My Rodents

Last week I bought three cute little mice. I named mine Rita. The others were my mom’s (Gypsy), and my brother’s (Lucy). They’re all girls. I also had to buy the cage but I think it was worth it because the mice are so sweet. My brother and I put them into plastic balls to exercise. At first, they didn’t exactly know what was going on and they bit us when we tried to hold them. But once they got used to their new home, they stopped biting us and became very lovable.

Night is day for rodents and so they make a lot of noise when they’re exercising in their “exercise wheel." They’re so small that you can hold them in one hand, and they still have room to move around. Sometimes, when they don’t want to be picked up, we pick them up by their tails. And if you’re going to get one, I suggest only holding the front of the tail, not the end.

I also have a hamster named Sadie. Her and Rita look the same, they both are white with light brown spots. I think the mix is very pretty. Both my rodents are always wearing a cheery face. I like to hold Rita and immediately after hold Sadie to feel the difference. Sadie is much bigger because she is a hamster. My brother has a hamster named tawny and she happens to be a tawny brown. Tawny is the biggest rodent in the house. I will never get tired of my rodents.

Schoolhouse Rock LIVE!

A couple weeks ago, I performed in a show made up of all the Schoolhouse Rock songs. I was cast as a swing dancer in the song about gravity. It was a 50's-style song, so we wore letter sweaters and khakis, while the girls wore poodle skirts and button-up blouses.

The first week when I learned the dance, I got nervous. At call backs, they just showed us little kick step moves and that was easy, but when I learned that we had to flip these girls over our shoulders and do big moves like that, I was terrified!

So for a while, I just gave up. I thought eventually the directors might take me out of that number because I was doing so badly, but they didn't. Instead, the director came up to me and told me that I had to have the dance down by next week, and that scared me. So I went home with a friend, who also was a swing dancer, and he taught me all the moves correctly and when to do them in the song. I went home and practiced, and practiced, and practiced until I got the dance down cold. Oh, and I worked out . . . a lot. I needed to be able to lift my partner over my head.

So the next week, when I performed it in front of the directors, they were proud that I had it down. And so was I, because I learned that I can have fun with the dance if I got it down first. I ended up having a great time in that show and now, I miss doing that dance!

Autumn

One of my favorite seasons is autumn. The air of autumn is perfect because when you take a walk in a long-sleeved shirt and jeans, you don't freeze to death like you would in the winter, and you don't sweat so much that you have to take another shower. In the autumn, the temperature is just right. Also I think we will all agree that the autumn leaves on a tree are the most scenic part of the season. My favorite time of the year to be in the car is autumn because of all the colorful leaves that I can look at while we're driving. Of course, I also love taking walks in the autumn to look at all the beautiful, different-colored leaves. My favorite kind of leaves is the purple kind because that happens to be my favorite color, believe it or not. There are so many reasons why autumn is great!

My Thirteenth Birthday Service of Blessing

Last Saturday my parents had a special service for me. We called it a bar mitzvah even though we're not Jewish; it's for a boy becoming a man. We invited some friends over that were either really good friends or someone that had known me since birth. For example, my relatives and grandparents came. After everyone had arrived, all the men went downstairs to my dad's office, while the women and children stayed upstairs with my mom.

During the service, we prayed and talked and read from the Bible. Speaking of Bibles, I received a Bible and some other items such as a rosary, a special prayer bracelet, a small crucifix, a cross that my dad blessed and an icon of the Holy Trinity. After the meeting with the men was over, everybody ate dinner, and everybody talked. Then, because I'm learning guitar, my uncle taught me some guitar chords and a song too! I had one of the best weekends ever!

The Ultimate Foam Sword

Last Thursday my brother and I went to a class where we learned how to make foam swords. First of all, he showed us the items we were going to use to make our sword. The inside is a PVC pipe and the outside is a foam swimming noodle. The reason why it is foam is so that when you hit someone with it, it won't hurt.

