Mystery Science Project

my 9th grader had to turn in a science project last week.

Wanna guess what it is?

A Texas Children's Tale

Around 9pm tonight, after watching my favorite show in the world, LOST,

my 13-year-old son informed me he had an English project due.

I won't repeat the torrent of words I blasted at him...

and, I even found out that this project was actually due YESTERDAY, 

but the student he was supposed to work with flaked out.

Putting aside aside his poor planning, he's a good student, 

but I am now making him finish the project.

Tonight.

As long as it takes.

They had to come up with a 15-page chldren's story on their own; write and illustrate it.

The story they came up with together, he and his partner, was some strange tale 

about a squirrel named Barry and smoking.

I know what you're thinking.

A children's story about smoking?!!

But at least the moral of the tale was to NOT smoke.

Anyway, now that Donny is doing this project on his own, he has ditched that story line 

and, with my help, come up with a new tale.

Meet the characters:

Archie the Armadillo

and

Larry the Longhorn.

He's actively working on the story right now,

but the snobby Longhorn who looks down on the armadillo

is going to learn an important lesson

about not judging others by their looks.

And a little feisty armadillo named Archie is going to help him out of a jam.

I let you know how the finished product turns out!!

(and let's hope we're both not up all night!!)

Masks are meant to hide things, right?

My 12 yr old, Donny, had another project due this week at school.

This one had something to do with Nigerian culture.



So, after working all day, then hurrying to the middle school for a parents' meeting about 7th grade class choices for next year, Donny & I stopped by the craft store, Michaels, to pick up supplies.



We bought beads, model magic, feathers and ribbon.

And, when he got home from school the next day,
he made this...

It's a mask similar to one the Nigerian tribe spiritual leader would have.

He would wear it in ceremonies.

And, get this, his wife would have made it for him.



This gives me an idea.

Let's all make masks for the male in our life.

And make them wear it to church.
Or in bed.

I'd love to visit Africa.

Green Eggs and Magnetic Alligator Heads?

Ok, first, I've got to let you know that Tiffany is having an awesome giveaway.

**************************************

Now, hang in with me.
I have a bit to say.


My 12 yr old decided last night around 9pm was a good time to start his science project.
His project on the Amazon River Dolphin.

He didn't finish by 10pm, so he informed his snoring sweetly slumbering mother
that he was going to bed.

And he finished it in the morning.

It was basically printouts of info he typed up on the computer
and taped onto a poster board.

I told him he needed photos.

Unfortunately, my printer was out of magenta ink, so he was left with a black and white photo. Which made it hard to tell that this special species of dolphins is PINK.

And when I drove him to school, I watched a dad carrying in his daughter's project...
a paper machet whale.

Ahem.
Well, some people are just...overachievers.

When I got home, guess what I found in the kitchen?
His project.
Forgotten.

Figures.

And the gremlins hit our house again.

Our milk turned suspiciously green overnight.

So, I've made green food this week.

It was kind of cool...but also kind of gross looking.

You see those Mardi Gras beads around Remy?
They're really Star Wars Storm Trooper insignia, I was informed.
My children are WAY into Star Wars right now.


And, oh, yes, here's Annie.

Sweet, spoiled Annie who thinks the kids' foam Love Sacs are
her personal dog bed.

(She has her own huge dog bed)

Just when I think my household is a little nuts, I read this story about
Florida where they tape magnets to the alligators' heads
to prevent their internal "homing beacons" from leading them back
to the residential neighbors they keep ending up in.



Do you have gremlins in your household?

Any big school project messes in your home?

Is your pet spoiled?


If you could tape a magnet on your head to keep from going somewhere,
where would you want to be kept away from?