April Fools Day!

Happy April! Spring is finally here! Now you can take a bike ride without slipping on the ice, plant flowers everywhere to make your lawn look that much better, and enjoy the warm weather! Get out the t-shirts and have fun!

Everybody knows that the first day of April is April Fools Day. So.. what are you going to do to fool your buds? Here are some clever ideas. One thing you can do to all the toilet paper rolls in your house is put a little invisible scotch tape over the part where it's loose. So when they spin the roll, expecting toilet paper to come down, they'll be wondering what the heck is happening! :-) Ha! Ok, everybody also knows the classical whoopy cushion- that never works. But- here's a little trick to make sure it does work. If you have any chairs with little cushions tied onto them, this is the perfect one for you. Slide a whoopy cushion under the cushion- make sure it isn't to noticable- don't blow the cushion up all the way, because that way the pillow will stick up and they'll think something's up. This one also works for couches- just slide a whoopy cushion under the couch cushion, and when someone plops down to watch some TV, they'll be surprised on the sound they here. Whoopsy! Kids: ask your parents before doing the next one- I did it without asking last year- mum was pretty angry, and got out extra tooth brushes. On the night before April Fool's Day, (which is today, according to the date this was published,) gather all your family's tooth brushes, and put them in a cup of water. Put the cups with the toothbrushes into the freezer for overnight. The morning where the fun begins, sneek downstairs early in the morning, grab the cups, (they should be frozen by now) and put them back in the bathroom. They'll surely be fooled when they try and brush their teeth! Here's the last one- my favorite. Say you're having a party, that has fruit punch. Or any red drink. Instead of that drink, put red jello on the table- don't worry about putting it in the cups- the containers already look like good party cups!

Hope you have fun fooling your pals with these cool tricks. Sorry for the late publishing- I had to go to bed early yesterday, because of the MCAS testing was tomorrow. Happy spring! :-D

Dum Dum Pops

My favorite lolly pop EVER. The Dum Dum Pops. These fantastic lollies come in many different flavors, such as root beer, cream soda, watermelon, and green apple. My favorite flavor? That's easy. At first, it wasn't. Until one day, I went to get a haircut, and at the counter, they give free lolly pops to everyone- free Dum Dum Pops! So I took one, and I looked on the wrapper. In between the Dum Dums logo, it read: artaficially flavored Cherry Cola. Well then! I peeled of the wrapper, and stuck it in my mouth. Then I felt a tiny little sizzle as if I was drinking soda- I freaked out! I kept licking and 'drinking' my Cherry Cola- it was amazing! It was as if they just took some soda, and managed to get it into lolly pop form! So that's how my favorite flavor became Cherry Cola.

What makes Dum Dum Pops unique and one of a kind? First of all, their flavors. Now, they've made a brand-new mango flavor! I've tried it, and it's outstanding! Ok. Here's what really makes this candy unique- if you peel of your wrapper carefully, and look at the bottom strip, it'll say: Save Wraps For Stuff! And all kinds of merchendice from Dum Dums. Just go to www.dumdumpops.com, click 'Save Wraps For Stuff' and you can check out all the things you could possibly get if you save all of your Dum Dum wrappers. That's what I've been doing, because I really want the Dum Dum lip balm. I know, that sounds so weird, but it's flavored like the lolly pops! My lips are always chapped, and honestly, I don't really want any of the other merchendice, so I bought the lip balm for 20 wrappers. :-) Now, when I put some on, and lick my lips, it's like licking the lolly pop. I got flavors: Cherry, Watermelon, Cream Soda, and Root Beer. Teehee! Now I keep one in every Jean pocket I have- lets just hope I remember to take it out for when they go in the wash.

The only thing I don't like about Dum Dums is that they make their lolly pops too small. They should make them bigger so we can enjoy them longer! So if you see a Dum Dum Pop, pick it up, and try it. You'll love it.

AB Town Swim Team Championships 2009

Sunday, March 15th was the most hectic day of the year. That's because today was my town swim team's championship meet. I LOVE swimming. Yeah, I'm not that good at it, but I love it anyway. One of my favorite things to do before I do anything else in the water is a back flip. Just a back flip. It feels so good! I don't know why, but for some awkward reason, I can't seem to do a front flip. At least not directly, without tumbling to the side. Anyway, here's how it went.

