So, my parents have this AWESOME backyard game that I feel I need to share with you.

We call it Norwegian Golf, and it is played like this:

Set-Up:

There are two ‘ladders’ on either side of the yard, made out of PVC pipe.  There are three rungs, each about 12-18 inches apart, and about 2 1/2 - 3 feet wide. Also, you’ll need four pieces of rope or cable.  You’ll have to drill and hole in some golf balls and tie them onto either side of the rope, so that it ends up about 12 inches long.  You can buy a set, or make it yourself!  

Now, to play:

Each team has two people.  One person on the team stands by one ladder, and the other person stands by the other ladder.  Then, the first player tosses two of the golf ball-rope-things to the other ladder.  If it catches on the bottom rung, it’s worth one point.  The middle rung is worth two, and the top rung is worth three.  Then, the second person throws his golf-ball-rope-thing.  If the second player’s rope lands on the same rung as the first player’s, then those points are cancelled out for both teams.  Now, the two players on this side of the yard get to toss the golf ball-ropes back.  The team who scored highest during the last toss throws first. 

Anything goes.  Bounces count.  If the golf ball falls off, or gets knocked off a rung, the points are gone. 

How to win:

The first team to 21 wins.  However, if your team goes over 21, you fall back down to 11 points. 

Good Luck!!

Mmmmm…I just bought stuff to make s’mores and I am so excited!! In honor of one of my favorite things, I decided to tell you my method:

1. You will need graham crackers, marshmellows, chocolate, and….a fire!!

1. Set up the s’more.  Break a graham cracker in half, and place some Hershey’s chocolate on one half of the cracker.  I like to use half of a chocolate bar, but a fourth of a bar works just fine.

2.  Put your ‘mallow on a skewer, or, if you are camping, a stick.  You can use one or two marshmellows. 

3.  You have to toast the mallow just right.  Personally, I like to hold it just above the fire until the outside turns light brown, but this takes a long time, so sometimes I cheat by putting the marshmellow in the fire, but then you have to worry about it getting burned. 

4. Now, put the marshmellows on the chocolate, and use the other half of the cracker to get the mallows off of the stick. 

5. Eat!  I have a technique for eating the s’more without it getting everywhere, but I’ll let you develop your own technique.  The best way to learn is to practice!!

Check out this cute s’mores ornament that I actually own!

Alright, so a few weeks ago, I changed the oil in my car…all by myself!! I was so excited.  It also gave me an idea.  I am going to post random how-to’s on my blog! Fun for you, less thinking of something to post for me, so good all around, I say. 

Anyway, to get to the ‘How to Change Your Oil’:

1. Raise your car with a jack, and place blocks or something under the front wheels, and let your car down on the blocks.  You want to be careful when placing the jack under your car, you want it placed under something solid. If you don’t have a jack, you can just drive the front wheels of your car onto a curb or some blocks.  Basically, you just want some space to work underneath the car.

2. The hardest part is next: look under your car and find where the oil will come out.  Once you have done that, place an oil pan under the oil drain plug, and then use a socket wrench to loosen the drain plug.  Then, use your hand to finish removing the drain plug, so that the oil can drain out.  You will get yucky, black oil all over your hand, so have some paper towels ready.  Do NOT drop the drain plug into the oil pan, I know this from personal experience!

3. Let the oil drain into the pan, then replace the drain plug.  You will want this to be very tight, first because you don’t want the oil to leak, and second because it could fall off while you are driving, and then you would have no oil in your car, and that would be no bueno. 

4. The second hardest part: find the oil filter.  Then, place the oil pan under the oil filter, and then twist the oil filter off with your hand.  Again, you will get oil all over your hand, and some will drip into the pan.  This is a very messy job. 

5. You will want to put a thin layer of oil on the lip of the new oil filter before replacing it.  According to my sources (a.k.a., my dad) this creates a tighter seal. 

6.  Use the jack again, to raise your car enough to remove the blocks.  Lower your car so that it is completely on the ground. 

7. Raise the hood on your car, and locate the spot to put the new oil in.  It should have a picture of an oil can on it, like this:

8. Remove the cap, and pour the new, pretty, clear oil into your car.  Most cars need about 4 quarts (at least my car does).  Replace the cap!!  To make sure you have the right amount of oil in your car, wait a few minutes, and then check the dipstick (yes, that is what it is called).  In the picture above, it is that thing with the yellow handle.  The proper way to check the oil is this:  Pull out the dipstick and wipe the end clean with a paper towel.  Then, put it back and pull it out again.  The end should look something like this:

If the oil goes up to the “normal range” then you have the right amount off oil in your car.  My car has a little L and H on it to show me where is too low or too high. 

9.  You are done!  It is a good idea to check your oil level again a few days later, and after it has been sitting off for a few hours, when your engine is cold. Also, make sure to properly dispose of the old, icky oil, and clean up any mess you made. 

 May you feel the same level of accomplishment as I did when you change your oil!