Mad Scientists & Volcanic Eruptions

In Primary, the song leader had the children change the color of the water from clear to color and back again. Bekah enjoyed it so much she wanted to keep doing it rather than go to her class and was disappointed when she did not have a second turn changing water. I told her we could do it at home and scoured the Internet searching for instructions.

 Alas, I could not find any but I did find instructions for colorful, volcanic eruptions. We did that for family home evening instead of changing colors in water. Ryan sat in his high chair and laughed every time a cup of water overflowed with bubbling concoctions, Benjamin kept asking for more eruptions, and Bekah didn't talk about how we forgot to change the color of the water back and forth.

Halloween Parade

 Mrs. H, Benjamin's Kindergarten teacher (last year)

Watching for brother and friends in the parade

McKayla

Addie

Emily

Kylie (the Turtle)

Charly (the cat)

Lance (the Vampire)

Mrs. P, Benjamin's 1st Grade Teacher

Benjamin's Class



Thor (Benjamin), with his imaginary hammer

Drop....Light

I was trying to decide if this post should be labeled "Good to the Last Drop" or "Let There Be Light" because we made some major progress on our basement this weekend. All of the walls and ceilings are painted (and not in one color) and all of the electrical work is done and functioning. It is awesome!

Flashback Friday - Arches National Park

The spring after we were married (2004) we visited Arches National Park in Southern Utah. We (by we, I mean Michael) took quite a few pictures, but these are the best of the bunch. I am glad we took the time to stop and spend some time in one of God's many wonders.

The Best Membership Ever

I've mentioned before how much I have enjoyed having memberships since having children. One day it dawned on me, I have had the best membership for most of my life: a library card.

When I use this membership I go places I never would have dreamed of going: worldwide, outer space, historical, and imagined. I can visit some places over and over again. I can choose to go to different destinations with the same person (author). I get to learn new things about science, myself, history, sewing, designing, geography, nature, how things work, and much, much more. I can enjoy music and listen to someone else read a story to me.

The best part is that as long as I respect and care for the materials offered at my local library, it is all free. I love the library!

Professional Family Pictures

"Why Men Should Not Have Action Figures"

I saw this picture the other day and I couldn't believe the size of what looks like a dead possum. I couldn't figure out what the animal was. I mean the picture looked like this:

Then I clicked on the picture and enlarged it to get a better look. That is when I realized what I was looking at was not a giant possum after all. Just a regular sized possum "pinned" by two action figures. I felt rather bright after realizing that, but it sure was good for a laugh.

What EMTs Make

My friend, Naomi, shared this. It helps put a little perspective on life and "making" things other than money. Reading this made me value what I "make" every day in our home more.

"Oh you're a EMT, that's cool. I wanted to do that when I was a kid. What do you make?"

"What do I make? I make holding your hand seem like the biggest thing in the world when I am cutting you out of a car. I can make 5 minutes seem like a lifetime when I go into a burning house to save your family. I make those annoying sirens seem like angels when you need them. I can make your children breathe when they stop. I can help you survive a heart attack. I make myself get out of bed at 3am to risk my life to save people I have never met. Today I might make the ultimate sacrifice to save your life. I make a difference, what do you make?"

Justin Beiber

One day after school, Benjamin and I had the following conversation.

B: Mom, do you know who Justin Beiber is?

M: Yes, Benjamin.

B: Do you like him?

M: No, I think he is annoying.

B: Do you like his songs?
M: No, that is what I think is annoying about him.

B: Okay, I don't like him either.

Funny kid. And, for the record I find his songs annoying because they get stuck in my head REALLY easily and I can't get rid of them even by singing another annoying song. That, and sometimes I can't tell whether he is singing or some girl is singing the song.

Benjamin's Race

At the beginning of the school year, Benjamin's school had a fundraiser race. Since I don't run, I was not interested, but Benjamin was. So we went over to the school bright and early one Saturday morning so Benjamin could run in a 3K. He did a great job, and while he didn't finish first he focused on what he did do. He told me he kept moving even when he felt like he needed a rest, he walked for a little bit and then ran again, he beat the Chik-fil-a cow who was running the race with the kids, and he had fun. I love seeing moments like this for him when he tells me about the things he has learned about approaching the variety of situations life presents us with.