First, I had to wake up at 4:45 AM. I did not want to do that. Who does? Let me tell you one thing, I am not an early bird. I had to be at the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School by 5:45 AM, and the bus to the pool where the championships are held left at 6:00. When I saw my 4 friends there, we where all shivering. I seemed to be one of the only people in my age group who brought a sleeping bag. It may sound stupid, but it's really cold in the hall ways where we have to stay- and I use it as a blanket.

I nearly fell asleep on the bus, considering I was in the way back, 'one seater' seat, surrounded by bags that look really good to put your head on as a pillow. The ride took a while, and I was just sitting there, in my jacket, a bit cold, in the dark bus. Not really what I want to be doing at 6:00 AM. We finally got there around 7, and the hallway room that we got to stay in was tiny! It was actually normal size, but the AB swim team has a lot of people. By the time we got to our room, the older boys took one half and all the teen girls took the other half. I though, where the heck are we supposed to cram in?? The coach ended up telling the girls to pile there bags in the corner so us 5 young lady's can have a seat and get comfertable. Now wasn't that nice of him! Ok, let's get down to buisiness.

First, I'll tell you the order, and the events, heats, etc. First up: the IM (all strokes) relays. For instance, if I was doing a 25 yard IM relay, and I was first, I'd do butterfly. 2nd, back stroke, 3rd, breast stroke, and last but not least, free style. A.K.A., the crawl. It is in that specific order. Then butterfly swimmers ages lowest to highest go next, then freestlye, then breast, then back, and after that the rest of the relay's happen. Now, one event is not the same as one heat. One heat is one race in an event. An event is like an age group swimming a specific stroke. Multiple heats (races) are in that event. I'm trying to make this as clear as possible, and if you have any questions, feel free to comment below.

I normally swim events number 15, which is for freestyle 25 yards, 42, back stroke 25 yards, and then 52, a 25 yard freestyle relay. And what do you know, I swam that for the championships! Those are my best strokes. Guess how surprised I was when I saw what I was swimming on my first meet? I was very surprised, that's how much!! On the paper, it read something like this:

Sonja Heels

#10 ~ 9-10 25 yard Butterfly
#42 ~ 9-10 25 yard Back stroke
#52 ~ 9-10 25 yard Free relay C

Butterfly? I had never competed in butterfly before, and many people don't even know how to do it. Ok, so you've seen the crawl. One arm, then the next, repeat. In butterfly, you do both at once, with a dolphin kick. I like to think of it as 'the worm' kick. It's just like doing 'the worm'! Ok, so just imagine yourself doing the worm in the water, and the arms, you just jumped off a block, and people are cheering all around you, screaming at you to go faster. How do you feel?

In my case, when I did this, I was very happy. For some strange reason, I have this thing with laughing. I laugh at the WEIRDEST things. Seriously! One time, my brother, Sam, (6 foot 1 inch), walked up to me, and said, 'Pudding!' I cracked up SO hard, for like, 2 minutes. Then I had to stop because after about a minute of serious belly-laughs, my stomach kills. Another time, I asked my dad if I could ask him a question. Yeah, not very neciccery, but what ever. I do that sometimes. Anyway, he said, 'Ok!' And for some strange reason, the way his face looked at that very moment cracked me up- once again, SO hard. The stomach cramp came back faster this time. I laugh very frequently! So that day at my first swim meet this year, I had something that I like to call a 'laugh attack'. Even if I don't see something, I just imagine it, I crack up. It happens very strangely. So this time, my friends face seemed to crack me up- so as I was doing butterfly, there I am, when I'm taking in some air, I'm laughing incredibly hard. Just imagine that for a moment. You're doing the worm, with both arms going at once, and you can bearly breathe, and you're having serious stomach pain because you're laughing so hard. Just image that. The most memorable moment in my swimming history. Wow.

Back to the championships! Ok, I'm standing behind the block, waiting for the whistle. 'TWEET TWEET TWEET!!' It goes. That's our signle to get up on the blocks. Then the announcer says, 'Take your mark..' and honestly, he sounded like darth vador! He was all, 'Take your mark..' in a very very low tone. It creeped me out, but I kinda liked it. Anyway, 'Take your mark..' he says, then he presses it. He presses the button that powers the loud signal to GO! 'BANG!!' It went. I push off of the block, kick my legs a little, and swim for my life. Swim! Swim! Aaahh! There's a shark behind you! I though. Certainly I didn't want to be eaten by a shark at my very first championships. I knew that wasn't going to happen, but I just had to image the largest shark known to man was right behind me. That way, I would speed up!! Another way I made myself go faster, I imagined there was a hundred pepperment patties at the end of the pool, and who ever got there first got to have them. Yes, pepperment patties are my #1 favorite candy. Sadly, I didn't make it in first, I don't think. But I know I did well. The timer said I did well, so I think I was in 2nd or 3rd place, with the timing of about 18 secconds. :-)

