Parents: Does this sound like you?

"Listen, it's your science project. If it doesn't get done, that's your problem. And you are not staying up late to get it done. So just get to work."

Well, ha! The first Little Jogger and Mrs. Jogger and I just stayed up late (well, a little late) finishing her "Rube Goldberg Machine" for the Science Olympiad.

Part of the problem is that she failed to carefully read the instructions. The whole thing was supposed to fit inside a box that is 50 cm by 50 cm by 80 cm. All the stuff she had worked out was way too big. So we had to basically redesign, starting today after school.

Another part of the problem is that she is part of a team. She and her friend are working together on some things, and sharing credit on the rest. They got first place on Tuesday and second place today on things that the friend had done. So I kind of felt like the FLJ should contribute something! (She is also doing a trebuchet, which isn't due until next week, and which should be pretty good.)

Anyway, we got the Rube Goldberg Machine to work, and it should be OK, though I don't imagine it will get first. They get more points for each simple machine that they include, and ours only has six. But at least it's done, and it works.