Friday Follies

SHORT(NING) STORY: This post is going to be an abbreviated one, as we have a party to go to and we're not going empty handed. For the past couple of days in our 'spare' time we've been working on cupcakes and cookies for Rick's birthday. I think he's 27. That makes me SUPER ANCIENT. ;)

For whatever reason I decided to go with a football theme this year. It's a good thing when I asked Rick (after the fact) what he wanted as a theme this year and he said football. :)

As usual, the kids were very helpful in the process. They are experienced taste testers of batter and cooked cake, as well as frosting and cookies, of course.

We also had a little Phun with Photoshop, also in the football theme, imposing Rick's mug onto some football movie photos - the sillier the better. Like this ...

And this ...

And this ...

We spent a couple of hours at the Moon Temple tonight for the party. It was good fun, though things got a little bit crazy at one point with masking tape and CJ's face. :)

Mixed Bag

HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE: We have a massive grape vine on our property. Based on its trunk (yes, it looks like a tree), it's probably as old as the house - which dates back to 1907.

In years past we've pretty much ignored the grapes, but this summer has been so relatively sunny and dry, the grapes are actually tasty right off the vine this year. Yummy!

SELF PORTRAIT: Here's a pixel pic Annabelle created today. She used a program found on the Disney Web site called Pixel Art Digital Painter.

GIVING THANKS: This afternoon we spent about an hour watching a video storybook compilation from Scholastic called "Giving Thanks Storybook Treasures." It was pretty great.

It featured four stories. First was "Giving Thanks," written and narrated by Chief Jake Swamp and illustrated by Erwin Printup Jr. The story is known as the Thanksgiving Address, and it's a  Native American good morning message, with the writer thanking elements of the natural world, from the blades of grass to the stars in the sky.

"Hiawatha" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and illustrated by Susan Jeffers, was up next. It was an excerpt of Longfellow's famous poem. 

"The Pilgrims of Plimoth" gave great detail about the first pilgrims' journey to their new home, and the struggles they endured upon arriving (including HALF of the people dying the first winter). It gave interesting details of the daily lives of the men, women and children in the settlement. We learned about their work, their diet, their recreation, their relationship with Native Americans and how important the Sabbath was to them.

The last story was "Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship" by Nikki Giovanni, with great illustrations by Bryan Collier, narrated by Danny Glover) The story of an unusual, historic friendship between two great American leaders – Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The story told us how the men met and how much they had in common - as well as how they paid the price while battling to put an end to slavery. Afterward there was an interview with the author. It gave us a better understanding of her goals in writing the book and the resources she used to get information to write it.  .

MEANWHILE, ON MARS: We listened in on a news conference today with an update about the Mars Science Laboratory's latest activities. Right now, Curiosity is readying to take its first scoop of Martian soil. Once it does that, the mobile laboratory will begin analyzing it. What the rover will be checking is to see if the soil at Gale Crater ever offered the environmental conditions favorable for microbial life. MSL's chemical analysis should be able to tell if the ingredients necessary for life are present.

To me, on first glance the photo (courtesy NASA-JPL) looked like a footprint. What it actually is is is a wheel scuff mark.Guess that's as close to a footprint as Curiosity gets, eh? 

Mission managers predict that the first solid samples will be in the analytical instruments in about two weeks.

STORY PROBLEM: For the kids' math homework, they had to solve a mystery called The Big Top Carnival Caper.  It's from Scholastic's Math Mavens Mysteries series. I thought it was a great "real world" math problem. They had to figure out the total cost of giving away a free balloon to every 10th rider of a Ferris wheel during one day at the carnival. It was a step-by-step process, where they first had to figure out total attendance, and then how many balloons they need (1/10 of the total riders). And knowing the cost of 10 balloons ($1), they had to figure out how much it would cost to buy X amount of balloons. 

It was a great exercise to demonstrate the importance of being orderly and neat when solving a math problem, how important labels are, and keeping track of what you know, what you need to know, and how to get from A to B to C to D.

We'll definitely be doing more Math Mavems Mysteries in the future. 

Safeco Swan Song

SAFECO SWAN SONG: The photo above is of the very last pitch of the 2012 season. Sigh. What the hell am I supposed to do between now and April ? As Rogers Horsnsby reportedly said, "People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."

I feel you Rogers. ...

The game was Big Fun. We bought great seats off Stubhub right behind home plate for a (relative) steal and enjoyed hearing the sound of the pitch in the catcher's glove (or sometimes on the batter's back, as was the THUD we heard in the first inning when Mike Trout got pegged).

The Ms and the Angels having both been eliminated before today's first pitch, it was a small crowd. That, no doubt, factored in to the kids being on the big screen TWICE tonight. In the first instance, they and bro Ken demonstrated how they all were Gangnam style. Here's the blurry pic I took of them getting down - Ken, Bee and part of CJ. Gangnam style!

