swimathon...

If someone asked you to say how many laps you could swim in 90 minutes, would you know how to answer that?  Buddy could tell you.  He had a swim-a-thon to help raise money for his swim team (thanks to all who helped by donating, we appreciate it).  The kids were given the challenge to swim as many laps as they could within 90 minutes.  Buddy thought he would be able to swim 70 laps, which in the pool he swims in equals one mile. 

Well, Buddy blew us away with swimming not only 70 laps, but 138 laps in those 90 minutes.  That is almost two whole miles!!!  He only stopped a total of four times to take a drink and that is only because Dad stuck a water bottle in Buddy's face.  We are so impressed with his determination and stamina.

awards assembly...

You know when you just aren't feeling well, but you have a feeling you need to go to something?  I had one of those days today.  Buddy handed me a slip of paper yesterday which mentioned a 3rd grade awards assembly.  I thought about going for two seconds before I felt bad again.  I emailed his teacher and asked if it was important.  She said to stay home if I wasn't feeling well, but that he was getting a reward from both her and the principal.  When I heard he was getting a reward from the principal I immediately knew I needed to go, although I had no idea why.  So here Buddy is getting some certificates. He was given the "Certificate of Academic Achievement in Math" and the "Certificate of Academic Achievement in Reading." He also received a recognition for the "Outstanding Performance in the Accelerated Reading Program" for getting 209 points (he had a goal of 200 points, but could have easily gotten 300 or more points if he had continued to take the tests).  He got a LAPS award for running 105 laps during recesses.  He got an "Overall Academic Achievement" award in his 3rd grade class, in which he also got the "Math Man" award. Let me tell you, I've got some smart kids (kindergarten and preschool just don't give out a whole lot of rewards though).

But the biggest award for Buddy came from the principal.  I was so very pleased to find out that Buddy earned a special award for placing in the top three of his school in the state testing in Math.  How awesome is that?  With that award came a $35 check from a scholarship fund set up by a former teacher.  Let's just say that we are so impressed with Buddy.

four more loops...

Buddy has been a busy little beaver, um, or should I say wolf?  He earned four more belt loops in the past couple of months and was rewarded with them during the last pack meeting.  He earned belt loops for Photography, Music, Reading and Writing, and Computers.  He is doing an awesome job and will soon be done with the requirements for his wolf badge.

up to beginner...

Buddy is no longer a novice at swimming.  No sir.  He is officially in the beginning class.  He is amazingly better than he was in September.  We were so proud of him during this mini meet.  The difference he has made in one month since moving up is incredible.  He can now do flip turns and is getting his left arm out of the water (he previously had issues with that).  Here are a couple of swimming pictures and one of him receiving his towel (a gift for moving up a level) and another of him modeling his towel.  He is awesome. 

buddy takes some pictures...

Buddy is still working on several belt loops for Cub Scouts.  One of the ones he chose to do is photographer.  And since I LOVE taking pictures, he naturally asked me to help.  I let him use our good camera (it's not a DSLR and if anyone wants to get me one, feel free - I'm up for donations) and I taught him a few things about macro, zoom and lighting.  I think Buddy did a really good job taking pictures.

 These are by our front door and they are more of a purple color.  Like I said, we were working on lighting and this was in the shade.

pinewood derby...

The Pinewood Derby is a must for every Cub Scout. Buddy was super excited to participate. He designed, sanded, added weights, puttied, and painted almost all by himself. Dad helped somewhat and someone cut his car for him because we don't have those type of tools (someday maybe we will).

On the big day, Dad and Buddy worked together to add the wheels and graphite them.  The car weighed a perfect 5 ounces, which is the maximum weight.

Here are some of the other cars that were entered in the Derby.  There were 32 cars in all.

This was my favorite shot of the night.  Even though Buddy's car came in last during this heat, it showed the lightning bolt and number VERY well (they were made from reflective tape).

Buddy was a good sport about the whole thing.  He came in 23 of 32 overall and 3 out of 4 for his age group.  Not bad, considering it was his first race.  His car won the "Most Realistic Looking" award.  That was awesome.

blue and gold...

I know at some point in my life I have been to a Blue and Gold dinner before.  My brothers were both scouts and although it's been awhile, I'm sure I attended one before.

Sometimes we forget about the smaller achievements that cub scouts do.  For example:  Buddy is on the swim team.  Well, for cub scouts he can earn both a belt loop and a pin in swimming.  So that is what he received during the awards portion of the dinner. 

