A few weeks ago Maggie informed me of her intentions for the future. She figures she'd like to be a mom in the mornings and a ballet teacher after lunch. Then when the kids are asleep she'll be an artist. I'm guessing she'll need to reassess these plans now that she's interested in learning how to make calculators when she grows up. She realized she had this dream when she found a little calculator Grandma Charlotte had given to the kids a couple years ago and discovered she could take it apart. I asked her if she also wanted to work on computers. She said, no, but she was impressed that Brian could take one apart.
Maggie is getting really good at reading. I'm anxious for my parent-teacher conference with her teacher next week. Maggie will read a "Magic Tree House" book all by herself, and she is reading her own scriptures for family scriptures. At night I've been reading The Secret Garden to the girls, although they'd much rather read about "My Little Pony." :) I'm grateful that the boys have set a good example of reading for her to follow.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The love of...
Valentine's Day...
Amy washing dishes...
Roasting tomatillas...
School musicals...
February has been our month of spread out love. Scot's 5th/6th grade musical was a huge success. I was really impressed with the story line--good teaching for the kids, easy for them to perform, fun for parents to watch. Amy went with me the first night--she enjoyed the clapping. Maggie got to go with Brian for the final performance. She took a nice pictures of Brian taking a pre-show snooze (I chose not to post the picture; I'm sure you can use your imagination).
The kids enjoyed their school Valentine parties. I had to take James' cards to school since he forgot them. Maggie really enjoyed making valentines for every person she knows and is very sincere in her love. I'm sorry if you didn't receive one--there are only so many pieces of paper that I can handle floating in this house. She addressed all her own school valentines, but the kids at school helped her hand them out since she took them on the last day possible.
This week my project was going through clothes and changing sizes. I need to invest in knee patches. James didn't have one pair of pants without holes and Scot's weren't much better. Amy was very sad to see her rose dress in the "too small" pile. She would wear that dress everyday if she could. Perhaps now you can understand why it is in the pile.
Yesterday I attended an incredible training session for scout leaders in Central Ohio--our area's Little Philmont. President Dalquist, YM General President, presided. What an amazing leader and example of scouting spirit. The whole day was full of insight and inspiration, but my highlight was getting to sing "Back to Gilwell" with Pres. Dalquist as an antelope after a woodbadge bead ceremony. I realize this probably means nothing to you, but when the day comes that you are called to lead the youth in scouting, you'll understand why it was a great privilege for me.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Dissolving Objects of White
Scot reaching the summit of "Mount Nielson." James' legs are sticking out of the snow cave.
Entrance to the cave.
The girls playing in the back yard. We had to wait until the snow melted to find the shovel they were using. Two days later we looked out their window and saw it in the middle of the yard.
You would never have believed that all of our snow is gone from these pictures, but it's true! This week we had another big storm--the kids missed school again on Wednesday. That makes it two weeks in a row now that we've had to cancel scouts. I guess we should count on the school year being a few days longer than scheduled. The upside was that the snow cave did get finished, but they only got to play in it one day before the average temperature dissolved it over the weekend.
Saturday the boys participated in the school district's science fair--a first for both boys. They had a lot of fun with their project, which they worked on with two other boys from school. They received 2nd place ribbons for showing which acids would "burn" through styrofoam. Let me just say that a strong vinegar smell filled the booth they were in. Congratulations, boys!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Ice Forests
After being trapped inside all week, I jumped at the chance to run up to Costco on Saturday. Scot and the girls came with me, and we were able to hit Old Navy as well for some new t-shirts for Scot. In Costco we did very well with our one cart, making everything fit. I felt like Curious George bagging groceries like a jigsaw puzzle artist.
The drive there was awe-inspiring. Looking out the window at home I couldn't see the delicate ice sculptures of the trees surrounding us so I was so surprised by what I found just a half a block from our house. Driving through a wooded corridor I felt like I'd driven into the wood of the White Witch. I half expected to see a faun trotting away or Reepicheep standing on a tree branch. Houses and pavement kept my reality in check: I could not imagine mythical creatures crossing double-laned highways or flagging down semi-trucks.