In case you are one of the .001 percent who doesn't know about Gangnam style is (that would include Christian, who wondered what the hell these guys were doing) check this out:

And just an inning later the Safeco DJ broke out "Moves Like Jagger." The kids were all over that too and CJ was doing his best Mick on the big screen. :)

LOL. Apparently our "Just Dance" is paying big dividends. ;)

EARTHSONG: As the saying goes, "In space, no one can hear you scream." But apparently they can hear you sing - if they have the right kind of equipment. Enter NASA. .

Thanks to the .Storm Probe mission, we're  npw mapping the radio waves captured by the Probes and caused by the two Van Allen belts. Apparently HAM radio operators have been hearing chorus in the background for years, but there's never been a recording this clear. http://news.yahoo.com/earth-singing-whale-says-nasa-hear-now-151345965.html

TURN ON YOUR HEARTLIGHT: Today marks the 30th anniversary of the debut of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. What a great movie.

We celebrated the occasion by sprinkling Reese's Pieces on the kids' dessert tonight.

Dancing Machine

SCHOOLED: We probably fire up "Just Dance" on the Wii about four times a week for a fun half hour of exercise. 

Today, we were about 15 minutes into our session when Annabelle turned on the whine machine and started complaining that she could never score as well as CJ because clearly her Wii remote was defective and blahblahblah. 

I told her that tomorrow they could change remotes and positions on the floor, but based on watching her, I wouldn't expect the outcome to change. I also suggested that she give me the 'defective' remote for one song and we'd see how it went.

And so CeeJ and I went head to head during "Jerk it Out" by Caesers. It was a song neither one of us knew, so that made it a level playing field. Imagine everyone's surprise when suddenly Annabelle's 'defective'  remote came to life in my hand. In fact, I SCHOOLED CJ, 7700-something to 2500- some. Go me, go me, go me! I like shocking the kids once in awhile. :)

GAME CHANGERS: We read an online Popular Mechanics' article today about 10 World-Changing Innovators for 2012.

The list led off with amazing Voyagers 1 & 2, which are breaking on through to the other side - exiting our solar system. That, my friends, is a Really Big Deal. 

                            IMAGE: NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology
The twin spacecraft launched in 1977 on what was supposed to be a 12-year mission, to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldy go where no probes had gone before!! 

Sorry, couldn't help myself there. But seriously, who knew back then that 35 years later we'd be knock-knock-knocking on the heliopause. 

Other amazing inventions profiled in their sideshow include tires that maintain their own air pressure, cameras that can see around corners, a revolutionary oil spill cleaning system, prosthetic devices with built in, pain relieving thermo-resistive wiring and a solar powered battery. Oh, and of course Elon Musk of Space X (it *is* the year of the Dragon, after all).  Wonderful photo gallery of Dragon's first mission to the ISS here: http://www.spacex.com/dragon.php

                                            PHOTO: NASA - Dragon taken from the ISS in May of 2012
Speaking of SpaceX and the Dragon, the private space company will be launching a resupply mission on Oct. 7, this Sunday. We'll be watching for sure. Hope these flights become routine - and MANNED - in the very near future.

SO CLOSE: It's not quite as monumental as crossing into another solar system, but today the kids were thrilled to discover they're just one exercise away from completing their Singapore 3B math books. 

I remember that feeling of great satisfaction as a student. I also remember my excitement at getting a new book. And how quickly that excitement wore off as I started slogging through it, LOL. ;)

STORYBOOK SESSION: We checked out two library DVDs that need to be returned soon. The first was "An Apple for Harriet Tubman." We are familiar with Tubman's fetes as an adult, but this story focused on her childhood and early years. It made her easier to think of and relate to for Annabelle and CJ, I'm sure. For instance, we learned that slave children had to work long and hard and that as a 7-year-old girl, one of Harriet's jobs was to sit up all night and tend to her owner's infant. If the baby cried and woke its mother, apparently Harriet would get beaten or whipped. "Think about that!" I said to the kids. "She was Annabelle's age. Can you imagine having to do that all night, every night, Annabelle?" It's just plain horrifying thinking of a child being in that position. 

We learned that one of her jobs as a teen was harvesting apples. She had to pick and polish them, but she wasn't allowed to eat a single one. Harriet loved apples, and one day the temptation was too great. When she thought the field boss wasn't looking, she took a bite of one. Unfortunately, she was caught and as a result, whipped mercilessly. Harriet bore scars from the attack for life. 

The stories are almost too much to bear. And it happened here, in America, just a handful of generations ago. And now, we have an African American president. Talk about change! Here's to social justice and equal rights.

We also watched a Scholastic Storybook Treasures collection. It was quite a mishmash, with no theme. The first feature was "I'm Dirty," which was a very primary-ish counting book about backhoe. 

Next up was "Burt Dow: Deep-Water Man," the last book written by acclaimed children's author Robert McCloskey. It's about a retired fisherman who rides out a storm int he belly of a whale.  

"The Paperboy" by Dav Pilkey of Captain Underpants fame had lovely illustrations of a paperboy making his way along his early morning route with his faithful canine companion.

