Middle School Spelling Bee

Jonathan made it to the spelling bee again this year. He's been every year since 4th grade (I think he was only an alternate in 3rd grade). He just spells well naturally. It's easy for him. Last year when he made it (one representative per class), he dreaded going because he was afraid all the kids would be there- and it wouldn't be cool. He asked me to please not come (I'm so embarrassing you know...). But then he was pleasantly surprised that it was just the spellers and the parents there- not everyone. The word he (and according to him most of the other contestants) missed last year was "conscientious". It was his first word and he said the entire event lasted about 5 minutes- since nearly everyone missed that first word...

This year he placed 5th out of about 20 kids (6th, 7th, and 8th graders).. He said he was the top 7th grade finisher. The word he missed was bungalow (forgot the w at the end). He told me one of his words was "admiral"- which is coincidental, as this is the same word he missed in the 5th grade spelling bee a couple years back.

I am really proud of him- and was SOOOOOO sad I couldn't attend. I just couldn't afford to miss yet another day of school this year. I thought of him all morning. If he earns the opportunity to be in it again next year, I'm going- no matter what!

Rocket Derby

So last night I was up past midnight constructing this blasted rocket. There were a few choice words uttered... a few unpleasant thoughts crossed my mind... like the urge to smash the thing to pieces... BUT... I persevered- and in the end, I had one extra piece left over and rubber bands hanging out the back of the thing- which just didn't seem right. I decided I'd figure it all out today... a new, fresh day... but then just didn't have time. Oh well.

Jake did the sanding and painting, but the hard part was on me. Too bad I am challenged when it comes to constructing things. I even hate Legos. And I'd rather be tared and feathered than build with Bionicles...

The derby did not go as they had planned. It took soooo long between each race. The boys were a bit out of control, but after a while I just didn't care anymore. They were having fun playing with each other's hats and hanging all over each other (Jake is a hands-on guy). I got some cute pix of the goofballs...

Oh yes- the race. When we arrived, I looked at other rockets to see where I went wrong and did a few quick alterations to my (I mean Jake's) masterpiece. I had time to prepare Jake for the worst- to tell him that last place really isn't as bad as it's been cracked up to be... (At this point I was just praying the thing wouldn't fall apart until after it raced at least one time). Jake just laughed along with me. He's such a sport!

Sure enough, our rocket didn't disappoint- taking last place by a landslide! It sailed only a few feet as compared to the others' 25 feet or so. And not only did we lose our Wolf Den division, but we managed to lose the ENTIRE event. Not a single rocket in the entire Pack did worse than ours. Oh! What a feeling...

Oh well... neither one of us even cared. Jake got a green participation ribbon and was perfectly happy. I sure love his easy-going nature. And I'm just glad I won't have to build another one of those babies for another year!

My Other Kid!!!

And yes, he's a boy (despite the long hair)!!! Seems like Jonathan is rarely on this blog! Here are some pix of him in his newly decorated room, which he loves. He picked the paint color (burnt orange like the Texas Longhorns) and has sport accessories and black bedding. These are for you Paula... I 'll take some of the little kids in their room as soon as I get the frogs stuck on the walls. There are also some pix here of Jonathan with his new cell phone that has unlimited texting... a dream come true for him! He had over 100 texts the first day he opened it! You wouldn't believe how fast he can text. It's fascinating!

More Snow!

Woke up this morning to Jake telling me, "Mom... there's more SNOW outside!" I had heard their might be a dusting, but hadn't told him, so he was totally surprised! A few hours later he finally asked to go out and play in it (you can tell we've had enough snow this year when it took him that long to want to go out in it.) And then, "monkey see, monkey do" girl followed him out... Jake ate some ice off the sand box (gross) and reported that the snow was very "packy". Check out the size of his snowball!!!

Little Cuties

Tonight I put new Clifford bedding on Jayden's bed. It's mostly red... perfect for February. It used to be Jakes.

Guitar

Jake has taken to my old guitar. He's right at the age I was when I started playing, too. Tonight I taught him how to hold it (never mind the first pic where he is holding it the wrong direction...) and how to play the chord A7. He has been practicing for an hour or so now, and is singing along as he strums. He has a cute little voice! He has been singing "Down by the Bay" tonight, and is having fun thinking up new rhymes. He is happy his name is Jake because it rhymes with so many words! It is a sweet sight to see him enjoying something that was such a big part of my childhood.

Little Gamers!

It's official... my two little ones are "hooked" on video games! It's funny because my oldest (Jonathan) has loved video games since first grade (or before?), but Jake is JUST starting to like them (in 2nd). I think it will be good for his coordination, believe it or not. The Wii is especially fun. Jayden LOVES Wii Fit and lately they both love Mario Cart (see pix of them glued to the tube). I play Mario Cart, too, but I stink at it and come in 12th place almost every time! They also both like Jonathan's old DS and argue over who gets to play it and when... I plan to get Jake his own for his birthday, which is coming up on February 5th! As for Jonathan... he is in heaven with his new X-Box 360 he got for Christmas. He LOVES X-Box Live right now, too. We've come a long way since Atari when I was a kid!