SAWYER!!!!!!!!

So...Sawyer had an awesome week last week! His car came in 1st place in the Pinewood Derby. Last year he came in 2nd. Kyle was convinced before the race that his car wasn't as fast as last years. We prepped him that there was a very good chance that he wouldn't place. Well...we were wrong and he got FIRST!! He received a medal, ribbon and certificate. He painted his car royal blue and white...it was an Indianapolis Colts car. It was decorated with a #18 after his favorite player...Peyton Manning... and had the team logo on it. He even wore his Colts jersey under his scouts shirt. It was an exciting evening and I am thankful that he is having positive experiences in scouting.

Second....Sawyer earned TWO trophies at a chess tournament last weekend. Sawyer really enjoys chess. At the end of December we started him in private chess lessons. He also attends chess club after school one day a week. Chess is huge here in town. Our town(s) have the largest amount of chess players in the state of Illinois. Since he enjoys chess and wasn't doing so well at the tournaments we decided to put him into the private lessons. I hated to do this but for him to be competitive and get him to the next level we needed to. So...back to the trophies. He earned the first one for "biggest upset." Sawyer is a 200 level player and he beat a 900 level. I almost cried when Kyle texted to tell me. He ended up winning 3 matches that day which earned him a 3rd place trophy for 4th graders. His school also got 2nd place overall. Chess meets last from about 8 am-3 pm. It is a long day and someone has to be at the meet with him the whole time. Kyle went this time and it was at a school out of town. When Kyle said he was pretty sure Sawyer would earn a trophy, the girls (and Bex) drove out to see it happen. One never knows if it will ever happen again :) Sawyer's chess ranking will go up now which is both good...and bad. He will continue to play higher ranked kids now.

Two things I never thought a son of mine would do....be a boyscout and a chess player. Both have been great experiences and something Sawyer really enjoys. I am thankful. I am thankful my kids go to great schools that offer activities for every type of kid. Sawyer is also playing basketball right now but that is for another post. We are very proud of him!!!