If you were to make one, you would cut the noodle so that you still have a short piece left over for the bottom of the handle, the pommel. At the top of the handle you will put another part of the noodle so that you have a hand guard like it shows in the picture. Next, you would wrap it in duct tape like in the picture to keep it together; but don't put too much on, because then it would hurt when you hit someone. Trust me--I know from experience. Then, if you like, you can decorate the handle like I did with mine. And now you have a sword that you are free to hit anyone with, without getting in trouble, because it won't hurt them!

Our Vist to The Water Treatment Plant

Today I visited the water treatment plant with some friends. The first thing we did was enter a loud room with a couple of big pipes that pumped water from Lake Michigan to the water plant. From there we went to the operator's room where we met the operator, and he told us what goes on in that room. Then we saw the laboratory where they tested the water. Then we went through another loud room where the water from Lake Michigan went through a certain process that cleaned the water. After that, we went through a tunnel-like bridge, but with windows, to another building. There we went down to the bottom of the building and saw another room with two very large pipes that pumped the freshly-cleaned, crystal-clear water into the city of Kenosha.

Harry Potter's World

Harry Potter is the best! The author of Harry Potter makes this series so detailed and intriguing. Once you start, you can't put it down. It just pulls you in. I stay up so late because I don't realize what's going on around me. I seriously think that I am Harry Potter and that I'm in a world of magic! I would suggest this series for everyone.

How to Bunnyhop a Bike.

Ever since I got my new bike, I've been practicing a couple tricks. For example, there's the bunnyhop where you make both wheels come up off the ground. I've been working on that one for a while and finally got it.

Here's how you do it: You have to get a good grip on the handles, but you also have to get a good grip on the pedals with your feet, so that you can lift the back wheel while doing the same with the front wheel. So you need to lean forward, do a small wheelie and lift up the back wheel with your feet at the same time. Sounds kinda difficult--but if you practice, you'll get it!

My Sword

Ever since I saw the Narnia movies, I became glued to the sword Peter used. So I looked up the sword on the internet. After looking at several websites and dozens of other swords, Peter's sword still stood out to me. The price was within my range, so I decided to buy it.

When the Fed Ex man rang the doorbell, I grabbed the box and yelled "Thank you!" I opened it as soon as I shut the door, and I held my sword for the first time. It looked just as I imagined. The sheath is red as blood. But the actual blade is as shiny as a newly minted coin. Whenever I grasp my sword, I feel like a royal knight in Aslan's army.

Junk to JUMP!

About five months ago I was by Lake Michigan climbing around on some rocks when suddenly I spotted a bike amoung the rocks, a GT racing bike. The cost of this bike was three hundred dollars! I was excited! I carried it up the rocks and put it in the back of our big white van to bring home.

There was just one problem: the wheels needed tires. So a couple days after I found it, my dad and I brought it in to a local bike shop to fix it up. Once I brought it inside the shop, the worker told me that the back wheel was badly bent and that it was unfixable.

I was really disappointed, but I put it back in the garage and forgot about it. Then when we started packing up everything for our move to Wisconsin, I saw it again. I thought, "What if that man was wrong, and it is still fixable?" I decided to keep it and try again after we moved.

Once we were all moved in, I met a family who had a neighbor who was my age and was a Christian. That was my new friend, Kevin. I had him over and once he saw my bike, he said, "Hey, that's a good bike!" Kevin knew how to fix up bikes, so he took a look at it. He noticed that the wheels needed new tires, so he offered to fix it up for me. I gave him money to buy new tires, and then I waited.

Kevin came back the next week with the equipment and in twenty minutes, I had a $300 bike for about $20! The wheel is bent a tiny bit, but you can barely tell. Later on, I also put pegs on it. Now I have a great racing bike!

Racing bikes are small, but that's how they're supposed to be!