"Stars! Stars Stars!" written and illustrated by Bob Barner is from the good ol' days, when Pluto was still a planet. :) 

"Fletcher and the Falling Leaves" is a book we've read before. It's a sweet story about a young fox who thinks "his" tree is sick, as its leaves are changing and falling off. He learns from his mother it's just the cycle of life and the seasons playing out.

The last story was a version of "Johnny Appleseed," written by Reeve Lindbergh and illustrated by Kathy Jakobsen. It told of John Chapman's botanical adventures and the messages he shared during his travel - and he wasn't just talking apples. 

"Apparently this man was religious," CJ said when the story shared some of Chapman's proclivities  such as always carrying a bible and often preaching to people he'd encounter in his 40 years of wandering around Ohio and eastern Indiana. 

Illustration of John Chapman from 1862, 17 years after he died, as published in

 A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County

I told CJ that some called Appleseed an eccentric pioneer, while others have labeled him a religious fanatic. One resource we read today said Chapman practiced Swedenborgian religion. That was a new one on me. Multiple resources said Appleseed was usually attired in a coffee sack with cutouts for his arms and head, multiple papers of tattered pants, one or no shoes, and he wore his cooking pot on his head. Practical, and waterproof. ... 

Monday Matinee

WEBBY: Don't know what it's like in your neck of the woods, but in these parts, the spiders seem to be readying to stage a World Takeover. Seriously, there are So. Many. Spiders. With so many webs, and so many egg sacs they've spun. At this point I think it's time to prepare to bow down to our Spider Overlords.

BIG WHEEL KEEP ON TURNIN': This weekend on one of my too-many runs to the hardware store, I spied what looked to be a Big Wheel by the side of the road with a "FREE" sign on it.

Screech went the brakes on the CR-V. I hastily stopped and threw it into the car. Score!

Upon closer examination, it's not a genuine Big Wheel, but it is a close enough approximation (by Radio Flyer) to give the kids a Big Wheel experience. CJ has asked a few times over the years about Big Wheels. We've never owned one and I don't know that he's ever even seen one. 

It's a little too small for CJ to really get going on, but Annabelle tore up and down the alley this weekend. 

They sure are fun little vehicles. I read today that they were introduced by Louis Marx and Company in 1968. I remember when all of the sudden in the early '70s it seemed like every kid in the neighborhood had one. 

The original Big Wheel manufacturers went bankrupt, and the name was sold to . They, too, went bankrupt. Today, a company called Kids Only Toys has the rights to the righteous ride. 

MONSTER STORY: This afternoon we read a library book, Frankie Stein, with a bold, colorful cover. How could I *not* pick this up??

It's written by Steven T. Seagle, creator of a couple of cartoons the kids have watched (Ben 10 and Generator Rex), and it's illustrated by an artist who has worked on SpongeBob, Marco Cinello.

It's an interesting story about a young boy who lives in a castle and he looks every bit the monster. However, his father has taught him that "Boys live in castles and monsters live in the cities." Frankie's father has also instructed him not to go to the city. However, Frankie decided it's time to find out more about these monsters, and he strikes out for the town - on Halloween. That's an eye-opening encounter for all involved. 

FISHY TALE: This afternoon we finally took the kids to see "Finding Nemo" in 3D. It's such a visually appealing movie - gorgeous, colorful animation of the undersea world. I really appreciate the fact that the title character has a disability (one undersized fin), but it's not portrayed as a huge shortcoming, or overly fixated on. It's just a part of him and it's one of the many things that makes him unique. Good life lesson there. The 3-D effects were just OK, but for me by far the best part of the movie was Ellen DeGeneres as a yellowtaill tang. That woman makes one funny fish.

There were just 6 of us in the theater, with our family making up two-thirds of that total. Slow day at the AMC Loews Oak Tree.  

THEY SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY: It was 1958 when President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, providing for research into the problems of flight within Earth’s atmosphere and in space. With the act was the creation of a new civilian agency designated the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The agency began operations on this day in 1958.

When NASA opened, it operated with five facilities inherited from the National Aeronautics and Space Council. They were the Lewis Research Center in Ohio, Langley Research Center and the Wallops rocket test range in Virginia, and Ames Research Center and the Muroc aircraft test range in California. Also on Oct. 1, Eisenhower issued an executive order transferring space projects and appropriations from other space programs to NASA. This order gave NASA a staff of 8,240 (8,000 from the NACA) and a budget of approximately $340 million.

Today's also the birthday of the Model-T. It was Oct. 1, 1908 when the first production Model T rolled off the line at Ford's Piquette Avenue plant in Detroit. Over the next 19 years, some 15 million "Tin Lizzies" were built. According to History.com, the Model-T had the longest production run of any car until 1972, when the perpetually popular Volkswagen Beetle beat it. 

On YouTube, we watched some vintage video of the Model T being produced. 


And I should also mention that Cartoon Network turned 20 today. They had special programming all day. You just know the kids tuned in for The Annoying Orange's new episode, "Planet of the Grapes of Wrath." Highbrow comedy, that show is.