chef? How lucky that he is kind and generous and willing to donate his time for these girls? I think he’s a pretty guy and dad.

B taught the girls to make their own salad dressing and chicken tenders. We finished off the meeting making turkey centerpieces with chocolate covered pretzels. The girls all had a wonderful time and they tried everything which we will declare a victory.

Morgan’s face is hilarious, but you have to give her credit for trying.

mother daughter tea party

The girls and I signed up for a Mommy and Daughter Tea Party hosted by a local girl scout troop. The girls have been together since 1st grade and are now Freshman in high school. They have their hearts set on a trip to Hawaii and are raising money to fund their trip. I hope we can help them more in the future. It’s a great cause and I love having this time with my girls.

Our seating cards (my girls are use to their names being spelled wrong..especially Gwyneth)

We talked and drank tea and made little pictures together. It was sweetly quiet with just enough fancy.

My Annabelle. She started with peppermint tea and then stole my orange tea. I don’t mind though. I kinda like her.

Gwyneth loved the orange tea.

We rocked at the sugar cube stacking game. We came in first place on the first game. Have I mentioned that Annabelle and I are both a bit competitive?

Annabelle finished up her diorama on the Song Dynasty. I’m so proud of her for doing her own project. She did the research and found the pictures. She did all the cutting, pasting, hanging, etc. She did a great job!