Girls with Power Tools

For the first time, our school's girl scout troops get to do their own pinewood derby. Look it up. It's cool.  Because (a) girls are good at design (b) girls are good at using tools and (c) girls are good at applying physics concepts. 

Erin learned how to use a sawzall:

Chiseling: 

Belt sanding (not shown) and other cool stuff. 

Robin was content to color her block rather than shape:

And then gave us all a riveting rendition of the "Roses are Red" poem, beat-poet style. 

I love Girl Scouts!

Oakland Half and Kids Run, 2013 style

Brian and the girls did a race this morning, the Oakland Running Festival. Brian did the half marathon. (!) The kids did the "fun run" - a quick 150 yard dash past roaring crowds and the big finish line. The Oakland Raiders cheerleaders were there, the kids got a space blanket, t-shirt, snacks, and a medal. And total bragging rights.

Brian ran really well.  He kept a super even pace, looked easy and comfortable the whole time, and got to draft behind this guy for the last 3 miles.

All in all a fun, well-organized race.  Nice work, Oakland!

Of course there were pictures:

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Lil' Daisy

Erin had her first Daisy Girl Scout Troop meeting tonight. If I could have bottled all the adorable and cute happening in the room, I'd be a pinterest/ravelry/etsy maven.

She made a poster of the Daisy patches she'll be working on the next two years, she shared at circle why she wants to be a Daisy, she learned the Girl Scout sign, and took her first Girl Scout Pledge (mention of God as suits the child's belief.  Nice.) There's about 20 of the girls from her Kindy group participating.  It feels like a big crowd, but no doubt it'll taper over the years.

Erin was thrilled to participate tonight, and Mama was super excited about all the activities offered this year.