Furniture Tetris and Raingutter Regatta

Not the winning boat. Oh well, today was fun (for me) anyway. At last week's school Open House, we saw a booth and flyer about Cub Scouts. As a former Girl Scout, I had been waiting for the moment when Gabe would be old enough to join in the fun---camping, badge earning, sewing, wood whittling---all the nerdy stuff that us non-athletic kids did. Yay nerds! Today was the Raingutter Regatta. Genius! The two scout masters were dressed as pirates and all the boys from Mililani Pack 464 were excited to race their boats---well, all except Gabe. He didn't have a boat. But the beauty of being at a Cub Scout event---they were prepared! "Mr. T", (Assistant Cub Scout leader) as he asked to be called, handed us all the tools we would need to make a boat--yes a BOAT, in under fifteen minutes. What a life skill. Armed with a hammer, a screwdriver, a pocket knife, and the official Cub Scout Raingutter Regatta Kit, Isom and Gabe (but mostly Isom) were working on their first Cub Scout activity together. No bells and whistles on this boat...yet.The races began and I had the camera poised and ready for the winning boat #16. Two boys, two boats, two raingutters, two buckets of water, and a crowd to cheer them on. Hands behind backs, mouths ready to blow the boats down the gutter, on your marks, get set...blow! And they're...not off. Gabe's boat didn't move. Amidst encouraging shouts of "That's okay buddy!", "Keep trying", and "You can do it", Gabe abruptly crossed his arms, pouted, and stormed off. Click, click. Sound of me trying to get every last furrowed brow and pursed lip on film. It was priceless and I was irritated. So much for Cub Scouts.Wait, wait...here comes the Pack Mom...what's this? She's ordering pizza? Crisis averted. We stayed longer and watched other boats race. In the end Gabe had the chance to race four times. He got better with each try. The winning boat was more of a catamaran, as was the second place title...and the third place. I'm sensing a theme. Awards were given to first, second, third...and GABE! What?! What's going on here? He humbly accepted his winning "Pirate Eyepatch" for "BEST ATTITUDE"/"PERSISTENCE". So proud.
Not the winning boat either...the winning ottomans from Target. We had been looking for something comfortable to put our feet up on and store our crap in at the same time. Jackpot. I am a fan of "Furniture Tetris" as my friend Cara put it. I am constantly trying my hand at re-design. Some looks work and some not so much. Since the cable guys came out this past Thursday and Friday, drilled a few holes, and did some re-wiring, we were forced to move our t.v. And since we were forced to move our t.v...might as well move the whole house around. Can't beat 'em, join 'em. So enjoy the iPhone pics.

Comments

Anonymous said…
LOVE the ottomans! Gabe looks so cute in his eye patch too....happy plundering!
Love, Lena
(it's only letting me comment as anonymous...sorry)
August 29, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Larisa said…
No worries about posting anonymously! Glad you are posting! You'll have to come over and pop your feet up on the new ottomans!
August 30, 2009 at 11:33 PM

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