Friday, May 23, 2014

Rites of Passage: 8th Grade to High School

Please be warned.  This post is shameless mommy bragging time, about the one letting me brag.  The other didn't want to be recognized for the accomplishments of this year.  His are also many. His words allowed are few.


Today we celebrate OYT, Our Youngest Teen, who just finished 8th grade.  Last night we attended a picnic and slide show to commemorate the occasion. I was too far away to get any pictures, but OYT did let me take these and tell you about them.  I am grateful.

One of my favorite qualities of this young man was also recognized by his peers and today he received this peer-chosen award.



He is also most definitely a scientist, which they also recognized.



Here are his two latest achievements.  This machine is a combination of two "simple machines" as per the group project.  They combined a pulley with a wheel and axle to construct the "Nifty-Lifting Machine." Attach your object to be lifted to the hook, turn the PVC crank, and lift your thing, with a lot less force.



He also took a class called "Instrument Design". This idea came from his wobbling a piece of poster board one day and turned into this:  



Turn the crank, the thin plexiglass wobbles (he explained the difference between how the two pulleys work and how the load is distributed, etc., but let's leave it at "it makes it wobble") and produces a really, um, interesting sound. Interesting to engineers.  And to teenagers.  To writer-mothers who've had to listen to it...for a while...I'm really OK with knowing how it sounds.  From memory.

I can't ignore his artistic side though.  He had three pieces in the art show this year.

"Place Setting" where he had a picture to copy.



Love his attention to detail.



This gift, which he had planned for another occasion, he couldn't use because it was kept for the show.  Most of you know my sunflower obsession.  I think he did a great job.  It's glass, and the dirt is hardened concrete, so this thing is going nowhere unless on purpose.



I'll close with this.  His third piece from the show.  I think you've seen that he certainly knows how to do what he instructs.



~Tina, proud mom, who thanks you for bearing with her

©2014 All Rights Reserved
All pictures by me.  
Did you SEE my gorgeous new header?  It's by Jeremy, all things digital, my admin, my bro, my dear friend.  Thanks, J, for the AMAZING new artwork.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your boy is very much intelligent and good in many things. Congrats for him for the completion of his 8th grade. His project looks wonderful. His drawing is awesome!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Be proud of your youngest! He's very creative. Imagine the things he will do...

Stephanie Faris said...

I think you have a future engineer on your hands. And class peacekeeper--that's awesome!

Brian Miller said...

so very cool...congrats mom...and congrats OYT...my oldest graduates from elementery school today....cool art too...especially that plate

Unknown said...

That is some impressive work!
You have a right to brag!

Unknown said...

Wow!! What an extraordinary young man you are raising. Congratulations to him and may achieve all his dreams. Thanks for sharing!

JoJo said...

Man alive is he a creative kid or what?! Great job OYT!!! Congratulations on the well deserved honours. That kid is going places.

klahanie said...

Dear Tina,

Your love, your pride for your beloved son shines through in this warm, delightful posting. A clever you man and a brilliant mother. What a combo. Well done to him and you.

Flaming O! Well done to Jeremy on creating your new header.

Have a lovely weekend, Tina.

Gary :)

Mason Canyon said...

This post is NOT shameless bragging, this is giving credit to a very talent young man. Congratulations to him and congrats to the mom who raised him so wisely.

Jo said...

It will be wonderful for you to see all these achievements of his in adult years. I wonder what he will be, does he have any ideas yet?

Andrew Leon said...

Yea!
My son's 8th grade teacher was lamenting about how he is leaving.

cleemckenzie said...

You have all kinds of reasons to be a proud mom. And I do love your header. You have all kinds of good news today.

Rachel said...

He has so much more artistic skills than I do! I can't even color inside the lines of a coloring book. (Yes, I aril use coloring books. Specifically, Disney ones. haha) Tell them both that all of your friends are proud of them.

Claudia said...

wow - what a talented young fellow... you can be really proud...woot!! and congrats to him

Anonymous said...

Awww I love this post, Tina. He's darling, and has such varied interests and talents. How great that he got a peacekeeper award - no easy task in today's tween/teen years! I also love your healthy balance between mom bragging and mom hearing that nifty noise one too many times :-)

Good family post to kick off Memorial Day weekend when we can all appreciate our families as a way to honor those who gave their lives to keep us together.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Good for him! He should be proud of all his achievements. I'm glad he let you share. Love his artwork. And why must they always invent things that make NOISE?!

Melissa Ann said...

You have one very talented boy on your hands there. I love that last piece, he certainly does know how to follow his own advice. :)

My Creatively Random Life

CA Heaven said...

Great to see a young aspiring scientist. We also have the transition to Jr high school this year for our little boy (13 yo). He's a peace keeper in class too; calm an friendly to everyone. He won't let me post pictures of him, however. He wants to take care of this himself, on his own Instagram account >:)

Cold As Heaven

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

It's good to brag on your kids when they do good! Barbara
Life & Faith in Caneyhead

Unknown said...

Sounds like quite a talented young man you have their, Tina. I can see why you are so proud of him. Blessings, Maria, Delight Directed Living

Anonymous said...

You have every right to be a proud mom -- he's a talented kid! I have to say goodbye to my 8th graders (47 of them) this week. They've been a great bunch.

shelly said...

Creativity runs deep....

TheCyborgMom said...

so many wonderful things to be proud of! Scientific and artistic...future engineer? :)
Hope your boy had a great trip...the weather here in DC has been perfect all weekend!
~Katie

Anonymous said...

Oh you should definitely be proud and brag about OYT!! How amazing that he got those certificates.

And he seems really creative which is such an important quality to have, the painting on the plate is gorgeous - and those machines are really clever. You should definitely be a proud, bragging momma! :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Tina .. If I was you I'd be so proud too .. you obviously are - clever OYT .. a Peace Keeper and a Scientist .. then an inventor .. where's he going next ..

Follow your dreams from your bed - could well be a good idea sometimes!!

Wonderful Sunflower - his art work too .. clever lad ...

Clever Jeremy too .. lovely flamingo ..

Well done Mommy Bragger - too right and so pleased you included us lot into your bragging post to OYT ... happy memories ... cheers Hils xooxx