do not covet your neighbor's project

*name have been changed to protect the innocent and ignorant
my 6th graders had projects due today. most of them brought the standard poster and summary. one boy asked me if i was going to kill him. i think he meant because he was projectless and not because this is a daily concern.

and then in walked blondie. with a box. a golden box.
she had made a golden ark complete with 10 commandments board game!!!
inside the box were two styrofoam tablets with commandments on them with BURNT edges for that authentic ancient look.

i love blondie.
i loved her before she turned in the project to end all projects.
but im a little concerned.
is this a nervous breakdown waiting to happen?
am i going to get mentioned in counseling sessions 15 years from now
... well it all started in 6th grade when my social studies teacher praised me for my perfect project and from then on everything had to be perfect...

maybe she and kill-boy can get together and balance each other out.