2010 Meal Plan #8

I'm taking advantage of my laptop still (shhh, don't tell it, lol), being up and running and working on my meal plan/grocery list on a Friday night. I'm also trying very hard to not let the fact that there's water in the kids' rooms again, drive me right over the edge. Trying. Lately it feels like life is getting overwhelming. Very.

Anyway, fingers crossed, this is what we'll be having for dinner this week:

Saturday lunch: out with mom and dad. Nice surprise. : )
Saturday dinner: Kids--potluck, Mark and I are going out.

Sunday lunch: Sloppy Joes
Sunday dinner: Chicken and Dumplings

Monday: Chicken Parmesan
Tuesday: Tuna Noodle Casserole, crescent rolls
Wednesday: Chicken noodle soup, honey wheat bread
Thursday: Salmon Patties, buttered noodles, creamed peas

Have a good week everyone. Check out more meal plans at Organizing Junkies.

365 Project Week 8

February 25, 2010

This is love.

This is 26 years.

Mark uses the laptop some, but honestly it's just because it's there. He's fine without it.
But, he knows I love it. He knows it's relaxation for me. He knows it's fun for me.

So...
he has spent hours this week trying to fix the laptop.

Shhh, for the moment (Friday night), he's got it up and running.

It's shaky. It's definitely on last legs, but...

he did it.

Not for himself,

but for me.

That is love.

February 24, 2010
Who knew doing the dishes could be so much fun?

In case I haven't mentioned it, we're all really going to miss her next year.

February 23, 2010

I'm a bad mother.
We have a little table and chairs in our living room.
Jacob and Julianna use it as a craft table, a play table, a homework table, and,
(here's the bad mother part), as a dining table. They eat breakfast there together every morning, and if there's a day off school, or in the summer time, they eat lunch there too. The bad mother part? They watch tv or a video while they eat.

Not the best parenting perhaps, but they sure do enjoy it. :)

February 22, 2010
After much nagging and pleading, Julianna finally motivates me to dig out our old electric typewriter. It's every bit as much as she thought it would be.

It's interesting, when she makes a mistake, she's able to shrug it off and fix it later with a pencil--Jacob started off really interested in the typewriter, but he could not handle the inevitable mistakes that he couldn't immediately fix.

Speaks volumes about their personalities.

February 21, 2010
A very serious bride. :)

February 20, 2010
I like this picture because it's one of the few I've ever seen where Jacob and Julianna look like siblings. Julianna and Rebekah look a bit alike, Jason and Rebekah look a lot alike, but I think this one captures a certain something about these two.

I just realized I posted this entire entry in backward chronological order.

Oops.

The week I've had with this computer, I'm cutting my losses and leaving it.

I know you'll understand. :)

Hosted by Chris

Semi Retirement...

I wasn't clear on my last post. The problem is not with the wireless coming into our home, nor is it with the router. It's a problem with the laptop, and it looks fatal. We're not able to access the internet with the laptop as it no longer has wireless access. It's probably a problem with the internal wireless card...or connection...or whatever. It's a known defect with HP and when it rears it's ugly head there doesn't seem to be much you can do beyond replacing the mother board, which HP has already done once for us because of the exact same problem.

It doesn't make any sense to us to put a couple of hundred dollars into trying to have it fixed, as we just did that, and sooner or later you start to cut your losses. It's aging out, it's been having problems, I think we probably need to replace it.

There are a lot of other more important things in the long queue of things we need to spend money on however. So for the foreseeable future I'll be using the desktop. It's not as convenient as it is located in our basement family room, so I don't get the opportunity to be online very often. I'm surprisingly at peace with that. It's a change I've been working on anyway. I'll continue to take my 365 photographs, I just may or may not be able to post them.

I'll continue to check in on all of you as much as I can, although I may not be able to comment as I have in the past.

I'll continue to check my email, though again, at a much reduced rate.

It's all good. There was life before the laptop, there's life after, just wanted to explain why I'm going away a bit.

A bientot

Help Wanted

Okay--really stinky day so far. I broke Mark's razor in the shower this morning when I tried to get a bar of soap out of the soap dish. Normally I do not use soap, but a friend of mine has started a green products business and sent me a bunch of (too expensive) products to try in hopes that I would buy some things.

Okay. Question #1. What would you do? I care about my friend a great deal, but I like the products I already use, and I like the prices I pay for them. I wish her all the success in the world, but I really don't want to buy anything.

