An odyssey

My Grapes has been on an Odyssey Of The Mind team. They work together to solve a long-term problem (and then present their 'solution' to the judges) as well as preparing for a spontaneous/unpracticed problem in front of judges.

Grape's team worked on scripting, rehearsing, designing and presenting (making props and costumes as well as sets) for MONTHS.
 They also practiced so many kinds of spontaneous problems in order to be as ready as possible. It has been a lot of dedicated work (and to be honest, a lot of fun) for my girl.

Their regional competition went so well. They scored VERY well on the spontaneous portion and over-all earned a first place. (as well as the chance to compete at the state level!) All the more impressive because Grape's team is younger than most of the others in her division.

A few weekends ago we headed to Tucson for STATE.

Grapes and The Doctor spent the whole day Saturday at the competition (where they scored 47 more points on their long-term problem that they had at regionals!)

The littler monkeys and I got to run around and see friends from our former life in that roasting hot city. (it was 92 degrees in that place! It was only March, people...)

We loved hitting the zoo!! It was great to see that P family and their growing girls.
and Sock was beside himself to see our pal T! Later that day we visited the C family, but I didn't get any pictures.

Grape's team ended up placing in the THIRD place-- out of 8 teams. It was a very good outcome, but it was not the one my girl and her team had dearly hoped for. Only the top TWO teams get to move on to the next level of competition, so our Odyssey this year is complete.

But....if you were wondering, this girl is already hatching ideas for next year.