April May Doll and Slippers

I wanted to have this doll done in April, but alas, didn't happen. It's been slow going. Maybe I need a short break from Miss April May. I'm just not feeling her right now.

My Girl Scout troop and I will be going to Girl Scout camp in a few weeks. While going over what to bring for camp, my girls mentioned slippers, along with the most important COFFEE (girls after my own heart) I thought it would be cute if they all had some pink bunny slippers, like the ones I made below, to wear in their cabin. I would need to make five pair, but I think I could do it in a few weeks. Or maybe sock monkey slippers. I can't decide which.

I think I'm leaning towards pink bunnies.

Girl Scouts Rock!

I am so proud of myself! I've been a Girl Scout troop leader for a few months now. It's been exciting, a little nerve wrecking, more work than I thought, but I've loved every minute of it!

This past weekend, I had to do my outdoor certification (camping), so I can take my girls camping and other outdoor activities. This weekend was rainy, and chilly. Not the best weather for camping, but we're Girl Scouts, right. So need to be prepared for anything!

My friends and family still have can't believe I'm a Girl Scout leader. I guess some would call me a girly girl. I like pink, wearing high heels, and I have a tiara, I like dolls, but I can be girly girl and still step out and do other things. I like being outdoors, even liked camping as a kid. I like to fish, ride horses. Why limit ones self?  Maybe it's because I'm a Mom to all boys and I've never been a Girl Scout myself. Who knows why people find it hard to believe I'm a Girl Scout leader. I told co-workers and friends I was camping this weekend, and the majority of responses, was "really? you?"

Yes. Me! 

So camping I went, along with other troop leaders to be certified. I bought a companion on my camping trip,the last doll I made. I had to strap her in for our ride to camp. Safety first! I've never set up a tent before, so a day before going to camp I had my son help me set up the tent, so I wouldn't be totally clueless. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Plus I had seasoned campers/troop leaders helping out once I got to camp. Got the tent all set up, rolled out my sleeping bag, and cheetah Snuggie, and my bed was ready!

We had a full day of learning. How to start fires without flammable liquids or match light charcoal. We made fire starters out of kindling, egg cartons, and wax. I wasn't sure I would be able to do start a fire without lighter fluid, but I did! Got a little tepee fire going and roasted myself a huge marshmallow! Being that it was raining and everything was soaking wet, we put newspaper down in the fire pit so it wasn't so wet and didn't build a huge fire. But I got one going, so I was happy! We baked chocolate chip cookies in a box oven! A box oven! You get a sturdy box, cover in heavy duty aluminum foil, use charcoal briskets in tuna cans, and you have an oven! That actually bakes cookies! Who knew! Dinner was a chicken potpie in the cast iron skillet and breakfast was breakfast burritos. They were the best breakfast burritos I've ever had. I didn't get a picture of the burritos because I ate them so fast! Ooops!

We learned about cooking outside, safety in being outdoors, flag ceremonies, tying knots,...so much more information, but so good. The trainers were long time Girl Scout leaders and trainers and they were the best! So many great stories and had me excited and proud to be a Girl Scout! I learned a lot. And made new friends. Our patrol was the best! And I'm so thankful I got to do my training with them. The weekend was great. The only downfall was being wet and cold all weekend. There was a few times I wanted to go home, to hubby and a nice warm home, but I stuck it out! I'm proud of myself, and I earned my first Girl Scout patch!

Girl Scouts and leading has taken me out of my comfort zone on many levels. I originally wanted to help lead a troop, not have my own, but there was a troop of girls who needed a leader. So my own troop I got. And even though I'm learning as I go along, and sometimes ask myself, who am I to mentor these girls, it really is the best thing for me. I'm learning and growing right along with the girls. And I'm so excited for all the adventures we will have!

Girl Scouts ROCK!

Girl Scouts - Troop 4490

I signed up to be a Girl Scout leader a few months ago. Family and friends were like, "huh...where did this come from?" I'm a mom to all boys and I've never mentioned anything about Girl Scouts. Plus, I'm not a big fan of the cookies. Tag-a-longs (peanut butter and chocolate ones) are my favorite though. So where did all this come from?

Let me explain.

A few years ago, I volunteered with Big Brother/Big Sisters. I was so excited! Having all boys, I looked forward to mentoring a young girl. In my mind I saw us doing all the girly things I couldn't do with my boys. Plus, I wanted to expose my "little sister" to adventures she may not otherwise get a chance to do. To make a long story short, the girl I was matched with was a tomboy. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but she wanted to do all the same things I can do with my boys. Anything I suggested was a no go. Our relationship lasted a few months, but we both decided it was best if she found another Big sister. One who would love doing all the things she liked.

Fast forward to now. I still had the desire to volunteer with young girls, but wasn't sure what or how. Then I came across something about Girl Scouts. Hmmmm.....Girl Scouts. I started to look into all things Girl Scouts and decided I would LOVE to be a leader. Girl Scouting is not just about the cookies. It's so much more! It's empowering girls to get out in this great big world of ours. To experience new adventures and hopefully make lifelong friendships along the way. It's mentoring and making memories. There's camping, crafts, community involvement and so much more! Did I mention camping! I love to camp. Fonzy and my boys - not so much. Actually not at all. I've mentioned getting a tent and camping in the backyard and they all looked at me like I was crazy. I camped growing up and went to a summer camp and I have so many great memories. Singing around campfires, horseback riding, sleeping in cabins with a bunch of girls. So much fun! I would love to bring that experience to other girls. And now I can!

It's been a few months and I didn't have girls signed up in my new troop. Driving to a Girl Scout Open House tonight I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought maybe I could help out with another troop until girls signed up in my area, but I ended up leaving with girls in my troop - a Junior troop with girls in the 4th and 5th grade! As of right now I have 3 girls, with more on the way. My first meeting will be later this month, so I'm gathering all my information, reading tons, and getting ideas for our troop. I will admit I'm kind of nervous. As a kid, I was a Brownie for one year, so I'm going into this without being a Girl Scout for long myself. But I'm so excited! It's a new experience for me, not just the girls in my troop. We will learn and grow together!