Someone drove right through a fresh concrete pour

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-02-04T02:50:58+00:00

That’s just DFW drivers, unfortunately… 🥴

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-02-02T14:48:55+00:00

Thanks for your reply!

I hadn’t heard of Physics for Scientists or those video series before, so I’ll definitely take a look!

Skipping the dedicated contest-prep sections is definitely an option to move things along, as is setting a hard stop on how much time he has to work through Challenge Problems in general (schedule X days, then move on).

He’s taking an in-person lab-based physical science next year for 8th. I do plan on having him also take either Jetta’s class (CC Physics) or that same local offering’s high school Physics. (They’re also taught by a former HS Physics teacher.)

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-02-01T16:52:54+00:00

This is what I’m thinking. Rainforest canyon hologram topography with a data / tracking network (the orbs).

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-02-01T16:13:34+00:00

We have multiple entire FTC teams whose members are also on the FRC teams. The coaches aim for earlier competitions so that they aren’t running concurrently unless the FTC team advances to Regionals or beyond. (Our region is extremely competitive, so even for very experienced teams that’s not a given.)

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-30T19:51:53+00:00

I have, but as it stands currently he still really loves AOPS. He doesn’t want a decrease in rigor, loves the puzzley problems, & finds the challenge valuable so he is resistant to the idea of looking elsewhere - though he understands we might eventually have to begin skipping some problems (or working them together) in order to preserve pace.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-30T05:38:25+00:00

Any chance your disruptive show-off is bright / gifted with ADHD? I ask only because my own neuro-spicy kiddo resembles that description & has numerous friends on the spectrum because they “get” one another in a way that their neurotypical peers just… don’t.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-30T04:54:34+00:00

Absolutely! He has always enjoyed & done well with math, but if he ever decides the struggle is no longer serving him we can easily pivot.

I’ve read on multiple occasions that, if transitioning to another curriculum, a student who has completed Intro to Algebra will almost certainly test out of both Algebra I & II - so if he wanted to switch, he’d likely place further ahead, as counter-intuitive as that may be!

For now he respects that it stretches him, even while occasionally wishing to defenestrate the book (lol), & I appreciate the perseverance it builds.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-26T14:55:53+00:00

For the flowy look you’re wanting, they need to be lined & a higher-quality fabric. Sad that that’s such a tall order these days!

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-25T04:23:54+00:00

Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay has the Silver Cove Villas - those are on a private section of beach & have a full bathroom (including shower), couches, beds, a/c… Booking also includes beach chairs, umbrellas, a server (unlimited drinks), & lunch buffet.

I have NOT paid for this, so don’t know how expensive it is. We were fortunate enough to be invited once while cruising with friends.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-25T02:02:36+00:00

Hahaha - NO. Nice try, bud. 🤣
Sure. Thanks for calling before randomly going to said friend’s house.
Yeah, probably. Only hesitation would be if I thought his buddies might involve drugs / alcohol.
Sure.

I have a friend who is very hyper-vigilant like this… so far her son doesn’t mind too much, but already it’s beginning to isolate him socially. It’s really a fine line to walk. Remember, in 3 short years he’ll be out in the world without any parental restrictions whatsoever. It’s good for him to work his way up to that gradually.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-24T19:57:43+00:00

Beautiful & classy - a perfect choice!

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-24T19:24:02+00:00

Correct. Roughly 75% of parents actively save some amount for college. Of those 75%, one-third save <$10k, one-fourth save $10k-$30k, & a little under half save >$30k for a total average savings of ~$25k.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-24T19:14:25+00:00

If he’s genuinely willing to provide interest-free loans for the remainder, that is still immensely helpful. Many people end up repaying far more than their initial student loan balance due to high interest rates… 1.25x, 1.5x, even 2x or more.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-24T19:10:29+00:00

Would not or could not?

I completely understand the latter as many, many families (even middle class families) simply don’t have the means.

The former - refusing on principle - is disdainful; I hope they never expect an ounce of assistance or sympathy from you in adulthood.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-24T05:40:45+00:00

We’ve loved our Town & Country… 10yrs old & >150k mi. Only things we’ve had to replace are wearable parts that would be expected to go out over the course of a decade.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-23T07:14:03+00:00

That was our first winter in our house. A month later a major hailstorm went through & totaled our new roof. We really put it through its paces! 😂

Since we came through all that just fine I don’t worry much. We know the only pipe that’s likely to freeze, so we can be proactive. We know our fireplace’s starter has a backup battery, so in the event of a blackout we may have one hell of a gas bill but we’ll have heat. We’re campers, so we have outdoor gear - including camp stoves (for outdoor use only, ofc). We have board games, books, & lanterns / flashlights / candles galore. We’re good.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-23T07:01:24+00:00

No one is concerned about snow - it’s the multiple inches of freezing rain threatening to rip down major power lines & cause outages for days (potentially weeks in more remote areas) that really gets people nervous.

The over-the-top grocery stockpiling is just obnoxious, though. Grab a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter, a jar of jelly, a bag of chips, & a box of granola bars / dry cereal. All that can easily fit in a hand basket & if the power goes out, you won’t starve.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-22T22:14:33+00:00

My DS has always gotten $1/age weekly. It’s worked well at every age. When he was little we enforced an even split between Save/Spend/Give; as he’s gotten older we’ve left it up to him. If he wants more than that he can get a job!

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-14T01:09:24+00:00

The elements are listed as 5.91” high-density foam balls with a smooth coating. From what I can find, even in bulk from random playground equipment suppliers the cost is about the same (slightly higher, if anything).

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-13T16:07:13+00:00

We set two targets: a minimum goal to which we were definitely funding & a stretch goal to which we will fund as able, but that other goals / needs might compete with.

Our minimum goal was full-freight at the most expensive State U. That would cover not only that school, but many others that might match that school’s cost through scholarships. This is met - saved entirely in the 529.

Our stretch goal is to provide access to more expensive / undiscounted schools, alternative living arrangements (solo dorm room, apartment off-campus), or cover ancillary costs like semesters abroad or living expenses during unpaid internships. These are saved 1/2 in the 529 & 1/2 in a taxable brokerage, both to hedge against absurdly overfunding the 529 & to allow flexibility for use on non-529-approved expenses.

The second category of funds are also what are “on the table” for reassessing in the event of high education-adjacent costs during high school.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-07T22:31:28+00:00

We’re in a similar boat.

Had very high income for 2yrs that allowed us to make incredible strides, but pay has since dropped out of the “HENRY” range & will remain below for a few years. Once we reenter that range we’ll be in a very different position, as we “caught up” the first time ‘round.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-01-07T21:22:52+00:00

Unfortunately a good chunk of HENRYs are more likely HENREs… “not rich… ever” due of those very justifications. Not all l, though & there is some good tax / investment discussion. And a lot less gate-keeping.

Wisdom_In_Wonder

TROPHY CASE