Wrapping Up Summer

It's been a rich and full summer at Michael Delving.  A year to the day after cutting up his pack to splint his ankle, the Mayor went and got a new pack.  Here he is showing off the capacity - it easily holds a 3-year old and his Lee.

Here are the three hobbitlings mugging poses in the summer sunshine.  Guns, dressup and lots of fruit were all in heavy rotation this season.

As one season ends, another begins.  Here is the brand-new math curriculum in the dehydrator after someone spilled their water bottle on the bag of school work on the way to the library.  Here's to a joyful fall!

the social perils of paleo

(loudly) "ooo!  look!  CROISSANTS!"
-ela, age 6, upon being served caesar salad croutons

(loudly) "oh, thank GOODNESS!-  mommy's buying ECLAIRS!"
-boookie, age 8, upon noticing a bag of english muffins in the shopping cart

(loudly) "mommy!  NO BREAD!"
-seimi, age 3, also upon noticing the english muffins in the shopping cart 

(i think we need to include a new homeschooling subject, don't you?-  BREAD 101: IDENTIFYING AND CONDONING CARBS WITH CRUMBS.)

Fabulous hair

Ela and the Hobbit Wife were discussing the hypothetical question, "Would you rather have $10,000 or perfect hair?"  Ela said, "I would take the money, since my hair is already amazing and one shouldn't be too stylish."

Boookie's 8th Birthday - TMNT Style!

Boookie's 8th birthday celebration started with camping with The Mayor on his actual birthday.

The Mayor's old camouflage hat and the knife the Mayor received on his 8th birthday from his father were passed on to the next warrior generation.  Added to the warrior gifts were dogtags and a map case.

"Cutie Kittie" the meerkat was an intrepid part of all the birthday celebrations, along with "Favie," Boookie's favorite blanket.

Preparations for the birthday party happened over several weekends.  Here's the Mayor's outside workship after finishing ninja weapon production.

The Hobbit Wife chipped in her touch to decorations and foodstuffs.

Leonardo portrait #1

 Leonardo portrait #2

Donatello portrait #1

 Donatello portrait #2

Michaelangeo portrait #1

 Michaelangelo portrait #2

 Rafael portrait #1

 Rafael portrait #2

The kickoff mission was for the turtles to defeat the evil Kraang balloons, which took no time at all, thanks to the awesome ninja turtle skills!

 Searching for any missing Kraang balloons...

 On to the next mission!

 Watching the action from inside, safe away from swinging weapons...

Here's a small sewer rat enjoying the party food.

Dessert was sewer dirt cake with toxic ooze Jello.

Everyone enjoying the dessert.

The Hobbit Wife's mad decorating skills were on full display.  The sewer lid was a true masterpiece in cardboard and paper bag.

Boookie/Leonardo thoroughly enjoyed time with his turtle and human friends.

food for thought

"mommy, are pasta and scrambled eggs cousins?"

"you know, i really can't WAIT to join the military and start learning all kinds of cool survival skills!  like peeling potatoes!  did you know that peeling potatoes is important for warrior training?  because i sure didn't.  but NOW i do, and i bet i'll be REALLY GOOD at it!"

"if anyone wants help finishing their dessert, i'd be honored."

boookie, age 8

So we may have watched a bit of "Top Gun"...

"When I grow up, I'm going to invent a plane that looks just like the F-14 Tomcat and is called the F-14 Tomcat, but it's better.  So far my fighter squadron has shot down 3 Libyan SU-33s and 1 MiG 29 Fulcrum." -Boookie

boookie howser, md

extended, self-directed study of world wars I and II has prompted bookie to diagnose himself as having a case of trench foot.

trench foot.

our young scholar currently enjoys discussing this self-diagnosis wherever we go.  for example, yesterday, while our groceries were being bagged at trader joe's, he asked our cashier if she could recommend an over-the-counter remedy for trench foot.  the elderly gentleman in line behind us was heartily amused.  the cashier, however, could only give bookie stickers, a complementary juice box, and a wide berth.

not that we blame her.  can't be too careful when it comes to trench foot.