Boy Scouts Space Derby

Last weekend we spend Saturday in Sedalia so that Braden, Dad, and Grandpa Steve could build Braden's Rocket for the Boy Scouts Space Derby that took place tonight. If you want to get down to the nitty-gritty, Braden told his dad and grandpa how he wanted his rocket to look, and what color he wanted it to be and then they built it...too tedious for Braden at this point in the scouting ranks...but I am not sure if dad or grandpa would have given up the control to Braden anyway - ha! Well, the results are in and Dad and Grandpa did a FABULOUS job of building their very first Rocket for the derby. This derby is alot more laid back than the pine wood derby, there are no speed timers, official check and weigh in's, or any of the likes...nor are there trophies given to the winners of the derby. The boys race by and continue by process of elimination, the winners continue on racing. Braden's rocket won every race he was in, and he earned a bead for every race (five beads total). He was dubbed the overall winner of the derby, and earned another pen for his shirt like from the derby, that is the only pen handed out though for this derby, so it is very special to receive it. Way to go Braden, Dad, and Grandpa Steve!

...and they are off, Braden was very into setting his Rocket off, but look at it go!

Showing off his winning rocket...he had a blast!

Winding up the propeller, that was a very important part of how fast the rocket would go down the zip line.

VICTORIOUS! (I think Dad looks a little happy in this pic too - hehehe!)

1st Guitar Lesson

I thought Braden's guitar teacher would think I was a fruit loop because I showed up with my camera in hand to capture the first moments of him learning how to strum that awesome guitar is great grandparents got him, but he actually thought it was pretty cool to capture the moment on film :) Braden's first lesson was pretty simple. They went over the "anatomy" of the guitar and the lingo necessary for Braden to know in order to understand what Mr. Nathan was teaching him. Then they went over the strings and all the names of the chords, and lastly he taught him a short song to learn for his his lesson next week. Braden is to practice every evening for 15 minutes a night at the least. Mr. Nathan says that it is important that Braden doesn't get frustrated with the guitar and practicing, so it is best to just "make" him sit with it for 15 minutes a night, and if Braden wants more than to support him being on it as long as he wants too. Braden's favorite part of the "homework" given by Mr. Nathan...memorizing all the parts of the guitar, and the song he taught him...is his assignment to "rock OUT and play all sorts of silly stuff on the guitar to find sounds he likes." I told Mr. Nathan that I thought we (mom and dad) need to invest in some headphones for that electric guitar - ha! Braden practiced for about an hour tonight, but that is all the time we had with our busy Thursday night with Boy Scouts. He just loves it, and I hope that he continues to think it is as awesome as he does right now! If all else fails, I think Josh would take over the lessons...last night he learned the song on Braden's homework list, and played on the guitar for about 45 minutes himself - ha!

Its Beginning to Feel Like Spring!!!

This past Sunday while I was inside cleaning up the house, Braden and Dana decided to go outside and enjoy the sunshine and 60 plus degree weather. They each took out their hula hoops along with some music and started hulaing away...it was just so cute seeing them out there enjoying each other and the sun that I just had to stop my cleaning and grab the camera for a couple of quick shots, I just love how much fun they have together. Braden really enjoys having his Aunt Dana around to play with!

Grandparents & Special Friends Day Evening at School

Tonight was Grandparents and Special Friends night at Braden's school. This is the night that Braden gets to show off his classroom and school to his family members that are able to attend. Braden had quite the crowd for this years event. Grammy Mellody and Grandpa Steve, Grandma Paula, Great Grandmother and Granddaddy Walker, and Aunt Debby, Uncle Dave and Diana all came to join in on the fun. We first met at our house, then headed out to dinner at the Hickory Pit. The food was great and the company was even better! Then we headed over to the school for Braden to show off his skills. He took us to his classroom, where he was able to introduce his family to Mrs. Cohen...who was shocked to see all the family there for Braden, she even said that he wins the award for the most family attended for the evening ;) Braden was very proud of his artwork in the hallway, a picture he painted along with his self portrait. I have to say, and I am sure we are biased, but we were (and still are) very proud of him too :) While in the classroom, Braden read a book to his grandparents that he wrote, he is very much into writing his own series of epic novels, and they are very very interesting books...it is a talent he definitely has. Then he showed off his mad skills on the SmartBoard...he is a whiz at counting money, adding, reading, and many other things. After that we went to the cafeteria for dessert and coffee/tea/water. His grandparents were very proud to spend the evening with Braden and to share in the evening. It was great seeing everyone beaming...including Braden :)

Dinner time, we were all starving, and it was good eats too :)

Braden is pointing out his drawing to his grandparents

He is telling me about how he made his butterfly out of nothing but hearts, way cute!

This is the self portrait, it looks just like him obviously :)

Braden reading his new epic novel to Grandma Paula & Grandpa Steve

Look how proud they look, I just love that beaming shine in their faces and smiles!

All of the grandparents sitting at the desks while Braden talked to them about his school, WAY cute!

Left to right: Aunt Debby, Diana, Uncle Dave, Grandpa Steve, Grammy Mellody, Braden, Grandma Paula, Great Grandmother & Granddaddy Walker...quite the crowd for a very loved little boy!

Blue & Gold Boy Scouts Banquet

This past weekend the Boy Scouts celebrated 100 years of scouting at their annual Blue and Gold Banquet. We had a couple of speakers talk to the boys about the honors of boy scouts and hype them up for moving forward in the group. It is that time of the year that they start to prepare the boys for their crossing-over into the next level, which is a ceremony of its own next month. Braden was very into listening to the leaders speak, who went all the way through the scouting experience and still remain active to this day. Braden earned more beads that evening. It was a great evening for him. He truly loves Boy Scouts.

Braden listening attentively to the speaker talk about what it takes to become an Eagle Scout

Four of the boys in Braden Den

Braden getting his beads presented by his den leader