Backstroke I think I did pretty well! Even though I think of backstroke as more of a relaxing stroke, we do compete in it, too. That's when you have to kick your legs hard, and move your arms like a wind mill. For my age, 10, I think I did pretty well. My timing was about 19 seconds. I beat my personal record! Earlier, it was about 21. :-D

When I got back from swimming back, my friends ran up to me immediately. They told me that I was in their freestyle relay- and I was the anchor! Yeah, I know, you're all wondering, what the heck is an anchor? Other than the thing that stops boats that's extremely heavy, in swimming, if you're in a relay, and someone says you're the anchor, that means that you are the last person- which means you've got a LOT of pressure on you. Ok, let me explain just how much pressure I was going through. Ok, there are 12 other teams at this meet. You have to swim as fast as you can, and your team mates are counting on you to win, AND it's the championships, with tons of people cheering for you to go even faster. Now THAT'S pressure!! My friends were shaking me from my shoulders, and believe me, I was the worst person in this relay group to be the anchor. They all are much better than me, and it just HAD to be me as anchor. And sadly, we didn't win the relay. But I'm not that bummed about it! Because it's not the end of the world. Even though the championships are a big thing, it's not going to ruin my life. I did my best, and that's that.

We all packed up, and my mom, as usual whenever she sees me and she's happy, she says, 'Hey!' with her face all lit up. I love when she does that, but I didn't get the chance to even speek to my friends. I didn't see them at all after the relay, exept for their backs going down to the room. At least I'll be able to see them again at the ice cream social in about a month. :-) We packed up, bought some lunch and a pack of Oreos, and we headed out. It was a bit odd, sitting in the middle of a parking lot on one of those islands with grass on them and signs in them. There we are. Just sitting on the grass in the middle of the parking lot, having ham and cheese sandwiches. I called my dad on my mum's cell, and it was so good to here his voice again. Even though the last time I'd heard it was at like, 8:30 the night before, it was good to here his proud and happy voice after a very long swim meet.

This was my second year swimming on the Acton-Boxborough Town Swim Team. What about last years championships? You see, the town teem splits up into the A championships and the B championships. That year, I was in the B championships- witch got CANCELED by snow. I was really really upset. My first year, and it's canceled! But this year, I improved a lot. This year I was in the A championships, and my times improve almost every meet. :-) I love to swim.

The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants

Hello! I'm sorry I haven't been updating that often- school's kind of getting in the way of that now that February vacation is over. I've been getting tons of new books lately from the Children's Book Of The Month Club, and one of them is The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. This book is very interesting!

Ok, your probably wondering what in the world are the 'traveling pants' are. I know. When you first look at it, you don't really know what to think of it. I tried it anyway. This is a book about four best friends. Carmen, Bridget, Lena, and Tibby. The traveling pants start out as some old jeans in a used clothes shop. Carmen never wore them, but one day when the girls were together packing their bags for summer vacation, they discover that the pants fit all 5 of them. This was impossible. They were each very different, but yet the jeans fit. They figured these pants weren't just old worn out pants that always get thrown in the back of the closet, but they were magical pants. The pants that would bring these best friends together while they're away during the summer. So by the power of the sisterhood, they called these pants the traveling pants. Each girl would get a turn to have them during the summer at least twice.

The rules of the traveling pants:

1. You must never wash the pants.

2. You must never double-cuff the pants. It's tacky. There will never be a time when this will not be tacky.

3. You must never say the word "phat" while wearing the pants. You must never think ''I am fat'' while wearing the pants.

4. You must never let a boy take of the pants. (Although you may take them off yourself in his presence.)

5. You must not pick your nose while wearing the pants. You may, however, scratch casually at your nostril while really kind of picking.

6. Upon our reunion, you must follow the proper procedures for documenting your time in the pants:

- On the left leg of the pants, wrote the most exciting place you have been while wearing the pants.

- On the right leg of the pants, write the most important thing that has happened to you while wearing the pants. (For example, "I hooked up with my second cousin, Ivan, while wearing the Traveling Pants.")

7. You must write to your sisters throughout the summer, no matter how much fun you are having without them.

8. You must pass the pants along to your sisters according to the specifications set down by the sisterhood. Failure to comply will result in a severe spanking upon our reunion.

