Destination Imagination, aka "DI" is an after school enrichment program. Matthew and Lucas were old enough to join a team this year, and they were super excited to do so. Basically, they got together with three other boys, around their same age, after school once a week. Together, they had to choose from a list of challenges that their team could create a solution to and present to a group of judges.
The challenge they decided on was one where they had to build a toy, devise a way to "ship" it to the customers, and come back to the "warehouse" to assemble more. The name of their team was the "Toy Building Crew", name decided on by the team itself. EVERYTHING they came up with had to be decided on by the team. Their coach could provide them directions, but the kids had to make the decisions and come up with the ideas on their own. Not easy when your team has too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
Well, they came up with the idea of building a ping pong ball launcher and a balloon catcher. The ping pong ball launchers were made of PVC pipe, rubber bands, and of course ping pong balls. The balloon catcher was assembled with a plastic cup, yarn, bobby pins, and a balloon. To transport their "parts" from the assembly station to the customers, they used a bike with a small trailer attached to it.
After many weeks of practice, we traveled to Marion, OH, for the district tournament in March. Granted, they didn't place, but it was a great experience overall. At the tournament, they had "order" cards, and they had to fill as many "orders" of toys as possible in about seven minutes. The Toy Building Crew did an excellent job!
The boys are excited for DI again, and say they want to do it next year. I hope they do so. I think they really enjoyed it.
Wow. I'm so disappointed in myself when I look at my posts from this year, 2012, and there are only 4. Three of which occurred in April. Bummer. This year is half over, and I've only written down what's happened in our life four times. Why? Well, mainly because I've let my other blog take over a lot of my time. Plus Pinterest, Facebook, and writing for Chip & Co, a Disney planning site.
But that doesn't mean our life hasn't gone on. I look through the pictures and see so many things that have happened.....that I need to record and then someday stop procrastinating and turn this blog into a book of memories. So, here we go. I'm going to make more of an effort to blog more. This blog isn't for the enjoyment of others, although I know some of my friends read it and enjoy seeing our life. It's for me, for our family, to look back on someday and see and remember all the fun and excitement that was our life.
The boys are facing a double digit birthday next year. Wow! What happened to my sweet boys who needed me every second? Who wanted to sit and play games and puzzles with me? Who begged for another trip to the park? Now they're school aged, facing double digits in February, boys who love their video games, science experiments and series of books.
And Natalie, who will be three in October?! Three?!! Seriously?! She's the one who is the picture of independence! Yes, with a capital "I". Her sentences flow so well, she asks questions and strikes up a conversation. Like, "Mommy, did you buy Cheez-Its at the grocery store for me?" When I answer yes, she's says, "Thanks. I like them." Or last night on the way home, she was loudly complaining that she didn't want to go home. Derrick asked where she wanted to go instead and her answer was "Disney World to see the princesses." Carries her babies, and loves on them. Brings me her Baby Anna every morning so I can give Baby Anna a hug and kiss in the morning. Goes up the play structure at the park with no fear. Sometimes I feel like I missed her baby and toddlerhood because she's developed her speech and thinking skills so quickly. But, from what I've heard, that's a girl for ya.
Okay, enough rambling. I need to write some more posts to play catch up...Lindsey's Shower, The Last Days of School,DI, Flag Football, Lucas as the Student of the Week, Lindsey and Ben's Wedding, and our most recent Disney vacation. Whew!