These were the requirements:

Belt Loop

Complete these three requirements:

1. Explain rules of Safe Swim Defense. Emphasize the buddy system.
2. Play a recreational game in the water with your den, pack, or family.
3. While holding a kick board, propel yourself 25 feet using a flutter kick across the shallow end of the swimming area

---

Sports Pin

Earn the Swimming belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Practice the breathing motion of the crawl stroke while standing in shallow water. Take a breath, place your head in the water, exhale, and turn your head to the side to take a breath. Repeat.
2. Learn and demonstrate two of the following strokes: crawl, backstroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke, or breaststroke.
3. Learn and demonstrate two of the following floating skills: prone, facedown float, and back float. The purpose of the float is to provide the swimmer the opportunity to rest in the water.
4. Using a kickboard, demonstrate three kinds of kicks.
5. Pass the "beginner" or "swimmer" swim level test.
6. Visit with a lifeguard and talk about swimming safety in various situations (pool, lake, river, ocean). Learn about the training a lifeguard needs for his or her position.
7. Explain the four rescue techniques: Reach, Throw, Row, and Go (with support)
8. Take swimming lessons.
9. Attend a swim meet at a school or community pool.
10. Tread water for 30 seconds.
11. Learn about a U.S. swimmer who has earned a medal in the Olympics. Tell your den or an adult family member what you learned about him or her.
12. Demonstrate the proper use of a mask and snorkel in a swimming area where your feet can touch the bottom

After the dinner and awards, we found out there are so many belt loops that would be easy for Buddy to earn in a pretty short amount of time.  However, we won't forget about the requirements that will have him earn the rank of Wolf.  It's a family effort.

another big meet...

Buddy has been swimming for 5 months now.  He had another big meet today.  About 200 kids showed up for this meet.  Mom was working as a timer again and Dad had to miss the first event Buddy swam in.  But Buddy did awesome anyway.  He was scheduled for six events, but was only able to compete in three, as the other three were on the Sabbath.  He swam the 50 backstroke, 25 butterfly and 25 freestyle.  He did very well.

*Added later-Buddy came in 4th of 13 in freestyle, 4th of 12 in butterfly and was disqualified in the backstroke due to flipping too early.

gingerbread houses...

The school the kids go to doesn't do normal holiday parties.  However, they do make gingerbread houses for fun.  The entire month of December parents are encouraged to send in bags of candy to be able to decorate these houses.  When I went to help out in Sunshine's class I wanted to brush my teeth or throw up.  I couldn't figure out which one I wanted to do more, so I just decided to grin and bear it and help the kids out.  They had so much fun designing their own houses and grabbed candy to decorate it with. 

I eventually made it to Buddy's class, where they were just starting their own houses.  But I had to go take the other kids home so I wasn't able to take more pictures.

Here are their finished houses.  No awards were given out in Sunshine's class, but Buddy's class had awards and Buddy was given the "Ugly in a pretty way" award (he was hoping to get the cavity award).

The worst part of this whole process was that the kids each came home with a bag full of the extra candy.  Yuck.

big swim meet...

We finally found out what a real swim meet was like.  Wow.  It's kind of chaotic and it's extremely FAST paced.  Buddy did his best, and we were so proud of him.  He was also a very good sport about everything.

Like getting his 'heat sheet' drawn on his arm.  Permanent marker people!  It looked something like this (because the following picture isn't very clear).

E     H     L
4      1      3
12    2      5
20    1      3

The E stands for Event #, the H stands for Heat #, and the L stands for Lane #.  He did the freestyle, breast stroke and back stroke.

 This is Miss Joanna, one of Buddy's swim coaches.  She is pretty awesome with the kids.

 He is trying so hard to get diving figured out.  This dive kind of turned into a belly flop.

 Backstroking.

 See the board?  Did you see that Buddy placed 1st in his heat for backstroke?  Oh yeah.

There were two heats for each event.  Buddy came in 5th in freestyle (out of 8), was disqualified in breast stroke (which is normal for the younger kids) and 6th in backstroke (out of 8).

As parents of the swimmers, we have to volunteer at the meets.  I learned how to time the swimmers

swimming with pumpkins...

It's that time of year again.  You know, where kids dress up and go to carnivals, bobbing for apples and swimming with pumpkins.  Okay, so the swimming with pumpkins isn't really normal.  But it was certainly fun to watch.  Buddy had a fun time during his unusual swim team practice.

(Buddy didn't know the rules for bobbing for apples [or so he said] and he ended up using his hand to stick his apple in his mouth.  I wasn't happy about that, but his coaches didn't say anything because it was just a game.)

interview with a third grader...

Buddy came home with a sheet he filled out at school today.  It was a little getting to know you type thing.  I thought you would like to see his answers.

My favorite colors are.....turquoise and blue.
A hobby of mine is.....collecting books.
I am good at.....not liseing to my perents.
One way I help at home is by.....washing dishes.
My favorite foods are.....spaghetti.
The subject I like best in school is.....reading and math.
My favorite book is.....Leven Thumps.
My favorite game is.....battle ship.
The thing people like best about me is.....I am smart.
The thing I like best about me is.....I know how to read.
My favorite television program movie is.....Rio.
My favorite song is.....I didn't.
In my family there is.....mom, dad, brother, and sister.
My favorite flavor of ice cream is.....birthday cake.
When I grow up I want to be.....a scientist.
The best time of the year is.....my birthday.....because..... I get prestents and get to see family.

(He isn't the greatest speller, but he certainly is trying hard)

off to third grade...

I'm not one of those mothers who gets all emotional about kids starting school (and I might take this back Thursday or in two more years, so don't quote me on it quite yet) but I was so proud this morning and I actually got a little misty eyed.  I have a 3rd grader!  Yes, this is crazy.

 Oh wait, the misty eye didn't come from emotions, it came from the fog that was hanging so stinkin' low.  That's part of life, as is school.

Buddy is excited to start school again.  New school, new friends.  Sounds like fun.