Willy James Wonka and the Service Project

James's third grade teacher gives each of the students the opportunity to do extra work to earn a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree and a Doctorate degree.  He's completed the first two, and is now working on the third, which requires him to complete a service project.  We were thinking of all the things he could do for a service project, when Grandma Wheeler emailed with the idea to help raise funds for the members of their branch in South Africa to go the temple.  The closest temple to Port Alfred is the Johannesburg temple, which is a 13 hour bus ride, which would cost $150 for each person (plus other expenses for the trip).  The average family in the area makes $200 per month, so they need a little help to achieve their goal.

When I was in high school, I was given the opportunity to travel to Europe.  I had to earn the money to do this, so we made 5,000 suckers and sold them at school and also sold See's Candies.  I thought about having James sell suckers.  But as the Easter season was upon us, I thought that chocolates would be a better fit.  So, I found a recipe for "Kool-Aid Truffles" on Pinterest and thought, "anything with Kool-Aid in it has got to be easy." So, we tried out six flavors: cherry, orange, strawberry, lemon, berry and grape.  We packaged them like this:

But we sold them like this:

First I put James's picture on my Facebook page with a message he wrote:

To Centerville people:
Hello, my name is James Astling. I am doing a service project for my Grandparents who are serving an LDS mission in South Africa. Some of their branch members would like to go to the temple, but they don't have enough money to rent a bus for the 13 hour drive to the nearest temple. So, I am making chocolate cremes to sell for Easter baskets and sending the money to them. Each package is $3.00 and contains six chocolate cremes. The flavors are orange, black cherry, strawberry, mixed berry, grape and lemon. If you would like to purchase a package or many packages, please post your request here. I will deliver them Thursday or Friday before Easter. We made a bunch but my brothers are buying a lot of them, so get them before they are gone!

The last line is very true.  Spencer, D.J. and James started buying quite a few.  Spencer took to buying a few after every meal!

The recipe is really very easy, but the amount was overwhelming!  I received 124 orders just from my Facebook post. Then we decided to announce it to the Relief Society women in our ward.  James went into their class and they clipped a microphone on his shirt, then he read the paragraph he put on Facebook.  Mark went in with James, and he said all the women were goo-goo-eyed and ready to give James whatever he wanted.  We sent around a sign-up sheet and received 165 more orders.  As word got around we received more orders, for a grand total of 324 orders/bags.  Which means we made around 2,000 chocolates over two week's time!

Here are the ingredients for the second batch (so double this amount for 2,000 chocolates):

Our first batch, just the Astling family worked together to make over a few days:

We rolled the chocolate creme centers then dipped them in chocolate and put sprinkles on top to differentiate the flavors.

But as our orders grew, people offered to help us - and boy am I glad they did!

 James, D.J., Bitsy Tullis, Sarah Tullis and Spencer, who looks like he is bowing to Sarah.  They rolled two double batches in one hour!

 For Family Home Evening Night on a Monday, Jason, Trevor and Zach Smith, and Tiffin Tullis came to help.

On the next Tuesday night, our neighbor Carla Henricksen came over to dip and wrap:

Then Paulina Smith came over later to help package:

Thursday and Friday before Easter, some of the neighborhood kids came over to help deliver and collect funds in three neighborhoods.  I organized all the packages (packed in brown paper bags with names and amounts written on them) in neighborhoods, kept the back and side door open in the van as we slowly drove through the neighborhoods.  The kids thought they were so cool with their legs hanging out the back.  That's about as cool as a mini van can get.

Sara and Bitsy Tullis helped again, and Nate Tullis the second day, along with Jack and Allie Pierce and Jacob Adams.  Even though my ears are still ringing from the noise, I was very grateful for their help.  We finished most deliveries in three hours between the two days.

Because people were soooo generous and paid more than the chocolate charge, we raised much more than expected.  When James and I were making the last deliveries, he asked me how much we had made.  I told him that I will tell him, but not to tell others because it's such a special project.  He wasn't expecting how much I told him, and when I looked back at him sitting in his seat, he was crying.  I asked if he was ok, and he said, "I'm ok mom, I'm just really happy for the people in South Africa!"  We both held each other and cried over the generosity of those who were involved and thanked each other for working so hard.

