Little Scientists

Brooklyn & Blake have been working on their science fair projects since December and they were due this month.  Matt took the reigns with Blake and I partnered with Brooklyn.  These types of projects are my faaaaaavorite (dripping sarcasm) and seem like a lot of extra work for the parents.  They aren't quite at the age or have the personalities to just memorize poems or write book reports or complete huge projects on their own.  I did like how there were set deadlines spread throughout the two months so there wasn't a huge rush to get it all done at the very end.  On the other hand, I felt like we were staying up late way too frequently working on sections due the next day.  Can I say what a sigh of relief it was when these projects were finally complete???!  My non-scientific mind nearly exploded.  Thank heavens for Matt!

Blake chose to test different fruits and vegetables and see the amount of electricity each produced.  We purchased an inexpensive volt meter and they went to town!  His hypothesis was that the lemon would produce the most electricity.  I was surprised by the results because I thought citrus would obviously be the highest due to its acidity.

The APPLE wins!  

Here's his completed display board--

A panel of judges picks the best from each class to be in the "Science Fair," which basically meant it was on display this week for parents/students to come view during student-led conferences.  Blake's made it into the Fair, but didn't win a ribbon.  Still, pretty cool!

Brooklyn did something called swimming raisins.  You mix vinegar + water with baking soda, then drop the raisins in.  Bubbles collect around each raisin and then they float to the top.  It was fun to watch!  I think at one point, Matt even commented what a cool mom I was. ;)  That was probably after the fourth VOLCANO we created, trying to do the dang experiment!!!!!!!

Small jar = overflow

 (this one was after I got smart and put a pan to catch the mess)

Bigger jar should work....

Nope.

Back to a small jar, trying to adjust ratios to avoid spillage, notice the table is still wet.

 Here's her finished display board--

February misc. a la Instagram

You see, I've become a *tiny* bit addicted to Instagram.  It's a trendy photo-sharing app that is kinda replacing blogging in a way.  It's easy to record the little snippets of life that I've gotten away from recording here on the blog.  I take so many pictures on my iPhone nowadays, so here goes an Instagram dump for the month of Feb~  (this may become a monthly thing)

Taco braid, loaded veggie salad, chocolate chip cookies #dinnertonight #weloveblackbeans #blakesaidiamthebestcookingmom

Preston left his apple down #freegame

This is never a good sign at 6:01pm :\

Just put her blankie in the wash #shefreakedout #timetoorderanextra

Got heart attacked by the Young Women tonight! #sugarcookiesaremyfave

Lungs are clear and he was so brave for his 4 yr vaccines!

(went in for his well check two weeks prior and discovered he had pneumonia!!)

My 4 year old can blow bubbles with gum! #learnsomethingneweveryday

Such a good helper at the grocery store! #thenshetriedtotakeabite

I love her outfit today!  I'm glad it was cold one more time so she could wear it. #3Dbutterflywingsonback #girlsaresomuchfuntodress #gymboree

Working on class Valentine's tonight x 3. #beingaparentisexhausting

$1 smoothies?  Yes please! #welovejamba

Dinner at 8:30pm = sleepy Preston

I look forward to packing Valentine's Day lunch every year!  Strawberry milk, strawberry Jello, fresh strawberries & raspberries, heart cut out PB&J sandwich, homemade heart-shaped rice krispy treat and a snack that includes teddy grahams, craisins and white chips. #havingkidsmakesholidaysmorefun #loveday2013

This is as good as it's gonna get with my two littlest Valentines!! #cantbebotheredwithpictures #shehasbetterthingstodo #momarazzi #loveday2013

To them, to him, to me (& the girls) #mailboxtradition #whatmorecouldaguyaskfor #loveday2013

What else is there to do on rainy days??! #lovemybakingbudddy #familyfave

Baby girl woke up with a yucky eye today.  Good things we know a good eye doc! @aztche

Apparently my face missed the memo that I'm a grown woman of 30 years old, not a hormonal teenager. #goawayhugepimples

My Pilates buddy this morning #heactuallydidprettywellforafouryearold

And so it begins- she has Brooklyn's headband around her neck and Brooklyn's iPod in her hands! #gettingintobigsistersstuff

Matt did eye exams for some pretty cool baseball players today. @aztche #SFgiants #prettymuchmakeshimfamous

Daddy-Daughter Dance + Blue & Gold Banquet

Friday night, our ward had a Daddy-daughter dance.  Somehow, I got volunteered to be on the committee to run the whole shin-dig!  It was pretty simple but we had an AMAZING turnout and I think all the girlies had a GREAT time!!  There was cookie & cupcake decorating, a photo booth, a couple Minute to Win It games and of course a dance party!

The good thing about being there to help out was that I got to capture some photos of the evening.

Here are Brooklyn and Matt, all ready to head out~

All the pretty girlies

Hayden made a quick appearance

Katilin Curtin, MacKenzie Anderson and B

Then last night, we attended the Blue & Gold banquet.  They transformed the cultural hall into a camp site, which was very cool!

Blake recently moved up to Webelos since he turned 10.  In order to get their awards, they had to pop the balloon with their name on it.  Blake got two silver arrow points.  He keeps asking me when I'm going to put all his patches on his shirt.... maybe by the time he graduates from boy scouts??!  haha

Every year, there is a cake/cupcake decorating contest.  This year, the theme was "Turn Back the Clock" so naturally, I made a cake that looked like a clock.  I did a quick search on Pinterest to get an idea and I found something that looked fun so we copied it.