Checked It Out

My two younger boys are totally enthralled with the Mythbusters television series. They record it and watch it almost daily. Lately they've even taken to trying out some of the experiments they do on the show, they safer ones that don't require hi-tech equipment or gun powder, thank you very much. Today Ethan had Rob help him modify one of their Nerf guns to make it shoot farther. First he checked with me if I didn't mind him taking one apart, "you know, ma, we've got plenty of them and really don't need another one" was his sales pitch. I gave the ok and he explained to dad what to do which basically entailed taking out a couple parts. They put it all back together and man oh man did it work! Those bullets now go I'd estimate four times farther than before the modification.....oh joy.

The photo below is to show that mandalas can be found anywhere and to lead into our next check out....

For the past few years since the boys are getting older I thought it would be cool to take them to the annual Auto Show but because of time or money it never happened, well the other day while checking email what before my wandering eyes did appear? a message on my homeschool co-op group offering free tickets. Woot! [yes, I still keep a toe in the homeschool world] So I made a quick phone call and snapped them up. Friday I pulled the boys early from school (because educational opportunities don't just happen in the building from 8am-4pm) and we headed down for Family Day. It was overwhelming all the cars that were there, I hadn't been to the show in maybe 20 years but it was still awesome. Ben and Ethan ran around and pushed every button they saw, jumped in any car that was open, and played every game they could stand to wait in line for. Fox had a little bit more subdued approach but thought it was quite intriguing nonetheless. He spent a lot of time checking out the all-electric, part electric, and natural gas vehicles. Plus there was one high, high, high end luxury car he drooled over for a spell, you know the one that for price says 'inquire for information' but really should have said 'in your dreams'. The Prius Swagger Wagon was also ogled over for some time by all the boys. It's a stretch limo van with all the bells and whistled, big screen, computer, etc. The Smart car exhibit hooked our attention for quite awhile and I was really digging the eBike. The latest thing seemed to be hooking your iPod, iPad, Blackberry, etc into your car, bike, whatever and then being able to access info and apps to the car. I'm not there yet, we still drive cars from the '90s.

Alex's new employment quest hasn't been going as hoped but she did get a new opportunity. Over the past couple months she's been "farmed out" to other Burger King's and has been called and begged to work closing at the Orion store many times. She recently talked to the manager about transferring since she's only been scheduled one day a week in Lapeer. The manager said they'd love to have her and to talk to the district person about a transfer. It's not exactly the ideal situation but you've got to work with what you've got and if it means they'll give her more hours she felt it was worth the drive....and they'll work with her school schedule. Nice.
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Fox brought home his paperwork to prepare for getting scheduled for classes next year at the high school....yes, it's that time already. He'll be doing Geometry, AP Prep English, and AP History we already know and for electives he's talking about doing Intro Business, Forensics and/or Speech for sure and he's not sure what else. He also signed up to do Forensics this year and will probably work on a Sales presentation or a Persuasive speech. I had a brief phone conversation with the coach and I like where he's coming from so far, hopefully this will be a good experience for my oldest son.

Finished Amy Yasbeck's book this week, With Love & Laughter John Ritter. Excellent, I highly recommend it especially because you know this person from all his work on television (plus her's also) and to get an idea of the man he was 'behind the scenes' is really cool. Amy has a very relaxed and humorous writing style that brings you along for the ride. It is commendable that she took her tragedy and turned it into a positive by bringing forward awareness on aortic annerysms (which is what caused John's death as well as his father Tex's). I am still in my multi-title mode so the side bar has morphed to a Reading List instead of Now Reading...
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Found a cool website to share for those adults who like a break from their grown-up-ness. Click Here for some coloring pages to help you de-stress. Blessings everyone and don't forget to bundle up!