Nabbed by the lunch lady

Okay, just for the record, in case I disappear or something, I think the head lunch lady is on to me. Remember, P.J. and me are collecting Pan Pizza, well, I think she knows we're not eating it. I don't know for sure, maybe I'm just a little paranoid, because I know she's responsible for the recipe for the pizza, but I get the feeling she's watching my every move on pizza day.

She's not onto P.J. yet, or at least he doesn't think she is. I'm playing it safe though, I just order two slices – or three, if I know she isn't looking. 

But I do have an alternate plan. Melanie Shaw actually asked me about my science project. Melanie is one of the prettiest girls I know and usually I don't know what to say to her. I mean, whenever I get close to her it feels like my mouth fills up with dry crackers and my head goes a little woozy, but this opened the door and of course I do have a lot to talk about. 

It also gave me an idea–I asked Melanie if she could help and she said yes. So now I still get my pizza heat shield and a reason to talk to Melanie!

But I'm not so sure the pizza heat shield thing is such a good idea anymore. We have a good pile of it already in my garage. It's in a cool shady spot, but I have to say, it is not smelling so great. Kind of like sour milk and dirty socks left out in the sun. 

In August.

I don't know if I could stand that smell all the

 way to Mars and back. So I'm thinking we'll have to come up with something else.

Another fact:

Full Speed Ahead!

Now that I have the official backing of Mrs. Applebaum and the Pine Nuts School system, I can start working on my trip to Mars full steam ahead. So, the plan now is to have the rocket ship completed and ready to launch for the Parent's Day Science Competition.

I'll also have the poster of really cool facts (which I've already started), along with a flight plan and list of things I want to do once I get to Mars.

Grandpa is still very keen on helping out, so he can sit in the rocket during Parent's Night and talk to people about flying and stuff. He can even wear his leather jacket and helmet. Maybe we can find him some goggles too.

And since Mom still insists that I let Donald do something - even after the ball bearing incident- he can be our Martian specimen. Once me and P.J. figure out what one looks like, we'll make a costume and dress Donald in it and he can stand around making Martian sounds.

P.J.'s going to stay over Saturday night so we can do research. He has an awesome flying simulation video game that will give me some practice and he said he can bring over other study materials from his dad's video collection. I'll get kettle corn and soda.