Adam of the Road

Adam is a boy that starts out very rich and is used to things being done for him. Adam is a minstrel, and he starts out on a journey with his dad and a rich and royal family. But he falls behind, and gets lost with just his dad and his dog to comfort him. Then his dog gets stolen from him and while he’s looking for his dog, he then loses his father. He ends up losing everything, including all his money. This book was an adventure and it keeps you wondering what’s going to happen throughout the whole story. I think that this is the kind of book most people would find interesting. Enjoy!

The Great and Terrible Quest

This book is about a boy and a wounded man. The man is a very important man but forgets it. He has forgotten everything. So the boy finds him and thinks that he is just a beggar. He takes him to his grandfather's house and hides him in a secret place, because if his grandfather knew that an old beggar was in his house, he would beat the boy till he bled. His grandfather was wicked and the boy hated him.

I recommend this book for all ages. It's a very entertaining book and it keeps you wondering the whole time. Hope you enjoy it!

Lion

(The assignment was to write a poem with rhyme, rhythm, repetition, refrain and alliteration.)

In the day roaring
In the night snoring
Doing what he will
With his great skill
Doing what he may
Watching for his prey
Makes the strike
Then takes a bite
A sneaky cat
A creepy cat
In the day roaring
In the night snoring

My Psalm

We are the stiff and firm trees.
God is the bendable blades of grass.
We put ourselves first.
We think of ourselves as the stiff and firm trees.
We put Him second after ourselves.
But we fall and make mistakes.
The trees will fall over and crack when the wind blows.
But the grass will only bend when the wind blows.
God never falls.
God never make mistakes.

(The assignment was to use at least two symbols in a "psalm.")

Our Family Table

Our family table means a lot to me and my family. When we're seated at it for mealtimes, we talk, argue, laugh and pray about things. And of course we eat there. Also we do our schoolwork on it. If we didn't have it, I wouldn't have a place to do my workbooks, my math or my writing. My favorite thing to do at it is family time. We play board games like Uno, Catch Phrase, Clue and Monopoly, and on that table we make all kinds of crafts. During Bible Study we learn about the stories of the Bible and Jesus. And that's the story of our family table.

(The assignment was to choose a symbol and explain its many meanings.)

Not-So-Bad Charlotte's Web

We've had seven shows so far and I'm really enjoying them. At the beginning of Charlotte's Web I really didn't want to audition, but in the end I did. I sang "Good Day Sunshine" by the Beatles and got cast as Henry Fussy (Fern's boyfriend). I thought I wouldn't have that many friends, but I made quite a few new ones. I'm sad that I didn't get to do that much with my part, but I'm happy with it. I thought I wouldn't like this show, but now I'm happy I did it!

A War-Filled Vacation

About three months ago, I had a vacation in Ohio because my grandparents live there. Their farm is 500 acres, so it's a great place to have an Airsoft war. I brought my Airsoft guns just in case. My uncle, who used to be in the Navy, was there, and we asked him to play. We had to wait for him to finish some work, but we were willing to wait. In the end, the war took place in a big white barn. It was just like a real war.

My older brother (Top Dude) was on my team and my little brother (SuperBro) was on my uncle's team. Top Dude and I were both armed with M3000 pistol grip shotguns and .357 Magnum revolvers. Super Bro had the same revolver and a Spas12 pistol grip shotgun. We only gave my uncle one gun, one of the M3000 shotguns, because he was by far the best shot. We all loaded up with plenty of ammunition, and we were ready to start the war!

My brother and I started off inside the barn, which we were pretending was a sports arena. We were trying to stop my uncle and Super Bro from planting a bomb inside. They were pretending to be terrorists, and we were counter-terrorists. Eventually they rushed in and trapped us near a small door. We were forced to escape through it.

Later on, when they left to reload, I snuck in and hid in the loft. So when Super Bro and my uncle came back, I took them by surprise! Top Dude chased Super Bro to the other side of the barn, while I drew fire from my uncle. As soon as he ran out of ammo and Top Dude was victorious over Super Bro, I considered them the losers.

