"I'm not ready"

Zachary's English teacher has had the students working on a research paper for a few weeks. She really has made it very easy for them. Needless to say, he was asked to finish working on his introduction and conclusion paragraphs in class on Friday because they were due that day. He proceeded to tell the teacher "He wasn't ready to do it." She later explained the situation to me, and fortunately was not too bothered by his remark.

When I asked him about it, he said, "you tell me the dog and fish are not ready to eat when I give them their food. I wasn't ready to do my paper." (sigh)

Then I received this paper from his Reading teacher. (sigh)


Can you read that! STUPID QUESTIONS, and no less, he highlighted it. And then proceeded to write '(answer unknown)' on all the other ones. I'm sighing a lot these days. I do have to admit, I did laugh at first.

Science Kit

The other weekend, Zachary was messing around the house, and he discovered a science kit he had received nearly three Christmas' ago. You never know what will spark his interest. Anyway, he wanted to make a "volcano". And somehow, he managed to get his dad to help him. So, here are the pics of a "volcano."

The set-up in progress. Not what I expected for a volcano, but what do I know.

Squirting the reactor, aaaaannnnndddd.....

BOOM!!!! Yep, that was it.

Surprisingly, he thought it was pretty cool. His Aunt Jo got him another kit for Christmas this year. He does enjoy science, so we may have something fun to do this summer on a dull day.

PS Yes, I know Zachary is often without a shirt in these posts. Much happens in our home at night after his shower. He does not think he needs to wear a shirt. I'm not fighting that battle. At least he has bottoms on. ;-)

Cupcakes for dinner

Don't they look delicious! Zachary was so excited when I told him we were having cupcakes for dinner on Sunday, April 1st. I served them with broccoli. He ate the broccoli first because he said he should save his sweets for the end.

His face was funny as he pealed his cupcake. You could tell he thought something seemed a little strange about these cupcakes. He took a bite and I asked how they tasted and he said, "not to good." I said "April Fools!" and told him they were meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato icing. He said, "I don't like them." He actually very sweet about it. And I thought the meatloaf and potatoes were just as tasty as usual.

Now before you go thinking I am the meanest mom in the world, I did go ahead and make him some real cupcakes for dessert. I tried a recipe from Dr. Oz...one box of cake mix and 12 ounces of Club Soda. It was so moist, and can't even tell you how good it was. A little flatter than normal, but low-fat, and delicious. You can't beat that, and Zachary said they were good!

Band concert

Last year, the school band went to its first band competition among other private schools. They planned to go again this year, but I did not expect Zachary to get to go. I figured Mr. H was just being kind by letting him play at the pep-rallies, games, and 7th period. Low and behold, he did get to go, and they band got ones, a superior rating, on the pieces they played. I got to drive and be part of the event, so it was fun day for both of us.

Can you see my xylophonist?

Here are the winners!

Better option

This week we got to try something new at school. I had heard that you could receive PE credit for outside sport activities. While Zachary enjoys Gym, he liked the idea more of doing homework during PE and having more time after swim. So each day he goes to the PACE lab, which is a classroom for students doing classes at their own pace (outcome of a small private school with limited classes). We discuss work options in the morning before he gets to school, and so far it is working out nicely. He swims normally 50 laps a practice. Today, he swam 80 laps. I think that definitely counts as aerobic exercise.

I love our little school!

Relaxing Break

We had a nice, easy Spring Break. We started with Zachary going to my dad's for the weekend. That was a much needed break for me after coordinating Career Day at school. We finished up our last book report for 5th grade. Woohoo! We went swimming at the Y, and then headed to my mom's for some R&R. We also made a stop at the Children's Museum.

Zachary has been wanting to go to the Children's Museum for about a month. Note to those that might think this is a good idea during Spring Break: Never again!!!! OK, maybe it wasn't so bad with 5th graders, but I can't imagine with little ones. We got a few fun photos...

The crazy mirrors - Joseph is taller than Zack normally

This first picture is from the Kidtropolis, which was like a little city for kids. You could earn money, spend money, go to jail, etc. Zack didn't really want to go, but once he was in there, he was a policeman, veterinarian, EMT, waiter and banker. As a matter of fact, the restaurant had tables where the parents were congregating. He went right up to three ladies and asked them their order. They were kind enough to play along. We stayed in there for about an hour and a half.

This second photo is one of those 4 story, climby things.

And the last one is a car where you got to practice driving and check out the engine. Joseph thought that was pretty cool!

Overall, we had a lot of fun. We have relaxed and enjoyed time just hanging out. Back to school Monday, but just ten weeks left.

Talent Show

Two weeks ago, our school held its Talent Show. We have a different director, so there were a lot of numbers, but also numerous categories to win. Zachary won the K-5th solo instrument. He was very excited and received a Target gift card for $15.

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As you might have noticed, I made him play it again at home. At the performance, you couldn't see his face because he sat behind the music stand and the keyboard was pretty bad. Now, of course at home, the phone rang in the background and there were various blips as he played. But the song was challenging, and we were very proud of him. I did however want to post the cutest part...

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So sweet! And he was proud too.

And then one picture afterwards...