Clever Uly

The other day I was watching a show where one character was tutoring another in math. Uly passed through the room and overheard the show:

Show: It's simple, really. See, 'The bisector of a vertex is the line that divides the angle at that vertex into two equal parts.'

Uly: What are they talking about, Mom?

Me (a little dismissively, trying to pay attention to what I’m watching): Oh, nothing. Just some math prob…

Uly: Is it lines of symmetry?

Me (taken aback): Yes, Uly. Yes it is.

I was surprised, though I guess I shouldn’t have been, that Uly understood and was able to visualize what a couple of (fictional) high-school kids were talking about. That dialog went by fast! It’s the kind of line that I tune out—it’s white noise. It’s a reminder that kids hear and understand more than we realize sometimes.

What a Difference a Year Makes

We've had Pepper a year now. Here are some before and after shots. The vet tells me she will continue growing for another several months.

Hooray for Dinos!

Look past the glare--you'll see Nate's book. A few of the local Barnes and Nobles have chosen Dinosaur's Night before Christmas as their holiday title. Also, it was mentioned in an AP story on children's Christmas books, and it's selling well across the nation. It's pretty exciting. Nate's doing a Dino-Advent on his blog. A dino a day until Christmas. It's fantastic! Check it out.

Sad Little Pilgrim

Gerry's Commercial

My brother-in-law Gerry made a commercial for a Doritos contest. (He's the guy in the Sinclair shirt.) I think it is fantastic and should definitely win. Click on the TV to watch it.

Ranch-giving '08

Not the best Ranch-giving (early Thanksgiving) ever. The kids went early with Linda and Cody, but Nate and I were late and missed the meal altogether. Then our car broke down and we were stranded for an extra day at the Ranch with nothing to eat but nachos and pumpkin cheesecake. (The menu this year was Mexican. Next year: Luau!) There are certainly worse places to be stranded though, and we had a good time--I'm sure forced idleness is good for us every once in a while. Uly and Pepper hiked to the top of a really big hill with Nate. Lucy made it two-thirds of the way up on her own steam and I carried her (and her stuffed animals) back down.

Uly spent last Saturday doing experiments with cornstarch and water (with a little food coloring thrown in). What a mess! He learned about non-newtonian fluids and how to mop a floor. I must say he did a great job with both endeavors--even if the kitchen was covered in a thin film of cornstarch for a few days after.