DECEMBER 16TH

Dad woke me up for school; he let me see the cover of Time being unveiled. ITS HIM HE WON! It's him holding an Iron Man mask, or whatever they're calling him. He's going to celebrate it, but he has to go into work today. Stupid Obie's death left him in full control. Apparently Justin Hammer called. Hammer himself! He's like dad's rival or something. Hammer said congrulations. Apparently a government person was supposed to win but Dad being Iron Man pushed him in the running. Apparently I was listed as a notable person, in part due to that interview I did back in the summer.

DECEMBER 17th

I haven't told Dad or Pepper or anyone this: I'm trying out for the gymnastics team. I use to do it until a few years back, but I had to stop because I ran into my teacher leaving Dad's room and that's a big no-no. I want to try again though. Tryouts are tomorrow; I've been practicing for like a month in my room. Even if I don't get it I can still say I can try it.

DECEMBER 18th

Today were tryouts. I told Happy I was staying after because of robotics, it was the Christmas party. I tried out in front of several other kids. I think I did well! I think I did rusty on a few moves despite practicing. I'll find out in a few weeks.

DECEMBER 20th

Last day of school. Happy was supposed to show up with cookies but Dad showed up with his iron man hand and cupcakes (obviously store bought). He let a few kids try it on but not shoot anything. Someone took a picture of me sitting next to him wearing the hand. Both Dad and I were laughing in that picture. Its probably one of my favorite pictures of us.

DECEMBER 23rd

Pepper took me Christmas shopping. I got her a nice necklace. I even got Mom something; I got her a nice pair of earrings. They were cheapo earrings because she'll never wear them. Pepper asked if school was going okay. The truth is I have a very hard math teacher, Ms. Lucas. She seems to think she's smarter than the rest of us and I think she thinks I've only been passing because of my last name. I told her about the gymnastics tryout. She seemed more supportive than I think Dad would have been. I asked her not to tell Dad until I knew if I made the team.

DECEMBER 24th

Both Pepper and Happy are off for the next two weeks so it's just Dad and me. I spent today wrapping presents. I called Mom and we actually spoke nicely to one-anther for an hour. She's in Tokyo for the next month or so, she has a new fiancé and they're getting married in June. Dad's about to come home, drink some eggnog and watch a movie.

DECEMBER 25th

Merry Christmas! We watched Star Wars today, a family tradition! Pepper called. She's having fun with her family. Happy called and he got me the most recent miniseries of Crawford. Dad got me that a framed copy of the picture that got printed. I put it near his bar. I figured he'd like that. I got him a few silk shirts. He needs to look fancy.

DECEMBER 27th

Dad's off, being Iron Man. I'm trying to do all this extra homework for Ms. Lucas.

DECEMBER 28th

She assigned 30 pages of homework. I'm twenty pages done.

DECEMBER 29th

Twenty-two done. Dad took me to see whatever Disney had out. I was so stressed I slept through most of the movie. Back at it now.

DECEMBER 30th

Twenty-five done. Dad had Pepper take me shopping for clothes. I got a few Black Sabbath t-shirts. I don't like their new stuff; I like the old stuff though.

DECEMBER 31st

Happy New Year! I managed to reach twenty-eight pages. I've never had it take this long before. Dad actually got frustrated when he tried to help. He knows how to do this but apparently the book the school is using is terrible. Dad's calling some people now, trying to see what's up. He's going to a party soon, I may get to go, but maybe not.