Our second grade curriculum includes the annual animal fair.   Each child selects a specific animal (e.g., capuchin monkey, not just monkey) and does a written report, backboard and visual aid.  We are big believers in our children doing their own work – heck, we already completed second grade! – so Kate, Grant and Zane were left to their own devices.  I am glad they were, because what they created turned out absolutely fantastic.  Great work, guys!  We can tell how much time and effort you put into your projects.

Grant was the first second grader ever to complete a project on the Moray Eel!  Because he wants to be like Seth in pretty much every way, he chose clay for his medium, since Seth’s second grade report included a clay tiger (or leopard, or some other large cat). 

Kate created her project from cotton balls, cotton makeup pads, a toilet paper roll, paper towels, an old white t-shirt, fuzz-oodles, pipe cleaner, glue, markers and a little bit of construction paper.  And I didn’t have to go to the store to buy one thing (well, I had to replenish the cotton balls)!  Kate is queen of all things crafts!

We’re pretty sure Zane is the only kid to ever make an animal entirely out of cardboard and duct tape (and a little spray paint).  I confess I had reservations when he announced his plan, but I bit my tongue (which really is rare for me to do).  After about 4 hours and as many rolls of duct tape, his masterpiece was complete.  I am so glad I shut my trap - isn’t it awesome?

Last week Claire and I were invited to go to a local children’s museum along with two other ladies and their children.  After the museum, we headed to the Chinese supermarket – something we all love to do not just because it is fun to share in our childrens’ heritage, but because it’s always fun to pick up yummy things to eat.   Anyway, while I was off scouring the bean aisle another mom ran to get her camera to capture a funny shot of the kids.  I came over to see what was so funny and saw this:

This, is in and of itself, funny and cute, eh? I do love watching Claire bond with her friends, especially when smashed in a grocery cart - no one wanted to be left out! 

But for Claire, in particular, my mind instantly flashed to this image:

This ain’t her first rodeo – in a grocery cart, anyway.  When she was 3 Claire was part of a fund raiser for her orphanage.  I don’t know the particulars of the event (maybe someone out there who knows more can fill me in on the details!) we just have a few snapshots.  I do know that it is funny that life repeats itself now and again.  I mean, what are the odds that I would have a picture of my daughter, before she was my daughter, crowded in a grocery cart in a Chinese supermarket, only to unintentionally find her in a parallel circumstance two years later?  I realize it’s not a big deal.  But to me, somehow, for some reason that I can’t quite put my finger on, it’s kinda cool.

Happy Birthday from the Weeks’ Clan!  We hope you have a super day.  Here’s a special birthday message from the smallest Weeks . . . 

Also, Keaton, here is your virtual birthday card.  I wish I could say we were organized enough to mail our birthday greetings in a timely fashion, but, um . . .well. . . so anyway, look forward to these little beauties showing up in the mail on some day that is not your birthday.  Oh, and sorry that we accidentally did one of them on the back of scratch paper (Grant’s homework, I think it was).

We love you!