Borrowing a verse from the dear 4th and 5th graders on our DI team:

“We are the TIN HEADS with gears so bright

We have prepared with all out might.

We were not foiled, we did not rest.

We wowed you all with our BEST!”

To say that helping to manage Ariana’s Destination ImagiNation team this year has been exhausting would be an understatement, but absolutely nothing compares to seeing the joy and confidence of the kids blossom through their amazing accomplishments.

Adorned with their custom t-shirts, pins and silver cowboy hats, our team had the opportunity to compete at DI Global Finals in Knoxville, TN a few weeks ago.

Tuesday, May 24th–Check into the dorms.  BT and the three boys, LT and three girls.  Dorms look more like prison cells, but the kids don’t seem to mind.  Attended Opening Ceremonies where Ariana represented our team and the great state of Texas by marching in a parade with teams from across the country and thirteen other countries.

Wednesday, May 25th–Breakfast and pin trading with teams from around the globe.  Checked out the competition venues at the Convention Center.  Met middle school team from Abilene, TX.  They roomed across the hall from our team and were so kind and attentive to our kids.

Thursday, May 26th–More pin trading.  Participated in a remote control car team challenge sponsored by 3M. Watched performances of a few teams.  Met up with buddy team of high schoolers from Massachusetts–their team manager, Joanne Taylor, was a HUGE help to us as we prepped for Globals and navigated all the frenzied activities once we were there. Instant Challenge practice with a middle school team from Abilene, TX.

Friday, May 27th–Pin trading, watched performances, team picture taken, Instant Challenge, celebrated team member’s birthday by going swimming and having cake and ice cream. After the birthday festivities, the kids readied their props and built a structure for their big performance the next day.

Saturday, May 28th–Skit practice in an empty parking lot, performance at Convention Center, pin trading, Closing Ceremonies.

Out of the 79 teams in our division, we placed FIFTH overall and won FIRST PLACE honors our skit and props.  My camera broke the evening before their skit, so I need to get pictures from the other parents.

Exhausted?  Just a bit.

ECSTATIC and PROUD?  You bet!