01-28-07_1146.jpg

01-28-07_1146.jpg

Remember back in the day when we used to have to make stuff by ourselves?  Nowadays, you can get a kit at Michaels to build one of California's missions (styrofoam walls, roofs, etc) and add some nice looking plants or doves.

Okay, I confess - my mom made most of my mission for me (hey, I can barely cut in a straight line... even now).  But still, we had to make it ourselves, rather than glue some pieces of pre-cut styrofoam.  But considering most 4th graders in California have to make a mission as a school project, and that most people would be willing to fork over some cash to avoid having to do much of anything, it's great for capitalism.

By the way, the mission I chose to make was Santa Clara (like the one pictured).  It was because I was infatuated with The Nutcracker and the lead girl's name is Clara.  Get it?  My mom thought I should have chosen the San Gabriel mission because then I could have visited it and gotten brochures, etc.  Well, too bad, there's no Gabriel or even Gabrielle in the Nutcracker.