Ten on Tuesday

1. This guy turned twelve this week.

2. I continued my tradition of "tastes better than it looks" cake baking.

3. So in last week's post, I mentioned that all food in our house that is meant for future consumption needs to be labeled. I had tucked away twelve Hershey Kisses in the filing cabinet for his cake. Let me repeat that. In the filing cabinet. Again, I would think that would be a clue. But no. Hey, at least seven of them made it to the cake.

4. DS3 finished his track season yesterday.   

5. Sixth grade class wanted to plant some items in observance of Earth day. Since April's weather is questionable, they had planned it for May. Only problem? It was 30 degrees the morning they had it scheduled. (They didn't go out that day after all.)

6. It's supposed to get up to 70 something today though. Hoping the freezing temps are gone for good now.

7. DS2 has his AP US history test tomorrow. I've been studying with him. It's definitely been a long time since my last history class.

8. DH surprised me with some flowers on Mother's Day. I also didn't cook at all that day. So all in all not a bad way to spend the day.

9. I'm thinking that during summer break my kids should take on all the cooking. (It's my motherly duty to get them prepared for adulthood after all.)

10. This week's layout:

Ten on Wednesday

1. Maybe it's just us. When it comes to food or other consumables, we have to label it if it's earmarked for something. Case in point. DS1 needed to bring in some items for one of his classes. We picked up two 2-liters (one Pepsi, one Hawaiian punch). We brought it home about 9 pm and it was meant for the next school day. Approximately, 3 minutes after it came home, DS4 had opened the Hawaiian punch.

2. It's kind of odd to me because we don't generally buy soda or punch. And if we have it, I wouldn't think of it as a before-bed kind of drink. So in my mind, that should have been a clue. Yet another example of where boys' minds and moms' minds differ. I'm pretty sure DS4's train of thought went something like "Hawaiian punch? Yum."

3. Long story short? DS1 took a 2 liter of Pepsi to school.

4. Another example of how boys and moms think differently. DS3 had track practice and the coaches suggested to Nate that he run the 400 at the next meet. He declined and ran his usual 800 and 1600 instead. Why? Because he said the 400 would tire him out. Yes. Running the 400 instead of the 1600 would be more tiring.

5. Dh and I had dinner and walked around the Botanical Gardens this week. So nice to see spring and enjoy the sunshine.

6. Another sign of spring? DS3's freckles have made a reappearance. (No photographic evidence. DS3 has a chronic case of photo avoidance.)

7. Speaking of DS3, I find it funny that even though he isn't in high school until next year, he has four activities at the high school this week.

8. DS2 started dissection in biology this week. He's thrilled. (And yes. That is sarcasm.) I tried to tell him that it was a rite of passage for every biology student. For some reason, that didn't seem to matter.

9. Cool to see two of my projects featured on the Paper Crafts blog this week. This one was from 350 Cards and Gifts new special issue.

This one is in the May/June digital issue.

Kid friendly projects are some of my favorite things to make.

10. This week's layout: DS1 was inducted into the NHS. :)

Ten on Tuesday

1. This Ten on Tuesday post is actually on a Tuesday. Go me.

2. Today, the junior high kids are finishing up their OAA's. (Standardized testing for Ohio.)

3. DS1 was on the tech crew of the high school play this past weekend. They performed Beauty and the Beast and did such an amazing job. (I know I say that every time there's a play, but this was truly so well done.) The set and costumes were incredible as well. DS3 and I went on a Sunday and it was a packed house.

4. And yes, I do still have quite a few Beauty and the Beast songs popping in my head at random times.

5. DS2 decided not to join in on the spring play. (First one he hasn't been in one way or another since he started high school.) Turns out to be a fortunate decision since he had the opportunity to go to the robotics nationals in St. Louis. It was held at the dome where the Rams play and Caleb saw will.i.am there as well. (Granted he was really, really, far away from where DS2 was sitting but he was still there.)

6. In other weekend news, dh did some tree planting in the backyard. In doing so, he ended up with a cherry tree that needed to be moved. We had the perfect spot in the front. Still not 100% sure it will survive the move at this point but I'm hopeful.

7. One morning last week, I reached my hand in DS4's lunch bag and it was covered in goo. Turns out that his gogurt broke upon inside his lunch bag. Josh explained it. His class ate lunch outside and he was swinging his lunch bag around. Then it flew out of his hands a few times. Mystery solved.

8. DS1 was named student of the week at his school. He was nominated by his math teacher. Austin didn't tell us about it. I was reading the weekly update and there he was.

9. DS1 also registered for the first time to take the ACT test. Sheesh. It was lots more involved than I expected. Who knew that most of the questions would come before the actual test?

10. We also received that DS3's braces are coming off in May! (His original estimate was December, so he's more than ready for their removal.)

This week's layout.

Ten on Tuesday

1. When I posted last week, it was Wednesday, rainy and there was an upcoming track meet for DS3.

2. Today, it's Wednesday, rainy and DS3 has a track meet.

3. Last week, I was signed up to volunteer and was relieved that it was cancelled. (Hooray!) This week I don't have such a vested interest; we'll see how it goes.

4. I guess the "not having a vested interest" sounds bad considering DS3 still participates even if I'm not volunteering. However, a) This is his second year, he knows what to expect. b) He's moving during his events. c) He gets to duck under shelters when he doesn't have an event and d) They have a concession stand there. (That doesn't seem like it's relevant but to 14 year old boys, concession stands are a positive factor that balances out negative forces like bad weather.)

