You ain't nothin but a hound dog......

Our team will be howling in the opening Ceremony of the NC State Science Olympiad tonight wearing duct tape hound dog ears. Our team, the Science Hounds, needed a fun, easy way to show team spirit. Of course, my daughter, the duct tape queen suggested duct tape dog ears. The girl who is reduced to blubbering tears when I tell her she is required to wear a dress for church on Easter will not only be proudly sporting duck tape dog ears, but decorated hers with little bows.

You can not imagine the horror with which she recoils from me should I approach her with a barrette, or a blouse with a tiny ruffle at the neck. But hound dog ears of duct tape with little bows on the top? Bring em on!

And the entire team will be gathering before the ceremony with their own rolls of duct tape and scissors while the Duct Tape Queen instructs them in the fine art of hound dog ear construction. The team is taking it very seriously. The number of emails exchanged over the various questions, facts, etc. regarding the duct tape ears far exceeded any emails about the actual competition that is presumably the reason we will all be there. One email even said that the mom had been unable to buy the duct tape as her other daughter was in the ICU and had almost died....could her daughter share duct tape with someone? (The poor girl in ICU is doing better but it was apparently very scary for a while there.)
I can tell you, I would not have had the presence of mind to worry about the duct tape ears in that situation.

There were emails about ripping vs. cutting with scissors, what were the best kind of scissors, what colors, should there be two colors indicating inner/outer ear, would it rip out hair, when would be the best time to make the ears, should there be a group buy or should each choose their own, and so on and on.....

If the team put this much time and thought into their science olympiad events, we are going to win for sure. It put things in a bit of perspective for me on the eve of a contest that could make me a mass of jangled nerves if I run true to form. For the kids, this is a celebration. An excuse for a gathering of a bunch of really nice, fun, smart kids to stay in a hotel, splash in a pool, and wear goofy ears. They have spent a year working and finally succeeding on very difficult tasks. Only a small number of kids will walk away with awards, and it is so important to keep that all in mind. It was really all that went before Saturday's contest that matters.  Regardless of what happens Saturday at the contest, our team will walk away smiling, arms around each other, flapping duct tape dog ears.

Job 8:21
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

PS_ tomorrow morning will be a flurry of early mayhem and rushing. It is highly likely I will not get a post out but will update as soon as able!