Edited: If any of Pepe's third grade friends parents are reading this, I do not mean to be offensive. It's just a question I've always been curious about from a teacher view and it has become even more interesting from a mom's view.I used to teach 3rd grade... I've assigned projects... I've shrugged when the project comes back and the mom/dad has done a fabulous job on it... I've admired the family that let's the child work, struggle and find joy.
Our project began with me handing it to my husband. I don't have time, I said. I have two projects to write (getting my Masters Degree)... I wished him good luck.
Pepe drew up a plan. Great, I thought. Good start. Then, I noticed that dear husband was out with the saw, drill and supplies. I noticed that Pepe was playing the Wii... it's not my project, I kept telling myself. Finally, I couldn't stand it...
if your dad is going to do your project YOU must at least stand outside with him! Pepe scurried off to "help". Not more than 5 minutes later, dear husband comes in with steam blowing out the top. Pepe was not helping, but playing light saber with the supplies and smacked his sister in the head. He's on his own.
Fine by me, I smile... he's a smart kid. He can do it. He can stew in his juices a bit.
Dear Tante happened to be in town. She couldn't stand to see him "suffer" and offered her help. I was very impressed with her. She guided him, but (to my knowledge) didn't do the project for him.
Here is the project. He had to create an instrument. His is a type of drum. He labeled each can with a letter and then wrote out "Mary Had a Little Lamb". It's all his. It's not fancy, but it is his and he's proud of it.
I'm a proud mom. I'm a proud former third grade teacher. I looked at the grading rubric last night. He will do fine. He has all of the components and he's ready to present in class. I feel for his 3rd grade teacher. It will definitely be an interesting day in her class.
So... does your child complete their own projects? Or do you have the intention to have them complete their own projects once they are of age? How do you handle the world of school projects?
They can all shoot hoops now... our driveway is filled with lots of activity. It's hard to believe that they are all big enough to shoot... soon it will be games... we need a fourth player for an even 2-on-2... Don't worry... I've been practicing my shot. When I'm on... I'm really on and when I'm not... well, it's just really bad.
Baby Girl grows very quickly... we give her outgrown clothes to a special friend. Well, one dress, in particular hit a nerve with her... it wasn't one of her better moments. There were tears and sadness... so, we made her a new dress from an idea from special friends mom. It turned out great and better yet it was quick. I used my 50% off coupon from Joanne's for the fabric. I didn't even know you could buy fabric that was already "smocked" (I think that is the right term.) I bought 24" of it to fit around baby girl ($4 and change). Came home turned it right sides together, sewed a seam, added ribbons and hemmed it... done! 
Pepe's 2nd grade teacher (from last year) is pregnant expecting baby girl #1. I am very excited for her and saw these hats on this blog last week. I had to give them a try. They are fast, cute and extremely inexpensive. I hope she likes them! It's HAT day at school tomorrow so we thought we'd sent them along for baby's first hats.
Inventory:
I don't give the lectures, I just clean out the car, wash the four coats, 7 water-bottles and random clothes. I put away the bags, scooters, helmets and mits and wait for next week to do it all again.
