Uncle Curt's Wish List

Murder at Doom Mansion

We hosted a little dinner party the other night, ala the game Clue.

Complete with socialite, hair tonic salesman, doctor, actress, maid, cop, general, lawyer, and ninja (of course...)

About as fancy a dinner part as you can accomplish with 8-10 year-olds.

Then they foud a dead body!

 

And a round of discovery, where we made our accusations.

 

And the big reveal, when the hair tonic salesman confessed.

 

We tried to figure out how to get a Boy Scout badge out of this, but had to give in and just admit that it sounded like a fun thing to do.  And it was.  The kids were amazing at staying in character and interrogating one another.

Thankful

For each and every one.

Spoiled Mornings

Waiting for the bus.

He's looking at me like he won a challenge.

Egg Roulette

Hard boil eight of a dozen eggs and mix them up in the carton.

 

Select said eggs at random and smash them on your head.

 

You are bound to break a few yokes.

 

The first with two yokes to break over their head is the loser.

 

Poor Alida is breaking her second here.

Then Elaine, the winner, just broke one over her head anyway for good measure.

More Ben Logic

 

 

As we're driving somewhere, waiting at a stop light, a girl is jogging toward the intersection just about to cross the road in front of us.

 

Ben: Is that a girl or a woman?

 Oh, that's a teenager!  That's not either.  Teenagers are just alpha-kids, and are annoying.  They're just evolved kids."

Pioneer Days

 

Couldn't tell you what was happening in Alida's head.

 

 

She picked up a touch at the roast beef sundae bar with locally brewed root beer.

Those bottles came home and they have been filled, re-filled, corked and uncorked all week long.

Exit Strategy

Thursday night cooking lessons, every week a new child.

This last week, Ben made potato soup and baked frozen yeast rolls with me.

 

When I asked him how we turn the oven on, he had no idea.  After some months of this, he will.  And he'll know how to use that garlic press, how to hold a knife correctly, and he may even be able to survive someday on his own.

Bake Sale

We baked and wrapped them up individually.

I hear they sold out quickly.

 

I honestly thought it was now illegal to bake for the bake sale.

I was tickled to participate in this fundraiser.

To brag just a little bit

But mostly to remember someday, in case I misplace these wonderful notes.

 

It is fantastic to have teachers who take the time to compliment from time to time.

Everyone deserves a "well done" now and again.  Everyone.

 

More Ben Logic

After some discussion, this:

 

Ben: You're right smarty girl.

Me: See, I'm not always wrong.

Ben: Hey, mom.  You know why I called you smarty girl?

Me: Why?

Ben: Well, you know how some people say "smarty pants"?  Well, I don't happen to think you are a pair of pants.

Ready For Launch

Last weekend we finally had good weather for some zip lining in our own backyard.

 

Perfect, safe form from Elaine.

Of course.

 

A little more free style from Alida.

Inspired by the Nicholas I-never-sit-down strategy.

More on why that woman is there taking pictures later.

 

Ben is apparently the size of a teenager these days.

More Dress Up

Soldiers in Pink.

They're all pretty awesome, and all for a cause.

Love these guys.

And we love you Sara.

Halloween: The Main Event

Not sure she couldn't just freeze him.

 

And then we were off.

And by the end, I was holding the blue cape that kept getting stepped on, the wraith's scepter that was too bulky, the zombie's mask that was too hot, and the goddess's tiara that was marking her forehead.  Along with four bottles of water and someone's bag of candy, for some reason.

 

And then the dumping and discovery phase.

 

And the next morning my organized heart warmed at finding this neatly placed inventory.

The Character Parade at School

A little less scary.

Madeline for the Character Parade at School.

She was tickled and looked perfect.

Halloween

A wraith, a zombie, a Greek goddess, and the Frozen Queen.

 

Sparkles and makeup.

 

A little fake freeze and eyelashes to go with the gown.

 

The Zombie, ever in motion.

The wraith, photobombed  by the goddess.