We had a shockingly good time at the Awana Grand Prix this Saturday. While my friends Nicole and Steve were getting married in Pennsylvania, I busied myself with work and this lovely event. It was really, really FUN. First off, they had rented one of those bounce houses, and Bowden and Lucy made their way in as soon as they could. Lucy does more falling than bouncing, but she obviously loved it.
There was also free face-painting. Bowden waited and then asked for a rattlesnake. The lady painting his face looked at me and said, "Is that okay?" and I said yes.
She was very fast, and Bowden was very patient.

He took the whole thing very seriously.

Before he saw the snake, he had his "very still" face on.

Then we asked him to smile...

...and finally he saw it. His first face was so very excited and thrilled.
Then we had him pose one too many times before letting him back in the jumping room.
We made our way inside for the race...Bowden was excited, but sad to learn that he couldn't make the cars race on his own. Label this disappointment #1.

The track tells how fast each car went and who won.

He's talking to his Cubbie's teacher, Mrs. Irene, who told me he was her favorite. It's very nice, but I don't think it's great for Bowden. He loves her tons, though, and I guess I know why.
Waiting for the race.

Disappointment #2- the car did not make it to the finish line. Bowden watched, and then decided he wanted a snack, even though it was the second heat in fourteen.
So we went outside. The ate half a hot dog each and some goldfish, and then I rewarded them with a ring pop. They jumped some more, and I watched some more races.

We went back in for the rewards ceremony, and I was ready for disappointment #3- nothin' but a ribbon. (which would be fine, and probably teach him more than anything else...)
He kept telling Mrs. Leih that he didn't want a ribbon, he wanted a trophy. I kept saying, "Bowden!" All the other children were polite and well-mannered.
He did get excited and show me his ribbon, and then made me hold it.

And surprise, surprise! He won second place for design. Really, the widjiwats painted his rattlesnake, but he painted both his and Lucy's cars red and pink, and put his own stickers on.

He couldn't let go of his ring pop.

Lucy was oblivious to the races and cars and trophies. She just loved her some "candy-binky."

The trophy and ribbons and cars.

Bowden wanted a rattlesnake.
And Lucy has her fireflies. And that was that.