Life with Dylan

Category: Grandparents

  • The Pinewood Derby is Serious Business

    For those of you who have sons in Cub Scouts, you know that the annual Pinewood Derby is serious business. Not just for the kids, but for the parents (mostly the Dads) – because the parents are usually the ones doing most of the wood cutting and sanding. Sure, the kids paint the cars and help, but really how much can a 7 or 8 year old do with saw? Well, at least safely.

    This year was Dylan’s third year racing in a Pinewood Derby. He has yet to win. And I found out that this was my Dad’s 21st pinewood derby car to help make.

    Being an Eagle Scout, he has raced his own cars as well as those of his sons, and now his grandson. I stay out of it because it’s just too much pressure to have the perfect car. The perfect weight. The perfect wheels.

    In my head I’m thinking ‘people, it’s a piece of wood’ – but I know better than to say this out loud around the guys. I may be a girl, but I’m not stupid!

    Dylan named his car the Silver Bullet. He drew his own bullet on the car and decided to put a driver in the car. What kind of driver do you put in a pinewood derby car? A LEGO driver of course!

    Like I said, this is serious business. The boys have to pass inspection and certification at check-in. From here the cars are taken and the boys don’t touch them again until after the race. This stops people from adding weights or anything that may give their car an advantage after the car has been inspected. Shocking, I know, but it has happened. (I told you this was serious business)

    Each car races in four heats, a different lane each time. This keeps it fair in case one lane happens to be slower than another. The car who wins the most heats will win for that level of Cub Scouts.

    Dylan’s Silver Bullet won 3 out 4 heats. Proud day in our household and proud day for Grandpa.
    After building and racing in 21 Pinewood Derby’s, this is only the second time he has stood in the winners circle.

    So happy and proud of my little guy. We had to go out and celebrate.

    Where? Icicles of course! 
    He didn’t want to leave his car or trophy in the car, so we brought them with us. I think he secretly wanted people to ask him about the trophy – and that’s totally fine with me. he deserved a little recognition and praise. After all, he just won the Pinewood Derby!

  • Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

    Some people have childhood memories of warm chocolate cookies and a glass of milk – for me it’s oatmeal raisin cookies. My grandma made the best oatmeal raisin cookies and I remember helping her make them just like it was yesterday. I would kneel on the chair so that I could reach the counter and help her measure the ingredients. When she wasn’t looking I would sneak some of the cookie dough – a taste for each phase. First the sugar and butter, then when the flour was added, and finally when the oats were mixed in.

    Rainy days are always the best days for baking, so yesterday I decided to make a batch of my grandma’s oatmeal raisin cookies. Oh, the memories it brought back. I tasted the dough at each phase of the mixing just like I did when I was a child more than 30 years ago.

    And when the cookies came out of the oven …

    I ate one. OK, so I ate two. Still warm with all the chewy goodness melting in my mouth.
    When was the last time you made cookies?

    Do you have a favorite cookie from your childhood that you make?

  • Grandma’s 90th Birthday!

    Last week was my Grandma’s 90th birthday and the entire family got together on Sunday to celebrate this milestone in her life … Italian style! The family took over a back room at Lascari’s Restaurant in Whittier. We may be a wacky bunch, but we know how to eat and laugh and we know the meaning of family!

    The food was amazing, but I would expect nothing less!

    gnocchi with brown butter and garlic

    lasagna, just like Grandma makes

    cheese ravioli

    Aside from the food, we were here to celebrate a birthday. The woman who raised me because my mom worked full-time and was a single mother … much like me now … has spent 90 years on this planet. Ironic how history repeats itself. I hope Dylan has a bond as strong as I do with my Grandma with my Mom when he is older.

    (more…)

  • Dylan’s Lego Birthday – Part 2

    One birthday party down and another to one to go. Well, this wasn’t really a party … more of a celebration.

    Ever since Dylan received a certificate from his school for a free kids meal at Joe’s Crab Shack he has been asking to go there for dinner. What better time to go than for his birthday?

    Nothing fancy. Just Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Steph and us.

    I was amazed at the amount of food this 8 year old could put away! Give him some fresh seafood and he is in heaven.  Calamari, shrimp, and of course crab!

    The best part of the birthday celebration was when it was time for the staff of Joe’s Crab Shack to embarrass, or should I say recognize, the birthday boy! The announcement was made to everyone that someone was having a birthday and this is what happened next.

    Huge foam cowboy hat about 5 sizes too big!