I know this picture does not come close to showing the beauty of the ice. One moment each tree looked like it had hundreds of white christmas lights strung on every branch; the next instant each would be covered in prisms.
The weather finally warmed up this morning--not a lot, of course, but enough to start melting the ice just enough to slide off the tree branches. On our way to church this morning we got pelted by every overhanging branch. Hundreds of 5 carat icicles shattered on our windshields, with some as large as real carrots. Glad we weren't walking!
At home I couldn't figure out what was making long ski-like marks in the back yard, but it was the ice falling off the power lines.
Post Script: Scot finally got his birthday dinner on the red plate. We enjoyed a great spaghetti & meatball dinner with the Ritzmans this afternoon. The kids enjoyed playing dinosaur monopoly and eating Henry's leftover banana cake. After everyone went to bed Brian & I enjoyed a little high-def Super Bowl action. All I have to say is, "wow."
The drive there was awe-inspiring. Looking out the window at home I couldn't see the delicate ice sculptures of the trees surrounding us so I was so surprised by what I found just a half a block from our house. Driving through a wooded corridor I felt like I'd driven into the wood of the White Witch. I half expected to see a faun trotting away or Reepicheep standing on a tree branch. Houses and pavement kept my reality in check: I could not imagine mythical creatures crossing double-laned highways or flagging down semi-trucks.
I know this picture does not come close to showing the beauty of the ice. One moment each tree looked like it had hundreds of white christmas lights strung on every branch; the next instant each would be covered in prisms.The weather finally warmed up this morning--not a lot, of course, but enough to start melting the ice just enough to slide off the tree branches. On our way to church this morning we got pelted by every overhanging branch. Hundreds of 5 carat icicles shattered on our windshields, with some as large as real carrots. Glad we weren't walking!
At home I couldn't figure out what was making long ski-like marks in the back yard, but it was the ice falling off the power lines.
Post Script: Scot finally got his birthday dinner on the red plate. We enjoyed a great spaghetti & meatball dinner with the Ritzmans this afternoon. The kids enjoyed playing dinosaur monopoly and eating Henry's leftover banana cake. After everyone went to bed Brian & I enjoyed a little high-def Super Bowl action. All I have to say is, "wow."
More Snow
Two more snow days...which leads me to ask, "WILL IT EVER END?!?" Perhaps you've picked up on my slight tone of despair, discouragement, gloom, despondency. The kids ended up only going to school on Monday this week, and that start was pushed back an hour. I'm pretty sure we've used up all our snow days. Hopefully they won't have to make any up. The forecast for Monday: more snow, dullness, tedium, monotony, and weariness.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
January Snow Days
The last few days have been a blur--me not feeling well, school & schedules all askew. We spent the last two days indoors grateful for electricity, warmth, and good shovels. With no school in session (Wednesday as well for Brian) we all got to play a few computer games and relax. Unfortunately it also meant we couldn't get Scot everything he wanted for his birthday dinner. Even though the spaghetti & meatballs with garlic bread dinner will have to wait we still were able to enjoy a homemade birthday cake with excellent frosting (Scot made it himself).
We had him open presents last night since we were unsure of what would be happening today. He was excited with new outdoor scout gear, as was Brian (he's our new 11 year old scout leader). Another highlight was a kit to make balloon animals from Grandma & Grandpa Nielson. How cool is that?
James worked especially hard at making an igloo yesterday after the boys played outside together with their friend. Spending 4 hours (about 3 of them trying to finish up the hole on top) he finally came in. During most of that time the snow had changed to freezing rain and his coat, snowpants, hair were covered in icy snow. Brian got home a little early; he and Scot shoveled the driveway. Then with all of them in you could hear it raining inside and out--the freezing rain lasted mostly through the night as well as the dripping snow gear.
James' igloo held through the night and the additional morning snow so I couldn't figure out why Scot was anxiously pulling James to the window late morning. Apparently the igloo could not withstand the neighbor kids. Brian helped him (with the pretense of shoveling the driveway again) and Scot pile up a huge snowbank that they'll dig out in a few days for an exceptional igloo.
