Check that off the bucket list

One of the things I have always wanted to do was to cruse on a riverboat.  I'm not sure why, I just wanted that experience.  There aren't too many riverboats in Idaho, so this goal wasn't likely to be achieved until we moved.  Yesterday we celebrated Memorial Day with a sightseeing cruise up and down the Missouri River.

We traveled on the River City Star.  It looks like a steamboat of old, but is really jet engine powered.

We got up close to this old railroad bridge.

Saw a different view of the downtown skyline.

All along the river you can see evidence of last year's flooding.  It is amazing to see how much higher the water level was compared to where it is currently.

 This statue became one of the measurements for the flooding.  The standing figures are about 8 feet tall.  At the highest point, the figure on the left had only the hammer sticking up out of the water.

You can see the devastation along the river's edge.  Who knew there was so much sand that traveled downriver?  It was unreal to see the areas that have turned into beaches rather than inlets.

And then it was back to port and we were on dry land once again.

Now I can check a riverboat cruise off my bucket list.  I'd say that was a good day. :)

A bit of my creativity

I don't consider myself much of an artist.  I dreaded the art education class I took in college.  We had to have a line drawing based on an assigned topic each week.  I managed, but I was definitely not going to win any contests with my representations.  I can create sketches that are useful for playing Pictionary, but my drawing skills aren't anything I brag about.

I recently completed a 6-day Woodbadge leadership training course for Boy Scouts of America.  I was assigned to the Beaver patrol and as we were discussing ideas for our patrol name, I did a quick sketch of  the following idea:

We all liked our little jack-hammering construction beaver.  There was some disagreement as to whether he is using a jack hammer or his tail, but I figure that determination can be left up to the individual.  I figure this isn't bad for someone without drawing talent.  Sometimes my creativity surprises me!

The craziest (cardboard) boat you've ever seen

Our elementary school drama club recently did a production based on The City of Ember.  Little Miss Sunshine starred as Poppy and The Author and The Artist both volunteered behind the scenes.  One of their responsibilities was to design the boat.  A large cardboard box labeled "BOAT" did the job, but it wasn't very interesting.  So, they embellished the inside:

Any geek-related show or movie was probably referenced in some way.  They even threw in a "Volunteer as Tribute" button and a "Silence Will Fall" quote.  How many sources can you identify?

I kind of like The Artist's chibi-style Yoda.

Doesn't Little Miss Sunshine make a cute Poppy?

We inherited the boat after the play was over.  If only I had a clue what to do with it.  For now, it's happily residing in our basement.

I'm a slacker

Lately I've been a real slacker as a blogger.  There aren't really any good excuses, just life.  So, here are some completely random photos from the past few weeks:

 Bugaboo hard at work with one of his favorite pasttimes -- Angry Birds

 Little Miss Sunshine and Mr. Adventure all dressed up for Crazy Day.

 Our "It's everyone's birthday" cake (that chocolate chip glaze is the BEST!)

Someone around here turned 40, and it wasn't me. :)

Putting it in perspective

As I raise my kids, I've found that I have taken some of the age guidelines I grew up with and applied them in my family.  At some point the kids picked up on this, so they've tried to use this argument only to have it backfire.  Here's an example conversation:

Child:  "I want a cell phone."
Me:  "Too bad, I don't think you're old enough to be responsible with a cell phone."
Child:  "But I really, really want one.  All of my friends have one."
Me:  "That's too bad.  You're still not getting one."
Child:  "How old were you when you got your first cell phone?"
Me:  "Umm, probably 25 or 26."
Child:  <shocked, horrified look>
Me:  "Okay, you can get a cell phone when you're an adult and pay for it yourself."

Even though I know it has been brought up in stories, they don't always remember that I lived in the "old days" and grew up without a gaming system, cell phone, computer, etc.

On the other hand, sometimes my perspective as a parent is brought up short by realizations of what age I did certain things.

When I was a teenager, the law was such that you could get a driver's license for daytime driving at 14.  Right about the time I reached this milestone birthday, the law was changed to 16 for all driving.  Then a year or so later, the law was adjusted to a daylight-only license at 15 and full driving privileges at 16.  One day I was telling the kids a story about driving and mentioned that I could have gotten my license at 14.  They innocently asked if I meant 14 as in how old The Artist is.  That thought took me completely by surprise as I stopped to realize that yes, she is 14, the same age I could have started driving.  On the heels of that thought was the realization that I am in no way ready for my children to drive.  I think I'll just freeze them at 15 for the rest of their lives.

A couple weeks ago I had another perspective moment while talking with my husband.  My brother had flown into town to visit and I had taken him back to the airport earlier that day.  I was talking about how I hoped he'd be able to make his connecting flight and then catch the bus to get home without any mishaps.  I mentioned how the only way I had the courage to send The Artist on a plane by herself last summer was because it was a non-stop flight and I knew her aunt would meet her at the airport and then put her safely on the plane for her return flight.

 Hubby pointed out that my first flying experience had me flying solo and making several connections.  Somehow it all seemed so different when I was the one doing the flying and not the parent putting my daughter on a plane. I think I have a new appreciation for the panic my parents must have felt when I ended up stranded at the airport overnight.

Peep Show

Don't worry, this post is G-rated.  I'm talking about these:

It's a well-known fact around my house that I can't stand eating anything marshmallow-y.  Now, I love Rice Krispy Treats and all that marshmallow goodness, but I can't handle plain marshmallows, whether sugar-coated or not.  So, I was less than thrilled on Saturday when Hubby insisted on buying some Peeps.  Yes, the kids love them, but I thought we'd agreed to limit how much candy we brought into the house and we'd already done our backyard Egg Hunt.  We really didn't need any more hyper-inducing confections. 

So, that evening, he started handing out Peeps on toothpicks (like little stick puppets) and told the kids they had to give me a Peep Show before they were allowed to eat them.  I was treated to a variety of Peep antics -- dancing Peeps, fighting Peeps, jokes and stories.  I have to admit, I laughed and enjoyed my "show."

I guess maybe Peeps are okay, after all.