The Book Swiper

Last week I ordered this book, Fablehaven after reading about it on the Six LDS Writers and a Frog website (you will neet to scroll down to May 15th). When the book arrived David asked what it was and I told him it was a youth novel I planned to read and that he and I could read together. He took it and was looking at it when I suggested he read the back. He did so without a problem. I then asked him if he wanted to try and read it by himself letting him know that most 7 year olds would not be able to read it. He took the book and is now on chapter five and seems to be really enjoying it. I get to read a few pages now and then when he sets it down or forgets to take it to school.

Tonight I have a meeting at David's school to find out how he did on some testing they gave him this year. It was a pilot program at two schools to try and identify bright kids earlier. Those kids tested were referred by their teachers. It is nice to have a kid being tested being bright since I have so many that have IEP's.

Here is a description of the book: For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic in a cynical world. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite...

Kendra and her brother Seth have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws give relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, an arcane evil is unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save her family, Fablehaven, and perhaps the world, Kendra must find the courage to do what she fears most.

Lipstick on the mirrors

According to a news report, Golden Grove Jr. High School was recently faced with a unique problem. A number of 12-year-old girls werebeginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That wasfine, but after they put on their lipstick they would press their lipsto the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night the maintenance man would remove them and the next day the girls would put them back. Finally the principal decided that something had to be done.

She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night. To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.

Priceless!

Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror. There are teachers.... and then there are educators!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Urban Legend or True? Who knows, but it is hilarious.

Bigger than life

Near the southwest corner of 48th and Normal there is this electronic billboard that has my kids on it. The picture is almost four years old but you can still tell who they are. Heather thinks it is cool, Kurt II isn't hear to respond, Cornell appears ambivilant and David doesn't like it. I do like the below picture better. Of course none of the kids in the picture are in crisis, but they can't use real kids in crisis.

Lincoln Zoo

I went to the Lincoln Zoo with David's 1st grade class and four hours is to long at that zoo. David had a good time and got to hold this giant beetle. Yuck!!!

Cornell going to state

Cornell is going to run in the state track meet in the 4 x 400 (also called the 1600 relay). Yesterday at Districts his team placed 2nd. YEAH!!!

Ducks and Turkeys

This morning when I took the boys to school there was a mother duck and her ducklings on the grass at Southeast HS. They were so cute. It reminded me of this book "Make Way for the Ducklings". While I was watching them the mother duck was leading the ducklings to cross Van Dorn when a couple of teenage girls gently blocked the way so they would not go out in to the street.

A few weeks ago I saw a Turkey in my front yard. It went around my house down the stairs and into the neighbors back yard.

Kurt completes the marathon

My dear hubby completed a lifetime goal by completing the Lincoln Marathon. He finished with an official time of 6:00:02. The clock shows 6:07:35 because that is the gun time. The official time doesn't start until the runner passes the start line. There were so many runners that it too 7 minutes 33 seconds for Kurt to even get to the start of the race after the gun was fired. Check out Kurt's blog for more information.

Heather, Cornell, David and I had a good time circumventing the race route in order to cheer Kurt on about every three miles. We even dried off for a portion of the time. Of course right at the end it poured and we were drenched.