9. You must not wear the pants with a tucked-in shirt and belt. See rule #2.

10. Remember: Pants = love. Love your pals. Love yourself.

And don't miss the second and third! Second: The Second Summer Of The Sisterhood. Third: All In Blue. I would recommend these books to kids 11 or 12 and up. They may sound stupid, but they're not.

Klutz Crafts

I have many favorites. My favorite food, my favorite drink, color, etc. By far, my #1 favorite craft company is Klutz. Why? First of all, because Klutz has so many cool, creative, unique craft books for kids. Second of all, they're instructions are so simple! Third of all, in all of their books, they have inspiration and examples hanging everywhere. It's fun, easy, and 100% Klutz certified. :-)

I have tons of favorite books from Klutz- it's impossible for me to pick my favorite! Here's a list of just some of the amazing Klutz books I've tried:

1. Paper Fashions ~ I love this one!
2. Capsters ~ These first two I can't decide witch one's better! I love Capsters!
3. Velvet Art ~ It's Art- with velvet!
4. Mini Ribbon Purses ~ The perfect thing to hold your lunch money in!

Klutz doesn't just make craft books. Oh, no. They make MUCH more! Klutz has puzzle books, game books, and believe it or not, they even have their very own juggling book! Are you a fan of paper airplanes? Step right up to The Klutz Book Of Paper Airplanes.

Are you always bored on those extra-long car rides, or even those 20-minute car rides? No problem. Klutz has everything you need when it comes to travel fun! Why not bring your favorite Make Thumb People book, or maybe you should bring the Doodle Cats book. Or you could bring the Etch A Sketch Book! Now you can look forward to those car rides- you can be a klutz during the whole car ride.

Do you like science and building? Klutz also has books for kids like you. They have things like The Solar Car Book, and Magnetic Magic! Harry Potter fans, look out! Here comes the Building Cards Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry! Go to www.klutz.com for more information on that book.

Did you run out of supplies from your Klutz book? No worries, because Klutz was smart- they have little extra supplies kits! You're sure to find what you need extra of. So come on! Be a klutz and try one of their books today! :-)

We Love The Wii!

The newest, the best, the most insane game system yet- the Nintendo Wii! I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but one of my brothers is crazy for video games. It's not necessarily a bad thing, he's just really obsessed with them sometimes. You can probably imagine him (age 12) badly wanting the Wii the second it came out. Yeah.. he wanted it bad alright. We ended up getting it for Christmas, 2007! (Right after my website was created! You can celebrate Sonny's Area's birthday on December 21st. Share the love. Spread the word.) I love it!! I don't play it everyday, because I'm a busy person. But the sound effects, it's all so smooth and cool. Very easy to work, and it is very enjoyable! Trust me. I've experienced it many times. The second your visions hit the screen, you're in Nintendo world. White is everywhere, and you can't resist making all these crazy mii's like Bowser or Peach. (Nintendo characters)

Now that we have it, almost every single time my dad, my brothers and I go to F.Y.E. (click here for more info on that awesome store), they'd buy a Wii game. Now we have a LOT of Wii games, and actually, I think we're selling a few. Keep an eye out for when we might be selling things on Sonny's Area as a separate page.

My family for Christmas 2008 got the brand new, interactive, amazing game, called Wii Fit. Now it's very much like Wii Sports, only they sense you're movement and weight & balance with something they like to call the Wii Balance Board. When you step on it, they can sense you're movement. It's very interesting! Activities like yoga, other strength exercises, aerobics, and lots of balance games are included. Wii Fit makes exercising and stretching fun, and they motivate you with their virtual trainers. If you do Wii Fit daily for a while, it can make a difference! It'll make you feel better about exercising and it makes it something to look forward to when you hear your alarm go off in the morning. In Wii Fit, you can take a daily body test. During the test, you are measured in terms of balance. They show a little dot on a picture of the Wii Balance Board, representing your C.O.B. (center of balance) It matters on how much weight you put on each leg. If you distribute your weight equally to each leg, you will have an excellent C.O.B. After your balance check, you take a couple of other tests, such as standing on one foot and balancing for 30 seconds, or test your walking by you doing 20 steps. You never know what they pick for you! Wii Fit is an excellent way to exersize with the family, and it's fun to see you in mii form doing some of the activities in Balance games and Aerobics.

Something I like about the Wii is that in a few of they're games, such as Wii sports and Wii Fit, they actually grab you into the game. Instead of sitting on your butt all the time, the games require you to get up and move it! A game system for the whole family to enjoy. :-)