So Proud of our little Engineer!

Charlie is a member of the TSA = Technical Students Association at school. I wasn't really sure what it was.... other than an after school club. So, when he qualified for the State competition last weekend, I decided I'd drive down to Bellevue to see what this was all about. He spent a couple nights at the Bellevue Hilton where the competition was. So, I figured that he was just screwing around for a couple days. But, turns out that this is serious stuff!

It is a bunch of creative competitions, but the ones that Charlie competes in are mostly directed at engineering type activities. His two best contributions are pictured here. One is a tower that he built out of balsa wood. They give each contestant/team 10 strips, 2 feet each of balsa wood. They then have two hours to cut, design and build a tower as strong as possible. My mom went to check this out and happened to show up just as they were building them. So, she got to see him in action. I guess there were 115 entries into the competition. They take each one after it's completed and put it in a machine that applies pressure to it... believe it or not, this little tower you see here (about 1 1/2 foot tall) withheld over 200 lbs of pressure before it broke! Charlie got 4th place out of all those entries! As a freshman, no less!

Then, he competed in the "Manufacturing Prototype" competition. That produced the five clear plates on the wooden stands that you see. I'm sorry that the picture doesn't show them well... but, Charlie and his teammate worked very hard on them. They engraved the words and designed the graphics, built the wooden stands, etc. For these, they won 2nd place in this category.. you can see their award in the middle.

I was so proud and impressed. And, I was so glad that I went to see it for myself. Sometimes, Charlie fails to communicate the magnitude of his achievements. And, this was a big one that I was glad to be a part of. You can see him in the middle back of the top picture... the guy with his hands raised up in the air! Be sure to congratulate him next time you see him.

Now, the only problem is that he has been invited to compete at the National Convention in Dallas, TX. It's a big honor for a freshman... but, not sure if his mom is willing to part with him for that long in another state without parental supervision. I told him he would definitely have to fund raise to earn some of the $1,100 it costs to go.... so, if we decide to let him go after we get all of the information, get ready for car washes, garage sales, lawn mowing, etc. I'll let you know what he dreams up... hopefully, it will be something that we actually all need!

Birthday Boy!

As you all know, Cody had an 8th birthday back on March 20. So, I got to go up to school and take cupcakes to his class room. Here he is being sung to by his classmates. Then, they say that noone can have a bite of their treat until the birthday boy takes his first bite... what torture! Can you see the kid drooling just behind Cody? He teased them by pretending to take a bite, then saying "NAW!" a few times before actually taking a bite!

He had a good birthday. We started the day at Grammie's house with waffles with whipping cream and strawberries! Life is good - the birthday boys request. And after Matthew's basket ball game, we went to Red Robin. Cody asked to bring a friend, so Trent got to come along! Then, he wanted to see a movie.. so, we went to see "Rango" at the Stanwood Cinemas... complete with all you can eat popcorn.

Cody and his two buddies Ian and Trent bring their Nintendo's to Matthew's basketball games (the other boys have brothers on the team as well). They can somehow link them together and play against each other!! They're so cute!

A pretty simple day, but he exclaimed as he fell asleep that it was the best day EVER!

And, since it is his 8th birthday.. we will be doing the traditional Vail family trip to Disneyland (for each boys 8th bday). We leave 4/5 - 4/9, and everyone is very excited! Should be a great trip!

Snappy Dresser!

I couldn't go without uploading this picture of Charlie. This was his St Patrick's Day outfit that he wore to school! The scary thing is that the lovely green corduroy pants were found in his fathers closet... again, I say my husband keep EVERYTHING! For once they actually came in handy.

It appears that Charlie has inheritted his fathers sense of style!! (ha, ha)

The big game!

We were lucky enough to get some great seats to the Seattle University vs University of Washington game. So, we asked a few of Matthew's team mates to join us. Of course, we had to make them wear red... we happened to have four of Ed's replica jerseys. Don't they look great here with Ed at the pre-game rally? And of course, our favorite cheerleader Charlie in the back!

SU didn't win, but they played well and we had a great time!

Good Looking!

Charlie, after two long years has finally gotten his braces off!! He was so excited to get them off! So, here's the progression....

Before we went into the orthodontists office.

During.. here he is sitting in the chair for his 2 hour appointment! Good thing it had a happy ending, that's a long time to sit patiently!

And After! Isn't he handsome!?

An award for ?...

Cody got an award in school for, as you can see "Responsibility". We were so proud of him until we asked him what that meant and what he did to achieve this prestigious award. He said "I dunno."

Well, we're still proud, even if we don't know why he got it.

The Big Show!

We have been practicing and preparing for the big day at our house. And, finally, last Thursday it was here! The big 2nd grade choir show! Cody was so excited and chose the perfect outfit out especially for the day.

Unlike his brother Matthew, who mouths his way through any choir activity, Cody loves his choir teacher and wakes up saying "Yeah! I get to go to choir class today!" He performed all of the hand gestures and sung beautifully at the top of his lungs.

I apologize for the camera work - I used my cell phone. Not sure why I changed the orientation mid clip, but you get the idea. Cody is the enthusiastic one in the top right corner, in the black and grey striped shirt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTNpz9DGe04

5th Grade AAU Wesco Undefeated champs!

This past weekend was the league playoffs for Matthews "Wesco" league. Since we went into the playoffs in the #1 standing, every team was out to beat us! So, it was very exciting! The boys played well, a few shaky moments.. but, some awesome shots and Matthew had some great "moves" and made some crucial rebounds! All in all, we're very proud of the team.. and, as you can see from the picture, they won all of their games.. leaving them the undefeated #1 team in their league. Now, next weekend we go to the Wesco League vs the Eastside League playoff tournament... when does it end?! Don't worry if you've missed the excitement of these games... because after that, Fall Basketball is over.. but, Spring Ball starts!! (I can't decide if that is a good thing or not!) We will have a slight shift in coaching, lose one kid and gain another.. but, basically the same team moving forward. It's pretty much our social life. And, in the spring, it will include some tournaments in exotic locations like Port Angeles, Yakima and Ellensburg!

Congratulations 5th Grade Spartans... great job!