What do you need for a laboratory?

First of all, you need a microscope (to look at things like hairs, eraser dust, and a thread), A bunch of little things, you know, this and that,

some other things, do-dads and thing-a-ma-jiggers,

a curious little boy or two,

And free reign to explore.

They pulled this stuff out today, and started to play "science." In one of their science kits, they had some powder to make a snack similar to Jell-O. As they were doing this, I was reading in the living room, and had to giggle to myself when I heard some of their comments. Austin said, "Let's make monster brains!" Later, I heard Adam say, "This is yummier than it looks!!" Then I heard "So sour it makes me shiver!"

It might be scary if they one day get into real science!!

When is your Birthday?

Yesterday, Adam came up to me with his hands behind his back. He asked me, "When is your birthday? Is it tomorrow?" I told him, my birthday was not until March, so we had about 7 more months. He got a sort of sad look and said, "I found this when we were geo-caching. I wanted to give it to you for your birthday.

It is a little box that has 4 (paper??) roses in it. I have not opened it yet, to see what they are made out of.

How sweet that he thinks of me while out on a geo-caching trip.

games in the tub

Last night, it was time for the boys bath. They did not seem very eager to go take care of that task. I told them how when I was little and took baths with my sister, we would soap up each others backs, then draw letters or numbers, and if we really felt adventurous short words (Lana, do you remember this?) The person who is having their back drawn on then has to guess what is being written on their back. They got very excited about this and were in the tub in no time at all!

Not only is it a fun game, but a great way for them to wash each others backs!

Our Cafe

The other day, I was busy unpacking from one trip, washing clothes, and packing for another trip. Austin came up with a creative idea of how to entertain himself. He made a cafe for his dummies. He took a couch cushion for the table, and the dummies are propped on pillows. From the picture, you can see Willie and Howdy are holding "menus." This must be a pretty upscale cafe, since the waiter, Austin, is wearing a tie (he must have taken his handsome coat off.) I heard them say that some of the food options were: Hamburgers, Salads, and ice tea. Maybe I should head there for lunch today.

Dot Calm

I am reading the A-Z mysteries with Adam (however, we are not reading them in order). Awhile back, we read "The Lucky Lotto" In that book the "bad guy" was a clerk named Dot Calm (hope I'm not ruining the book for anyone!) Dot Calm must have made an impression on him! Since then, I have read several books. When asked who he thinks the "bad guy" is most of the time his answer is "Dot Calm." He did surprise me last night, we were finishing "The orange outlaw" He told me he thought it was "Dot Calm's mother." But, today as we were a few chapters into "the Unwilling Umpire." He said Dot did it again. (Honestly, she has only been mentioned in one book! She is really being blamed for a lot!)

So glad I did!

Yesterday, we stopped at my sisters house on the way home from Lana's. We needed to drop off my nephews guitar. I noticed when I walked in, that there was NO trace of them having been on a weekend trip. Carol had already been in the shower and was playing a game with Shannon. So, I thought, I can get everything put away as well. I was working at unpacking, trying to fix supper (with no groceries!), and Austin kept asking for me to play Apples to Apples with him. Finally, I said, "Okay, 1 game." Adam wanted to play too--All by himself! It was so good for me to see him be independent, and see him read some of the cards. When it was his turn to flip a green card, he turned it over and tried to sound out "fat." The best card I had in my hand was owl-which I thought was pretty good! Austin laid his card down and laughed and laughed. I couldn't figure out what was so funny, until Adam turned the cards over and read his-"my mom." Austin laughed even harder now! He has such a contagious laughter, I had to join in. He said he did it because he knew I would find it funny.

So glad I left all the unpacking, and the messy living room, and enjoyed a good laugh with my boys.

Our 2nd weekend away

This weekend we went to my sister and her husband's house (Matt and Lana). We had a really great weekend.

On Friday, we had a nice afternoon at their house. Carol, Lana, Mom and I got some really heated games of Blitz in! Then came the part that I was really looking forward to! After supper, we gave Mom and Dad their anniversary gift. We contacted family and friends and gave them an option to give us a memory or well wish, then we compiled all of them into a book. They were really surprised!

Mom and Dad opening the book.

Then we brought out the ice cream cake.

I think it turned out beautiful!

Then on Saturday we went to Smith Mountain Lake for the day. We did this last year, and had such a good time! So, we decided to do it again this year.

Adam loved the sand. He built some really neat things with Mike.

Austin was in the water most of the time.

We stopped for a picnic lunch. This is the original family -

Mom & Dad and us 3 girls.

Then it was back to the sand for Adam.

He wanted to be buried.

He got a lot of mileage out of this sand toy.

I had to steer him back to our spot-he was just going and going!

Thanks for bringing it Carol!

My boys!

Daddy carried the boys a bit on the way back to the car.

This is our group.

Tired, wet, and sun burnt!

We got home, fixed a nice meal, showered and changed clothes. Then we had a great evening of playing Apples to Apples Jr. with the kids (great for reading and vocabulary!) Then we played Squint after we put our boys to bed.

We had a great weekend! Thanks for having us Matt and Lana!