Den 7 builds rockets at Michaels

These are Sayeed's photos of Den 7 building model rockets at Michaels last weekend. I took photos, too, but haven't gotten them out of my camera yet.

UPDATE TO THIS POST: Finally got my photos, too

Governor visits with Den 3 Tigers

We took our Tiger Cub Scout den out to the Veloway today to learn about bike safety, and we were lucky enough to get an extra lesson from the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry. As I was riding back to the group after rounding up the rest of the den, I noticed the security detail and the Governor's black SUV. I asked one of the agents if he would mind speaking with the scouts. The agent later brought me over.

"I was going to come talk to you whether you wanted me to or not," the governor joked. He asked where we were from etc., and then came over to talk to the boys. He was really nice, and made sure to shake each of the boy's hands and learn their names. He talked about the importance of wearing a helmet and told us about a story about a slow-speed crash he had on his bike where his head hit the ground hard. He was glad to be wearing a helmet.

Some of the questions the boys asked:

"How much money do you have?" Graham asked. The governor asked if he meant personally or professionally, and Graham said professionally. So the governor quoted the state budget and Graham was really impressed, saying "you are rich!" The governor explained that that was all our money, not just his.

"Were you and Eagle Scout?" Graham (again) asked. Yes, the Governor was an Eagle Scout. And today he had filmed a commercial for the Boy Scouts of America.

"What is your favorite theme," my son Sean asked. It took us a while to figure out if he said thing or theme, but this was just a way for Sean explain his love for all things Egypt. The governor likes dogs, and he has a weiner dog. He doesn't race her (I had to ask!)

We thank the governor for his time! I do think the boys will remember the visit.

Why don't we ever update?

I tend to wait until we have downloaded photos before I update the family blog. I'm not sure why ... we do occaisionally do other interesting things where you would think works would suffice.

Tomorrow we go to my Aunt Dora Jean's in Waco to help celebrate her 80th birthday. My brother is supposed to make it up there, too, and I hope he does. And then I hope he returns to Austin with us ...

Pickles has turned out to be a wonderful, loving, rambunctous little tyke of a dog. SPCA said she was 2 1/2, but she sure seems to have a lot of puppy in here. Wants to play, play, play all the time, until she falls asleep. She's awfully sweet with that, too, starting the night in one of the boys' bed before climbing into ours when we are too asleep to protest.