5. This week, one of our friends picked up our treadmill that we weren't using. How can you tell we weren't using it? Well, it was in Caleb's room and he was using it as a coat rack.

6. I rather like this trend of clearing out clutter we've had this month.

7. DS4 is hosting a Minecraft server.

8. I'd go into more details about that, but frankly sometimes when my kids start talking about video games/computer stuff; it's like Peanuts in reverse. All I hear is "wah. wah. wah."

9. However, I have gleaned that it's been fun for him. Which in my opinion, is much more important than knowing the nuances of creepers, pigs and other Minecraft minutiae.

10. This week's layout:

Ten on Wednesday

1. The guys had spring break last week. Josh commandeered my computer for Minecraft.

2. That actually worked out okay. I had some spring cleaning to do and sometimes the computer can be a distraction. (Shocking. I know.)

3. By the end of the week, I had several boxes and bags cleared out. I'm also ready for a scrapbook garage sale that I'm taking part in on the 20th. Here's the info for anyone local: (Saturday, April 20th. St. James Lutheran Church. 4727 Sylvania Ave. 9-12.)

4. Volunteered to help out at Nate's track meet this afternoon. Right now it's pouring, pouring rain outside. The meet will still be held in rain, just not in lightening.

5. I think I have a unique ability to pick rainy track days to volunteer. (Lucky me.)

6. Spring break was good. Dh had to work so we didn't plan on going anywhere. That's actually good though. I think we all (especially the oldest two) just needed some time without commitments or projects. DS2 slept for 16 hours the first day...yep, pretty sure he needed some down time.

7. Easter was low key too. That's what happens when you don't dye eggs or have Easter egg hunts anymore. Basically now, we just dress a little nicer for Easter services and buy some Easter candy. This year, I even waited until after Easter to buy candy.

8. The day after Easter happened to be April first. I pointed out the possibility that maybe my idea of buying candy after Easter was just an April Fool's joke. (They weren't that amused by my suppositions.)

9. Warning. Proud mom moment ahead. Austin was recently invited to join the NHS. He'll be inducted later this month.

10. Few layouts: One from my 2012 Shutterfly must-create-layouts frenzy. Another from Easter. (BTW, whoever stated that women take a longer time to get ready than men has obviously never been to my house on Easter morning.)

Ten on Thursday

1. DS2 turned 16 this week.

2.  Strawberry cake. It's becoming a tradition for him.

3. The older two were in Cincinnati (Xavier University) this week for their second (and final) robotics trip of the season. (I found it rather amusing that they talked about what they ate almost as much as the competition itself.)

4. The team meets for 12 hours a week (after school/Saturdays) during the building and competition season. It'll be good for them to have some down time again. (Oh, and when I say them...I also mean me.)

5. Speaking of down time, spring break is starting soon. Their last day of classes is today. Hooray!

6. Over the weekend, DS3 participated in the solo and ensemble contests for band. It took place about 40 minutes away and his second performance was scheduled more than four hours after his first one. Fortunately, we had friends in the area and we were able to hang out with a newborn (and his family) for awhile.

7. Not a bad way to spend the day.

8. I had a coupon for a free book from Shutterfly, so I chained myself to the computer and finished some 2012 layouts.

9. Finished it in time. About 10 minutes after I sent in the order, I received an e-mail extending the coupon for a day. There were probably a few layouts I would have tweaked with that extra day. All in all though, it was done. And sometimes done is good enough.

10. A few layouts from this week: Vocabulary Parade, Josh's Eggs-periment, Nate's Birthday. (Just to be confusing. It was Caleb's birthday this week. Nate's birthday was in October. Which means I'll probably scrap Caleb's birthday sometime in the fall. Unless I get a coupon, of course.)

Ten on Tuesday

1. March is kind of kicking my backside. Unexpected expenses. Illnesses. Just weird blah things. Even the weather isn't cooperating. (It was supposed to be warming up by now, you know.)

2. DS4 was the latest to be ill. Missed Thursday, Friday and Monday. Back to school today. Kicked off his back to school day by having to run for the bus. (Upside: At least he didn't have to stand in the cold waiting for it.)

3. Every year, the high school holds a 12 hour dance fundraiser. DS2 joined in again this year. DS1 volunteered for the tech crew. Dancing isn't the only activity. They have other events like tug of war, video games etc. The main thing is that they stand for the entire twelve hours.

4. It took place on Saturday and the school raised over $25,000 for Honor Flight. Not sure exactly what he did, but DS2 is still hobbling around a bit. However, he did win first place in Mario Kart for his team and tied for second in the limbo contest.

5. There's also a rumor of a lip sync team contest. Too bad I don't have a video of it. I have a feeling it would be good blackmail material.

6. St. Patrick's came and went at our house with barely a notice. Pi day? Different story (at least for the older two.) They had math club and then robotics. So, yes of course; there was also pie.

7. BTW, there was a "memorize places of pi" contest at math club. DS2 went up to 31. 31?! Yes. And yet, I still need to remind him to take his laundry downstairs. The mind is a mysterious thing.

8. Got free deodorant yesterday. (Quite the non sequitur, I know.) Giant Eagle on sale for $1.50. I had .75 coupons which doubled. It's a small win in the financial department, but a win is a win.

9. Can't believe I just posted about deodorant. What can I say? It's been one of those kind of weeks all month. So I guess I should just wrap it up now.

10. This week's layout. It's my second monthly recap and I'm enjoying doing them. It's a simple way to hit the events/highlights of the month.