Pinewood Derby Races

The Pinewood Derby races for Pack 26 finally came and went. Didn't I mention it? No? Oh well. Not much to report, except CADE GOT FIRST PLACE IN HIS DEN AND SECOND OVERALL!!!!! Not bad for this being his first year, no? I have to admit, it was a lot LONGER than I ever expected it to be, but all in all, it was a really good time. I think there was something like 72 total races. Seriously. I lost count. And I have to say that my car, The Honu Express (Honu is Hawaiian for turtle. It's ironic. Get it?), didn't do so bad either. I didn't place in the top 10 or anything, but I wasn't in last place in the open division either. Lydia probably could have done without all the races, but she survived as well.

This is Cade's car, Ugly Joe's Car (upside down). Not exactly sure where he got this name. You'll have to ask him. I thought he was going to use some Star Wars themed name.

This is The Honu Express. I promised the pack that there would be glitter and bows galore. But, alas, I couldn't add the ribbons and still be "legal" so I opted for glitter, flowers and bling instead. You can't really tell from this angle, but this car is covered in glitter. There wasn't a specific prize for most girlie car that night, and I'm not bragging or anything, but I'm pretty sure I would've got it for this car.

A couple of shots of the cars in action.

Lydia was all, "Hold on a sec. I gotta get this." *eye roll*

Yes, that is a power point presentation of the final standings. They had it all rigged up with this system so you could see who won each heat and what everybody's time was. Who knew?

Getting his medals and awards.

He really was pretty stinkin' happy about how his evening turned out.

And so were mom and dad.

Just Another Case of Brotherly Love

It was all I could do to just stand there and take these pictures. I wanted to get out the video camera, but I was enjoying this moment so much, I didn't want to miss a second of it scrambling to find the camcorder. It's moments like this that I feel especially blessed to have the children I do. These two love each other so much already! It's apparent everyday, but on this day in particular it was especially obvious. Lydia loves to be involved in whatever Cade is doing and Cade is so patiently willing to include her. Even when he's playing his DS.

Being that extra finger every gamer only wishes they had.

Doesn't she look like the happiest, most grateful to be humored and doted on little sister in the world?

She's helping him with his strategy.

Honestly, if Lydia didn't need to nap at some point that afternoon, I'm certain this could have lasted hours. And I wouldn't have moved a muscle for fear of missing a single moment.

The Giants Win!!!!

Cade had his first game of the season tonight and they won 13-8!! What a great way to start the season. This year's games are distinctly longer than last year's. And now that there is really no containing Lydia, they seem even longer. I'm afraid I'm going to miss a good portion of the action even though I'll be right there. I need to take a sitter with me. Any takers? Oh well. I'll catch what I can and I'll pass it on to you here. But seriously, any takers on the sitter job?

Classic pregame pose.

Looking fierce.


Not sure what this is...I think maybe Rusty told him to pretend he was catching a ball?

OK, this is NOT Cade, it's another teammate, Charlie. Lydia and my erratic camera lens made it impossible to get any other photos of game action.


The final score.

Cade's Big Day

Cade had his First Communion Sunday. Photos weren't allowed during the actual service (see the previous post for the life-like pre-enactment) but we managed to get plenty before and after. All in all it was a beautiful service (a little drawn out with all the singing of prayers and responsorials that are usually spoken) and proud moment for Rusty and I, and a pretty cool moment for Cade.

The classic pre-communion pose.

Cade and his best bud, Riley C.

Cade's prints are on the second row, second from the right.

The First Communion Quilt.
All the kids got to pick out a special fabric that is sewn on the back and they have their names and hand prints on them.

Cade getting his communion book blessed by Father John.

The other classic communion pose.

I'm thinking he was tired of smiling and posing for pictures at this point. And really, who can blame him? If you saw how many pictures were taken that day, you'd swear the papparazzi were there trying to get a shot of some celebrity.

Cake topper/communion gift/cemetery thing (Thanks to Riley B. for pointing that out. It had not occurred to me that it does, in fact, look like a grave marker.).

Suh-weet! A new Nintendo DS game! Lego Batman!

ANOTHER DS game! Pokemon Platinum Version. Score! Yes, he also received a few very nice religious articles as well. This was, afterall, a very spiritual moment in his life.

Getting Ready for Sunday

Yes, there are a TON of photos in this post. Deal with it. *wink* My baby only makes his First Communion once in a lifetime and I'm celebrating (read: coping) by documenting almost every moment of it. The fist half of these photos took place Thursday evening at practice for the main event. Complete with a run through with ALL the communicants practicing receiving the host (not yet blessed) and sipping the wine (not a favorite of the kids). Thank goodness I signed Cade up for the first Sunday. They went in order and when you were finished with practice you could leave. I felt bad for the families who signed up for the last Sunday. They must have been there forever!

The last half is from earlier today. We worked on a memory box for Cade that was to hold mementos and cards and such from his first communion. What the kids didn't know was that we were going to be at church waiting for them and that there would be cards and letters in them. When the kids walked in, it was so funny to see them realize, one by one, that their parents were there. Then it was more comical to watch their faces when they opened the boxes and saw what was inside. It's not often you surprise seven year olds, but when you do, it's priceless! I was impressed with all the cards and letters Cade received from students in other classes, other teachers and family members of friends. It truly made for a special moment leading up to his first communion.

Seriously, have you ever seen cuter kids?

My little man.
He says he "looks like a lawyer" in this get up.

A good one of Rusty.

Catching Lydia during a quiet and still moment.

Could everyone just look at ONE camera? Please?

So close! Riley, what's so funny?

I can only imagine what was going through Cade's mind.

Now we're getting serious.

Here we go.

Getting his first taste of the bread.

OK. Not so bad...

The dreaded wine.

*ugh* Still a little pucker-lipped.

Miss Lydia enjoying the nice weather and the wind blowing through her hair and toes.

The memory boxes.

More boxes.

There are some pretty crafty moms and/or dads in this class!

Lining up to get their boxes.

What! Who put this stuff in there?

Realizing they are notes and cards of well wishes.

Looking at the mini-scrapbook I made with pictures from first communions of Rusty, me (sort of), Mark and Steph.

Enjoying more embarrassing photos...

Lydia loving on Cade.

More smooches for "Brugga".