Uh-Oh

The prince has been paired up with a second grader in a "book buddy" program. Together they will write and illustrate a book and then read it to the entire second grade. The prince's teacher, recognizing the prince's kindness and giving spirit, paired the prince up with an autistic boy. When I asked the prince how that was going, the prince said, "I don't really see the autism. He's very smart and corrects my spelling all the time." Uh-oh. Maybe the medical diagnosis is on the wrong boy!

Time Flies!

Cousins, cousins everywhere. We were lucky to have maternal and paternal cousins visit us at the same time once back in 2004. Look how cute and LITTLE they all were! The oldest in this photo is now a freshman in high school. The youngest has an even younger brother now. And the rest of them are all in the preteen/early teen stage! TIME FLIES!!! And I miss those babies...

Don Marco Artwork

Are you familiar with Don Marco. He's an aritist who deals strictly in crayons. This picture of John Wayne is done ONLY in crayons! Google him to see more.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Good Luck, Princess

Our cutie-patootie niece has to have surgery tomorrow. Wishing her a speeding recovery!

"Americanism"

The prince had to write either a poem or 2 paragraphs on what it means to be an American. He opted for the paragraphs. Here is his work:

Americanism

What does it means to be an American? To some it may be a baseball game on the 4th of July with a hot dog in hand. To others it might be getting up in the morning to go to work. But to the couple 1,000 or so who immigrate to the U.S.A it could mean freedom and democracy. In other words, a better life.

The dictionary defines "American" as follows: American, adj. 1. of or having to do with the United States. If you have something to do with the United States you aren't necessarily an American. Are you? In my opinion, no. You need to go through all the right procedures. My point is that being an American is a privilege we shouldn't abuse. Unfortunately we do. Think of the people who fight to preserve your freedom. Just think for thirty seconds. So please don't abuse the power. Thank you and God bless America.

School Funnies...

I rarely get good "funnies" from the kids these days but today there were two!

1. I was helping a 4th grader, and she was trying to figure out what 36 divided by 4 was. I said, "If you don't know the division, what can I mulitply 4 by to get 36?" She thought for a minute and then she said, "I did know this, but then SUMMER came along!" She was soooooooooooooooooo cute! That darn summer!

2. I could hear 5th grade boys playing football during recess. One boy was not happy with the way the game was going, and I heard him yell, "Throw the ball, you dumb JOCK!" That struck me as funny!

Hope you had a laugh today!

Go Mustangs!

When the kids got ready for school the other day they were both wearing their cool Mustangs t-shirts Grandpa bought for them. It called for a photo!

It's that time again...

It's that time again...you know, when people start giving you fresh stuff from their gardens. Someone at work the other day (actually that awful science teacher) gave me a zucchini. I kid you not, it was the size of a new-born baby. So today I made my FAVORITE zucchini recipe and decided to share it with you. You should try it!

Coconut/Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars

Preheat oven to 350*

In large bowl beat 3 eggs
Add 1.5 Cup sugar
1 Cup oil, and cream these three.

In medium bowl combine:
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
2.5 Cups flour

Add dry ingredients to large bowl alternating with 2 cups grated (shredded) zucchini.

Stir in 3 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup coconut
1/2-1 cup chocolate chips (more is always better when it comes to chocolate!)

Pour into jelly-roll pan (high sided cookie sheet) that has been greased and floured or sprayed with a cooking spray.

Cook times vary, depending on ovens, but start checking it at 15 minutes. It should be done in under 30 minutes.

YUM, YUM, YUM!!!

I hate the science teacher!!!

The science teacher had the princess and her class graph the ages of their mothers. I was the third OLDEST mom!! I hate that teacher! Worse yet, then she posted the graphs in the hall outside her room--which is next door to my room. Guess what I see every time I head down the hall!!!

Needs more cowbell...

Have you seen the Saturday Night Live skit with Will Farrel and Christopher Walken (I think) where the choice line is, "It needs more cowbell!" It's a rock band incorporating a cowbell into it's song. It's hilarious--one of my favorite skits of all time--and they even sell a t-shirt now with Will Farrel on the front with a cowbell and that line. Maybe I need one of those.

Anyway...in an example of Life imitating Art...

The prince comes home from 8th grade the other day and tells me that in choir they are singing "Lean on Me" (a classic), and that he'll be playing lead guitar (those guitar lessons are paying off), his BFF, Reed, will be playing bass, and Zach will be playing the drums for the song.

Cool.

Two days later he comes home to tell me that Theo (whose grandpa was my choir director in highschool--small world and all) will be playing the cowbell on that same song.

HUH????

Sure enough, they have Incorporated the cowbell into that song.

Now I ask you: does anything SCREAM "MIDDLE SCHOOL" more than a cowbell on "Lean On Me"????

Happy Birthday Bro!

Happy Birthday on Tuesday, Little Brother!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Cousin Ty! We sure wish you weren't suffering football injuries for your birthday. Get well soon!

A House Divided

The other day the prince had to print out some photos from the web to decorate his school folders. Among the things he printed was a button promoting McCain for President. A few days later the princess was cutting out photos from a magazine for a collage. She was very excited to come across some photos of Obama to put in her collage.

Ain't America Great??

Thanks Uncle Blake

When I was in high school, I saw my brother eat a waffle one day with peanut butter. I had never heard of such a thing. He told me they were delicious, and it turns out he was right. Now both the kids make them on a regular basis for breakfast! Thanks Uncle Blake!!

SMILE!

Here's our first day of school photo from last week!