SparkDad

This morning I attended a funeral for a 8 year old Scout. Alex Vasquez. I did not know Alex, but a friend of mine that runs another Cub Scout pack did. Fifty Scouts and leaders were at the funeral. It was very sad indeed. He had contracted brain cancer six months ago. The disease took him quickly. At the memorial service some great music was played and wonderful stories told. He was a great little boy that lived his short life to the fullest. He touched many people and taught them more about God and love in his eight short years than some learn in forty. The experience will not quickly be forgotten by those in attendance. Young Alex had a peaceful journey here on earth.

With that I segue into Stickman and Pork Chop. They both entered the school district Rodeo Art competition this year and they both made it to the district finals! Neither of them made it to the actual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo but they both did great! Stickman’s art “Eight Seconds” shown to the right was a finalist. He did a great job on it!

Pork Chop’s work won first place but did not advance. It was very nice for a first grader. It was appropriate for this post because of the title of the work was “Peaceful Journey”. Those of you who know Pork Chop know that he is anything but Peaceful. He is a rambunctious little boy who is full of energy! He is constantly in “trouble” but that is OK. He is just all boy!

Now on to the controversy! I will admit when I look at our son’s art I am a bit biased. Everything they do is wonderful to me. But the winners that beat our Stickman’ art I would have to say that I would not have chosen over his. The cow on the left was chosen over Stickman’s awesome bull. What do you think? Comment on this post and let me know which you would have chosen : )

Be honest, I want to see if I am being totally biased and blinded by parenthood.

- Spark Dad

Last week was my first week at home all day with Porkchop. Mama and I pulled him out of pre-K after his graduation ceremony. Nothing wrong with the school at all, we just had to make the transition to home and that seemed to be good timing.

Keeping up with the housework with him home is a bit more difficult. I can see that large projects will have to be broken up into more segments when I have the boys at home. I could use the good old tv babysitter to take care of this, but one of our stated reasons and goals for me staying home was to get Porkchop ready for Kindergarten which he is not quite ready for.

This week we did flash cards 2x per day and worked on letter specific worksheets. In addition I wanted to him to do some fun projects such as science experiments and art projects. One day Porkchop painted Cascarones.

What are Cascarones ?

Cascarones are confetti filled egg shells hand painted and brightly colored.
Cascarones’ egg shell have a very small opening on one end and the inside is drained out. The empty shell is thoroughly washed and then dried. The clean shell is now filled with confetti and sealed with a tissue paper. Cascarones are brightly colored.

How did Cascarones originate?

Cascarones have an uncertain beginning, however historians have traced their birthplace back to China. It’s believed that they were brought from Asia by Marco Polo. These original eggs were filled with a perfumed powder and the eggs were used as gifts. From Italy the tradition was carried to Spain and then to America. Carlotta, the wife of Emperor Maximillian, was so fascinated by the eggs that she brought them to Mexico during her husband’s rule in the mid 1800’s.

In Mexico people replaced the perfumed powder with confetti. It was then when Mexicans labeled the egg shells…. Cascarones… Which derives from the word "Cascara" which means shell. In Mexico Cascarones were popular at one time, but the tradition eventually faded. Only in the late 1960s and early 1970s Cascarones regained popularity in South Texas, where it has now become a family tradition. Some make very creative Cascarones’ designs that sell for as much as $10 for one Cascaron.

Throughout Mexico and the American Southwest, Cascarones are used to celebrate. The fun is derived from breaking the egg over someone’s head; allowing the confetti to spill out. Prior to Easter, or during “Fiesta San Antonio” churches and schools do fund raisers by selling Cascarones. Others just enjoy cracking them over their friend’s heads. Many say… the confetti shower brings good luck and good fortune ! but if anything they are lots of fun and almost addictive !!