I don't know about you all, but come Sunday, I get pretty stoked just knowing one of my favorite shows is coming up that evening. I know, it's sad! But I'll admit it ... I enjoy my reality TV shows! And, The Amazing Race is one of the favorites. I think Dennis and I have watched just about every season. But, what do I have to show for it? Well, while staying up MUCH too late on Saturday night, I decided to check out a friend's blog where she had posted these geography quizzes. They're interactive. So cool! Once I got started, I couldn't stop. See how you do ...First try your hand at U.S. Geography. Although my average score improved greatly as the field narrowed (like a puzzle - you can start use process of elimination), I must say, my elementary school teachers would be disappointed! Abby can probably locate more states than me, as she put together her U.S. floor map puzzle a couple times last week.
Anyway, after the United States, give European Geography a whirl. I surprised myself a bit here. Must have been the Carricato Family "European Vacation" of '94. Dad ... can't wait to hear your results. Make sure you write them down to share!
We had a GREAT day today by the way, but I'm not ready to call it a night. I have lots more on my list ... and blogging about the day's events will surely get me off track. Tomorrow I will post some photos from our super-fun morning at "Wheels that Work" in SouthWood.
Abby is sporting her "crazy eyes" and Tyler has on his "devious grin!" Notice the little mark under his right eye? That would be where his oh-so-sweet (ha!) sister hit him with a stick the other day. In her defense, I don't think she knew she was going to to hit him, but she shouldn't have been throwing sticks in the first place. That said, I don't think she do it again anytime soon. You should have seen her face when she saw the blood and realized she had clipped him! Okay ... speaking of faces. Yesterday, I threw together a quick snack for the kids. When I added the marshmallows, I had a little chuckle, because it looked like a face to me. So, of course, I had to break out the craisins and a few other pieces of food to get a chuckle out of the kids too. FYI - I gave them more dried fruit to eat but it didn't look right on the face, so we had it separately. Anyway, we have our opinions on who we think this looks like. But, do let know what you think in the comments box below and we'll follow up later this weekend.
Oh, lastly ... check out this face Abby made at school this week. They are starting a unit on "The Farm" (fitting for our upcoming Spring Break trip to Iowa, huh?) and this week they talked about cows. Imagine our surprise when Abby announced that this particular cow was a Holstein Friesian. I had to look that up so I knew how to spell it!
FYI (from Wikipedia) ... "The Holstein (US) or Friesian (UK, Australia) is a breed of dairy cow known today as the world's highest production dairy animal." We're entering dangerous waters people! The almost six-year old knows more than the 38-year old that grew up on a farm! This week she also learned about pasteurization, homogenization and more. I wonder what what's on tap next week. It's really amazing what kind of information kids can can cram into their brains (no to-do lists, etc. there!) ... wonder what Tyler is plotting behind that serene little smile!?!
That's right ... Lucky (that pesky little leprechaun) visited the O'Schnittker house yesterday and wreaked havoc! These sort of activities were happening in Abby's classroom on Tuesday as well, so we started the day off in similar fashion. Abby and Tyler "O'Schnittker" were totally on board, especially after they saw some of the tricks Lucky had in store for them. I usually don't photograph our toilet, but you'll probably be as shocked as we were at its appearance yesterday morning. Dennis, always the comic, said "What did you guys eat?!?" But ... there was a note that explained it all!
And they were tickled to see what Lucky (oops ... or was that Mommy?!) cooked up for breakfast. It appeared leprechauns walked across the kids' waffles and even took a giant-sized bite. What nerve!
The rainbow fruit/yogurt parfaits were delicious, and a healthy way to start the day, since school parties (yes ... they also look for any excuse to have a party) brought candy, cupcakes and cookies. 
We kept it pretty healthy at dinner. The kids loved making our Leprechaun Pudding (Sugar Free-Fat Free Pistachio flavor), since it starts white ... 
But, once you say the special leprechaun rhyme (oh yeah, and when you add the milk too!) it turns GREEN!
Our last project was a centerpiece for our dinner table. It was Zaxby's Spirit Night (Roberts Elementary gets a share of the profits) so we picked up chicken for the kids, and then our rainbow (made by Abby that afternoon) connected the "Pot of Gold"en Corn ... and a cloud of Whipped Cream for dipping strawberries. I tell ya - St. Patrick's Day is a lot more fun than I remember it being when I was a kid. My main task then was remembering to wear green so I didn't get pinched. 
NOTE: this is not a good picture of me (I hadn't put makeup on all day), but I think Abby looks adorable with the sun setting behind her.
By the time we got up to the top, TOP level of the parking garage (we had been a level down and kinda, sorta facing the wrong direction for the launch ... but that's a different story) the sun was really starting to go down. Abby and Tyler were in rare form, hugging all over each other and generally being nuts ... 
... but I think they enjoyed seeing the shuttle take off. The colors were SO neat. It's crazy to think that the shuttle program has been around almost my whole life, and they say it will end next year. Dennis would still like to take us to the Cape to experience a liftoff up close. I just hope it's early enough in the day that we're not driving back overnight, as we did on Sunday!
