Pinewood Derby

The moment that Boy Scouts wait for all year is finally here! It's Pinewood Derby Day!! Mason has really been looking forward to this event since we signed him up in the Fall. And since they allow siblings to participate, Reagan was able to make a car of her own!

We bought their kits, which consist of a block of wood (literally), four nails and four tires. The wood hobby shop on base cuts the cars for free, which was a lifesaver, considering I'm a total novice in the area of sawing and carving. They drew out their designs and off to the hobby shop we went! Afterwards, they sanded and painted them, then attached the wheels. Mason had few specifications - blue with a white stripe down the middle. He also attached a Lego racer and a button for the steering wheel. Reagan decided that she wanted hers to look like a watermelon. It was by far the cutest entry!!

Sanding

Painting

Today, they put their creations to the test. Only the top 3 racers in each Den go on to compete in the Pack championship and Mason was in a 4-way tie for 4th place, but had a really good time anyways! In fact, he had more fun after the race rolling his car around on the floor with the other kids!! The sibling race was just for fun, and Reagan had a blast watching her car zoom down the track!

The Cars of Pack 90

Waiting at the finish line!!

Ready to Race! Mason's car is the second from the left.

1st place in Heat 3!!!

Mason & Andrew

Reagan's turn! Check out the Watermelon Racer!!

The cutest Pinewood Derby car EVER!!

Green Eggs, No Ham

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday today, the kids at JPS were able to dress up as either a character from a Dr. Seuss book or a community helper as part of Read Across America Week. Reagan decided to dress up as a Marine (no shocker there....she wears her cammies every chance she gets!). I volunteered in her classroom this morning and helped the kids make hats and prepare green eggs! Before they made them, they voted on whether or not they thought they would like them. Then after tasting them, they were able to vote again. Reagan first voted that she would not like them, but turns out....she totally liked them!!

A sea of Dr. Seuss hats at morning carpet time.

Check out our green eggs!!

At lunchtime, the PTA gave each student a slice of Dr. Seuss' birthday cake as a special treat! My friend Autumn and I dressed up like Thing 1 and Thing 2 and the kids LOVED it!

Panty Posse Unite

Who are those masked bandits???

An Afternoon Pulley

The kids were released early from school today due to conferences and as soon as they got off the bus, they headed down to the park to play. After a while, Mason got bored and came back home where he then constructed this in the front yard.....He used a stick, 550 cord and a piece of trash that had blown into our yard (the lid to a styrofoam cooler perhaps) to build a pulley. He was so excited!! He ran into the house, screaming "Mama, come and look! I made a pulley!!" He was so proud of himself and so was I!!! I think I have a future mechanical engineer on my hands!

Blue and Gold Banquet

Grrrrrrrrowl.....my little man is now a BEAR!! Pack 90 held their annual Blue & Gold Banquet tonight, which is a birthday party celebration for Cub Scouting. We watched a cute slide show of the boys while we enjoyed a pizza and lasagna dinner.
For dessert, they served blue and yellow cupcakes. WHY on earth would they give kids blue cupcakes at an event like this? Seriously!

Blue cupcakes are AWESOME!!

Alexis: "Um, Reagan.....I think you've got a little something on your face."

Reagan: "What you taklin' about Willis?"

After dinner, the boys were called up to receive their awards. In addition, the boys who have completed all the requirements earned their rank. I was very proud to pin Mason's Bear patch onto his shirt. It is pinned on upside down until he performs a good deed, at which time it can be turned right side up.

Den 7's Finest

Check me out.....I'm a BEAR!

Mason's Awards & Accomplishments:

Art Belt Loop and Pin, Blue & Gold Patch, 'I Did My Best' Patch, Cub Scout Bear Patch

Girl Scout Investiture & Rededication Ceremony

Tonight, Reagan's Brownie troop had their Investiture/Rededication Ceremony. An investiture is a ceremony that officially welcomes a new girl into the Girl Scout family for the first time. The ceremony began with each girl saying part of The Girl Scout Promise and The Girl Scout Law and lighting a candle (3 candles for the Law and 10 candles for the promise). Reagan's line was "....courageous and brave." Girls who had previously been Scouts were called up by the leaders to rededicate themselves to the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Then the newbies (Reagan and Paige) were called up to be invested into Scouting by the two oldest girls in the troop (Lauren and Madelyn). Reagan said the Girl Scout Promise to Maddie and then Maddie pinned the Membership Pin onto her vest.

The Girl Scout Promise
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Navy Commendation Medal

It's a proud in the Lopez house!! This morning, Adrian was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal. The NAVY COM is defined as this:

The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal may be awarded to

service members who, while serving in any capacity with the

Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism,

outstanding achievement or meritorious service.

Way to go Adrian! We are so proud of you and all of your amazing accomplishments!!