January happenings

January is always a long month. Fortunately it was filled a little bit with fun activities and a few proud parent moments!

Carson kicked off the month with his UIL District Orchestra Ensemble performance. His group performed a beautiful piece by Mozart, and it was such a joy to hear all of their hard work come together. There’s something special about listening to live music, and the performance was absolutely lovely. We are so proud of the dedication he puts into orchestra and all the hours of practice that go into events like this.

I also had the chance to take Logan to tour the junior high as he prepares for registration next year. It was exciting to walk through the school, learn about the different programs, and visit all of the extracurricular departments. Logan especially enjoyed seeing the fine arts area, I was hoping he would want to do art or choir, but Logan decided he wants to follow in his brother’s footsteps and play the cello. It was fun to see him getting excited about this next chapter and beginning to think about all the opportunities that await him in junior high.  I can't believe my baby will be going to junior high!

Logan also participated in his very last Pinewood Derby as a Cub Scout. He put together a creative entry called the "Temu Batmobile," and it ended up winning Best Superhero Car! He was absolutely thrilled.  Logan's favorite part was the display trophy that his Scoutmaster made with a 3D printer. In fact, he said it was even better than winning a real trophy!

Brad also took the two older boys to a Houston Rockets game for a fun night out. Before tip-off, they stopped at Rodeo Goat for burgers, where Carson declared he had just eaten the best burger of his life. The game itself had an unexpected surprise when the cast of The Sandlot made an appearance. I was honestly a little jealous that I missed that part!

"You're killing me smalls!"

Since Logan wasn't interested in attending the basketball game, we took advantage of the opportunity to have a mother-son night. We started with dinner at Texas Roadhouse and then headed to Activate to play interactive games together. We laughed, competed, and had an absolute blast. As much as I love our family adventures having one-on-one time is always so special.

January may have been a quieter month compared to others, but it was filled with music, scouting, sports, and quality family time—the kind of moments that end up being some of the best memories. 

Big Milestone

Today was one of those days that feels like a snapshot of growing up.

In the morning, Carson crossed off a milestone he had been waiting for what felt like forever—his braces finally came off! After years of appointments, adjustments, and lots of food stuck in them, he walked out of the orthodontist’s office with a brand-new smile and a whole lot of excitement.

But the day wasn’t over yet.

That afternoon, Carson took his driver’s test and passed! He even nailed his parallel parking on the first try. We also got a little lucky, it had rained hard earlier in the day, but stopped just in time for his test. And just like that, he officially became a licensed driver. 

Watching him with that driver’s license in hand was one of those proud parent moments. It seems like just yesterday he was learning to ride a bike, and now he’s legally driving himself places!

Of course, no milestone day would be complete without celebrating by grabbing some food. Carson got to experience something he hasn’t enjoyed in a long time, eating without braces! It’s amazing how excited he was over something as simple as taking a bite without braces getting in the way!

Carson with Dr. Laird

His new smile!

He passed!

Two huge accomplishments in one day: braces off and driver’s license earned.

He’s growing up too fast and its days like today are a reminder that childhood doesn’t last forever. While it’s bittersweet watching these milestones come faster and faster, it’s also such a privilege to watch him grow into the young man he’s becoming.

Congratulations, Carson!

 

Enchanted Rock

Logan has been looking forward to the annual Webelos and Arrow of Light campout at Enchanted Rock all year long.

In fact, there were only two reasons he decided to stick with Cub Scouts this year: first, he knew it was only for half a year before crossing over to Scouts BSA, and second, he absolutely did not want to miss this campout. After last year's trip, Enchanted Rock had earned a special place on his list of favorite adventures.

Brad and Logan hit the road and made a stop just outside Fredericksburg for some famous Texas BBW. According to Logan, it was "the best meal of my life" high praise from a picky eater.

Of course, no camping trip is complete without at least one forgotten item. Before reaching camp, they realized Logan hadn't packed a hoodie. Anyone who has ever camped in Texas knows that even when the daytime temperatures are warm, those evenings and early mornings can get surprisingly chilly. A quick stop at a local general store solved the problem, and Logan left with a new hoodie and a lesson he'll probably forget again someday.

Once they arrived at the campground, they got their tent set up, unpacked their gear, and settled in for the weekend. There’s something special about camping with a group of Scouts—friends running around playing games, laughter, and just enough dirt and adventure to make it memorable.

The next day brought the highlight of the trip: hiking Enchanted Rock. The massive pink granite dome never disappoints, and the boys spent hours exploring, climbing, and squeezing through the famous rock crevices. For a group of adventurous Scouts, it was basically a giant natural playground. They scrambled over rocks, discovered hidden passageways, and made fun memories.

This year's trip felt especially meaningful because it was a bit of a redemption story. Last year, Logan started feeling sick during the campout, and Brad ended up driving him home early. While getting Logan home safely was the obvious priority, Brad was disappointed to miss one of the campout traditions: breakfast at the famous German restaurant in Fredericksburg on the way home.

Thankfully, this year everything went according to plan. Logan stayed healthy, the weather cooperated, and they got to enjoy the full campout experience—including that long-awaited German breakfast. After missing out the year before, Brad was especially excited, and it lived up to the hype.

As Logan wraps up his Cub Scout journey and prepares for the next chapter in Scouts BSA, this campout was the perfect reminder of why scouting is so special. The hiking, camping, friendships, and shared adventures are what make these years memorable. And judging by the smiles, stories, and enthusiasm that came home with them, Enchanted Rock remains one of their favorite scouting traditions.