You can either use fresh lemon juice, or lemon juice from a bottle. The lemon juice will be added to the jar along with the tomatoes. The juice helps to prevent the tomatoes from spoiling while they are in the jars, and also helps to retain the color and flavor of the tomatoes. Place the jars on a heat resistant surface and begin spooning the quartered tomatoes into the jars. Fill the jars until there is only about ½ of an inch of space left at the top of the jars. Add two tablespoons of lemon juice. You should also add either boiling water or hot tomato juice so that the jar is filled up to ½ an inch away from the top. You could also consider adding other ingredients to enhance the flavor of the tomatoes. Cloves of garlic, peppers, or a sprig of basil make delicious additions to canned tomatoes. Once you have added the lemon juice, gently press on the tomatoes with a spoon to release air bubbles. Air bubbles are bad because they can let bacteria get into the jars, thus spoiling your canned tomatoes. You should also slide a sterilized knife or plastic spoon along the inside wall of the jar, releasing any air trapped there. Place a lid on top of the jar and screw on the band with your hands.

Summary: Choose your lemon juice. Fill the jars with the tomatoes. Remove any air. Wipe away any drips along the top and sides of the jar.


You could try saying that you do clumsy stuff sometimes and you accidentally poked your eye which made it all watery. Probably most people have done this at some point or another, so this is something that could very believably have happened to you. Some allergies cause tears and puffy faces or eyes. You could say that you have an allergy that sometimes gives you these symptoms. To make it more believable, try following up with something about how it is for you to live with that allergy. For example, to keep the conversation light, you could say that it is super annoying to have allergies that make you look like a puffer fish. Sometimes when we get sick our eyes water. You could consider saying that you are getting over a cold that sometimes makes your eyes watery. You could try saying that your eyes dry up then tear up and are sensitive to gusts of wind or sudden changes in temperature. Maybe it was some dust or a bug or some eraser residue; whatever you decide to say, first look for something plausible in your environment you could have gotten in your eye and blame your tears on that.  Keep in mind that whatever you do, don't lie and say that you got something dangerous in your eye, like a chemical. If you do this your teacher may rush you to the nurse, which is a waste of everyone's time. You will also cause people to needlessly worry and you may have to come clean about lying, which could get you into trouble. Sometimes we laugh so hard we cry. If you are wanting to hide your tears because you do not want someone to know that you were or are sad, and they weren't around you a minute or two beforehand, you could say that you were laughing about something really funny. Tell them a funny joke that you know or a funny situation that you encountered in the past to make it more convincing. Who knows, by recalling this funny situation, you may even cheer yourself up! Do a fake yawn by opening your mouth wide and breathing in heavily. Rub your eyes together and if someone asks, tell her that you get tears sometimes when you yawn. Whether or not it is actually true, some people think that our eyes water when we don't get enough sleep. If you want to hide your tears from someone who asks about them, tell her that you were up late last night doing homework or something else that you might plausibly have been doing the night before.

Summary: Say you poked your eye. Say you have bad allergies. Say you are fighting off a cold. Say you are sensitive to changes in the air. Say you got something in your eye. Say you were laughing hysterically earlier. Say you tear up when you yawn. Say you are short on sleep.


Once the paper and pens are put back and the initial hurdles are over, go online for quizzes and games to see how much your child has retained. Of course, it's possible to write out quizzes yourself and you're more than welcome to do this--but simply being on a computer may make your child feel like it's less of a test and more of a fun challenge. You've done all this work at home--now how has it gone at school? If your child isn't volunteering this information, just ask! They should be proud of good grades; if they're grades aren't so stellar, you can review with them more to have better results next time. It's always an option to call the teacher and inquire about the curriculum. An involved parent is always appreciated.

Summary: Utilize online materials. Ask about their scores.


If you have had infestation problems in the past, make sure the equipment is far away from the source and clear of waste that may attract other insects. This can help to drain wastes away from the area and avoid contamination. Set a schedule to dump the debris whether or not the removal container is full. Keep all areas that are not in use free of dishes, waste and personal belongings. The walls, floors, ceiling and appliances should be free of clutter for easy cleaning.
Summary: Move equipment away from locations that attract insects or rodents. Place the equipment nearby running water. Arrange the regular removal of food waste, peelings and scraps. Maintain an uncluttered environment at all times.