Kidchievements

Alicia and I are just not the kind of people to toot our own horns, that may sound like false modesty blah blah but we just don't do it that much.  But hey since it's not really about us and it's about our amazingly advanced children LOL I decided it was time to do it.   We've had some proud parent moments and I figure the kids deserve some limelight in the glow of the blogosphere. 

Starting from Oldest to Youngest

Geography Queen

McKenna and her team in her "special" class at school engaged in a geography challenge at the beginning of the year over which they were to research various major American landmarks and writing information up about them.  They received points for the quality and quantity of their geographic notes and her team won first place, so nanny nanny to the rest of the brainiacs (tongue sticking out now), "My brainiac can beat yours at geography"(bumper sticker)

Pinewood Derby Domination

There comes a time in every Boy Scout Dad's life that he must buckle down and engage in the nightmarish endeavor of the dreaded derby, Pinewood Derby that is.   The only stated rules in this year's derby were to only use the components that came in the box (no aftermarket axles, wood blocks, or wheels).  I asked Zane to start this process by drawing a car design using the rough dimensions of the wood block.  .... Zane's first design had something like a helicopter rotor assembly in it to give it lift and boost, he was not happy when I kindly reminded him of the rules and the fact the design was impossible to build (imagine angry and upset Zane here).  The next design had a gigantic fin on it, again a joyous opportunity for me to burst his bubble.  My next strategy was to show him pictures of cars on the internet that were remotely feasible for us, that paid off, he picked a Pontiac Firebird design.  We went to my Uncle Gary's wood shop nearby and he cut the block, Zane sanded it and we were on our way.  

We found some cool stuff at Hobby Lobby in their "Pinewood Car" section which put me out another thirty bucks, a body "sticker" type thing for those too lazy to spend any time on painting it which worked out good for us (after my first attempt to put it on I got to spend another seven bucks on a new sticker which went on nicely).  We glued cool looking weights on, a motor, exhaust pipes, and a tail fin.  

Zane won 2nd place overall, his car performed amazingly well since I had no clue what I was doing when polishing the axles(that came in the box mind you) and sanding the wheels.  I really hate nailing the axels in, one was messed up but hey, it worked and apparently pretty well. Congratulations Zane, one down, 11 to go (4 boys X 3 pinewood derby's). 

Aidan's Counting Conquest and Radical Reading

Aidan succeeded in counting all the way to 100 getting him into the "100's club" in his Kindergarten class and within a week or so he was also in the sight words club which indicates he can read some words like "you, my, me, and antidisestablishmentarianism" by sight. He got a green turtle for the sight reading club and some other animal for the 100's, he was very excited. 

Tate, hmmm, where to begin, maybe Tater's Terrible Twos?

Tate continues his really rockin fascination for Guitar Hero, he finds anything that works to replicate a musical instrument in structure or sound and gets down.  His favorite guitar is the hairbrush.  

Tate Complete with Air Guitar and Funky Hat

Tate's Lasceration

Split it wide open right next to his eyelid, luckily no stitches (or at least we figured he didn't need them so he didn't get them)

Tate's Crazy Train

As with all good parenting, we try to instill in our children a respect for the arts and other fine hobbies.  We received a wonderful gift for Christmas that has broadened our children's appreciation for fine music and of course provided an outlet to stimulate and improve their right AND left side of their brains.  This joyous gift (which we really do love) came in the form of:

We're diggin it, I have to play late at night or Tate gets on and messes up my scores.  Tate is so into  rockin he puts is little leg up on the ottoman so he can copy his dad, even though it sticks straight out in a painfully contorted fashion. 

One thing my Sister and Brother - in - Law did NOT know is that this excellent gift contained one of our all-time favorite songs in the world,"Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne - BONUS!   I came to appreciate this song only a few years ago having avoided this type of music throughout my youth, however, I happened upon this song via a file share at work and came to love it.  It is now our favorite house cleaning song.  

Tate loves Crazy Train as well, here's a little clip of Tater gettin on the train:

You can sort of see Taters' "Wiggles" guitar in the video, he uses that for his Jam Sessions

If you don't know Crazy Train or are appalled to think of someone partaking of his lyrics, you'll find they are filled with peace loving thoughts, except for the fact that he can't handle it and is going off the rails anyway!

Crazy Train

by Ozzy Osbourne

Crazy, but thats how it goes

Millions of people living as foes

Maybe its not to late

To learn how to love

And forget how to hate

Mental wounds not healing

Lifes a bitter shame

Im going off the rails on a crazy train

Ive listened to preachers

Ive listened to fools

Ive watched all the dropouts

Who make their own rules

One person conditioned to rule and control

The media sells it and you have the role

Mental wounds still screaming

Driving me insane

Im going off the rails on a crazy train

I know that things are going wrong for me

You gotta listen to my words

Yeh-h

Heirs of a cold war

Thats what weve become

Inheriting troubles Im mentally numb

Crazy, I just cannot bear

Im living with something that just isnt fair

Mental wounds not healing

Who and whats to blame

Im going off the rails on a crazy train