Lego Champion!

This past weekend there were two stress creating activities going on.  One was the DuNord Lottery.  I was the one to take the call for our team this year, and let me tell you, I got a little sweaty when the phone had not rung and 11am had come and gone.  But in the end, I was able to squeeze all four families into one week, which was the goal.

As soon as I showered off my lottery stress, I headed out to the St. Paul School district Lego League competition.  This is not just about building things out of Legos.  They do, but what they build is a robot, that then they program and send on missions.  And it's timed and scored and there's loud music and cheering.  It's crazy.  It's like the conference championship for nerdom.  And Eli and Theo drink it up. Eli did not have the most successful day- his team finished 6th in their division.  Behind his little brother's team.  But I think they learned some important things and the judges voted them first in programming, which was Eli's forte.  He is taking the blame for his team's loss, and really quite glum about it, but he'll rebound.  Theo's team had everything go right.  They completed their missions, worked well together during the secret team challenge, and presented their research professionally.  They were rewarded with a second place finish and a trip to the state meet in February.  He is in heaven.  Not only did his team to well, but the first place team was also from Expo and full of his friends.  And he beat his brother.  He has tried not to be too obnoxious about this, and has really done a lovely job.  But dang, the younger brother needs to gloat whenever he can!

Tree stump battle

About two years ago, Jon and I decided it was time to have our crumbling front steps redone.  The new steps were larger and we thought it would be a good time to cut down the gigantic overgrown shaggy Arborvitae that were dominating the front of our house.  So we chopped them down.  And left the gigantic stumps in place for another day.  Much to the chagrin of our neighbor across the street, that other day didn't come for over a year.  Our 'landscaping' out front included two giant stumps and empty spots where the trees used to be.  The trouble was, those stumps proved a problem for removal.  One day Jon wrestled the north stump free, but ran out of time for the other.  So it sat for at least another half year.

Then there was a day this summer where both boys became occupied so I headed out for some gardening.  I started by releasing the garden from its cloak of weeds which had developed while we were out of town and then had grown unchecked for weeks.  I was surprised to find live veggies still producing under the cover of vines and nettles.  It inspired me enough to grab some tools and head to the stump.  I swear the humidity that day was 101%.  After weeding, I was soaked, so there was nothing to lose when I started whacking away at the stump.  I dug, I whacked, I pulled, I prodded.  I got minimal movement for my efforts.  But there was movement. The only trouble is that I was hemmed in by the new steps.  There was no way to get any good leverage. After over an hour I considered throwing in the sweat drenched towel.  I was going to let Jon take over when he had a free moment.  But my pride wouldn't let me.  I needed to finish this job.  And let me tell you about the finishing move- it was grand.  I got my shovel under the stump and shoved with all my strength.  With a surprising snap, the last roots broke free, the root ball was released, and I was thrown off my feet.  But what a glorious moment. I lay back on the cement of the sidewalk completely content.

Unplugged

In 2012 we have made our way up to Camp DuNord a record 4 times.  We went for a board retreat, two work weekends, and a glorious (but buggy) summer week.  Every trip was a delight.  It has clearly become a second home to the boys.  As soon as the car is parked, the boys tumble out, their electronic devices forgotten on the seats.  They spill into the woods and down to the beach while we unpack.  We have never made the rule that DuNord is going to be 'device free', the boys just do it naturally.  It's beautiful.  Over the 10 years we have been going up to DuNord, phones have become more powerful, and coverage has crept ever closer to this northwoods hideaway.  I happen to know that now, if you stand in just the right spot in many of the cabins, you can connect yourself to that other world.  But why?  It's so nice to take a few days off, jump off the data treadmill and just be in the moment.  I know that within the year, perhaps even by the time we venture back up there in February, there could be a cell tower giving us complete connectivity.  I hope we have the power to deny it.  It's lovely to have one corner of the world where you simply can not be bothered.

Moving into the stern

This summer, Eli did a fair bit of canoeing.  Not only did we get out and about on rivers several times, but he took a three day Namakagon trip with Camp St. Croix, and a seven day BWCAW trip with Camp Widjiwagan.  During both of these trips he volunteered to stern a canoe.  This is a great responsibility and honor during a Y trip.  Sterning is most often done by the counselors.  But Eli was up for the task, and after some initial circling and weaving, got his canoe on the straight and narrow.  He is now a regular in the back seat.  Pushing me to the bow.  I have seen this coming over the past few years, but I didn't expect the change would come quite so soon, and quite so permanently.  The kid has decided he wants some control over where his canoe is headed, and we're not just talking about on a river.  So far he's shown quite good instincts and has kept everything running smoothly downriver.  But full on adolescence approaches and we know there are hidden obstacles in those waters- rapids ahead!  Here's hoping he continues to have a steady hand as he paddles through this stretch, and that he stays open to advice from those around him.