Tom's Students Study the Principles of Design

crazy hair day

It was CRAZY hair day

Cotillion

As a Mother I felt it was my duty to sign Henry up for cotillion.  I value manners and good ettiqute, even if I and we as a society forget them every now and then.

The first session Henry was like a dead man walking.  "I look stupid!" "This is dumb" but in the end he enjoyed it, sort of.  

The first thing they have the kids do is go thru a receiving line.  Boys are taught a proper hand shake.  Not to hard, no limp fish, good eye contact, slight bow, and a clear enunciation of their first and last name.  Then they are paired up with the first little girl of the evening.  Then they learn some dances, foxtrot, hustle, polka.  They change partners a lot, always practicing a proper greeting.  They are instructed how to sit properly, and serve their partner a glass of punch. Boys are shown how to help a lady on, and off with her coat.  How the lady is always on the right (position of respect), and how to escort a lady off the dance floor.  I am sure there will be much more in the 5 weeks that are left.

Tom and I had to chaperon on the 2nd week.  It was a moment of sheer pride to see Henry acting the gentleman and knowing what to do.  Afterwards just the 3 of us went out to dinner.  So many people commented on how handsome Henry looked and inquired why he was dressed up.  When they found out almost all were unanimous that they wish they had the cotillion experience when they were children.  Tom and I couldn't agree more.  

But if you ask Henry what was the best part of cotillion he would say, "the punch."

The naughty snowman

one  sunny morning. a naughty  snow man  named  albert  was  playing  on  the stares and was standing  on his head  and sudenly... he  fell down the stares!  he sat up and relized the cole  buttens on him had fallen off. then he startid crying and his mom said I,ll help you put on your buttens if you dont play on the Stares. OK! your welcome! THE  END!

By Albert Burkle

      

Hi it's me Henry Burkle first I'll tell about my favorite games. In first place comes playing the Wii. My favorite game is LEGO STAR WARS the complete saga. The best episode is 1 the phantom menace but I also like the cantina because when you die you don't loose money. My favorite charecters are Kit-Fisto , Jango Fett , Darth Maul and Indiana Jones. You get Indi by going into a room and going through a door with a hat above it then you hit Indiana Jones and you buy him at the bar. 

Second comes playing outside. In the Summer I climb trees , ride bikes , swim and play with our  puppy ; a rowdy thing . Our favorite game is spinning bird I put a ball in a Chuck-it and spin he chases the ball in the Chuck-it it is fun to watch him go spinning out of controll. Sometimes the ball gets up in a tree and he barks at it; it looks like he is barking at a round yellow/brown squirrel and my dad has to get it. 

Third is playing games with my brother Albert (even LEGO STAR WARS baecause we spend lots of  time going opposite directions and don't get anything done.)

 See you for now!                                                                                                                                                                                    

I love my front window.

The big 10

Can't believe Henry is 10 years old.  Wow where did the time go.  Henry had a great birthday with 3 of his long time friends over for a sleep over.  We made home made pizza, had bionicle cake and of course unlimited Wii time.  Tom over saw the shut down of the Wii at midnight.  2am is really late for 9&10 year olds to stay up.  My mom always said "Nothing good ever happens after midnight".  It took me to 30 to know the truth in this saying.  Will Henry be wiser?

Bitchin Cook

I love to cook, but I gave up my Bon Appetit subscription a couple of years ago for a couple of reasons.  One was that I could go to my parents house, or the library and read it.  Second with epicurious on line I could get a good rendering of just about anything.  Finally, I gave it up because the recipes were complex, time consuming and my kids would not eat 99.9% of the dishes.

Anyway, last week I came to the conclusion that I am a Bitchin cook.  I took the time effort and energy to make chicken soup from scratch.  Chicken, broth, carrots, celery and onion(all cut in big chunks that are easy to pick out) and of course thick wide egg noodles.  I bring the savory steaming bowls to the table while the buttermilk biscuits are browning in the oven.  Henry went first:

 "Mom you know I don't like onions."  I calmly reply, "So just pick them out." More complaining from him. 

Then Albert started, "What is this green thing?  It looks gross."  I less calmly reply, "So just pick them out."  More complaining from him.

Then Henry goes again, "I'm not eating this."  

Then Ella, "I'm not eating this.''  

I pour myself a glass of wine.   Take a big sip, "Well I guess you will be hungry."  

All Three children then see the beautiful golden brown, warm buttermilk biscuts, the jam and the cream cheese.  

"Well, maybe we could drink the broth and eat the noodles," Henry suggests.  

"Good idea", I say.

The next night I made Bitchin Hamburgers.  Ella says, "Mommy, I like bitchin hamburgers!"

First try

ella bella boo, dressed to go