The Energizer Bunny

Okay, it's not really a blog post about the Energizer Bunny but Declan's whirlwind of activities and energy could certain give him a run for his money.

Here are some of the things Declan has been up to since February:

In February, while I was in Salt Lake attending Heidi's wedding, Declan was busy being the Master of Ceremonies for the school's DARE program. (funny story: Declan had wanted to be selected to read his essay at the program. When he wasn't selected he came home devastated. I comforted him telling him that it was okay. He's the Student Council President and can't do everything. I told him that everybody had at least a part to read in the program. He said he wasn't. I asked why not and he informed me that he was just going to be the Master of Ceremonies. After I stopped laughing, I informed him that that was a very big deal and was the highest honor that was given for two of the students to be Mof C. It took a bit of convincing but he eventually believed me and got excited.) He was feeling a little off color that day and woke on Saturday morning with a very high fever and feeling generally rotten. He desperately wanted to go to the Pinewood Derby because it was his last year participating as a Cub Scout and we had made him make the whole car himself as we felt he had been taught by Steve over the past few years and should now be able to do it alone. He begged to go and finally I agreed as long as he wore a medical mask and didn't make anyone sick (of course, we had a mask on hand - there are benefits occasionally with having a dentist in the family). He agreed.

He was so glad that he did as he won First Place and would be able to attend the District Race to compete against all of the troops in the District.

This past Saturday was the District Race and Declan did really good. He won 3 out of his four heats, and just missed out on the trophy's. We were so proud of him. Steve thinks that from now on Declan should be the one to help Ethan when he becomes a Cub Scout as his car did better than any Steve had helped him with.

Declan is such a good eater and hardly ever complains about his Gluten Free Diet that he has to keep to because of his Celiac Disease. He loves fish, which we have at least once a week as we have to work extra hard to make sure Declan has a well balanced diet as possible. (If we could only get some fat on his bones would make us and the Doctor very happy). While at the Mall of America, Declan discovered a new love - Grilled Shrimp. He was in heaven and has been asking for them since. Last week, it was Caleb's turn to cook so I bought Shrimp and helped Caleb prepare them. There was a lot of brotherly love in our house that night.

Declan also participated in the WMTA (wausau music teachers auditions). Here he is pictured with his teacher, Kara, who he loves. He has come so far this year in his piano studies. It seems like it just clicked.

As mentioned in a previous post, Declan participated in the Wausau District Book Bowl. If you recall there were 40 books to read and memorize plots, characters and story lines for. His team did wonderfully and for the first time they placed - with 3rd place.

Declan has also been busy with achieving his Webelos Scout Rank. Here he is on his Crossing Over Ceremony. He has achieved the rank of Webelos and should receive his Arrow of Light award next month. The Arrow of Light is the only badge/award that continues with them through to Scouting. Admittedly there is a lot of pressure in our house to continue the DeMille tradition of becoming an Eagle Scout like his dad, all of his uncles, and grandpa have done before him. Declan loves Scouts and is so excited to start his Boy Scouting career once he turns 11.

So, you can see why he keeps us running. He is the most motivated kid and has an amazing work ethic. For example, this week he has a goal to practice the piano for 300 minutes. (oh, my aching ears - Just kidding).

He does really well at sports, especially wrestling and soccer. He has a very funny sense of humor. Is all boy (unfortunately) and loves to rough house with his brothers. He makes sure that we have our family meetings and family home evenings regularly. Always pays his tithing and has a goal to be a dentist and work with his dad.

Declan tried to come into this world a few months earlier than he was supposed to and it took a lot of work, medicine and mom laying still for him to stay put until it was safe for him to hit the ground running in this life. I realize now that maybe Dec was so eager to achieve all he could in this life and wanted to get moving on it right away. Although a feisty character at times, and has the amazing ability to hit his mum's buttons, he is such a blessing to our family. We look forward to seeing what other great things he achieves in this life.

So watch out Energizer Bunny - Declan can run circles around you!