More Essays

Pupzilla by Brad

I woke up on a Saturday morning and heard a bang.  So I went to my front door and saw a 50 foot dog knocking over the trash cans!  The dog looked at me.  I ran inside wondering if I was going to live or not.  I finally decided that I should go see if it is nice. So I got a bone and threw it.  But when it ran to get it, he killed me. I went so high I could see my friend's house and he lives in Santa Cruz.  Then I started to fall.  I fell faster and faster and faster.  Luckily I landed on a cushion, at least what I thought was a cushion.  But it was his back.  I saw puppies galore in there.  Every single one was stuck in there because the same reason I was in there.  I was looking for a way out.  It was like a maze.  Finally I saw a light and then I got out.  Then we made a dog house.  I lived and everything was fine.

The end

My Bedroom by Tannis

My bedroom is the place I like to play, read, and think.  As you enter the door, you will see my soft and cushy bed with a window above it.  On your right, you will see my big and long shelf and my Justin Bieber posters.  On the left, you will see my big and white dresser.  In front of my dresser, you will see my very pretty mirror.  My room is a very pretty light purple color.  Over my bed, you will see my Justin Bieber bedspread.  I think my room is an awesome place to hang out!

Kids are getting excited about Halloween!

School Assignments

Brad's 4th grade assignment was to "write about something you wonder about."  He wrote:

I think days are peculiar.  I mean how did they decide how many hours in a day?  I have been wondering since I was five.  My sister has been wondering the same thing about the days in a year.  She said it is such a random number.

For Tannis's 3rd grade assignment, the teacher asked each student to bring a stuffed animal to class since they were reading The Velveteen Rabbit.  (Tannis brought a stuffed wolf.)  Their assignment was to write a story about their stuffed animal.  Tannis wrote: 
  

One day I fell off the shelf and I got hurt!  I came to life!  First I realized I was a real wolf! I went to my owner's room and jumped on the big purple bed.  Then I went to see if the other animals were alive.  But they were not.  I chewed up all of my owner's Barbies.  Next I went to the living room to roll on the carpet.  I found the dog and I hopped on him!  Finally my owner called my name and looked for me.  My body froze.  I was stuffed again.  It was good being alive.

 

Kids after recent Saturday soccer games.

The Story Behind the Pictures

A couple of weeks ago, I took the kids to a portrait studio to get photos of them.  Since Brad almost never lets me take a picture of him and Tannis together, I promised I'd get them both a treat (ice cream) after the photo shoot if they cooperated and smiled.

 
When the photographer told Tannis to put her arms around Brad, for a "brother-sister picture," Brad froze and looked horrified.  I reminded him of our deal and he complied, although I think he was secretly trying to hurt Tannis by gripping her arms extra hard in the photo.

Then came the clencher...
Photographer:  "Okay, now give your sister a kiss on the cheek and I'll take a photo."
Brad laughs and looks at her like, "you must be kidding!"  Tannis looks delighted.
Photographer:  "Go ahead, give her a kiss."
Brad's smile fades as he realizes she's serious.
Brad (shaking head slowly):  "No."
Photographer:  "Well, I'm just going to wait here then until you do it."
Me: "C'mon, Brad.  The sooner you do it, the sooner we can finish and go get a treat."
Brad looks disgusted, tucks his lips inside his mouth, and pecks her on the cheek with his lips hidden.
Photographer:  "No, that doesn't count.  You have to kiss her with your lips."
Brad grimaces and realizing there's no choice, gives her a quick kiss.  Immediately after, sticks tongue out, gags, and violently wipes lips off on his arm.  Tannis sits down smiling.  Brad walks past her and pinches her hard on the leg.
Tannis:  "OW!  What was that for?!"
Brad ignores her and sits down next to me.
Brad:  "Mom, you owe me A LOT MORE than a treat for that.  I mean, you owe me money for that!"

Oh, but it was so worth it...

P.S. When we were looking at the photos after, Brad demanded that this one be deleted... but when he walked away, Tannis and I secretly ordered it.