Bits about Ben

Ben loves the Rubik's cube right now....I remember contests with Carole to see how quickly we could solve the puzzle.  We probably had old-fashioned stopwatches to time ourselves.  Ben uses his fancy schmancy Ipod to time himself, and has gotten his time down to 1 min, 24 seconds. 

Ben should have been named Bob-short for "Bob the Builder".  He still loves to build.  His projects just become more and more intricate.  Take note of one his latest designs-he is turning his pedaled go-kart into a motorized go-kart.  He has been working on it for abut a year now.  Many failures, but many improvements as well.  He is still trying to get the lawn mower engine to run.  He has also taken old fence posts and Styrofoam to create an insulated shell around the vehicle. 

Go-Kart Plans

Go-Kart Plans

Take note of project #2-After playing in the sandbox two weeks ago, Ben decided that he needed to create a tool that would get rid of leaves in the sand.  He took an old Weed Eater motor, put a "plate" on top, and figured he would dump the sand and leaves on the moving plate.  The leaves would all fly off because they were so light.  Creative.  We laugh at the "tool trail" Ben leaves behind.  OK.  We don't always laugh because tools are always left outside to rust (anyone laughing now?), but we love his ingenuity.  Still.  And, Tim has about given up on getting his tools put back on the workbench after use.  I have given up on buying Ben tools for his birthdays, in hopes that he will leave Tim's tools alone.  I mean, how can one drill possible be enough?  If I see two, I need two...

Ben's signature trademark at school is candy/food.  For grade rewards, we take older kids out on a date (money included).  Ben always chooses to spend part of his money at the bulk bins, buying candy for his locker.  He spends quite a bit of his budget money on this candy.  His friends all know where to go when looking for a piece of candy.  He has become a bit more private when bringing candy to school-it never lasts as long when all of your friends come to your locker on a daily basis.

Misc things about Ben (in a nutshell):  Still owns a rat that likes to find ways to escape (ask Nate about the night he woke up to a rat on his chest), likes longer hair (but shorter anywhere around his ears), LOVES his Ipod for games, scriptures, and calendaring...and loves the show " Regular Show."  Cartoons have come so far...