School Boosterthon

For the last two weeks, Collin has been asking for pledges for his school Boosterthon Fun Run.  The pledges were for how many laps (not to exceed 35) he could do during the run.  The money raised would go back to the school for the outdoor learning center and the library.

Dad and Collin practiced several times what he would say when knocking on neighbor's doors. When he was ready, they would go to a few houses a day...ending up with 21 pledges and close to $1,100 in money for the school.  Wow Collin!!!  While it was tough at times because of the "no" responses he received, he kept going.  At lot of that had to do with the recognition in school the next day for either the top fundraiser or the top class,  He loved telling us about it when he got home that day.  Because of him and another boy in his class, Ms. Brigg's class was the top for the school.  Collin ended up as 3rd overall fundraiser.  He got several prizes along the way with his top prize being an active camera similar to a GoPro.  He is so excited to be able to use this.

On the morning of the run, the kids were pumped and ready to run some laps.  Collin ended up running closer to 47 laps.  As you can see from some of the pictures, he was running so fast, I was barely able to get him in the camera frame.

What the run officials promoted throughout the week

His 2nd Grade Class banner

Running with the boys

All by himself because he was running so fast

Getting laps marked off on the grid on his shirt

Speedy breaking away from the pack

I love his hair in this picture

There he goes again

The grid on his shirt showing how many laps he finished

He stopped long enough to give me a "high five"

Collin and his buddies after the run.  All smiles....

Ms Briggs with her bulldogs!

Sixers' Season is Over

The Sixers played their first tournament game in the Gold bracket this morning.  Mimi came out to watch the game which Collin was happy about.

During the first quarter, I did not recognize the Sixers playing because they were making shots too far away from the net and missing all of them.  So unlike any of the games they had played before.  They were not listening to the Coach's instructions and continued to play the way they thought they needed to so they could win.  After the first quarter, ii was 3 to 22.  Yikes!  The Sixers were really behind.  I thought that maybe the next Sixers squad played which included Collin, I was hopeful they could catch up.  While they did score more, the other team was still ahead.  Not until the 3rd quarter did the boys start playing together as a team.  By then, it was too late.  The other team was too far ahead. They could not recover.



After the game, the Coaches were not hard on the boys.  Instead, they said how proud they were of how they played this season.  While they did play a good game, the other team was consistent with their shots at the net so they won the game.  He ended his comments stating each of the boys improved and he would pick every single one of the boys to play on his team again.  There were some tears but that was expected.



Great season Sixers.  Thanks for those close games and keeping your parents on the edge of their seats at times.

Dentist Visit

Collin went to the dentist this week.  He still really likes this dentist which makes the trip that much easier.  Dad took him because I was still at work.  Here is what the dentist said:

• His teeth are growing in as expected.  The two on the bottom that have not come in yet are growing in towards the middle but he thinks these with straighten out when then come in.
• He had more plaque on his front and very back teeth.  The dentist thinks this is because he snores which keeps his mouth dry and allows for the plaque to build up.  We need to work more on these areas because these could be problem areas later.
• No cavities!
• He is doing really good with his flossing.

Overall, he had a great report.

He did get X-Rays this time.  I thought it was interesting to see the progress of the permanent teeth that have not come in yet.  Looks like he has 3 coming in on the bottom towards the front on both sides, his molars in the back on the top and bottom and his incisors and some molars on the top are coming in too.  He does have some slightly loose teeth and this picture sure does show why and were.



Here he is getting his teeth cleaned and taking the X ray.  X-rays have really improved from when I was a kid.  So much easier and less invasive now.

Basketball and Skittles!!

Tonight was the last basketball game in the regular season.  The Sixers won so they will be going to the playoffs in the Gold bracket.  Way to go Sixers.

Tonight, Dad reminded Collin that it's OK to be aggressive and get in there to get the ball after a rebound.  I could see that Collin was more focused than he has been before.  Not sure if that's because he and I played a game of HORSE for 30 minutes before the game or what.  In the last quarter, he did finally get the the ball......and scored!!!  His first time making in the basket.  He also had some great blocks (picks) which helped his team member's score.

