Monday, June 28, 2010

Scout's Day Off

So my son had cub scout day camp last week.

For those of you who do not live around me, note that not one day was less than 94 degrees Fahrenheit.

There were no - and I mean, no -- indoor facilities.

They fished with cane poles and worms, in the hot sun.  The resolve!

They practiced archery and target shooting.  The focus!

They learned water rescue techniques.  The strength!

They concentrated on the fine details involved in tying 5 different kinds of knots.  The concentration!

They survived "water fun" day which meant every single peer was armed with a loaded super-soaker all day long.  The perseverance!

They even submitted to performing skits, singing camp songs, and doing their "den wild call."  My son's, rather unfortunately, required him to make monkey calls and monkey arm gestures.  The mirth!

All this, he could do.

But this week, there is no cub scout camp.

He is home.

With me.

In our air conditioned home.  (The heat wave continues, ugh.)

So this morning, after his long, leisurely breakfast in front of his favorite cartoons, I asked him to clean the patio doors.

I equipped him with plenty of paper towels and cleaner and even demonstrated the technique.

Where is my scout?  Where is the strength, the focus, the resolve???


It seems my son, practically an expert marksman, is unable to aim the Windex nozzle with any accuracy.

And the arms that deftly climbed a rope ladder and even pulled a comrade from danger in a most excellent water-rescue feat last week have gone limp, barely able to muster enough strength to scrub off the slightest dog-nose smudge.

It took almost 40 full minutes, gritted teeth, and warnings . . . and, really, the door is still not how it should be. 

Camp?  Self-reliance?  Confidence?  Perseverance?

I call for a "Mommy-Scout Day Camp."

Everyone:  Get your boots on!





17 comments:

The Quintessential Magpie said...

LOL! Cute! :-)

Rose said...

I well know this fight, dear Renee! Some days, the g'kids will get with 'my' program and actually help around here! But most days they can only focus on finding ways to get out of their chores!! I did find three magic words that helps my Jake get in touch with his 'domestic side'! "Suspend cell phone"!!! LOL Works every time!!

Chicken Boys said...

Just my boots? Of do I have to wear anything else?! It's swealtering here, too. I love the heat. I just want a little rain, too. Even the weeds are wilting and my yard is turning brown.
~Randy

Unknown said...

Love this post!!!! And so true!!!Asking my daughter to make me a cup of tea is a chore for her and yet if her nan is visiting she does tea and biscuits!! Karenxx

diney said...

my daughter is so helpful at school but wouldn't think of offering to help at home. If I ask her she will, but rushes the job so it is slapdash and I would rather have done it myself!

diney said...

my daughter is so helpful at school but wouldn't think of offering to help at home. If I ask her she will, but rushes the job so it is slapdash and I would rather have done it myself!

diney said...

my daughter is so helpful at school but wouldn't think of offering to help at home. If I ask her she will, but rushes the job so it is slapdash and I would rather have done it myself!

diney said...

my daughter is so helpful at school but wouldn't think of offering to help at home. If I ask her she will, but rushes the job so it is slapdash and I would rather have done it myself!

Unknown said...

G'day sweetie ~ Love your write today! Oh, gosh! does this bring back many a memory of 3 children I know & love well. Chuckle!

Nope! & boy did Alyssa have a fit when I painted her toenails all blue on one foot & purple on the other ... it is the fad now ... even adults are doing this.

Was your son at the BIG campout at the baseball field in town Sat. night ... Mr. Dept911 & our kid-ling, son & wife were there.

Terrible here, a/c issues with entire NEW system have prevails since Friday & still going at installation. Poor fellas.

Hugs, Marydon

John Going Gently said...

good post you write very well
x

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Ahhhhh, the "irony". They are a contradiction, aren't they?
xoxo
Donan

Little Messy Missy said...

I hear you!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

My son just came back from a week upnorth with his dad, and all I get is crankiness. What give? I'll sign up for Mommy and Son Camp then :-)

Jenny said...

Mommy-scout day camp - Great Idea!!

I know that my 3 grands could use it :-)

This was a wonderful post - thank you for making me smile today!

Kelly A. Harmon said...

Hilarious! (I know a little certain someone who bent over and dragged her lunchbox to the car today, because it was just too heavy...after lunch... to carry.)

Jim said...

Yes, amazing how kids can distinguish between 'real' work and 'pretend' work. Gotta love it!

diney said...

just noticed my comments repeated itself - I'll blame my laptop on having too much wine!!

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