We're coming to getcha . . .

Last year, we built some leprechaun traps using designs we found in Family Fun magazine.  Now, I don't want to knock the Family Fun people but . . . well . . . they didn't work.  In retrospect, it was clear that there were some serious design flaws.  I mean, using a cardboard box?  Not even close to strong enough to contain a leprechaun!!!  So this year, Cameron designed the traps himself.  There are several Lego traps which I don't entirely understand, except for a long Lego bridge designed to lure the leprechauns with some cleverly placed coins.  The bridge is too weak to support the weight of your average leprechaun, so when they greedily run out onto the bridge it will collapse, dropping them into a pool of water.  Gotcha!

There is one non-Lego trap -- an improvement upon last year's cardboard box fiasco.  "It's made from coffee canisters," explains Cameron, "which are metal inside so the leprechauns can't blast through it."  The leprechauns will climb a toothpick ladder to reach the coins placed tantalizingly on the top of the trap.  The toothpick ladder, like the Lego bridge, will be weak and will break as they climb it.  It will be just strong enough for them to reach the top, but will not survive a climb back down.  Take that, leprechauns!

Last year, the leprechauns also used their socks to make a rope ladder, thus escaping the oatmeal canister trap.  To foil them, Cameron used TWO coffee canisters.  But here's the really tricky part.  The coffee canisters are intact, merely taped together.  Thus, when the leprechaun falls into the trap, he will find himself stranded several inches above the floor!  So, even if he manages to blast a hole in the canister, how will he get down?!?!   

Cameron is feeling pretty confident that this will be our year.  I am racking my brain, wondering how the leprechauns are going to outwit these traps . . .

My Crying Joy

Me:  Oh, Matthew, you're my pride and joy!
Matthew:  What?  What does that MEAN?  What does that mean, I'm your crying joy?
Me (laughing):  No, you're my PRIDE and joy.  It means you make me proud and you make me happy.
Matthew:  Aaand I make you laugh 'cause I'm soooo funny.

I'm so over that sensitive period.

As I've mentioned before, Cameron goes to a Montessori school.  I've never sat down and talked to him about the theories behind Montessori.  I've never said, "Cameron, you are in a 'sensitive period' for language."  I've never pointed out that his classroom provides structure as well as freedom to choose the work that interests him.  But yesterday, without knowing it, Cameron himself told me about how Montessori works.

We were working on some craft projects at home and Cameron painted a little picture on the cardboard that was protecting the floor from our craftiness.  "Look!" he said.  "It's a painting of me watering the grass."  Then he reflected, "You know, when I was in the youngest and the middle groups, I was really into painting on the easel.  But I'm kind of over painting now.  I'm just really into language and math at the moment."

Update: What's Really Important

A while back, I posted about Cameron's desire to help Haiti.  I'm so proud to report that now he really has!

Cameron's great-grandma and great-grandpa sent him some money, and Cameron decided to make a donation with it.  This past Saturday, he handed over a fifty dollar bill and then spent two hours packaging meals to be sent to Haiti.  He reports that it was "great!" 

He did have some initial hesitation, though. As he got ready to go volunteer, he said to me, "Wait.  What's 60 plus 60?  It's 120, right?"

"Right," I answered.

"I'm going to be packing food for ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY MINUTES?!?!?" he said in disbelief.  Then he pointed to his bracelet and said, "Well, I guess that okay.  You know, 'pa bliye Ayiti.'"

We're hoping to make this a regular event, although right now the organization has no openings for volunteers until the end of June!  We'll have to find some other volunteer opportunities in the mean time, since it appears that Cameron is fully capable of working for one hundred and twenty minutes!

The Geriatric Soccer League

The boys and I have been playing soccer in our hallway for literally hours each day.  The scores are routinely in the 70's -- alas, the temperature is not.  Yesterday, Matthew had just scored for our team, tying things up.  "High five," he crowed, running back to me. 

And as I high-fived him, Cameron kicked the ball past me, into the goal, and shouted, "Don't celebrate yet, old lady!"

This is how long winter has been.

As we were driving Cameron to school today, Matthew called out, "Mama, it's hurting my eyes!"

"What is?"

"Dat . . . thing."  I glanced back to see him pointing up out the window.  "Dat stuff is coming and hurting my eyes."

"The sunshine?" I asked.

"Oh yeah, da sunshine.  I forget da name of dat."

Thinking Outside the Tub

"Hey, Cameron, it's Picture Day at school today," I said.  "You need to take a shower this morning."

"Whaaattt???  But I just took a shower," Cameron protested.

"You still need to take a shower.  Your hair is sticking up.  After your shower, I'll blow dry it so it looks nice."

Cameron flattened his hair with his hand, but it sprang right back up.  "Does it look good now?"

"Nope, still sticking up."

"Now?"

"Nope, still sticking up.  You need to take a shower."

Then, I was distracted by Matthew for a few moments.  "Hey!" called Cameron triumphantly.  "Is it sticking up NOW?"  I turned to see him holding a pair of scissors.  Holding. A. Pair. Of. Scissors.

My mouth dropped open.  "Cameron.  Please tell me you didn't cut your hair.  Oh my gosh.  Cameron.  Did you CUT your HAIR?!?!"

Cameron quickly sensed that this plan was not going the way he had envisioned.  (Cameron's vision:  "Oh, Cameron!  How clever!  You just cut off the hair that was sticking up!  No need for a shower now!  How about we eat candy and play video games instead?") 

He immediately burst into tears, sobbing for about 15 minutes, filled with regret.  "I thought it was a good plan," he cried.  "But I made a mistake!"

Thankfully, the trim is not noticeable and he should look just fine for photos.  After a shower.