Moving on...
Three wet spots on Jacob's ceiling. Ugh. It could be worse though. Much, much worse, so for now I'll concentrate on being grateful it's not. I'm also trying to figure out if this truly can be an isolated fluke that will never happen again, or if there's something we should be doing, and if so, what? We'll call that run on sentence Question #2.

Cats. Question #3.
Our cat is peeing on our downstairs carpet. Evidently this has been going on for a very long time. Today, my denial was busted when I walked downstairs to find her mid-act. I love our cat. She's a terrific cat, friendly, loving. Obviously this can't go on however. Any experience? Any advice? Any choices out there? Right now the only two I can see are equally unpalatable: ignore it and let her use our entire family room as a litter box, or take her to the vet and have a wonderful pet put to sleep. If any one has a better solution, I'm all ears.

Internet/Laptops Question #4.
This morning I went to turn on the laptop and catch up on email, blogs, etc., before my day really got going. No internet. No sign of any internet. That's not really accurate, what's completely gone is the wireless. Without wireless we have no access on the laptop. The wireless light stays orange, indicating no wireless, there's no icon to click to see what's wrong. There's no obvious sign something is wrong--beyond the obvious that there is no internet. No warning, no troubles before hand, otherwise functioning perfectly, but there's absolutely no wireless on our HP right now. Again, experience...advice?

Thanks. Thanks for listening to me whine once again as well.

If you have any advice, I'm all ears.

Oh, by the way, I won't be around much. It's not very easy for me to use our desktop, the laptop is my lifeline to the outside world and that lifeline is severely broken. I'll be thinking of you.

Random Dozen

Thanks to Linda at 2nd cup of coffee

What's that you ask? Why yes, it is three wet spots in Jacob's ceiling. Thanks for asking. Lovely. Just lovely. The winter that keep giving is apparently not through with us yet. Once again, when I need something shiny and distracting to focus on I turn to the Random Dozen.


1. Have you ever fired a gun or shot a bow and arrow?
Yes, in middle school gym class we did archery. I was terrified of snapping myself with the bow string. I was definitely not a born adventurer.
2. Do you know where your childhood best friends are?
No, not a clue.
3. Do you usually arrive early, late, or on time?
Early. I hate to be late. Can't stand it. It seriously makes me twitchy.
4. Are you more of a New York or California type?
Actually, for better or worse, I think I'm firmly a mid-western girl. Forces to choose however, and I'd say New York.
5. Do you have a special ring tone?
Do I have a special ring tone? That would indicate that someone has a ring tone programmed into their phone for me? No. No one does that I know of. I however use special ring tones. I have one for my parents, one for Mark, one for Rebekah and one for Jason and Lori. Oh, it also just occurred to me that this might mean do I use a special ring tone for my phone, in which case the answer would be yes. If someone calls me that's not on the above list, my phone rings with Larry the Cucumber singing "Oh where....is my cell phone? Oh where..." I love it. :)
6. What is your favorite type of chip?
A Sim Chip. Computer chip. I big puffy heart computers. Love them.
7. Best comedy you've ever seen is ....
I don't think I could pick one...I love comedies. There's way too much hurt and suffering to view more for entertainment. I'll take a good comedy any day. I loved Tootsie, The Birdcage, It's Complicated, Zach and Miri (I can't believe I just admitted I've seen that!).
8. Have you ever cut your own hair? To quote Dr. Phil, "How'd that work for ya?"
My bangs. It was fine. I'm too scared to do much.
9. If you were going to have an extreme makeover, would you rather it be about your house or your personal self?
Hmmm, toughie, we both need major makeovers. I guess I would pick my personal self if and only if there was a way to accomplish it without taking me away from my family. Otherwise I'd pick the house. Let's start with the roof, gutters and ceilings.
10. Are you allergic to anything?
Sulfa.
11. Why is it so hard to change?
I don't know, but I'd hazard a guess that it has something to do with how much we want it. I would guess that deep down, maybe we don't the change badly enough to step out of our comfort zone and really change. Maybe. I'm definitely struggling with this one.
12. One last question dedicated to February love: CS Lewis said, "To love is to be vulnerable." Please share one example of that assertion or share any thought you'd like to about this topic.
It's the ultimate putting yourself out there, opening yourself up to be hurt. To love someone is to give them a power over you. It definitely leaves you wide open to pain. It doesn't have to be pain that the other person intentionally inflicts. The worst pain I've ever experienced has been through someone's illness, death...those things can lead to incredible pain, yet to quote Garth, "I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance".