This was such a wonderful experience to have during the two weeks prior to Easter.  Helping people along in their spiritual journey to become closer to Christ, who we celebrate during the Easter season, was a highlight of the year and our lives.  I was impressed with James, who didn't complain at all about all the work that was involved.  He was a good worker and seemed to understand the importance of this cause, as did all who were involved.  The timing for this project was perfect for Easter and even more perfect because when we go to South Africa those branch members who will go to the temple, will just have returned right before we get there and meet them!

Spring Break Shooting and Fire

We got a bum deal for Spring Break this year.  Instead of having a whole week of school off, we had Friday, Monday and Tuesday.  But the good news was that Mark's firm had an attorney retreat in St.George which coincided with Spring Break.  I asked the Logandale Wheelers (Jed and Ryan families) if they would take care of our boys for a couple of nights, which worked out great!  What worked out even better was the idea Joshlyn had for us to stay at their house while we took care of their kids so they could have a few nights away for their 10th anniversary!  Brilliant!

While we were childless, we braved a few zip lines west of Green Valley with a few other couples.  Mark survived the heights and I survived attorney humor (which honestly, I love).

 Since we had a lot of extra time after zip lining, we decided to partake of another offered activity: skeet shooting.  We went to Hurricane (pronounced Hurracun), past the Harley Shop, past the rodeo, past a crazy amount of horse trailers, horses and western folk, past the rifle range, past the archery range to the skeet range.  The range was set up sort of like a golf course where we rode in a golf cart to 12 different stations.  At each station there were two, umm skeet slinger machines, which threw the clay disc things right, left or straight at you.  The lady and man at the desk helped us novices by showing us how to operate the guns ("oh, no, never put the safety on" he says, and "you got something to open the box with?" the lady said as she approached us in three long strides with a pocket knife - blade out). I'm sure they laughed themselves silly as they pointed us in the right direction, told us to keep the safety off and let us roam the land with loaded guns and other people in the vicinity.

After shooting the first round, we all determined that we were going to be sore and bruised by the end of 12 rounds. So we kept going.  

Mark and his friend Peter, braved the guns and much fun. They both shot 12 out of 50.  Mark's friend Ryan did the best with 28 out of 50.

I lasted all 12 rounds, surprisingly.  Jinjer, Peter's wife, was the wisest one and stopped after the first two shots.  I didn't do too badly either. 19 out of 50.  Yup. 2nd place, baby. AND I didn't get a bruise on my shoulder or arm!  I feel a little more secure that should we ever be subject to a zombie apocalypse, I might last a half a day longer than Mark or Peter and maybe I could scare up some dinner.  That is, if we owned any guns, which we don't.  Still, I feel more secure.  Here is the score card for posterity and proof:

When we went to Logandale to remember how to be parents, we met up with the Wheeler cousins at Ryan's work camp. . . I mean field.  He had the boys carrying dried tree branches into a pile for a bon fire later that night.  See how picked on and forlorn they are:

Yet, strength is the benefit of such work:

Plus, they got the best bucket seat ride in the world back to Ryan's house.

AND they got to swim in the pool.  They are all certifiable nut cases as the water was NOT warm, but who notices temperature when having fun together makes warmth!

Mason donned a life-diaper, rather than a life-jacket. 

 D.J. is cold enough to wrap up in a towel, but the water is too tempting and he must be a part of it somehow.

 Elise and Jara got in and got out, which was fine by me.  I couldn't deny them getting into their swim suits with everyone else, but it didn't last long.

This reminded me of animals sunbathing on rocks in the ocean.

After a great dinner (thank you Wendy!) we took all the kids over to the work camp site. . . I mean field, and roasted marshmallows after the two small bon fires died down.  Ryan exercised caution and did not light the big bon fire as the wind picked up. Whew!

All children were alive by the end of our vacation, all parents returned safely, only a few bandages were involved, Jed's home will be free of Astling's and contractors (three came the last day we were there), and we had much fun with cousins!

A Hobbit's Tale - Astling style

At our house, the rule concerning movies based on books is: You can't see the movie until you read the book.  It took us a long time to get Spencer to read The Hobbit, but when we learned Peter Jackson was going to produce The Hobbit, that lit a fire under the boys to finish the book before the first installment of three of The Hobbit.  At first Spencer wanted to just read to the end point of the first installment, but we laid down the law (again): You must read the whole book.  D.J. jumped on the band wagon too, and when the time came, D.J. and Spencer went to the theater with Mark to see both the first and second movie and we are anxiously awaiting the third.  While we are anxiously awaiting the third, Spencer and D.J. started the wonderful J.R.R. Tolkien journey of The Lord of the Rings series.  Spencer got through the first book fairly quickly, but it took D.J. a little while longer because he had a few other books in the queue.  When they finally both finished, they came to Mark on a Saturday to ask if they could watch The Fellowship of the Rings.

