Odyssey of the Mind

Since last fall Taye has been working on a school team for the Odyssey of the Mind competition. They created a mousetrap powered car that could work through a number of different scenarios all performed in the midst of an 8 minute skit. It was quite an undertaking to figure out how the cars would work, create them, write a skit, design props and then perfect it all.

Saturday was the big regional competition and Taye's team placed third! (Although only the top two teams move on to state) It's been a real thrill to watch Taye turn into a 'smart kid'. He knew these cars inside and out and that flag raising was his little baby. It was fun to see his confidence in this shine through while performing.

Before I post the pictures I have to comment on the team coaches. At our school parents must volunteer a minimum of 4 hours a month. Usually I make it to Jaxon's holiday centers each month and maybe get a few more hours on landscaping day. I'm always at the bare minimum.

Then there are parents like the Hines. They have coached an OM team with one of their sons on it for a few years now. Starting in early fall they spend between 4 - 10 hours a week with a group of 7 fourth and fifth graders creating and inventing. They took time off work to be available when needed, they opened up their home and turned their dining room and living room into a mousemoblie workshop, they provided for all the supplies, they were so encouraging to Taye and said such nice things to me about him ...they were amazing.

(A litte pre performance pow wow with the coach)

(a little silliness I caught on camera)

(in the staging area, getting everything set up)

(on the stage ready to go)

(a few clips of the skit - that flip over at the end was awesome! Unfortunately the front tires were on the tape line instead of behind it so they missed all the points for it!)

(conferring with the coaches after the skit)

Taye and I went out to grab some lunch at the Whole Foods in Chapel Hill before the awards ceremony. We just picked a few delicious items each from the hot bar and then sat and talked while we ate. Is BYU's food court like Whole Foods? Yes, lots of selection - but not so heavy on the fresh, natural, organic, gourmet side. Such a pleasant hour to spend with a nice boy who likes the same kind of food as I do and likes to talk about BYU and UNC. (Both places I would be thrilled to send him - we're working on it!)

(parade of teams for awards ceremony)

Taye still has one more geek* event this week and then switches into jock mode for next week.

(*Coach Leslie's term)