2010 Meal Plan #7

I've never been a warm weather kind of girl. I've always proudly proclaimed my love of seasons. I'm seriously changing my mind. I think if we won the lottery, highly unlikely since we don't play, I'd sell my home as is and buy a house somewhere where it never snows. I have had it with water in my house. Seriously not fun.

Anyway, here's hoping this is a better week. We're supposed to get more snow or rain, so I'm not holding my breath.

Am I the only one who does this??? I'll plan a meal plan, work on my grocery list, then decide my meal plan doesn't sound good anymore and change everything. I spend too much time doing that. Someone please tell me you do it too, it would make me feel a whole lot better.

Sunday dinner: Crockpot chicken sandwiches, broccoli rice casserole, cut up veggies
Monday (dance): Pad Thai, pot stickers
Tuesday (out with a friend, piano, jazz band, sax): Mini-Meatloaves, Au Gratin Potatoes, Brown Sugar Carrots, Buttered rosemary rolls, Pioneer Woman's Apple Dumplings, Vanilla ice cream
Wednesday (scouts, dance): Leftovers from Sunday or Chicken and noodles or Chicken Noodle Soup, bread
Thursday (jazz band, Julianna has a party and a dentist appt.): Tuna Noodle Casserole, salad
Friday: Chicken legs w/asian sauce, rice, szechuan green beans

Check out more meal plans at Organizing Junkies. Hope you have a wonderful, and very dry, week. :)

Project 365 Week 7 and PSF

February 12, 2010
Icicles--I used to think they were beautiful. After a week of ice dams, I've learned not-so-much. Still, these fed...

this one, and that is pretty cool.

February 13, 2010
Rebekah earned a "1" at her last solo and ensemble contest.

Julianna was pretty proud.

February 14, 2010
Lots here I could have taken a picture of...
the box of candy Mark gave me...
the bedrooms all torn up...
endless piles of towels absorbing water...
nope, look at the icicles Mark broke off.

February 15, 2010

February 16, 2010
Zippy's going a little crazy by the dining chest...
what could be under there? A toy?
No...something else...

Sorry little mouse. I know it's cold out there
but you definitely can't winter at Casa Rittenberg.

(Yes, I missed the money shot of when Mark caught him,
my job was to hold on to Zippy so the poor little thing had a chance.)

If I didn't have Mark would it have gotten to winter inside?

Thankfully we'll never know. :)

February 17, 2010
It stinks being a small dog in deep snow.

February 18, 2010
Now Mark's really sick with what Jacob had.

February 19, 2010
$300.00 well spent.
The snows been removed from the edge of the roof.

Knocking, knocking on wood, the leaking has stopped...
of course, $300.00 only did the front of the house...
that dripping I'm hearing is at the back. :(

Have a wonderful week.

I'm so sick of snow and sickness and leaks and winter.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Hosted by Chris

Random Dozen

Thanks Linda at 2nd cup of coffee

1. If you could compete in one Olympic event (not necessarily winter sports) what would it be?
Assuming proficiency, I'd love to be a figure skater. So beautiful. *sigh*
2. Do remember a specific Olympic moment from the past?
Why not ask me how old I am? lol. I remember Nadia and her 10s. I remember Mary Lou Retton and her 10s. I remember lots of figure skating moments. I remember when Greg Louganis smacked his head open...I remember a lot.
3. Have you ever known anyone who competed in the Olympics?
No.
4. If everyday activities were Olympic-worthy, which activity would you have a gold medal in?
Procrastination--it's an everyday activity for me.
5. Do you know anything about your ethnic heritage?
Not much. Nothing definitive. Just a vague sense of being Irish/Scottish/English
6. Do you enjoy sleeping late?
Late for me would be around 8:30. That I love, once in a while. Anything else makes me feel like I've wasted the day.
7. Have you ever performed CPR on anyone? Do you know how? (Yes, that's two, I know. Whatevs.)
No and sort-of.
8. Name one country you'd like to visit and explain why.
I've always been completely enamored with France. I would love to go there. Love to.
9. Have you ever fixed up a couple romantically?
No.
10. What is the last book you read?
Sister's Choice by Emilie Richards. Awesome.
11. Do you enjoy sleeping late? NO, YOU write the question! How's that for random??
Sorry. I've got nothing on this one. If I were capable of being creative I wouldn't need the random dozen so much. :)
12. What is your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant?
I love the stuffed enchiladas at Cheesecake Factory. The enchiladas are crazy good, and the corn cakes are out of this world. It's tied with my second favorite--cashew chicken, from there as well.