Mark: Only after you complete a quiz.

Spencer and D.J.: various whining, pouting and other sounds of resistance.

Mark: Only after you complete a quiz.

Spencer and D.J.: FINE!

So Mark found 25 questions on-line.  Here are some of them, see how you do:

How are Bilbo and Frodo Baggins related?

A. Bilbo is Frodo's father

B. Bilbo is Frodo's grandfather

C. Bilbo is Frodo's cousin

D. Bilbo is Frodo's uncle

Which birthday does Bilbo celebrate at the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring?

A. His 100

B. His 101

C. His 110

D. His 111th

To which of the following is the landscape of the Shire most similar?

A. The scottish highlands

B. The French Riviera

C. The Swiss Alps

D. The English countryside

How many black riders are there?

A. Seven

B. Nine

C. Eleven

D. Thirteen

What type of tree ensnares Merry int he Old Forest?

A. A larch

B. An oak

C. A willow

D. An elm

What are Tom Bombadil's origins?

A. He is from the unknown West across the Great Sea

B. He is the brother of Old Man Willow

C. He is a being from the deep inside the earth

D. His origins are unknown

What are lembas?

A. A type of Elvish food

B. A type of flower that grows in Lothlorien

C. Elvish coins

D. Elvish arrows with magical properties

The test ended up being open book, which is the opposite of what Mark and I were: tight-lipped.  While the boys were agonizing over answers, I said to Mark, "You just want to watch them squirm don't you."  Mark said, "That's what Dads do." They got most of the quiz answers correct, two questions were hard to figure out, but they did it with help of reasoning and research.  D.J. got so excited about watching the movie that he found all sorts of hobbit attire for the big event. Spencer dressed up as a black rider.  They really, really liked the movie. James got to watch a movie in his room.

Answers: D, D, D, B, C, D, A

Pinewood Derby 2014

The time has come and gone again for planning, preparation, safety goggles, color schemes, sand paper, spray paint, scales, graphite and strategically placed weights (honey, do you have any lithium batteries?).  

James drew the design, determined the colors and helped Dad cut out the shape of his derby car.

When the big night came, the organizers didn't skimp on any of the dramatics of the race.  After James's name is called over the loudspeaker, he enters the gym amid smoke and light with his scout shirt on and the super-awsome car that he named. . . . . . . . "Blank."

There were 45 cars to race on a great track that a man wearing a "Fremont" scout belt gave a 15 minute warning speech against harming in any way shape or form, or monetary  penalties will be dished out.  Your placement determined your score (1, 2, 3 or 4), the lowest scores after each car raced four times went to the finals.  James's score was 4. He won all races he participated in!  

James cheers on his friends while he waited in the pit for his turn.

After placing his car on the track, he ran to the finish line to await the results of the race, giving high fives along the way.

Mark tries to look non-chalant as he figures out James's scores and the scores of others.  Despite his modest professions that "the car probably wouldn't do well," and he "didn't really spend much time on the car this year," there was enough time and love invested that merited attention to placement. And fun of course, because we only do this for the boys to have fun.

He watches closely as his car comes in first almost every time!

After racing four times in the final, James's score was 5! Which means he won the race!

James with his super-awesome car, "Blank."  I'm sure it was the humility of the name that determined the success.

The owner of the track had the boys of the top three cars give their parents hugs (good man, even though he did scare us about jumping over the track).

Two great champions, with a trophy that everyone got which states "I did my best."

Spencer the Mighty

The name "Spencer the Mighty" is a name he is pleased with.  Since beginning wrestling in the pre-season, he has been very pleased with the growth of his biceps. And triceps, and legs and the beginnings of a six-pack.  We (yes, we) were just completing his Physical Fitness merit badge and noticing how much he's grown in all limbed muscle segments and how many more push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups he can do in one minute.  We also measured his height today and he is close to 5'9".  He wrestles in the 132 weight class.  The below picture was taken during a pre-season tournament in Heber.

