While Hunter was at boy scout camp, Jordan attended VBS at a local church. He loved it. It had an Egyptian theme so everyday he made a different craft like a pyramid or a scroll. He enjoyed singing the songs and Friday night there was a special performance for the parents.
Tonight was parents night at boy scout camp. So we were able to see Hunter. He packed all his stuff in the container in the picture. We were happy he is sleeping in an Adirondack and not a tent. We will be glad when he gets home Saturday morning.
Hunter left for boy scout camp this morning. It is the first time he will be gone for a week. He is signed up to work on 6 merit badges... painting, rowing, soil and water, swimming, cooking and leatherworking.
Hunter and his troop
There were 14 scouts going to camp this week and 3 adult leaders. Hunter packed 2 fans to stay cool. The heat index this week is in the 100's.
Chris and Hunter
They have to wear their class A uniforms to dinner and campfires every night. The class A uniform is what Hunter is wearing in these pictures. A class B uniform is a t shirt with a troop logo on it. I bet by the end of the week all the boys class A uniforms will be able to stand up by themselves.
Wells, Tyler and Hunter
Yes, there is a giant bug on Wells' shirt. Yes it is alive. And yes he found it and put it on his shirt. Wells is much closer to nature than I am.
We went to visit my cousin, Laura, and her wonderful family this week. Since Laura and I are both only children, we are more like sisters than cousins.
Anna, her daughter, was in Columbia staying with her grandmom. So she rode back home with us. She was very good in the car sitting between Hunter and Jordan watching movies. We left after I got off work Friday night so we didn't arrive at Laura's house until after 11pm.
The next day we all went to the beach. As you can see below, the kids had a great time playing at the beach. The water was so warm. It almost felt like bath water.
Playing at the beach
Saturday night we got a babysitter for the kids and went to a wine tasting at Brookgreen Gardens , Vino Lantino. We tasted 10 white wines and 10 red wines. We saw some of Laura and Sean's neighbors that we had met during our last visit. And I met the CEO of Brookgreen Gardens who is an extremely nice man.
Sampling the wine.
The next morning Thomas left for boy scout camp. Sean drove him to camp which was about 2 hours from their house.
Laura, Anna, Larson, Chris, Hunter, Jordan and I headed to Broadway at the Beach. The kids were very excited about playing at Magic Quest. Chris was nice enough to go with the kids to Magic Quest while Laura, Larson and I shopped.
The kids at Magic Quest with their wands
After Magic Quest, we ate at Joe's Crab Shack. They played fun music and the waiters all danced during certain songs. Larson loved the disco ball.
Larson
The next morning Laura had to work. We went to Brookgreen Gardens. I always love Brookgreen Gardens. When I was little, I would go there with my grandmom. It reminds me of her. Laura suggested the "shady tour" which included a boat tour, the butterflies and the zoo.
Brookgreen Gardens
We went on the boat tour. It was a wonderful tour of the rivers around Brookgreen Gardens. We saw several turtles and an alligator. I would highly recommend the tour.
Hunter, Chris and Jordan on the tour
Next we went to see the butterflies. This is a new exhibit at Brookgreens which is only open certain months during the year. There were butterflies everywhere. They even had an area where you could see a butterfly come out of its cocoon.
Butterfly
Next we toured the zoo. We went with a tour group in which the leader fed the animals. We got a close look at them since we had the food. One of our favorite animals was the otter. They also had beautiful bald eagles. Jordan wanted to know since the bald eagles are our country's bird why weren't they red, white and blue.
Bald Eagle
Since we were on the "shady tour" we didn't see that many statues. The gardens are full of amazing statues.
Diane
Here is Jordan in Oak Allee. This is the same place we had the wine tasting Saturday night. The brick walls are lined with beautiful poetry and statues.
Jordan
This is a more recent addition to Brookgreens. The statues look so lifelike. One of the children even has the wrong hand over his heart.
America
Every time we go to Brookgreen Gardens we have our picture taken next to this lion. I have tons of pictures taken over the years of me with the lion and now it is the boys turn. I would love to frame them in a lion collage.
This morning we met at Sportsman Warehouse to sell coupons for a scout fundraiser. Hunter and Jordan sold 25 coupons in 1 and 1/2 hours. Way to go boys!
The Cub Scouts had a pack meeting at Monkey Joe's in the afternoon. The place is full of inflatable slides and climbing toys. The boys had a great time racing on them.
We had a surprise party for Dad at my house. Mom was in on it so we knew Dad didn't have anything planned that day. Earlier this week, Hunter asked Dad to come and eat with us Sunday afternoon. Our neighbors were nice enough to let everyone park in their yard. Dad had no idea when he walked through the door and everyone said "Surprise!"
Hunter, me and Dad
We invited his immediate family. Some of them he had not seen in years. He had a wonderful time talking with everyone. He barely stopped talking long enough to eat.
Dad and his sister, Elzene
The boys met lots of family that day and saw some familiar faces. It was great having everyone together.
James, my second cousin, and me
I really appreciated everyone coming all the way to our house so Dad could be truly surprised.
Click on the arrow to see a very short video of Hunter graduating.
Hunter was one of 4 students to receive special recognition in art. He also received the President's fitness award and recognition for being on the A B honor roll.
Mrs Branham taught Hunter science and math. Hunter really enjoyed her classes.
Hunter and Mrs Branham
Mrs Hunt taught Hunter for 4 years. She was our neighbor before we moved. They get along wonderfully.
Mrs Hunt and Hunter
Hunter is lucky to have such great friends at school.
Hunter, Matthew, Hunter, and Oliver
After graduation, we had a small party for Hunter. All of his grandparents were able to come. The boys had a ball swimming in the lake, rowing in the canoe and playing the Wii.
Jordan, Christopher, Hunter and Matthew
Hunter's graduation cake had his picture on it. Hunter wanted to eat his head from the picture. It is amazing that now even cakes can have pictures on them.
Hunter and his graduation cake
Hunter wearing the cap and holding the diploma from the cake
Jordan's class had a portfolio party the last day of school. There was a slide show of his class and refreshments. Jordan really enjoyed school this year. In the picture below is Mrs. Rogers. She taught him science and math.
Jordan and Mrs Rogers
Next Jordan shared his portfolio with me. It was full of papers, projects and artwork. :)
