Pinewood Derby & Piano Guys

Josh is loving all things cub scouting.  For one requirement he needed to write to a famous person that he admired.  He chose to write a letter to the Piano Guys.  A few weeks after he mailed his letter off, he received a large envelope in the mail.  It was a signed photo of the Piano Guys.  He thought it was pretty cool. Spring did too!  She was a bit green with envy but tried to play it cool.  She told Josh how awesome it was that he received this.  A while later I quietly went to Spring and suggested that she could write them a letter as well and there is a good chance she would be mailed a pictures also.  She wrote them a letter that afternoon.  Within a couple weeks there was a similar envelope in the mailbox for her.  I took a picture of it and texted it to her at school.  To say it made her day, would be an understatement!  I am so grateful that our children look up these men as role models.  They bring the spirit with them whenever they perform.  It's amazing to watch the influence of the Piano Guys as they share their talents.  Our children love introducing friends to the Piano Guys.

  

Another great thing about Cub Scouts that Josh has been anxiously awaiting is the Pinewood Derby!  He designed his car and had a great time helping Dad make it.  It was awesome to watch the fun he had the evening of the race.

8 Years Old

Josh is now 8! He has been anxiously awaiting this magical birthday since the day he turned 7! With this birthday comes baptism, cub scouts, and his first ever "friend" birthday party! He chose to have taco pasta for his dinner and ice cream cupcakes for dessert.  He planned a campfire, gaga ball playing, trampoline jumping birthday party with his friends from school.  Unfortunately, weather did not cooperate so we improvised and played some minute to win it games.  He said it was the best time ever.  I think the noise level would have been much more enjoyable had we been outside, but it all turned out well!

My parents are coming for Thanksgiving so we gave Josh the choice to be baptized now or when they come.  He was adamant that he wanted to be baptized on his exact birthday.  We told him that a Tuesday can be difficult to have a baptism.  After we talked to him we discovered the reason for this. He thought he had to be baptized before he could begin cub scouts and he has "waited longer than anyone else in the family to go to scouts!  When we told him he could go to cub scouts as soon as he turned 8, he quickly said, "Then I want to wait to be baptized until Grandma and Grandpa can be here!"

The morning of his birthday he came down to me at 5:45 am and asked if he could pass off everything for his Bobcat badge.  He had been practicing with Sam and had already memorized the scout oath and law as well as all the other requirements for the Bobcat badge.  He was presented with the badge the next day at pack meeting.

I love that he is excited about scouting.  I love that he wants to follow in the footsteps of his older brothers.  Josh is such a great kid.  He will do anything to make someone else feel better. He is silly and happy. He loves to play rough and wrestle, but is quick to give me a hug....but not a kiss...that would be the death of him!  He loves to read, especially "Magic Treehouse" books.  He loves math.  He plays football all day with Sam and is following in Sam's path of coming home from school dirty and sweaty!  Josh is my soft spot.  He can melt my heart without even trying.  I'm so blessed to be his mom.

Day Camp

Day Camp was once again one of Sam's summer highlights!  I was able to go with him a couple of the days and Joel went with him the 3rd day.  His favorite activities were BB and Archery, of course.  This year he was so excited because he passed the BSA Swimmer test.  He worked really hard at swimming lessons and when we would go for free swim to practice and build up his stamina.  His hard work paid off!  I can't believe this was his last year at Day Camp!  Scouting is in his blood and he loves it.  That makes this mom happy!

It was SO hot and humid!  This girl is a trooper!

Saturday is Family Day at Day Camp.  All our kiddos look forward to this.  With the extreme heat and humidity we decided it would be best for me to stay home with Rebekah, Jacob, Sara, and Gideon.  We went to the pool and had fun at home while Dad took the rest to Day Camp.

Webelos Hike

Sam needed to go on a 3 mile hike for one of his Webelos requirements.  We arranged a day with the other Webelos in the Pack and they hiked the Gorge.  Joel, Spring, Sam, Mary, Josh, and Gideon joined them on the hike.

Sam's Successes

March was a successful and fun month for Sam.  His hard work paid off at the Annual 4th Grade Rubik's cube tournament.  He solved the Rubik's cube 14 times in 20 minutes earning him 3rd place, and tying the previous school record.  1st place solved it 21 times and 2nd place solved it 16 times.  I am impressed he can even solve it.  I have never accomplished that, let alone solving it 14 times in 20 minutes!

Sam also was able to compete in the Tri-Fires District Pinewood Derby Race for the 3rd time in his Cub Scout career.  He earned 3rd place for his "Steelers" car this year.  He loves the pinewood derby. It's hard to believe that this was his final pinewood derby race as a cub scout.  As a family we have many years ahead of pinewood derbies!

 This was a blackmail picture.  He kept taking Sara's phone and not giving it back to her when she asked.  He thought it was so funny.  So, we took a picture and told him we were going to email it to his teacher so she could share it with his class the next day at school.  He quickly changed his mind and decided it would be in his best interest to give the phone back to his little sister!

Sam's Final Pinewood Derby

Sam competed in his 3rd and final Pinewood Derby tonight.  Hard to believe that he will be in Boy Scouts in less than a year.  Where has all the time gone?

He created a Steelers car this year. Joel is great at letting our sons do the work on their cars.  It is fun to see them progress each year and be better and more capable as they develop their skills.  Sam told me the best part of the pinewood derby is, "It's something that I get to do with just me and Dad!"  

Sam took 1st place in the Pinewood Derby and will be competing for the 3rd year in the District Pinewood Derby event.  I love how the boys in our pack all had a great time together.  It's fun to watch them together.  After the race was over, the boys and siblings began an impromptu game of kickball in the gym.  If I were to be completely honest, I think that was the highlight of the night for Sam and most of the other boys, as well!

Day Camp

The week following Scout Camp and Girl's Camp was Day Camp for Sammy and I.  This is Sammy's highlight of the summer usually as well.  His favorites this year were BB, Archery, and swimming.  He shot up the BB range.  I was really impressed with his consistent accuracy.  One thing I always admire about Sam is his willingness to do everything with enthusiasm and spirit.  He also wants to be sure everyone else is having as much fun as he is having.  I love the time I get to be with him at Day Camp.