If you were able to watch his, sadly on two matches, during Jr. High season, the high pitched screaming at the end is me.  So, I get a little involved in my children's successes and have found that I actually come home a little sore because I'm showing him how to twist and such while I sit helplessly in the stands.  This really isn't helpful to him (or me) since I don't know any wrestling moves, except the kick-and-run-for-your-life move.  I also shed a few tears after the first match because he had waited so long to get a match that I was just so happy for him.  His teammates were happy for him too and when they found out Spencer would be wrestling, they ran to their parents shouting "Spencer got a match!"  The news spread like wild fire in a small Jr. High gym and at the end, we all shed a few tears.  What bonding.

Spencer and Jr. High has been a roller coaster trying to figure out what to expect of him, how to get him to fulfill expectations, how to help him expect more our of himself, and what to expect from seven different teachers.  And then how to learn not to expect anything since teenage behavior is so erratic!  I expect I'll be happy for summer to arrive!  I think both he and his parents have learned a lot - and that's always good.

Spencer borrowed one of my costume hats for crazy hat day.  He was so proud of it when he left, but didn't have it on when he came home as it was a little too crazy.  Too crazy for Jr. High?!?!?  Thank you Mom's costume box(es).

D.J. the Marvelous

What can I say about D.J.'s brain?  It is amazing. It is sometimes puzzling.  It is very math oriented.  It is clever.  It is bright. It is marvelous.

This is what his brain set to work at after we had Chase and Chloe to our house for a day:

I think perhaps he may have received the symmetry gene from Mark.  Though now that I look at it, the bridge pieces are not quite lined up.  I won't show him this picture for a while or he may not be able to sleep.

D.J. went to Mark's office one evening, before or after a U of U basketball game.  In order to entertain himself while Mark worked he worked a division problem.  It looks like 679310586649256781239522 divided by 5.  Along the math lines, this morning Mark put D.J. to work recording all the heights on our "mark your height" growing board and then entered them into a graph that showed growth curves.  That kept him busy for a while.

D.J. loves Roxy.  While playing with her with tennis balls one day, he decided to test Roxy's skill with the old ball under the cup trick.  She did pretty well with two cups and then they worked up to five cups and she still did pretty well.  In the end she just wanted the ball so badly, she just knocked them all over.  D.J. thought it was all good fun!

James the Great

James has been involved in all sorts of things this year.  He's completed many projects at school and loved playing basketball this winter.  All of the projects have been great ones, and he is learning not to leave them until the very last minute because all people involved get stressed and not-so-happy.

In James's third grade class, his teacher has special requirements for the kids to earn bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees.  The above is a picture of earning his master's degree, complete with cap and sash.

One of the requirements for his master's degree was to complete a report on an animal of his choice.  He already did a report on monkeys (his current favorite animal), so he chose to do a report on Opossum.  He had to make some sort of representation of his animal, so the night before it was due, we put together a stuffed opossum, with pipe cleaner in the tail to help it hang from his arm.  Many 3rd graders were in awe of this.

James's class studied Native Americans during the third term and were required to make a dwelling of one of four Native American tribes.  James was assigned the Inuit Americans (eskimos), so he made an igloo.  Did you know that the selection for sugar cubes is quite slim?  We finally found some (perhaps they were 10 years old and kept around just for 3rd graders to make igloos) and the making of the igloo went like this:  One for the igloo, one for me.  One for the igloo, one for me. D.J. joined in for this particular craft.

The whole third grade performed a Native American program with stick dances, hoop dances, drums, feathers and such.  They did a great job explaining Native American life.

This is James's cheesy stage face.

This is James when he's not posing for the camera.  I have to say that he's got pretty good rhythm and timing for dancing and singing.

For Dr. Seuss week, James's school had the kids do something every day of the week.  Crazy hair day, crazy clothes day, mustache Monday.  The picture above is "come as your favorite book character day." I didn't have a costume for his favorite book character (some kind of magical animal), but I have a variety of other choices.  He chose Waldo. He loved it so much he wore it until time for bed.

James really liked basketball this year and was such a good sport he said he didn't mind losing every single game.  Which they did.  Though the post season is causing him to rethink basketball.  He was an aggressive player and I had parents come up to me after the game to tell me that James is fun to watch. He definitely gave it 100%!