Reflections on a Pack Meeting

So yesterday was the Blue and Gold Banquet and being the Cubmaster I was a little stressed out over it. The theme this year was American ABCs and the point was to discuss and explore different cities in the U.S. Everyone picked a city and brought pictures and souvenirs to display on one of the tables. They also brought a dish that either corresponded with their city or with the state the city was in. We brought pictures from old Nauvoo, Il before the new temple was built, as well as from the open house of the new temple. We had the Nauvoo bricks and the nail promise ring. If you don't know that story, to sum it up: back when the saints first settled in Nauvoo the men would go to the smithy when they wanted to get engaged and have a nail molded to look somewhat like a diamond ring to give to their intended. It is pretty neat. Anyway, we couldn't think of a food to go with Nauvoo so did Chicago style deep dish pizza. It was my first time trying a new recipe and it turned out pretty good, though I think it definately could have used more cheese. If Doug had been home to see me make it, he would have added more immediately, being the cheese-head that he is. I was trying to follow the recipe, but next time I'll add more cheese. It was still very yummy though. We had awesome participation and great food. We had Idaho Falls and Potatoe casserole, the petrified forrest in AZ and spider legs (barbeque beef), Wisconsin with cheesy potato soup and homemade bread, Hawaii and Hawaiian ribs, Yellowstone and Bison BBQ, and Cleveland, OH with perogies. We also had a big Costco cake and ice-cream for after the meeting! The boys played Statue of Liberty tag and the adults socialized. We had 3 boys earn their Bear badge, including John, who also got his gold arrow. Yay! It turned out pretty well. I kept thinking I was forgetting something but of course didn't remember until I got home- I was going to have each family tell me a memory from the city they chose and visited, but alas I didn't have it bold enough on my agenda I guess. :) I think everyone mingled and looked at everyone's pictures though, so I'm sure some sharing of information went around. Oh well.
Our family was in such good spirits when we left that the kids were laughing and playing and came up with their own language which consists of whatever the first letter is in the person's name becomes the first letter for every word. So for example, in Rebecca's language I was Ridi, Doug was Rug, Jake was Rake, etc. This caused lots of laughter and so the started putting different letter on everyones names with the favorite being W- my real name would be Weirdre (I guess that fits) and then we have Wug, Wecca, Wohn, Wakey, Weyna, Watrina or (lots of laughter) Wina or Didi became Widi and then Wewe. Anyway, if you want a laugh, try it with your family!