Rubik's cube competition

Ever since teaching Carmen how to do the Rubik's cube, my interest has been rekindled and I discovered that the Rubik's cube subculture has really grown since I last looked several years ago. I found that "speed cubes" are now easily available, so I ordered one to replace the cube I gave to Carmen. On Friday, I also happened to find the list of competitions around the world and was surprised to see that the South East Texas Open 2017 was the next day.

I didn't have anything going on, so on a whim, I took Carmen there for the day. As expected, it was supremely geeky. Lots of younger people and cubes and other twisty puzzles everywhere.

They had a whole series of events -- regular speed solving of 2x2, 3x3, 6x6, 7x7, and Megaminx, plus blindfolded and one-handed solving of a regular 3x3. There was a variety of skill levels, and while all were impressive, it was clear that one boy stood out from the rest, and he ended up winning several events. Be sure to watch his winning one-handed solve at the end of this video.

There was a lot of down time between events, but Carmen was a trooper. She brought her cube along and solved it dozens of times. They also had a couple booths selling cubes there, so I got her a speed cube, too.

It was fun to meet some of the parents and competitors; it really is a fascinating subculture. The whole time I was there I kept thinking someone needs to do a documentary, or "Word Freak"-style book about these people.

We stayed until the end to see who won, then headed back home. Carmen had me turn on the overhead light in the car so she could solve her new cube on the way home.

Christmas break

I had the week of Christmas off to play with all the new toys, which is exactly what I did for most of Monday.

On Tuesday, it was more of the same, except Amber and I snuck out to see Rogue One (on the day Carrie Fisher died). I thought it was an excellent movie.

I spent most of the day pressure washing the driveway on Wednesday. Amber was making shelves for the girls' room, but she came out for a little while to give it a try. If you look closely, you might be able to see the difference.

Carmen was her usual helpful self and helped me clean up the black sludge in the gutter, so I took her to get some frozen yogurt afterwards.

Somewhere in those couple days, Damon managed to pop one of the pieces off my 2x2 Rubik's cube and lose it completely. While looking for it, we got on the topic of Rubik's cubes and Carmen decided she wanted to learn how to solve one. So on Thursday, I spent most of the day on and off teaching Carmen. I had one of the new stickerless Rubik's brand cubes that was impervious to her sweaty hands and she worked at it all day long. I told her if she solved it on her own she could keep it. She was relentless.

On Friday morning, I taught her the last couple algorithms, and she successfully solved it on her own. I let her keep the cube, and it might be her favorite "Christmas" present. She's addicted, and loves impressing people with how she can solve it.

I did get one useful thing done during the break. We've had squeaky floors outside the kids bedrooms for as long as I can remember. I learned about a squeak-fixing kit recently and immediately ordered it. It took a while to find the more persistent squeaks, but I was eventually able to eliminate them all and it's heavenly to walk across that patch of floor now.

We started cleaning up Christmas decorations at the end of the week, but I didn't get around to the lights until the next week, when it got cold. We went to a friend's house for New Year's Eve, but just stayed until the kids' bedtime, since Amber and I both had lessons to prepare for church the next day.

On Sunday we started our new 9am schedule, and Miles had his first week of Primary, both of which went well. In our expansive amount of time after church, Amber constructed the Lego-style brick Washington DC temple that I got her. Not the greatest design, but it looks nice.

I had Monday off also, but we didn't do much, just watched movies, read books, and otherwise savored our last day off.

Christmas

At 7 o'clock sharp, the time we told the kids they could wake us, we had children pulling us out of bed to see what Santa had brought. No one was really hungry for breakfast, since several were still sick. Carmen continued our Christmas tradition of puking during the night before.

Damon and Miles got these cool cars from Santa, which have been a big hit with all the kids. The tracks are flexible so you can make them into any shape you want.

Olivia and Carmen got Lego Friends and were very excited to try them out.

We opened stockings next. The three older kids got wristwatches in their stockings, among other things.

Miles was very excited about his Beanie Boo dog. He's been asking for one for a while.

I got a 2x2 Rubik's cube in mine. More about that later. After stockings, we started into the presents under the tree. There were Itty Bittys, books, crafts, and of course, Damon and Miles both got some Legos, too.

My big presents were a bluetooth speaker, a surveillance camera, and a pressure washer. Amber got some practical things, like a new broom and mixer, and some nostalgic things - vintage books on record and a record player.

Midway through presents we paused and got ready for church. It was an abbreviated schedule. I sang in the choir, and Amber played the piano. When we got back, we finished unwrapping presents. One of Damon's favorites is his Coji, and little robot that can be programmed and controlled via tablet/phone.

We eventually ran out of presents and it was time to play.

Everyone had a happy Christmas. I told the kids I would have to remember not to buy so many presents next year. They disagreed.

Christmas Eve

I got off work early on Friday, but came home to find half the family sick. Olivia and Miles were sleeping, puke bowls at the ready.

Amber wasn't feeling great either, so I took Carmen and Damon roller skating, something Carmen had been wanting to do for a long time.

Saturday was Christmas Eve. People still weren't feeling well, so we watched some X-Men cartoons and generally relaxed.

Amber made the traditional clam chowder for dinner, then afterwards we acted out the nativity story.

Amber had acted it out several times with the kids who stayed home sick from church last week, and Miles wanted to do it several times so he could play each part.

So everybody got to play multiple parts, but all of them were cute.

Even if Amber was sore afraid.

At then end, everyone opened one present, then we hustled the kids off to bed. Amber finished up a quilt she was making for someone, then we popped in our favorite cheesy Christmas movie while Santa Claus came to visit.