Beta Club

Beta Club is a service organization at our school for Jr. High and High School students.  I feel strongly about serving, as does John.  We normally participate in the church mission work, and I have Zachary come too.  I think he needs to know how much he has and maybe realize how fortunate he is.

Somehow I got roped into being the sponsor for the Jr and Sr. High Beta Clubs at our school.  It's been a pretty easy job scheduling trips for the students and helping with meetings.  The best part is I get to serve right along side the students, and that includes Zachary.

So far, we've been to the the Houston Food Bank, a home for Alzheimer residents to sing Christmas Carols and serve treats, Hope Village to play games and make V-day cards with special needs residents, and TLC resale shop to organize, distribute, and clean up the shop.  We are hoping to maybe do some work with Special Olympics and a pet shelter for our last trips.

Jr. Beta Club Induction

Sr. Beta Club Induction

Jr. Beta Club

Singing at a retirement home

 

Making boxes with a buddy

Jr. Beta Club

The one funny thing about all of this.  I wasn't sure how Zachary would feel about having to go volunteer on a Saturday.  Working is not always his first choice of activities.  One of the club rules is that if you get more than 2 detentions, you are dismissed from Beta Club for the year.  That seems to have him scared straight, and he doesn't want to miss a meeting or trip.  So far, so good! 

Our Annual Winter Trip

We started out at Granmommy's on Wednesday evening.  She had Zack's birthday gift.  She also had Uncle Steve's clarinet, and sadly, once he saw that, he wasn't too interested in the Ganmommy's version of Lupe's nachos (one of Zachary's favs) or the gifts.

You had me at 'Hello.'

In the morning, we had our teeth cleaned and headed for lunch with my cousin Amy.  Short, but sweet, and certainly glad to see her when I could.  We missed Lauren, and I'm sure she was a little jealous.

Next stop:  Travis and Cassie's new casa.  Wow, it was beautiful!!!  I think Cassie mentioned something about decorating, but I was so impressed with all she's had going on.  Her kiddos were super fun, and Zachary and Alex played light sabers for at least 2 ours on Thursday and 2 hours on Friday. 

Three boys, various ages, all having fun.

It's story time with Zachary.

Age didn't matter...to them, the force was real!

Aunt Ruth and Aunt Kathy were ready for lunch when we arrived.  Aunt Ruth had found a super cool Star Wars puzzle as a surprise for Zachary.  And anyone who knows Aunt Kathy, knows she is a puzzle fanatic.  She was hooked when Zachary was ready to piece it together and changed her plans at least 2x while we were working on completing the puzzle.  Ruth is always a wonderful hostess!

Can't resist a puzzle!

Last stop, was to see Traci.  She was ready when we got there with a cookie cake for Zachary's birthday and his gift.  We gave Elise her gift a little early.  We played tether ball, jumped on the trampoline, knitted, watched dirt bike riding, and went to Lupe's.  All that in a span of about 8 waking hours.

Determined to be an Aggie!

Cookie cake cut pizza style

chocolate icing flavored lip gloss

Jack on his bike

4 days, 5 stops, and 14 people.  Not too bad of trip, and we had a great time!!!

Valentine's Day

Zack has decided he has a girlfriend.  She doesn't know, at least not yet.  He picked a card and some heart-shaped Recess's cups.  "But only a few so she won't get cavities," he said.  The card was Hoops and Yoyo, which he thinks is hilarious.  He wanted to sign, "Love your boyfriend, Zack".  It tried to explain that she might be scared off by that, and to just be kind and helpful. 

I guess it went OK today.  He told me that she thanked him.  I hope the girls didn't snicker.  I thought he was cute for trying.

I got Zachary the normal card and candy.  He doesn't seem to notice that it is a holiday and since everyone else is getting something cool, maybe he should too.  That worked out since John was out of town until around 6 pm.  When we finally gave him his gift he was so excited!  He's been asking for a Wax Vac for months.  So what the heck, $10, and a little entertainment for all of us.  He tried it out, but I guess he wasn't convinced.  So, he proceeded to try to vacuum up water from the counter top in the kitchen. 

"Now, there will be peace in our home."  Who knew Wax Vac could bring peace?!

Sleep over

I finally decided to brave a sleep over birthday party.  I made it, and didn't have to stay up much past 1:00 am.  John even stayed up as moral support. 

We were planning on swimming at my in-laws, but the pool heater was broken, which we found out the day of the party.  There was concern in John's voice, but I had already had a movie approved and some other things in store. 

When they arrived Zachary had been watching Cars 2, so they all joined in.

They made their own pizzas and played basketball outside.  First time the hoop has ever been used!

 

And why not teach them how to gamble?!?  We had change to dive for in the pool, so we decided to play CLR instead.  They had a blast, and were willing to put the money they won back in to play more.

What's that on the cake you say?  Why an oboe, of course!

Blooooowwww!

The birthday boy and his lunch buddies.

Most left early as we all headed off to church. The boys had great manners and all showed appreciation for being invited.  I'm willing to give it a second go-around.