    Must stand on his chair.

    Staff singing him the “short” birthday song

    And he loved every minute of it!

    Once dinner was finished we headed off to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for presents and ice cream cake.

    What? Another LEGO?

    … and a LEGO watch?

    I still can’t believe my little boy is 8 years old. Where does the time go?

  • Missing My Grandpa

    Not really sure what brought his on. Maybe it was Dylan bringing home the worm farm from Cub Scouts or maybe it is because of all the talk about BBQ’s. Either way, both make me think of my Grandpa. He was not the typical Grandpa who gave hugs, but rather the one who showed his affection by putting me in playful headlock. He taught me how to fish and I remember playing with his big old bucket of earthworms when I was a small child. This would make my Grandma so mad. He taught me how to build the perfect BBQ with charcoal, newspaper, and small pieces of wood … layers were the key according to Grandpa. Oh how I loved watching him BBQ. He made the best BBQ chicken ever!

    Growing up without a father in my life I guess I clung to my Grandpa for the male figure I needed so much as child. Like me and Dylan, my Mom was a single mother who worked full-time and I went to my Grandma’s house every day after school. My grandparents meant the world to me. Funny how when I think about, life has come full circle with my parents and Dylan.

    When my Mom re-married, I was 10 years old … but never lost that connection with my Grandpa. His funeral was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and sad to say, I have not been back to visit him often enough. I guess it’s just too hard for me.

    As I write this, I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes. Being the first grandchild of many, I have always felt a special connection to my grandparents. I so wanted my Grandpa to see his first great-grandson. I am thankful that he was able to attend my wedding and in an odd sort of way, thankful that he was ailing when I went through my divorce. This way, he did not need to see the pain I went through. I remember when I was pregnant thinking if only Grandpa were here.

    Sad to say, I have no pictures of me with my Grandpa. I will have to ask my Mom if she has any. If she does, they are probably very old. He was not one for taking pictures, just as he was not one for showing his emotions or saying I Love You. I remember seeing him in the hospital during his final days and I leaned down to give him a kiss. He hugged me and said, “I Love You Michelle.” Wow, this coming from the man who only gave playful headlocks with a ‘hey you, glad you could make it.’

    This is the only picture I could find of my Grandpa. It was taking at my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary in May 1996. My grandfather passed in September 2001.

    Friends, take those pictures … no matter how much others say no or I didn’t do my hair. Take those pictures. Because one day, a picture is all that you will have left with your memories of earthworms and BBQ’s.

    This picture of Grandpa’s burial site was taking in 2005, the last time I went to visit. Before that I went one time when I was pregnant to talk to him and introduce my unborn child to him. I think it’s time Dylan and I took a trip to see my Grandpa. It’s time Dylan starts learning some of things his great-grandpa would have enjoyed teaching him and telling him some of the stories about me and my Grandpa.

    Maybe, just maybe the earthworms coming home with Dylan was my Grandpa’s way of saying ‘hey, glad you could make it’ …

  • Scout-O-Rama

    For those of you who purchased a coupon booklet from Dylan, Thank You! He sold enough to attend Scout-O-Rama 2011 and we had the most amazing time. Scout-O-Rama is basically the annual trade show for scouting. Hundreds of booths to see with crafts, games, activities, cooking, and so much more… all run by the boys themselves. Many of the older boys (Boy Scouts) are required to run a booth and teach something to the younger boys (Cub Scouts) to earn merit badges. This year, Scout-O-Rama was held at Oak Canyon Park in Silverado. Beautiful day in the wilderness. Dylan had a blast and earned three more belt loops in the process!

    Just one of the many bridges Dylan walked across …

     Shooting with Grandpa … a guy thing!

    Cool bridge built by the Scout from Saigon!

    He amazed me at his accuracy.

    Dylan earned his Geography Belt Loop at this booth …

    They had the coolest obstacle course, military style, but Dylan did the course so fast that I couldn’t get pictures. You should have seen how fast his little legs went through those tires!

    Dylan did 10 push-ups, no problem!

    And what would a scouting event be without some sort of cart racing?

    Not the finish line, but the ice chests did stop him!

    Last but not least … a watermelon eating contest!

    The perfect way to spend a Saturday with my Wolf Cub.