Update...still nowhere you'd want to be

Well, yesterday we breathed a sigh of relief and put the girls room and Jacob's room back together yesterday. Even though we got 10 inches of snow yesterday. Yes, we do excel at being stupid, why do you ask?

Yup, Julianna walked into her room today and the puddle of water was almost to the door. That's about 9 feet. Fabulous. Cleaned up the worst of it and ran to Jacob's room. Yup, huge puddle of water there too. His carpet is even more soaked than it was before.

I'm feeling so discouraged and defeated. I truly wonder if things will ever be the same again. Our living room window's leaking in several places. We have three other windows leaking as well. I am constantly washing and drying towels, just to do it all over again, so we can have dry towels to mop up with. No other laundry's getting done.

The mini blinds are stained, probably ruined. The hardwood in their rooms is permanently damaged as is the wood trim around all our windows. There will be no replacing or fixing, not in the budget, that's for sure. I have no idea when we'll be able to confidently put the kids' rooms back together again.

Mark's spun out twice now on the way to work. Monday, three people stopped to push him out and a semi stopped to block traffic and keep them safe. Nice, but how many times can you spin out and count on being able to still tell about it? Yes, I am a little ticked off that he hasn't put any weight in the back of his car, why do you ask?

Mark's still sick. Yuck. Stupid awful virus that will probably work it's way through the rest of us with excruciating slowness.

More bitching? You haven't had enough yet? You sure? If nothing changes, if our budget stays accurate and everything goes according to plan (what are the odds of that one?), we'll be significantly short by the end of the year. I'm so very weary of having money problems and Mark's salary cuts haven't even begun yet. April we'll lose a chunk and July a huge chunk.

It kind of makes you not want to get out of bed in the morning anymore, you know?

Nowhere you'd want to be

I woke up this morning excited for my day. I was finally going to be getting my hair cut and colored, embarrassingly long overdue. Rebekah was going with me and I was treating her to a manicure. She had her last solo & ensemble competition later today and I thought it would be a pleasant way to pass the time...not to mention squeeze in some girl time with her. She's student-directing the musical and we don't see a lot of her lately.

I walked into Jacob's room to get his room ready for the day. I walked towards his window when my foot "squished". Yup, his carpet was soaked. Evidently, we have quite a nice leak flowing in from the corner of his room, on the floor. No haircut/color or manicure today.

We started tearing apart his room, trying to get his area rug up, the floor dried, the rest of his furniture moved, when it hit me that he shares that wall with the girls room.

I went rushing in to the girl's room, and yup, the floor there had standing water too. Awesome.

We have spent the entire day moving furniture, toys, all kinds of stuff out of the way and mopping and drying. We put towels down and half an hour later they need changed. All day long.

Also, as if all this awesomeness wasn't enough, there's water coming in the top of a window frame in the living room. Nothing like sitting on the couch getting splashed.

Then too, there's the wonderful development that Mark is SICK. Evidently Jacob, who is still not feeling well, shared his bug.

I am thisclose to being completely overwhelmed. Some days you just get so tired of being a grown up.

Jacob and Julianna are freaking out wondering if our house is ever going to be the same. I have the same concern. Our roof and gutters are fairly new, five years max., there's no way we should be having leaking. Yet, here we are. Our gutters are full of ice and snow, there's icicles all over the house, I guess when things warmed up just enough to begin to thaw a little, water worked it's way into the house somehow and is now flowing away.

Awesome.

If you have any ideas what might be wrong, what might have happened or how to fix it, I'm all ears. Otherwise, say a prayer for me. Things are really not great around here.

PS--The one truly bright and shining moment of the day--Rebekah got a 1--perfect, at solo and ensemble. This was after truly monumental freakout tears and a viscious case of nerves, but seeing how the day went, I'm not sure I can blame her. She probably thought she was walking around with a big black cloud over her head. I know I do.

