Not Eating at the Outhouse

At the start of our week, we had a crew come out to trim our trees.  For years now, we have tried to take care of the trimming ourselves, but the trees have grown too tall.  We really needed them trimmed away from the house and thinned out especially as we near the summer.  I was expecting it to be thousands of dollars (six trees!), but we got a very reasonable quote.  The crew arrived at lunchtime, having finished a morning project.  They said they would eat lunch and get started afterwards.  They plugged in their microwave, ate, siesta'd and at 1:00p.m. they were up in the trees.  It was a big crew.  Half went to the backyard, half stayed in the front.  They were fascinating to watch.  We kept walking from window to window to see their progress.  The guy in the front yard was climbing around the tree, just one-handing his chainsaw like it was nothing.  They did a great job and were very nice.  They raked up the remnants, blew what was in the street, and used a chipper to take care of all the big pieces.  They even took some old pieces of branches that we've had lying in our backyard for a while now.  When they left, they said we'd be good for several years.  It took them 75 minutes from start to finish.  Crazy!  

Josiah has added to his Rat Town.  He stayed up past 11 p.m. one night working on his Beatles rats.  They were the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Rat Clan.  His mind is always creating.  

This week, Henry and Caroline both finished writing their Faces of History papers.  After it is written, they have to put it into first person so they can BE the person they are presenting on.  (More in an outline format - just key words of what to say.)  This is Henry's third time through, so he knew the drill.  When Caroline and I sat down to put her paper into first person, she paused and asked, "When am I going to read the whole paper?"  

You're not.

Absolutely horrified, "WHAT?!!??  Why did I even write it?!"

So you could learn how to write a research paper.  

"What?!!  How am I supposed to say the whole thing from memory?"

You practice!  That's why you read three books about the person and wrote a big paper, so you would KNOW their story really well.

Sneak Peek of Caroline as...

Not happy!  She was not happy!  However, we ordered her a costume (dress) and wig and they both came this week.  She practiced her presentation (a lot!) and very quickly memorized the first third of it.  She has two weeks until she presents, so it's plenty of time.

Meanwhile, Henry's class presents this week.  His first proof for Memory Master is due this week as well, so it's all coming to a head for him.  

Henry was complimented and commissioned by his tutor at CC this week.  She had a conversation with him at lunch and told him that he was a leader in the class and often sets the tone.  She wanted him to know of his importance both in class and to the class.  We were proud of him and had to pull out a little Spiderman philosophy, With great power comes great responsibility.  You will never regret being kind and respectful.  

At CC this week we made popsicle stick catapults.  We launched pom poms and marshmallows.  This is always a fun one to do.  The launch:

Josiah took over April Fool's Day jokes this year.  The kids (apparently) had a secret meeting and planned on getting up at 4 a.m. to get some tricks ready.  They didn't actually wake up until 6 a.m. so they did not do all that was planned.  I was awakened to the sensation of someone taping my forehead.  Looking in a mirror revealed what I already knew, I love my kids.  

There was Saran Wrap over Caroline's door and the playroom door (at Benson's height).  Rats in the refrigerator.  Mustaches on the mirror.  

Todd and I never did any April-foolin', but we did make cookies the evening of the 1st.  I messed with the kids at bedtime.  How were those cookies?  Did they taste like they normally do?  Were they good?  Always important to keep their suspicions up.  

Henry has been deciding where to go out for his jiu jitsu belt meal for a while now.  His siblings have reminded him repeatedly, offering up suggestions of their own.  Finally this weekend, Henry announced where we would be going, Texas Outhouse.  I told him I was a firm NO for Texas Outhouse.  We did, however, enjoy a meal at Texas Roadhouse.  Ironically, we sat close to the bathrooms which were labeled "Outhouse."  

This weekend, Josiah came up with short games for us to play outside.  The first was how long you could keep the bricks in the air.  The kids pulled in numbers like 30 seconds, 1 minute 20 seconds. It was only two bricks, so it looked fairly simple.  Todd went third and made it to 5 minutes even.  I wasn't going to be defeated, so I held it up for 5 minutes 3 seconds.  Today, the bruise on my shoulder has reminded me of my lack of wisdom.  It was far harder than expected.

The second game was to chase Benson around the backyard.  The kids put in a solid effort, but Benson was not compliant on his end with the running bit.  So we moved onto the third challenge.  Josiah had Henry wrap him around a tree and he had to escape.  Fortunately, the sun was setting so once Josiah made his way out, the games were over.  

At church this morning, Caroline sang with all the WAM kids for the congregation.  WAM = Worship Arts Ministry.  She got her coveted spot - top step, at the end.  She said she really enjoyed singing.  She's not a fan of all the hand motions, but she does like to sing.  

At one point, Henry asked to take a picture of Caroline.  

🠈 It should come as no surprise this was the picture he took.

Also, he wore a white shirt to church today.  He always, always wears a red Izod shirt to church.  Always.  I have thought about purposefully not washing it so he would wear something different.  This morning we convinced him to wear a different color.  He came downstairs wearing white.  As soon as we sat in our seats in church, Henry spotted his friend who immediately gestured that Henry was not wearing a red shirt.  He was not the only one to notice the change.  Henry has informed us he will go back to wearing red next week.