Spring break American history road trip

Williamsburg stockade

James River, Jamestown

Bartholomew Gosnold

Monitor Museum, Hampton Roads

Norfolk Harbor

Luray Carverns

Gettysburg

Early mornings with Mom

A technical entry on the the present (and your future) economic times

Boys, here is just a quick aside on today's economic realities and the ways in which Mom & Dad are trying to prepare for your future.  The effects of computer technology, which began changing the world in our childhoods have greatly accelerated the pace of economic change and so we hope we are doing a good job of preparing for your future. Here are a few charts:

The cost of education and healthcare have risen dramatically which means we are trying to save as much as possible for your education and also keep abreast of other options such as online education and alternate career development paths. Also, we are trying to educate ourselves about healthcare and healthy living so as to minimize the amount we spend on healthcare.

Another effect of technology is the way it has greatly increased the productivity of individual workers while not leading to concomitant increases in wages. Much of the economy consists of low wage jobs and so we are trying to make sure that you have a good education and will be able to access jobs with higher wages.

Lastly, technology has made it easier for corporations and banks to grow across international boundaries. This recent expansion of global banking and corporate business has led to a 'financialized' world where small population of shareholders are reaping great profits while the vast majority (99%) of the rest of the world have become mired in debt and so-called 'debt-servitude'.  Mom and Dad are trying to save money for you and also educate you about the many ways in which a person can become mired in too much debt.

We want you boys to understand information technology and the related economic realities of the world you are going to enter and so thought it would be good to let you know that we are planning for a future where (a) taxes will be very high, (b) education and medical care will be very high (c) easy credit and other financial debt servitude traps will be lurking everywhere.  Educate yourselves using free resources where ever possible. Take good care of your health. Keep your costs of living as low as possible.

Pfizer pfellas

Jamestown (NY) Jammer

Ben's first MiLB cap!

"The Black Bar Business" by Nate

PAL Basketball season's end

Great job Nate and team for ending season by making it to the finals of the Clark Basketball Tournament!

Jump shot!

Pinewood Derby 2014 - Ben & the "Falcons Mobile" #88 Tony Gonzalez tribute car

Ben, we were so delighted to see your #88 Tony Gonzalez car win 3rd place fastest car at the Pinewood Derby! It was an exciting morning. We love you!

Student of the Month

We were so proud to be with at your award ceremony for OAS Student of the Month. Congratulations Nate!!

P.A.L. Basketball Tournament

Cranford wins! Dunnellen basketball tournament. Nate we were so proud to watch you play and to see you awarded the MVP for your team. 

Holiday Concerts

Ben, we really enjoyed your holiday choir performance!

Nate, we enjoyed listening to you play with the 5th and 6th grade orchestras!

The Sound of Music Fan Letter

Ben, You wrote Michael Nigro a fan letter for his performance on the T.V. show "The Sound of Music". It turns out it was his first fan letter ever, and he kindly wrote you back!

It's a Turkey's Life - by Nate

     I wake up out of my bed and I can't figure out what's annoying me most. That I haven't paid the rent from my store, or that I can't afford a new assortment of meat for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. I get up and slowly get dressed in my stainless butcher uniform and I hobble half-asleep downstairs. I take some bird seed and I toss it to my bird Tweeter's cage. She looks at me eagerly and squeaks for more. I pat her head (it feels nice on her soft velvety feathers). As I leave I take a look at my little house. The cool wet dew is sloshing under my feet as I walk towards my car. As I drive towards the center of town, all the other businesses look bigger than mine. As I park my car, I look up at the big neon letters above my show, "Boberts Butchery". I go inside and I change the sign from 'closed' to 'open' and then I turn on the lights and go behind the counter. I pick up the novel that I'm reading by my all-time favorite author Rick Riordan. "Best day of my life," I say glumly. Then the door opens and a fancy looking man walks in. I put down my book and ask him politely, "Can I help you sir?" He looks through narrowed eyes at my menu while toying with his thin wispy moustache. Without looking at me, he orders, "I'll take 10 pounds of your best ham for $300." I try not to gawk in amazement as my eyes bulge. I can only squeak out, "coming right up sir."
     I know it's just enough for my rent. I rush into the cold meat locker, my eyes wide with excitement. I frantically look around for my best ham. I see a small box in the corner covered with frost. I run over there, pick up the box and wipe the frost off the label. The box had probably been in here for months but no time to check the expiration date. The worn out label says in thin dark fancy script "Gourmet Ham imported from Spain". I put the box on the table. The man checks every inch of the box. He takes out a ball point pen and slowly props the top of the box up and checks the hams. A smile fringes on the side of his face - he quickly bats it down. he says (in his best poker face) "I'll take 'em."
     After closing time, I hop into my car and drive off to the bank. I hand the bank accountant my $300. He gives me $50 back. Just then I remember I paid $50 i advance. I drive off to the super market to get the St. Patrick's Day Parade ham.

Vote for Trail Mix!

Ben's 2nd grade class is holding an election to see if the students prefer a sweet or salty snack.  Ben is campaigning for the salty snack...trail mix.  Love that slogan at the end!

Ben's Comics