It's funny though. As I sit here at night, trying to relax, trying to concentrate on reading a book. As I listen to Mark sighing and moaning in ways he doesn't even realize, trying to get comfortable. I listen to Jacob crying and being miserable, trying to adjust to sleeping in a strange bed, in strange circumstances, my little guy who fiercely loves his routine. As I listen for Julianna, also in strange circumstances, trying so hard to control everything, so uncertain if everything's going to be okay or not. I listen to Rebekah downstairs, enjoying the friendship of 6 other girls she'd invited for a sleepover, I listen to all of it and even though I am stressed, the biggest thing I'm feeling is blessed, or lucky, or whatever moniker you'd put on it. I'm acutely aware that things could be so much worse. I'm thankful for this home we have. For the relative good health we all enjoy. For the overwhelming love and closeness we all enjoy. I'm thankful that the bad things that happened today weren't worse and for the certain knowledge that somehow, sometime in the future, this will all be behind us and things will be better. I'm sorry for all the people who have serious problems in this life that that is not true for.

2010 Meal Plan #6

Friday: BBQ Ribs, baked potato wedges, salads

Saturday lunch: Turkey, cheese, bagel melts
Saturday dinner: Pork chops, brussels sprouts, crash potatoes, veggie

Sunday lunch: Pioneer Woman's Crispy Chicken Rollups, fruit
Sunday dinner (Chinese New Year): Potstickers, Egg Rolls,

Monday: Tuna Noodle Casserole, wheat bread, salad

Fat Tuesday: Spaghetti & Meatballs for piano teacher, salad, bread

Wednesday: Crockpot chicken sandwiches, broccoli rice casserole, cut up veggies, valentine cupcakes

Thursday: Salmon patties, buttered noodles, creamed peas

Check out other meal plans at Organizing Junkies.

Project 365 Week 6 and PSF

February 5, 2010
Eight inches of snow
Too bad it got started late
No snow day today.

February 6, 2010
Snow crab, $6
Delicious, cheap, treat for us
mussels for Jacob.


February 7, 2010
See this toy? ChixO?
Julianna saved and saved.
Won't work. Going back.

February 8, 2010
Sick boy. Yes, again.
Fever. Cough. Runny nose. Crud.
Not fun for snow day.


February 9, 2010
More snow...beautiful.
Pouring snow. Six more inches.
No school today...Yeah!


February 10, 2010
Ahhh, hindsight. School closed.
No real reason. Weather's fine.
Better safe/sorry.

February 11, 2010
Still home sick. Nick's here.
Lots of Star Wars, quiet fun.
Hopefully back soon.

Hosted by Chris

Hosted by Cecily and Robyn

Random Dozen

1. Are you pleasant when you're ill, or are you a grumpy, fussy patient?
I think I'm pleasant. I'm always pleasant, don't you know? ;-) Okay, honestly, I'm probably grumpy because nothing stops when I'm ill. I keep doing just about everything I do when I'm not ill, albeit with an attitude.
2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction?
I'm very, very happy. Not only do I love having my kids home, I currently work for teachers, so no school = a paid day off.
3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve?
Cleaning, I stink at it. I'm starting to realize it's just not a priority.
4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day?
No.
5. What song is on your mind today?
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic?
I love a mix of both. Pillow Talk, Sound of Music, My Fair Lady--awesome, but I also love a good contemporary romantic comedy.
7. How well do you "compartmentalize" your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside a tiff with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room.
I'm not good at compartmentalizing at all. I am a passionate person, and when I'm mad, I'm mad, sad is sad, etc. Fortunately, it goes away quickly...if it's dealt with.
8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your spouse? (Or if you're single, to your best friend.)
He had that certain je ne sais quoi. He was working in a pet shop, a friend and I were shopping, he was playing with a snake. I told him to get away from me. He was irresistible.
9. When was the last time your heart raced?
Saturday night.
10. What are your memories of Valentine's Day at school?
I have none. I really don't have a lot of memories from when I was little. I miss that, but sometimes I think there are good reasons for that.
11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine's Day, which would you prefer?
English toffee or salted caramels.
12. Red or pink?
Pink.

Help!

Okay, I have this image that matches my background that I would like to edit and use as my header. I want to add pictures of my kids to it, but I have no idea how to do so. What I picture are three small frames of pictures placed cock-eyed on the header picture.

I have no idea how to do it. I have no idea what program to use to do it. I've thought about printing it off, printing the pictures I want to use, making a scrapbook page, basically; then scanning it and inserting it into my header.

