Pinewood Derby

A few weeks ago was Benjamin's first Pinewood Derby. We were delighted to have David's parents in town for the weekend to join us (I will do a separate post on their fun visit, too).

Pinewood Derby cars are my dad's specialty. Two of my brothers won big time for cars they built with my dad forty years ago. So, we definitely called in the expert on this one. Benjamin was able to spend a weekend with my dad working away on his masterpiece. At this point, I can't seem to find the photos my dad sent of their work weekend...but it looked like a lot of fun!

Benjamin's car was ready for the big day. (His is the red one with the Ben's Racing Team logo).

The axels were loaded with graphite, the bottom was filled with weights (not to be over the five ounce limit) and Benjamin laid on a coat of red shiny paint (with a logo mom put together and mod podged on).

Licensed to speed.

Benjamin's car (in the third position)...ready to race! Out of the four {Tiger only} heats he was in, he placed second, first, first and third. It wasn't quite enough for a ribbon, but it was enough to keep a smile on his face.

He also received several patches and awards for his scout work in the fall.

Just in time for Valentine's...

. . . the rest of the Christmas pics. I'm not even going to attempt to write a post...I'm bleary eyed and have to be up and at 'em early tomorrow. But, here's the rest of the photos from our Christmas break.

Chopping cherries up for Santa's Shortbread Cherry Cookies that we made.

Jonathan adding the sugar.

Jonathan was glued to NORAD all day on Christmas Eve.

Decorating the "Happy Birthday, Jesus" Birthday cake. 

Carving the bird for Christmas Eve dinner.

Wishbone....Jonathan won this time.

Opening presents.

Someone was excited that brother went shopping at Legoland!

Sweet expression...

And mommy got the item on her wishlist.

For dessert, we made Bananas Foster...mmmm. There are actual flames in the photo...it's just hard to see them. It put on quite the show for us.

Santa came and brought new bikes, a DS for Jonathan and lots of DS/Wii loot for Benjamin.

Yay for Christmas morning!

The rest of the break we did a lot of lounging & movie watching....

...and staying up super late every night. 

Benjamin also got bunk beds over the break...which amounted to a lot of sleepovers for the two weeks school was out. They talked and giggled & DSed themselves to sleep every night. 

Overall, a great break. David said it was our best break ever since we didn't have much of an agenda. We just needed to lay low and recharge the batteries.

Honor Roll...YeeHaw!

We interrupt this drawn out series of Christmas posts (can we really call it a series if it's only been one post thus far?) with a big YEEHAW for Benjamin who made the All A Honor Roll for the first semester. He was awarded on Wednesday at his school's awards assembly. Way to go, Buddy Bucks...we are proud of you!!

Getting his certificate from Mr. Coleman

 And receiving the ribbon that they gave to all of the straight A students from Mrs. Daniels.

In other school related news...they've incorporated a gigantic Wii Just Dance 2 screen/thingy into Benjamin's gym class. Because of this, he now knows all the lyrics to "Who Let the Dogs Out?"

He likes to sing it. All. Day. Long. 

Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof.