Pine Wood Derby 2013

Last night Carter participated in his first Pine Wood Derby with Cub Scouts.  Carter and Daddy worked very hard making his Police car for the Derby.  Carter knew from the beginning that he wanted a Police car.

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Thursday night was the big weigh in.  His car could weigh no more than 5 ounces (or 140 ounces).  We knew his car made the weight at home but Carter was still pretty nervous.  He was so happy when his car weighed right where we thought it would.  After weigh in you leave the car and can’t touch it again until race time. 

Since this was our first Pine Wood Derby we really didn’t know what to expect.  We had gotten some advice from friends about making the car.  I have to admit that I was a little nervous myself before the Derby started.  I was hopeful that the car would at least make it past the finish line…it he didn’t Carter would have been crushed!  Thankfully after the first heat that Carter had not only did his car make it past the finish line but he placed 2nd and clocking in at 210.3 mph! 

Carter’s was loving every minute of the Derby.  His placed 1st place in his 2nd heat with a speed of 207.9 mph.  He clocked in at 210.3 mph on his 3rd heat, placing 2nd place.  He also took 2nd place in his 4th and final heat with a speed of 209.1.

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After all the races were complete the overall scores were calculated and awards were given in the open category, best design and fastest car.  Carter’s Police car came in 8th overall out of 37.  I am honestly surprised that his car did so well.  Carter’s first Pine Wood Derby experience was awesome!  He loved working on his car and especially loved race day.

We have already started discussing plans for next year.

1st Grade Writing Celebration

Tuesday, November 2oth Carter’s 1st Grade Class had a Writing Celebration.  The title of their program was “We Are Thankful.”  It was so cute.  Each of the kids were given the assignment to write a book about what they were thankful for and then read the book in front of parents and grandparents. 

Carter was so nervous about speaking in front of a group.  The day before and the morning of we tried to reassure him that he would be fine.

When we arrived 2 of the kids were at the door to greet us and offer a program.  Then once inside the room there were another 2 kids who asked us to sign in.  Then we were able to find a seat.  The kids were all in rows at the front of the classroom.  They had made banners to welcome their guests.  They were all a little excited to be able to talk into the microphone.  I could tell Carter was nervous.  As his turn neared he was getting even more nervous.  He was 8th on the list and the title of his book was “What I Am Thankful For.”

He did such a great job!  He was nervous and you could tell but he did it and I am so proud of him for doing it!  

What I Am Thankful For

by Carter Hewitt

“I’m thankful for many things.  What are you thankful for? 

I’m thankful for soccer.  Soccer is my favorite sport.  I score lots of goals in soccer.

I’m thankful for my family.  They help me learn how to read.  I have a mom and a dad and a sister.

I’m thankful for my teacher.  She helps me learn how to read and write.

I’m thankful for my friends.  They are fun to play with.

I’m thankful for many things.” Halfway through the program there was a brief intermission complete with drinks and snacks.  All of the kids did a great job.  The little girls were really cute --- one girl used the word sweet at least 10 times --- another girl said, “my mom is delighted to play with me.” and “my dad is delightful.”  Then one of the boys said that he was thankful for girls and that they looked so pretty when they smiled at him.

Mrs. S’s 1st Grade Class did an excellent job on their “We Are Thankful” Program.

Wordless Wednesday – He’s Back!

Wally is back with us again this year!

Decorating for Christmas

We finished decorating our tree tonight.  I had intentions of getting it done last night but I ran into an issue with the lights on our pre lit tree.  Once everything got plugged in only the middle section of the tree came on.  We messed with it for a little bit and discussed getting a new tree this year, find what was causing the issue or just string lights around it.  We ended up just stringing some more lights around it and figured we would watch for a good deal on a new tree after Christmas.  Since putting the tree up took longer than expected we weren’t able to get it decorated until tonight.  It is going to be a long month with Landry around getting into EVERYTHING!

 

Landry loved taking the ornaments off the tree and carrying them around.  She was getting into something different every time I turned my back on her.  Carter was 6 months old and then 18 months old at Christmas time and he did so well with the tree.  We would take him over to look at it and touch softly but other than that he pretty much left it alone.  Landry on the other hand is going to be around it constantly.  I don’t know how many times we said, “Landry, no!” tonight.  Now I totally understand why some people put the baby gates around their tree. 

Since we knew Landry would be attracted to the tree we decided to keep it simple and just decorate with ball ornaments.  Hopefully the newness of it will wear off and it won’t be a big deal any more.  There was one thing tonight that kept Landry occupied.  The tinsel!  She had a ball playing in the leftover.

 Landry was having such a great time Carter had to get in on the fun too!

I love seeing the tree completely decorated along with the mantle.  This is the first year we had it by the fireplace and I have to say I am really liking it.  I wasn’t sure about it but seeing it done I really like it.  Right now I am sitting in the living room by the light of the tree.  It is so cozy!

This is the only corner in the house that is decorated for Christmas.  Josh carried up 6 totes of Christmas stuff and I really only used things out of 3 of them.  He is not very thrilled to be taking them back down.  So much of the things I used to put out are breakable so I decided not to mess with it this year.  It should make packing up after the season a little less dreadful too. As we are experiencing our first Christmas in a long time with a very active toddler do  you have any tips for us?

Quote of the Day

“Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.”

     ~ Eleanor Roosevelt