There has to be an easier way. Please help if you have any idea how I can accomplish what I'm envisioning.

Thanks.

Scribbit's Awesome Bread Machine Bread

I love this bread. Love it. Super easy and wonderfully delicious. I'm sure I'll be making it again and again and experimenting with it lots.

I'm not a big fan of the loaves that come out of the bread machine, too dense. I'm thinking I'll be a lot happier with it if I use it as in this case--let the machine do the hard work of mixing and kneading, then I'll shape it and bake it. It worked beautifully in this case.

I found this recipe on Scribbit's blog about a week ago and I've made it twice already. It's that good. Just look how pretty it is too. I followed Michelle's variation that after it rises for 30 minutes, spray with olive oil cooking spray, sprinkle with salt (I used kosher) and rosemary, slash the bread, and bake. Very nice touch, I'll play around with other herbs and ideas in the future. Michelle says it makes good dinner rolls, I can definitely believe that. I'm also going to try splitting it in two and putting it in 2 loaf pans. It seems like it would be very versatile.


Bread Machine Bread
1 1/2 cup warm water
4 1/2 cups white all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons powdered milk
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon fast acting yeast (though this may need to be reduced if your machine has a very long rising time.) Next time I make this, I'm going to reduce the yeast slightly, I'll probably try 2 1/2 tsps.

Add all of the ingredients into the bucket of the bread machine and set on the dough cycle. When finished, shape as you wish on a greased cookie sheet and allow the bread to rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 28 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Michelle's notes: While I also adapt it for whole wheat, I never make 100% whole wheat because I dislike the heavy, dense texture. Instead of 4 1/2 cups of white flour you can use 2 cups of whole wheat and 2 of all-purpose with excellent results and better health. Either way is good for dinner rolls and loaves.

2010 Meal Plan #5

Busy week ahead, what else is new?
We're supposed to get 6-12 inches tonight. It figures it would happen on a Friday night. No snow day. :(

Here's what we'll be eating this week. I'm off to the insanity that is the grocery store before a winter storm.

Saturday lunch: Southwestern Chicken Salad
Saturday dinner: Soup-combining Ina Garten's Wedding Soup and Tyler Florence's Chicken Meatball and Tortellini Soup, Scribbit's awesome bread machine bread (We had this bread this week, absolutely DELICIOUS! and very, very easy.)
Sunday lunch: BBQ Cheddar Chicken Pizza Roll Ups
Sunday dinner: skins and wings
Monday (dance, theater): Plum chicken, roasted vegetable long grain and wild rice, pea pods,
Tuesday (piano theater): Crockpot chicken sandwiches, broccoli rice casserole, cut up veggies, valentine cupcakes (Spaghetti & Meatballs for piano teacher)
Wednesday (dance, scouts theater): leftovers/potluck
Thursday (theater, sax lesson): Tuna Noodle Casserole,
Friday: Baby Back Ribs, potato wedges, cole slaw

Have a wonderful week. Check out more meal plans at Organizing Junkies.

Pinewood Derby PSF

What kind of parent are you? You get to question that from time to time as your children grow. What kind of parent are you, what kind of parent do you want to be.

Both my younger kids have had major projects due recently. As I watched the projects stream in, it became obvious that some of them were done by first and third graders and some *ahem*, weren't.

We're more the hand's off kind of parents. Happy to help, and I did have to help quite a bit with Julianna's first research project, but definitely child-led.

Our Cub Scout Pack's Pinewood Derby was last weekend. Jacob was very excited about the design he wanted to make for his car. He had a picture in his mind and Mark was happy to leave it in his hands. Jacob was pretty happy with how it turned out...and then...the car was slow. Very slow. Humiliatingly slow. It was all he could do not to cry. I felt so bad for him. Honestly, it never occurred to Mark and I to think about aerodynamics. His car was a NASA vehicle with a satellite on top. Cool looking, but it definitely slowed him down.

Next year we'll focus more on helping him build a fast car. He really, really wants to be in the race. It's not necessarily about winning or not, but he wants to know he has a chance.

Ironically, many years ago, Jason came in second in the pack. He doesn't even remember that. Life. :-)

You have to love the "before" picture--full of optimism and excitement.

Putting the car on the track--getting ready...

Not going well.

Everyone gets a trophy.

Anybody out there have any good tips? We could sure use them.

Hosted by Cecily and Robyn