So that's how my older brother and I won the war. It was a great vacation!

***

My mom is making me show you my rough draft too. My assignment was to go back and add details! Here was my rough draft:

About three months ago, I had a vacation in Ohio because my grandparents live there. I brought my Airsoft guns just in case we wanted to have a war. In the end we did, in a big red barn. It was just like a real war.

My older brother was on my team and my little brother was on my uncle's team. My brothers and I all have Airsoft revolvers and a rifle to arm us. We were ready to start the war!

My brother and I started off in the barn. Eventually my little brother's team drove us out of the barn, but later on we came through the back of the barn and stole it back.

When my older brother went to go reload, I stayed and hid in the loft. So that when my little brothers team came back, I took them by surprise! My older brother and I won. It was a great vacation.

A Poorly-Named Book

I think that the book, The Golden Goblet, is misnamed. This book is more about the boy Ranifer than the golden goblet. It's really a story about how Ranifer discovers that his mean guardian, Gebu, is a tomb robber. He reports him to the queen of Egypt, and then young Ranifer is finally free to become a goldsmith's apprentice. I think that maybe Ranifer's Secret would fit better. You should read it and try to think of a better name. Although this book has a bad title, it is one of the best books I've ever read.

(My assignment was to write one paragraph on The Golden Goblet, with all sentences relating to the topic sentence.)

A Tomb Robber At Work

At last! I have found the pyramid I've been looking for! Hmmm, which door should I take? I'll take this one. There so many forks in the roads in pyramids. I'm looking for a door that might lead me to gold. I need to find just a little gold or a few precious jewels that I can smuggle out before someone catches me.

Ahhh, right here's a door! It's a clay door, by the looks of it. Maybe I can ram into it and break it. There we go! I did it. It's open. Now, for the gold.

On my left I see a canopic jar full of internal organs. Ewww. Nothing to interest me there. Next to it I see a wooden statue of a cow. Moving on, I see a low couch carved in the shape of a two-headed calf. On it is a decorated bowl full of shrived figs. I peer closely at the decorations. No jewels--just more cows.

On the far wall, something attracts my eye. It is the oversize coffin, covered in rubies. Hmmm, I could chip off a few of those. Next to the coffin is a scepter, striped in blue and gold, with a golden cobra at the top. Sadly, it's too tall for my pack.

I look to the right-hand wall and see a beautifully carved wooden table. On it, I spy a spilled jar of little gold pins. Those will fit in my pack, and they'll be easy to melt down. With that gold and a few of those rubies, I can easily buy myself that chariot I've kept my eye on so long: the Anubis Racer V!

(This assignment was to write a descriptive paragraph with spatial organization.)

A Bird? A Plane? Noooooo--It's Super Dude!

My name is Super Dude. I’m 12 years old and in the 6th grade. I’m a hippie with long, blonde, shaggy hair and blue eyes. I love my family. I have five siblings: MiniMe (2), Lil' Dudette (4), SuperBro (8), Drama Ditz (14) and Top Dude (16).

My favorite thing to do is skateboarding. It is so much fun to try out new jumps. I go everywhere on my skateboard. I also love soccer. I love kicking the ball up and down the field. I have so much fun playing soccer. Also, my brothers and I play Airsoft, a gun that shoots little plastic pellets. I enjoy drawing, too.

One of my favorite things to do is laugh. When I’m hanging out with my friends, laughing is the most fun thing we do. I also enjoy acting and singing in a children’s theater group. I think it is weird when guys go shopping, but when I go shopping with SuperBro, we play around like little kids in the store.

Above all else, music is my passion. I don’t let a day go by without listening to my favorite bands: Beatles, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Kiss and The Shins. I like all oldies. I sing and play piano, and I’d like to learn to play guitar too. Someday I want to be the lead singer and guitarist of my own band!