After the game, the Coach was discussing the game and how the boys did.  Collin received Skittles for his basket and pick plays during the game.  He was so happy to get the Skittles but then wanted to leave because he did not like the attention he was getting.

We are so proud of you Collin....whether you received Skittles or not.  We know you got out there and played your best.  Love, Mom.

Valentine Cards

It's the dreaded time of year to make at least 20 Valentine cards for Collin to give to his classmates Friday during the school Valentine Party.  Because of where we live, most kids do not bring the 30-to-a-box-for-$3 kind of Valentine.  They generally give homemade Valentines or ones that you can tell the parents spent a lot of time and money.  Because we don't celebrate Valentine's Day, I don't remember this "holiday" until the weekend before which does not give us enough time to have tears about writing on all of the cards, take many breaks and even decide what to bring.  Usually by the time all of the cards are made, Collin and I need a break from each other.  That's ridiculous, I know.....but most other working parents I talk to go through the same thing each year.

This time, I planned ahead so it would be less time consuming and enjoyable for both of us.  Collin loves to play tic-tac-toe.  For less than $1 a set, I found a tic-tac-toe card and clear bag that could be personalized with a message on the top folding card.  For playing pieces, we included red or pink M&Ms.  All we had to do was assemble and address each package.  Easy peasy!  I just hoped he liked this idea.

Here is a sample.  I, of course, had Collin's name printed on the card

When it was time to start assembling the cards, Collin did fuss about having to write so many names. I pointed out that he did not have to write a message like he did in the past.  All he had to do was write 18 names on the back of the card.  He bargained with me and said he would do 9 which was half of the names.  I was fine with this because I knew we had another night to work on these.  He started writing the names and even included a challenge for himself like writing the best for one name, including dots at the end of each line for another name, etc. He was having so much fun that he did not notice he finished all of the names in less than 20 minutes

He wanted to make a card for his teacher next.  I brought out construction paper and stickers. He cut out a few hearts and was not happy with how they turned out.  He continued cutting and making adjustments from the cuts before.  Using different colored paper, this is how his card turned out.  I did help with the gluing after he showed me where to place each heart.

The message on the card says:

Happy Valentines Day.  Thanks for being my teacher.  

From: Collin

To: Mrs. Briggs

While he was making his teacher a card, I was assembling the student's cards using M&Ms and then stapling the bags with the name cards.  Within less than 1 1/2 hours , we were finished....and not too many tears.  This is the way to go.  I will have to remember this for next year and try not to forget to plan ahead.

Tournament Soccer

Collin is so happy that he is playing soccer again especially with some of his buddies.  He is playing tournament soccer which means he will play in tournaments all weekend at least once a month and all year round.  I hope we are all ready for this.  This weekend was the first tournament and the first time the boys played together.  One difference from the times he played before is the field is bigger resulting in more boys on the field (8 players).  Collin played defender in the two games he was able to play (one on Saturday and one on Sunday which Mimi was able to attend).  Even though he had not played in awhile, he played well making some good plays.  One time, he kept the opponent from making a goal. Way to go Collin!

I also noticed how much taller he has gotten.  He is no longer much shorter than the other players. He is right there with them now.

Collin with the ball

Collin trying to block the ball

Collin helping out Jack

Pinewood Derby - First Time

Dad and Collin entered the Pinewood Derby cub scout race Saturday.  Instead of making his car for him like other Dad's did, Dad helped Collin research ideas but Collin designed, sanded, cut and painted his car.  Dad also made a car because he never got to when he was a scout. Collin said I could not see the cars being made because it was a secret.  He wanted me to wait see the finished product.

First there was a lot of sanding that had to be done.  Collin thought it would take forever and that "I am going to die first".  Dad tried to explain the benefit of the sanding but that did not help too much. Collin still did it though.

