Birthday Boy {Peter Turns 13}

Sorry about the broom, Mom...

Why is this birthday boy repairing a broom before breakfast on his 13th birthday?

Because he broke it jousting his older brother on their elevated back-deck ice rink after dark last night.  Go figure!

Science Battles {Home School Weapon Art}

Joseph's 14th birthday gift from Collin, Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction served as the inspiration for a series of home school science projects wherein ordinary household items were transformed into weapons (of mass destruction).  Joseph's fascination with the scientific concepts, coupled with his unrivaled enthusiasm for weapons that shoot stuff, meant that several other required subjects waited on the back-burner while the maul gun and Viking catapult were assembled and fired repeatedly (at no one in particular).

"I love making things that can be used to play practical jokes on people." ~Joseph (14)

 "I like putting things together for some reason." ~Joseph (14)

Boxing and Bullets {entertaining friends}

What?

How did you think they would spend their free time?

I successfully kept my granddad's boxing gloves hidden in a closet for many years.

But they were recently discovered, and before I knew it, the boys were boxing, and inviting their friends to join in the action.  No one was (seriously) hurt, but given the number of complaints about aches and pains, the boxing rink has been shut down and the boxing gloves have been re-hidden.

I have hidden many items from the boys for similar reasons over the years, from light sabers to wooden swords to baseball bats.

Bullets are not usually present at our dining room table, but the Scouts were participating in shooting sports this month, and Tim was leading the event.  Our eager helpers counted out bags of bullets for the Scouts to purchase at the range on meeting night.

(It was a great break from boxing!)