When we got back from the club, Tom made everyone watch a Christmas movie, George C Scott in A Christmas Carol. He loved having the company to watch TV with, usually he is solo with the remote while I go to bed, way past my regular bed time as it is.
In the morning, Saturday, Trevor had walk and knock for scouts. They needed extra drivers so I volunteered myself. Four scouts and I did one long road until my car was full of food, then took the food to the loading area. Trevor worked to help load the big truck as the cars pulled up full of food. Tables were set out with people packing boxes of food transferring the bags to boxes. Cans on the bottom of the box then light food above so the box doesn't get too heavy. Trevor helped unload cars, and be a runner carrying the full boxes to the truck and just an all around helper. I pitched in packing food in boxes.
After volunteering we dropped by the scout store to get Trev his uniform shirt and book. He is a few years behind, but not impossible to catch up. A friend told me her son achieved Eagle scout and it helped get him grants and scholarships at college and beyond. She said it was worth the effort. Trevor was given a 2XL size so he would have room to grow. The pants we bought I think are not generous enough in the thigh even at a 40 inch waist so I am going to take them back. I would have to go back anyway as the store clerk pinned the wrong troop number on Trev's shirt. I was putting the patches on with two sided sticky tape and realized the numbers didn't match. Good thing I hadn't given the shirt to a professional to stitch the patches or I never would have caught the mistake in time.
We had the parade Saturday night for the marching band. I dropped Trev off at 3:45 having stopped to buy a pair of black gloves for him and a hand warmer. The hand warmer will have to go back as it is the old fashioned kind that takes a real lighter to light little mini solid fuel sticks. I don't think the school would appreciate real flames for a hand warmer. The store was out of the snap chemical warmers.
After dropping Trev off I went up to the club to warm my insides before braving the streets in this cold weather. Trev had told me there were over 80 floats entrants in the parade. His school was fiftieth. I figured I could go down to the parade route an hour late and still not miss him.
I found a spot just a couple of blocks off the route to park. I passed a mom with a child and asked how far along was the parade. she said her child's group had been sixth so was guessing they were up to fifteenth or twentieth. I flinched and laughed. An hour late had not been long enough. I walked the route looking for bands. One school band passed sounding wonderful, from out of town. All of a sudden I saw Trevor's band. I tried to get pictures but with the dark and the fact they were marching, the pictures came out blurry. Trev did see me, which is really all that mattered. He had wanted me there and asked me to come for once. He wanted to show off the cool uniforms and hats they were to wear and he got to play the snare drums. He has been wanting to do the snares.
When I hailed Trevor after the end, he told me that another school hadn't been ready so his school had been able to slip into their earlier spot. I didn't have to wait another whole hour as a result. Trev had to drop off his drums and uniform at the school so it was a little while before we got home.
Tom had gone out of town to see friends at a guys night out with poker. He had taken a blanket and pillow with him and we planned to see him in the morning.
Sunday, the boys played on the TV and computer until finally I left to go to a friend's house for dinner. I didn't get back until after seven. There had been chores on Sunday to do. I noticed they were still half done when I came home. As a result, we did not get the second tree for the living room. The week is busy so I just wonder if we will get it, or if we will need to wait until break and get it just before Christmas or at all.
Mondays have become volunteer days at their old elementary for the chess club after school. We all go and get to see the boys' old teachers and play with the students learning chess. Its our second week and the boys are loving it. I wish they had chess in high school.
The teacher in charge set up a problem board, check in one move. The kids had to try to solve the puzzle. Riley got it. Trevor taught his group pawn wars. I taught a squirmy group four player chess bug wars to keep them engaged. Riley played a real game with a bright child that knew the game better than some.
I ran into the football coach while shopping with my boys after the chess club Monday. He razzed Trevor for not going to after school weight training. He said Riley was going, which is good because I didn't think Riley had been going from what I could see.
When we got home we ate quickly and then Trevor had to read the first chapter of his scout manual to me, the one on child abuse. It is part of his initial requirements and application to rejoin scouts. We discussed safety and reviewed the scout sayings so he was refreshed and if asked could give intelligent answers. I dropped him at his friend's house so they could go to meeting together.
I told Tom that my day really doesn't begin until after school. That is the time I have to start moving my players around and being organized. I like to take the boys shopping with me upon occasion, so we get what they want to eat and they realize the costs. It is a bit of a hassle and usually costs a bit more than when they are not with me, but they need to know how to shop and be aware of expenses.
Tomorrow, Trevor is staying after school for another school class, make up work. Riley has weight training. I told them I could get them at 4:30 pm. Trev wanted to call a friend of mine to pick them up so they wouldn't have to wait or walk home. The weather is lovely. I told them they could walk or wait for me. They could not call in favors from my friends. Spoiled brats, I say that with a smile as I can't help admiring their ingenuity as I tell them "No".
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