Snapped a picture of all the kids together, haven't done that in a while.
Bradley got his Bobcat. They hang him upside-down so he will to do a good turn (deed) before he can turn his pin right side up.
Tyson and three other boys got their Arrow of Light (the Eagle of cub scouting) Award. The best part is when they get to bridge (walk a suspension bridge held up by fellow scouts).
Bradley turned 8 just in time to join scouts and enter the pinewood derby this year. They (mostly Rick and Tyson) worked and worked on the cars. We pulled it off and at 7:50 and glue still drying they headed out the the weigh-in on Tuesday night (doors closed at 8:00).
They had a lot to live up to since Tyson won the whole thing last year.
They raced and raced... winning most, but a few second places...
Bradley ended up (after computer glitches and judging errors--we missed you Rich Haddock!) with first place in the Wolf Den.
Tyson got first place (was supposed to be second) in the Webelos Den.
Kate and Sydney hung out at the coloring table.
Paige learned how to climb and stand on the chairs.For being the littlest guys on the team, Tyson and Bradley are doing great this year in sports. I've truely enjoyed watching them play.
Tyson is playing fall ball Little League with 10, 11, and 12 year-olds. He has played mostly 2nd base, catcher, and pitcher. He's had some nice hits too. My favorite moment... watching him hit off his friend Christian, who was on the opposing team.
Bradley is playing soccer for Kent Parks on a Second Grade team. Hehas been aggressive again this year. He does really well at defense and midfielder because he's not afraid to get in there and get the ball away from the opposing team (even when the kids are a lot bigger). He's played all positions including goalie. But the best part about this year is that he has learned to dribble, instead of always kicking it away. My favorite moment... watching him dribble up and shoot a goal right over the goalie's head in a scrimmage.
Friday night we took my parents and brother, Jeff, to the Artwalk and their school. Tyson was in a recorder performance. Their class played for 25 minutes. Towards the end I noticed that he was doing a duet with another boy in his class. Before they played his music teacher said that Tyson was one of the few kids that has been playing the recorder for two years (because he is in a 3/4 split class) and that last year he wasn't really into it, but she was surprised this year that he was really good and would make a good band player. They played 'Morning Song' and 'The Lion Sleeps'. 
It was fun to walk around and see all of the kids' art. The school looked great. My family was very impressed. There are a lot of dedicated volunteers and teachers helping to make it happen. It was a nice evening. I'm sure the kids' favorite part was tapping grandpa's wallet for endless rootbeer floats and cookies.
The boys built and slept in a fort for a few days last week. Jeff went in to check it out, he didn't make it out until morning. Guess it was more comfortable than it looks!
