Go Speed Racer!

The night before, all the boys had to weigh and register their cars. Braden had to add some weight and it ended up being exactly 5oz...perfect :) All the cars got locked up until the race the following evening.

We charged our camera battery the day of and beat all the odds by arriving early and snagging front row seats, mission accomplished, all we had to do was sit back and enjoy the show.

26 cars, 4 races each (once in each lane)... Let the races begin!

Lane 2 - 3rd place

Lane 3 - starting position.

Lane 3 - 4th place.

Hum...that's a shame...it's not doing so well...did we forget something???

Uh-oh...graphite!!!!! I can't believe we forgot to add the key ingredient :(

He only has one race left...will it be enough?

Karen raced to the car and added graphite with just a moment to spare...here we go...


Lane 1 - starting position.

Lane 1 - "come on Bolt"

WHAT!!!??? He got 1st place? It worked!...too bad we didn't get it on sooner, Braden might've had a chance to place.

Karen was extremely disappointed, the car wasn't the best it could be (due to parental error).

We all had refreshments and watched as the boys got to compete again (just for fun).

Braden won 1st place - twice and 2nd place - twice. I felt for sure he could've done better but I put it behind me and enjoyed the night.



Award ceremony...cheese :)

Great job Braden!

A SUPRISE TWIST...

Our family was leaving when 2 officials along with Braden's pack leader stopped us, they were holding two sheets of paper and looked excited. The first paper was pre-graphite it showed Braden in 18th place...to be expected. The second paper was post-graphite and it showed Braden in 5th place.

Excuse me? Hold the phone! You mean Braden moved up 13 places with just 1 final race?

YAHOO...We were soooo excited to know that "Bolt" did better than we thought and if raced with graphite for all 4 races...he might have been in the top 3!!!

Oh...parental guilt released :D

Later that night I passed by Braden's room. He was laying in bed holding his car in the air and singing "I am the champion"!

Even though he didn't win the race, Braden was happy in the knowledge that he built an amazing and fast car...

And I'm happy that his last race was memorable. Who knows, maybe he'll have a son and can do it all again (vicariously of course) ;)

Which reminds me of the movie.

It was cute and funny :)

The Making Of...

Braden chose the design and colors, he sanded and painted his derby car...


car and supplies.

Naturally an adult had to use the power tool. Cool recessed lightning bolt!

Blue spray paint, it took a lot of coats.

Time to paint the bolt.

Lost in concentration.

The wheels were a power tool neccessity (for speed)...sorry Braden adults only but you did spray paint the trim pieces :)

Now for the final touches...glue on the trim, add the wheels and spray a clear coat.

Voila.

Job well done...we think :)

Race Day ~ Down and Derby

*Tonight is RACE DAY ~ Braden's LAST one!
You're welcome to come and cheer for Braden, the race starts at 6pm.

The Boy Scouts have organized for an electronic track to be set-up this year. I'm glad because Braden was cheated the other times when they had the wooden track. The first year his car kept getting stuck and last year they got his name confused with a Brandon and he missed some races! Here's hoping for a fair race.

Keep checking back...pictures will be posted of the big event.

A fun family comedy about a childrens' pine wood derby race that turns an average group of dads into an awkward bunch of competitors.

We plan on watching this movie with the kids. Never seen it before but it looks cute. Will let you know how we like it.

A Taste of Home

The World Market is sadly closing it's doors in Omaha. This means no more treats from across the pond (refering to the Atlantic Ocean).

It's enough to put me into depression :(

I'll miss eating...fruit pastels, fruit gums, crunchies, curly-wurlys, hob nobs and other digestive varieties just to name a few.

But wait!!!

All is not lost... at least I can still get a Cadbury bar from my local supermarket.
:D sounds of rejoicing :D

Thank you world trade, you saved the day ;]

My Girls

I love that my girls are so close ~ even though they're 6 years apart in age :)




Here Kaitlin is helping Kaeleigh on the big kid swing...she's so proud of herself but that feeling might disappear if Big Sis lets go.