For the last two years, Adi has been brainstorming ideas for the fourth grade right of passage, The Invention Convention. When the raccoons were regularly ransacking our garbage cans, we thought about screw on garbage can lids…already invented. At the beach in the summer, we daydreamed about a shower that misted sunscreen or an apparatus at the car for rinsing your feet. Whenever we encountered problems, we said, “Adi, that could be an invention.”
Tonight, I reread a post I wrote when our older daughter, Wren, was in the midst of The Invention Convention. I remembered Adi being enamored in the process, but I was surprised to read how this piece was more about Adi than Wren-her quiet observation and pride in her sister when we found out her invention was moving on to the next round of competition.
This year, when Adi came home with the “packet,” all the tasks she needed to complete over the course of a few months, she was eager to get started. Despite the years of brainstorming, none of the ideas we had gathered over the years were the one. Day after day, Adi came home asking members of our family if we had any ideas for inventions. The deadline for the idea phase was looming. Every idea we rattled off, she quickly vetoed.
It wasn’t until one afternoon when we were doing laundry, we tossed more socks who had lost their match into our embarrassing basket of misfit socks. From that basket, the idea of magnetic socks was born. With an idea to work with, Adi tackled her invention packet, always meeting her deadlines ahead of schedule. When it came time to build her prototype, Wren stepped in and suggested she use the Cricut machine to create a logo. Adi accepted the suggestion and incorporated the idea into her planning and building.
This week, the sharing day finally arrived. Adi brought her trifold board to school along with her mocked up socks, now with a logo and a name, Mocks. When I arrived at school for the parents’ turn to view the inventions, I quickly spotted Adi, who was all smiles. “Guess how many times I’ve already shared my invention?” she said. “32!” she answered before even giving me a chance to guess.
“Well let me hear it,” I said, ready to see her shine. All her work had paid off. She confidently shared her idea. I snapped her picture before heading off to view other inventions.
I later posted the picture on Facebook. Before bed, I saw that the post had attracted quite a few comments. I passed my phone to Adi so she could check them out herself. She’s been going through a “no one sees me,” phase. I knew the positive feedback would give her a boost.
She carefully scrolled through the comments, a grin quietly spreading across her face. “I got 52!” she exclaimed. “I’m going viral!” she announced, before passing my phone back and dancing around the room.
Today, as we finished dinner and the girls lingered around the kitchen as we cleaned up, Rose announced, “I already have an idea for my invention…”
I’m a mom of inventors.
Where There Is Joy 
“I’m going viral.” What a powerful moment for the “invisible” middle child. And what a fantastic invention! Tell Adi that I’m in! Now, I wonder what Rose will invent…
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I love the enthusiasm you have for the invention convention since it was probably one of my least favorite things about fourth grade! I might invest since I would also guess my missing a match sock basket nigh be bigger than yours- I just don’t get it and can’t get myself to empty it thinking the socks will show up some day. Great work, Adi!
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My slicing routine is to comment on the previous three before me and then come back later, and I was happy to be right behind you. Wren and Adi’s interactions so often remind me of my first two daughters. Julia, the second, has ALWAYS made up her mind as late as possible, weighing all the options, and she’d doing a great job in life. Your stories capture the complexities and joys of multiple daughters.
Big high five to Adi! Hope she moves on as my house would benefit from a better system for matching socks. (Although I think a sunscreen shower could be a game-changer!)
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I like your commenting routine! I’m overwhelmed with posts to read (I want to read and comment on ALL of them!). I’m going to try out your idea – 3 Before Me!
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I like all of those ideas. The car/feet washer is a great idea. Sunscreen shower? You’d want some kind of hair protection, right? But the mocks are great and necessary. I remember our kids going through those same steps…though the viral part wasn’t a thing yet. Kudos to Adi.
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The “I’ve gone viral!” comment is so great! I do want a pair of those socks! Keep mothering those amazing inventors!
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Oh wow! How all three girls have grown and matured! Love how you capture the dynamics of Adi’s process, noting the passage of time and how important it was for her to reach her own Eureka moment. Congrats on raising a home full of inventors!
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One thing that comes through so strongly in this slice is your family participation. ALL are asked for ideas and all are so supportive so each inventor can complete their task. Congrats to Adi but also congrats to your supportive family! She shines because of all the positive support shared. And she had to the confidence to listen and in the end, make it her own project. This is such a winning story and so glad you added photos.
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Go girls!! My favorite line is “I’m going viral!” It made me chuckle.
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Jessica,
Everything about this slice is amazing and makes me smile. The photos are gorgeous. I love the invention convention idea and all the critical thinking involved. And anything that keeps socks paired is a WOW in my book. Congratulations to Adi.
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I remember you writing about Wren’s invention! And now Adi’s magnetic socks – so great! Can’t wait to read about what Rose imagines. So much fun!
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