"But, I don't even like banana bread."

While Eric was slaving away this weekend, building the launch tower and bridge on the backyard rocketship, I thought I would surprise him with some fresh baked banana bread. Not just any banana bread - banana bread with chocolate chips. I was so proud of myself, until he said: "But, I don't even like banana bread."

Fail. I've been with Eric for almost 18 years, and I'm just now finding out that he doesn't like banana bread? How is this possible? Sigh. I guess next time I'll reward him with nachos and cheese. I know he likes that.

SpongeBob SecondGrader.

Gus started 2nd grade at Gammon Elementary School today. (See obligatory "First Day of School photo.")

His teacher is Mrs. Braet, and they have a classroom pet - a white dove named Frosty. Gus was all smiles this morning as we ran into school to escape the downpour of rain. Here's hoping his SpongeBob SquarePants summertime-brain can start soaking up all that good 2nd-grade knowledge.

To the moon, Sandra!

I'm sure that's what Eric would like to do with me right now. My ideas tend to make a lot of work for him. (Insert apology hug & kiss here.) 

The boys have had the week off together, so they've been putting in some serious build time on the rocketship. Gus has taken on more of a project manager role, as you can imagine. Although, he was wielding the cordless drill the other night and doing a pretty good job with the deck screws. That P90X workout for 8-year-olds is really paying off.

With Phase 1 nearly complete, I'm beginning to realize why no one has really made or sold rocketship playsets for backyards - because they're very complicated and take a long time to build. Thousands and thousands of cuts with the saw. And thousands and thousands of measurements - no two the same. I'm guessing the labor alone on this project would run somewhere in the $5000 range. Glad my man works cheap.

Phase 2 and 3 will involve a bridge, launch tower and some kind of arm for a swing. It's all still in Eric's head at this point. He's sort of building and planning as he goes. (As is true for most things he creates. Hey, whatever works.)

An 8th Birthday Blastoff!

We're in rocketship mode at the Denneler house. So, it seemed appropriate that Gus' birthday treats to take to summer camp, would come in the shape of a Chocolate Rocket. Every year, I try to make a "cake" that Gus will eat. And this year, it was CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE and more CHOCOLATE.

All it took was 158 Hershey's Kisses, 69 Twix bars, 4 giant Hershey bars, styrofoam & hot glue. (Oh, and a bottle of wine I drank while putting it all together.)

Happy 8th Birthday Blastoff, Gus! We love you to the moon & back.