Looking bored but at least he kept up with the necessary sanding

Next, there was a lot of drilling and sawing that needed to be done.  Collin did most of this himself using tool Pappy loaned us.  This was at least more interesting and held Collin's attention longer.

Making the groove for the wheels

"How much more sawing is there?"

Dad's car is taking shape

After about two weeks of building the car, they were ready to be officially weighed and turned in.  They could not weigh more than 0.5 ounces.  Both cars were light so they added more weight to the back to get as close to the heaviest weight they could.

Dad's car's first weigh in at 0.24 ounces.  Must add more weight!

Collin's car's first weigh in at 0.45 ounces.  So close!

Introducing Orange Tiger!!!

The final weight of both cars was 0.49 ounces.  They were then given a number each and then registered.  Colin named his car Orange Tiger and Dad named is Brett Favre because of the colors of the car.

Race day was finally here!!  Both boys were really nervous about the race because they did not get to test the cars and none of us knew what to expect. First up were the Tigers which are the youngest group.  Collin was focused and watched all of the races.  Next up was Collin's group, the Wolves.  His car raced in four races which an average of 3rd place at each race.  He did not know it at the time, but his car would not win an award or advance to the finals.  Dad's car did well with his consistently coming in 3rd place as well.  When it was time for the awards, Colin was not happy he did not get one and held in his disappointment until we go into the car.  He started crying hard and said he never wanted to enter the race again.  He also wanted to throw away his car.  We did our best explaining that not everyone could win and that he eventually be fine.  He needed to keep his car because it was his first one.  He did not care about the car still but I did keep it for him.

First race.  Orange Tiger is the last car on the right

Brett Favre and Orange Tiger (middle) in the transport case after the official weigh in

Getting ready for Race #2 (Orange Tiger is on the left)

There they go!

Trace and Collin showing off their cars

Collin watching his car race

The boys checking out the competition

The next day, Mimi came to the house after watching Collin's soccer game in the morning. He proudly showed her his car and went outside to show her how it raced.  We did not say a word about him being happy that he still had his car.  Showing Mimi was enough to let us know he was just in the emotional state of losing and feeling the pain of that lost.  Good to know he does have some competitive blood in him.  We generally don't see it.

After School Bike Ride

Collin and I had so much fun after school Friday.  Now that he is back in his newly built school which is closer to the house, he rides his bike to and from school every day.  During the week, he will ride with Dad and a few of his friends.  On Fridays, he rides with the entire neighborhood that comes out for the Bike Brigade.  Depending on the weather, there have been more than 25 kids that have shown up for this.  Dad is usually in charge of leading the Brigade but he was at another school volunteering and could not be back in time to get Collin.  I met Collin and lead the riders back to the neighborhood.

Instead of Collin and I going home, we kept riding and got on the trails in the back of our neighborhood.  It had not rained in awhile so I knew the trails should be dry.  I wanted to have Collin practice riding in different terrain and to not be on the iPad or play video games when we got home. We had a blast!  Collin lead the way on the different trails.  At one point, he wanted to ride in the grass to find mud.  I knew this was going to be difficult because he there had not been any rain in weeks.  Would you believe the kid found a patch that was still slightly soft?  We spent over an hour exploring before we had to get back home to get a snack before heading to drum practice.

Here he is riding down one of the dirt trails.  He is being a little cautious because of the gravel and tree roots.  I love his request at the end to put this video on YouTube.

Here are some pictures of him posing and playing in the mud spot.  He would change into a different pose and then tell me, "take a picture of this".  It was like he was in a photo shoot.

He thought Dad would like this one because he was sitting on the bike

Here is his action shot of him falling off...but he really laid the bike down and crawled under it

He just did not want to get out of the mud circle

I love this shot because he is thinking about what his next pose will be

Here are a few pictures of the different terrain we rode on.  He was a little scared of the bridge so he walked it the first time but then road on the next one.  So proud of him at least trying it.

The concrete bridge with water on both sides.  We have seen snakes here before but no this time....yeah!

Riding in the middle of the two paths.

We had so much fun.  I am sure we will be doing this again soon.