Team Infinity Squared Goes to State

I don't like surprises.

What?  Come on, everyone likes surprises.

No, they don't.  I don't like surprises.

In that spirit I will relate the events of yesterday's FIRST Lego League (FLL) Utah North Championship, beginning at the end.  No surprises here!

Team Infinity Squared won the Judges Award!  There were 48 teams at the state competition held at Weber State University.  There were roughly 15 awards given out.  Here is what FIRST says on it's website about the Judges Award.
"During the course of competition the judges may encounter teams whose unique efforts, performance or dynamics merit recognition. Some teams have a story that sets them apart in a noteworthy way. Sometimes a team is so close to winning an award that the judges choose to give special recognition to the team. Judges Awards allow the freedom to recognize remarkable teams that stand out for reasons other than the Core Award categories."

So basically, we won something, but we don't know what we won for.  The judges liked us (or felt sorry for us) and wanted to recognize us as being a great team.
We'll take it!

Going up on stage to receive our Lego trophy.  It now has a place of honor on the bookshelf by Frog and Toad.

Greta held up pretty well all day, but by the afternoon her fever had spiked and she was a sad baby.

George and his intended sharing some screen time while waiting during the last robot round.  Some of you may notice George has rediscovered his love of the one hand, finger-less glove. RIP MJ

Talking to passersby about their project.

The team waiting for their final robot round.  Keeping with my theme of no surprises... this round did not go well.

Don't my three children look darling in this picture taken just before the 2nd robot round.
Let me tell you, moments after this picture was taken, all  #%*!  broke loose.  Faith was holding the jig that helps line up the robot.  She was fiddling with it and several pieces broke off.  They were frantic to put it back together and there were some not so loving sibling feelings.
The second robot round did not go well.  There were tears and this was definitely the low-point of the day.

This picture was taken just after the first robot round and IT DID GO WELL!  It was a 30+ points higher than their top score at regional.

Little Evan, pictured here, had a great idea that earned us extra points on our last mission!

Doing the team cheer!

They are such great kids!
Clark has been such a great coach for them.  We will have a team next year, but it won't be as much fun without Clark.

There was a team called the Lego Foxes.  It was easy to cheer for them!

Walking in the opening ceremonies.

We arrived early and had an awesome location with comfy seats nearby.

Greta was happy for most of the day to be held and cuddled by Mom and Dad all day.

It was a huge treat to have Abe with us all day.

We gathered at 6:00 AM.  The team mentors and Elinor had a late night at FRC robotics.  Abe and I and Camille had terrible nights with sickness and the early morning.  

We were not in the best of spirits and it was a long day.  I know we were all quite relieved when the day was done.  Hopefully, as time passes our memories of the day will improve.  

Even still, I am so grateful to have been involved with such a great program and such wonderful young people.