  • The simple things …

    Today was Dylan’s day and somehow it turned out to be one of the best days I have had in a long time. Nothing really planned out, just a few errands to run and then play at the park. Our day started at GameStop because Dylan saw a commercial on television that said you could bring in your DS and Pokemon Platinum game and get a free mystery Pokemon downloaded to your game. This made him happy. Then off to the Scouting store to buy a bigger shirt and some patches we needed. Nothing too exciting. Next it was off to the park to play a little football. Yes, I said football. Believe it or not, I have a pretty good arm and even surprised my Dad that I knew how to hold a football properly.

    Practicing his form
    Seconds before he threw the ball down … Touchdown!

    Listening to Dylan give play by plays and instructing me what to do was hilarious. I told him he should try playing football and he said no because they get tackled. So I suggested he try Quarterback since they don’t get tackled as much. He still said no. He just wants to play for fun. Fine with me because I don’t want to watch my baby being tackled. As we got in the car to leave he said, “Mom, that was awesome!” Totally made my day. Today was such a beautiful day too … perfect for tossing the ball around.

    Next it was off to Downtown Disney for a visit to the LEGO Store. Dylan realized he needed a few things to complete what he has been working on. Good thing Grandma and Grandpa were with us because his eyes were bigger than his wallet.

    The infamous Death Star, a mere $399

    No, Dylan did not get the Death Star! Although, he has been asking for this for two years now with the same enthusiasm … if he keeps it up, Santa just might bring it to him one year. What made this trip to the LEGO Store so special is Dylan had his new wallet and was ready to spend his coveted $12. Today we also joined the LEGO VIP Club and now earn points toward every purchase made in the store or online.

    Creating with his new Legos

    While Dylan was searching the store for his purchases I was mentioning to my Mom that I couldn’t believe they had not opened a Lego store at South Coast Plaza. Ironically, when we got home and I was online registering our new VIP card I did a search for store locations … and guess what? Next week (March 11-13) is the Grand Opening of the LEGO Store at South Coast Plaza! Some really cool events will be going on during the Grand Opening, including an opportunity for kids to help a Lego Master Builder build an 8 foot tall Yoda out of LEGO’s that will be displayed in the store. This is definitely going on our calender!

    Take the time to enjoy the simple things in life. 

    When was the last time you enjoyed the simple things with your child?

  • God and Me

    “A Scout is Reverent.” All Scouts show this by being faithful in their duty to God. Some go further and give special service. This can qualify them for a religious emblem. Such an emblem is not a Scouting award. It is conferred on a Scout by his religious leader. Each faith has its own requirements for earning its emblem. (taken from usscouts.org)

    Universal Religious Emblem Square Knot



    Over the past two months, Dylan has been taking classes at our church, St. Andrews Presbyterian, with his Grandpa. During this time, Dylan has learned how to pray, what God does for him, and how he can live a life alongside of God. He even memorized the Lord’s Prayer. Each week Dylan had homework to do for the class and projects to work on to fulfill the requirements to earn his God and Me Religious Emblem. Last week Dylan and Grandpa completed the course and tonight was the official ceremony, complete with pizza and cake.




    After answering a few questions about what he had learned, Dylan along with the other scouts who completed the program were presented with their religious emblems.



    When asked why he took these classes, Dylan responded, “So I could learn more about God.” My heart just about melted. Then Brienna (the woman who taught the class) said that she was told Dylan had learned the Lord’s Prayer and asked if he could say it. At first he was shy and said no, but then he stood front and center on the stage and said the entire prayer with such confidence in front of about 30 people. I have never been so proud of my son. Not a dry eye from our family. 

    Religious Emblem earned in 2nd year of Scouting

    Pardon the glare … 

    Dylan and Grandpa



    Thank you Grandpa, for taking the time to teach and lead Dylan how to follow the right path.  

  • I Pledge Allegiance …

    Lowering the flag

    To complete Achievement #2, Your Flag, Dylan needed to lower and raise the U.S. flag from a flag pole and learn how to fold the U.S. Flag. Lucky for us, my parents have a full size flag pole in front of their house and Grandpa was more than happy to teach Dylan what he needed to know.

    I just happen to have my camera with me yesterday when the impromptu flag ceremony took place. I only wish Dylan had been in his uniform, or at least something nicer looking than sweats! Watching my Dad teach Dylan how to fold a flag was great. I was so proud of him.

    Since this week is President’s Week, Dylan is off school and we have decided to spend time working on Cub Scout Achievements. Art projects, cooking projects, nature hikes, all sorts of fun activities together.

    Learning to fold the flag
    Almost done
    See Mom, told you I could do it.
    Raising the flag
    Long may she wave