Chess in Des Moines, Iowa!

Elf, Emperor and I took a trip to Des Moines with my friend and her son, who plays at the KC Chess Club with us.  Here's Emperor posing in his Spock shirt with Tournament Director Hank Anzis.  For more pictures of the tournament, click here!

The medals were specific to the event.  Apparently each event features a different world champion for personal study.  For more news about the tournaments and player standings, click here.

Elf is chatting with his opponent before the game.  Emperor really, really liked the little girl across from him.  She taught him some odd "Spock, paper, scissors" game.

Emperor took home two trophies, but had to goof off for a second before placing them in their hallowed spot on the piano.

Elf took lots of pictures of the hotel room and all the "luxury" downtown Des Moines had to offer!  And he took one of himself, too!  The hotel had glass elevators and this was just a little scary that first time for Elf.

Here, some of the children who played pose for a final photo.

One of the trophies Emperor won.  A castle on a crystal cloud.  Trophies are engraved.  Niiiice.

Cake in a Cup!

You'll enjoy making this Cake in a Cup in the microwave.  I think it would be a fun, inexpensive party idea when hosting a  small group of children as well.  The extra cake mix can go home in a ziploc baggie with this recipe for revellers to try at home.

Have the children choose a microwave-safe mug for their cake.  Next, dump a box of angel food cake mix and a box of any other flavour cake mix in a large ziploc bag.  Zip it very well and shake it, shake it, until both are thoroughly blended.  

To make your cake in a cup, put 1/3 cup of your newly-made mix into the mug. Add 3 tablespoons of water and stir well with a fork. Pop it into the microwave for one minute on high power. 

Another idea you might try is Cake in a Bowl.  Double your recipe and pop it into the microwave for a minute and 20 seconds.  You know your cake is done if you can poke it in the center with a fork and the fork comes out without cake on it.  I hope you enjoy this idea as much as we have!

ANZAC Day

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them.

From the Ode of Remembrance. 

Wishing all my Aussie and Kiwi friends a memorable holiday.  :)

The Weather Song

I have about 50 half-sung songs still on my camera!  I finally had to go ahead and ruin the first part of the movie by shouting, "Now!" at her.  Forget the waving cues; she'd wave back.  Ha!  But Rose is very pleased and proud to be able to present this song to you today.  She and her little preschool friends sing it before they peek outside the front door to see what the weather is like that day.  I hope you enjoy it as much as she enjoyed being the star today.

American Pride

I was digging through some old photos and decided to share this one with you.  Just because.  Happy Easter.  :)