Hazing Mark.

This week, Mark received his official hazing. No, we didn't send him out to streak the neighborhood or tape any of his body parts together, we hazed him elementary school style.

First, due to a mysterious illness that rendered me fairly useless one night this week, Mark had to help Abby complete her science project. You remember... THE POLLINATOR. (You have to say it with an Arnold Schwarzenegger accent.)

The last step was to create the wings, which he did using wire cord and wax paper. I'd say it turned out pretty cool.

Paper maché body, egg carton head, sticks for legs. Aside from the wings, The Pollinator is pretty much biodegradable.

Nice wings!

Mark also participated in his first all-school Movie Night last night. Basically we sacked out on the floor of the gym with about 200 elementary school kids to watch Kung Fu Panda. Forget watching the movie. With all those kids, high on free slushies, it was chaos. Lucky for us, I brought camp chairs so we could at least sit up off the floor, avoiding spilled orange drink.

The organizers of Movie Night hold a few raffle drawings during the event. Usually it's pretty good stuff - restaurant gift certificates and movie theatre passes- but in the 3 years the kids and I have gone, we've never won anything.

Last night, we actually crossed our fingers NOT to win. They gave away $20 gift certificates to a local pizza place. It's basically an upscale answer to Chuck E. Cheese, where you cannot get out of the place without dropping at least $75 on overpriced food, arcade-style games and the rock-climbing wall. We went once and, after needing to sell a kidney to recover financially, I vowed never to go back. Twenty dollars would barely make a dent in the bill.

Thank God my losing streak continued and thank God Mark survived the week. I figure by the time the spring dance rolls around, he'll be ready for anything.

At least I hope so, I signed us up as chaperones.

(Kidding.)