The girls just went on their own business playing where ever, whatever. Today Maggie wrote (dictated, really) a movie, "Barbie and the Apple." She initially wanted to create a PowerPoint movie, as she'd seen Scot do (and as he'd suggested), but I convinced her (with much convincing) that we could create it with live video. I bought myself a whole afternoon as she prepped the play table with a very creative set including her My Little Pony castle and other props. Tomorrow we film...unless of course the script or characters change...again.
Paul's best moment today was taste testing Scot's frosting. Not realizing he was allowed to take the beater from Brian's outstretched hand, Paul began his taste test by softly touching just the very outer layer of the frosting--like he was touching its sheen. This way he could only get a small dot on his short finger, but that didn't stop a complete suck of his entire finger. He did this over and over, not understanding my urges to skip the finger and go for the beater. Not until I showed him how by licking it myself did he take a lick. Then he grabbed the whole beater to get every last lick. Anything that dripped on the chair was promptly found by a sticky finger and sucked down.
So, in all, I think we did alright through the snow and ice. Scot had an enjoyable birthday, and we all got to relax from school and work. I've probably made Brian sick--James, too, not making him wear a hat (I blame a fuzzy mind)--but I think we'll all survive. One more highlight: a tv highlight of my cousin (once removed) from Mt. Pleasant, UT. Eddie, D-Bob's mom is my cousin on my mom's side. Pretty neat clip, check it out while you can:
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=5424142
We had him open presents last night since we were unsure of what would be happening today. He was excited with new outdoor scout gear, as was Brian (he's our new 11 year old scout leader). Another highlight was a kit to make balloon animals from Grandma & Grandpa Nielson. How cool is that?
James worked especially hard at making an igloo yesterday after the boys played outside together with their friend. Spending 4 hours (about 3 of them trying to finish up the hole on top) he finally came in. During most of that time the snow had changed to freezing rain and his coat, snowpants, hair were covered in icy snow. Brian got home a little early; he and Scot shoveled the driveway. Then with all of them in you could hear it raining inside and out--the freezing rain lasted mostly through the night as well as the dripping snow gear.
James' igloo held through the night and the additional morning snow so I couldn't figure out why Scot was anxiously pulling James to the window late morning. Apparently the igloo could not withstand the neighbor kids. Brian helped him (with the pretense of shoveling the driveway again) and Scot pile up a huge snowbank that they'll dig out in a few days for an exceptional igloo.
The girls just went on their own business playing where ever, whatever. Today Maggie wrote (dictated, really) a movie, "Barbie and the Apple." She initially wanted to create a PowerPoint movie, as she'd seen Scot do (and as he'd suggested), but I convinced her (with much convincing) that we could create it with live video. I bought myself a whole afternoon as she prepped the play table with a very creative set including her My Little Pony castle and other props. Tomorrow we film...unless of course the script or characters change...again.
Paul's best moment today was taste testing Scot's frosting. Not realizing he was allowed to take the beater from Brian's outstretched hand, Paul began his taste test by softly touching just the very outer layer of the frosting--like he was touching its sheen. This way he could only get a small dot on his short finger, but that didn't stop a complete suck of his entire finger. He did this over and over, not understanding my urges to skip the finger and go for the beater. Not until I showed him how by licking it myself did he take a lick. Then he grabbed the whole beater to get every last lick. Anything that dripped on the chair was promptly found by a sticky finger and sucked down.
So, in all, I think we did alright through the snow and ice. Scot had an enjoyable birthday, and we all got to relax from school and work. I've probably made Brian sick--James, too, not making him wear a hat (I blame a fuzzy mind)--but I think we'll all survive. One more highlight: a tv highlight of my cousin (once removed) from Mt. Pleasant, UT. Eddie, D-Bob's mom is my cousin on my mom's side. Pretty neat clip, check it out while you can:
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=5424142
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
After School Lessons
James giving an after-school lesson on (1) Galileo and (2) why some boys have girl names (and why some girls have boy names). This, of course, was after a very scientific demonstration of the law of gravity & proving that objects of different weights still fall at the same rate. James proved this with a magnetic square and a sock. Maggie then tried to same experiment with a popcorn kernal and a Cheerio. Both experiments were successful. Another afternoon of the miracle of knowledge and Paul wishfully thinking he's just one of the big kids.
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