Tiger Rank: Achieved!

Thursday May 22nd was McColley's last Pack Meeting of the year (it was also his last tap class... which ended 15 minutes before the pack meeting started and is 30 minutes away... needless to say we were late and frazzled).

After a lot of hard work, McColley had earned his Tiger Rank. The moms were called up to help with the ceremony:

He had earned his 'stripes':

The blue on his cheeks is for happiness along the Tiger Trail.
The yellow on his chin is for sunlight along the Wolf Trail.
The red on his forehead is for bravery when he attempts the Bear Trail.

Along with earning his rank, he also earned a badge and several belt loops:

He can't wait to do more Cub Scout stuff next year!

And this of all my Hopes

And this of all my Hopes

This, is the silent end

Bountiful colored, my Morning rose

Early and sere, its end

Never Bud from a Stem

Stepped with so gay a Foot

Never a Worm so confident

Bored at so brave a Root

-Emily Dickinson

The thing about having done something multiple times before is that you expect it to go the same way the next time you do it. You think you know where all the possible problems are and what you need to do to prepare for them.

And then things go wrong in a way you never expected.

On Monday April 28th Brayton and Pearson went with me to my 16 week OB appointment. We had seen the baby twice via ultrasound in weeks 11 and 12. During those ultrasounds everything looked great and the baby had passed the nuchal screen with flying colors. We had told family and were telling friends whenever we chatted with them.

Instead of walking out of my appointment with a date for my gender-determining ultrasound I had a date for my D&C. I had an early second trimester missed miscarriage.

Thankfully I also have an amazing supportive family and a mother who doesn't hesitate to fly halfway around the world on 24 hour notice.

My mom arrived on Wednesday and I had my surgery on Thursday.

Of course, the rest of life doesn't stop.

Friday May 2nd was McColley's school's talent show. McColley performed with his class:

They did a selection of M.inecraft parody songs (that McColley had taught the class):

We have been blessed with a supportive community here in England. The spouses' group I have been Vice President of for the last year sent us a lovely bouquet (and then provided us meals for two weeks after Mom left):

On Saturday May 3rd I felt well enough to go out and do something. It was a beautiful day and it made sense to go somewhere beautiful. We headed to Windsor Castle:

We got there a bit later than expected which ended up working in our favor - the boys had plenty of space to chase each other with all the tourists gone!

The boys had a scavenger hunt worksheet to complete and the last item was to count all the animals on St. George's Chapel:

Unfortunately Mom had to go home on Sunday May 4th. While I took her to the airport Brian took the boys to 'De.adly Aerial Assassins' at Whip.snade Zoo... we had booked tickets weeks in advance:

The big boys REALLY REALLY wanted to go because the show was hosted by Steve Backsh.all - the UK's version of Steve Ir.win:

The boys walked around the zoo after the show - McColley had to take a picture with the snow leopard display because he was doing a school project on them:

As the boys were walking back to the car they happened upon an Elephant Parade:

We then had a week of 'normal' before it was time for the boys' dance recital!

McColley performed his tap dance routine to 'You've Got A Friend In Me' during the first half:

Both boys performed their ballet routines during the second half. Brayton performed to 'Under The Sea' and McColley performed to 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight':

The last six weeks have been filled with ups and downs and ridiculous paperwork as we have all come to grips with what happened. The boys are handling everything exceptionally well and we are so grateful to have three such beautiful and healthy boys in our lives.

Here Be Dragons!

On Saturday April 26th we headed out to Wr.est Park for their St. George's Day Festival.

We arrived a bit after noon and made it to the Main Arena in time to see some maneuvers from WWI light cavalry:

The Festival was like a miniature History Live! with different 'time zones' set up around the gardens and several arenas with different shows happening all day.

We ended up not having very much time between the cavalry display and the next show we wanted to watch but we did have time to walk down to the Baroque Pavilion:

We made it back from our walk and still had time to find the perfect spot, plant our flags and prepare to watch the St. George's reenactment:

St. George first appeared to fight The Saracen who was holding the local peasants hostage:

But as St. George was chasing The Saracen away an evil dragon appeared!

Poor Pearson was terrified by the dragon (to the point that Brian actually had to take him away from the action):

St. George defeated the dragon! He killed it with his spear!

With the dragon slayed and the excitement still high, we headed to the medieval area where the boys were invited to join the army:

Both big boys were drafted into the Blue Army and then armed for their battle against the Red Army:

When it was time to go into battle McColley was ready:

And Brayton was not scared to take on any comers:

The battle continued even as the enemy changed... how dare the squire try to take away their swords!

Thankfully the squire survived and was available to do some knight training:

Who knows when another dragon might show up and need to be slayed?

After all that fighting and training we needed a break. Thankfully there were some real knights ready to joust!

Easter Trail Flash-Back: Part Four

In England the Easter holiday actually runs through the following Monday, so on Monday April 21st all the Easter Egg Trails were still running.

We had to take advantage and squeeze in one more, especially since McColley had an early release day from school. We decided to head out to Lyvede.n New Bield since we hadn't been there since GreatGrandma's visit.

This trail was spread throughout Lyved.en's extensive gardens and required the boys to do a lot of counting:

Brayton took the lead and showed us all the way:

Pearson took over 'writing' on his answer sheet about halfway through:

Even though it was not on the trail, the boys decided to climb the giant hill near the orchard:

After climbing the hill we got back onto the trail... which led us across a giant field:

Finally we made it to the unfinished house:

And the search for the last two clues led us inside:

We had to add all the clues together for a final total (which we told some ladies to earn our chocolate egg)... Brayton just had a bit of trouble hanging on to his answer key in the wind!

And, after three egg trails and two egg hunts, our Easter weekend was over!

Easter Trail Flash-Back: Part Three

The boys woke up on Easter Sunday and quickly discovered that the Easter Bunny had hidden all their brightly colored eggs in the back garden:

Each boy was allowed to pick up four eggs (and the easiest to find were reserved for Pearson):

Each egg was found and placed in our 'egg bunny' for careful counting:

Working together they found all twelve!

With the eggs found it was time to go inside and open up their Easter baskets:

In the afternoon we drove to Ken.ilworth Castle for another Easter Trail:

Before hunting down the clues the boys had to run around the Elizabethan garden:

All run out, it was time to start on the tasks. The first task (outlined in the wooden box) was to count the pheasants in the aviary:

The clues took us up, around and through all the remaining parts of the castle:

Until it was time to use the clues to figure out the answer to a riddle:

With the answer in hand it was time to race across the yard to the solution tent!

Once the boys had informed the castle's gentleman of the riddle's answer, they were rewarded with chocolate coins: