I'll Clean My Room for Sea Monkeys!

This declaration was rather compelling coming from my 10 year-old who thinks the phrase "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" is someone's idea of twisted humor. She thinks layering your clothes means to drop them on one another when she takes them off, but that might make one assume that she leaves them in one pile. She is much more random them that. I think Chaos Theory started in her bedroom (my mom reads this blog, so I'm going to go ahead and stick in here that she would say it started in my room). Rachel found a book titled, Science in a Bottle by Sandra Markle and on pg. 53 the chapter is "Raise Sea Monkeys". This chapter has lit an ember of excitement, so intense that she begs, frequently, for sea monkeys and cleaned her room. I'm just wondering if the room will stay clean. I'll give it a week to decide if she will be able to get these little guys.

::::::::::::::::Layouts with Eve:::::::::



This page is a scraplift of Christine's page I saw on the Catscrap blog.

_{Credits:
Birgit's Retro Paper and Leaves kit, Birgit's alpha for the April Collab at Catscrap
Catrine's alpha "Pauline"
Font: Another Typewriter,
Kate Hadfield's Doodle Frame
Jofia Devoe's Swirly Birds}



My daughter, Eve, had her hair gelled back for her ballet recital, which made her eyes really stand out. I told her she had such lovely eyes, so she opened them big and wide for a silly photo.

Credits: Emily Powers "Art Nation" found on the Memory Makers website,

Darcy Baldwin: DJB Another Mandy at www.thedigichick.com

misc. font: CK Cursive

Take care! :)

Could I Have A Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich?

...Now, take that question and pass it through the Rachel Taylor translator...

Could I have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich= I have a Science Olympiad project that I forgot to tell you about. I need the peanut butter jar for this project that I can't quite explain. I also need a dowel, rubber band and tape. I know the bus comes in 30 minutes, so I got up and got myself dressed, so you wouldn't be too mad.

"What!" put through the Victoria translator= Why didn't you tell us, yesterday, when your dad was home and he could have helped you in no time!

The news was coupled with the, "If we don't have this project for our team we may get disqualified."

Me: "Are you sure?"

Rachel: "No, well, maybe it will be alright."

I have lived with Michael for long enough to know that my daughter is speaking girl/woman speech, which expresses a lot of emotion, but doesn't have much resembling how to fix the problem. I have been learning Guy Speech, which is based on ascertaining the problem and trying to fix it.

I called Michael, at work, and had him talk to Rachel to find out what this science project entailed, then translate it to me. In the meantime I found an Ovaltine jar that would wash out easily and cleaned it up. Rachel called our neighbors and went over to borrow rubber bands. I found a long popsicle stick from my food crafting stuff for the dowel, Rachel grabbed a stick from the yard, just in case.

Michael explained to me how to use his drill and put in the drill bit. I took 5 minutes searching in his tool box, then I glanced over and saw a brand new pack of bits. I pulled out the one that seemed the right size (very scientific) and tightened it into the slot. I put a hole in the plastic jar's bottom and metal lid. I trimmed the popsicle stick/dowel and could only find my double stick tape, at first. Then, fed the rubber band through the bottom and stuck the dowel in to keep it from sliding completely through. Then, grabbed a pencil and fed the rubber band through the lid. I rummaged in the garage and came up with a roll of black electrical tape. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I covered over the double stick with electrical tape to keep the dowel on the bottom from moving.

Test time...I wound the pencil several rotations then layed the jar on it's side and the thing rolled. I was told that this was the goal. Hurrah! I had 2 minutes to spare, so I took 2 photos and grabbed a paint pen to put Rachel's name on the jar.




Rachel and Noah made it to the bus on time. They were also in a good mood.


Michael was telling one of the guys he works with, Terence, about the morning science project. Terence suggested that this escapade would be a great format for a reality t.v. show where you would have 30 minutes notice to create a complete science project. High cinema, I tell you!

.......At the same time this is going on Noah still needs to eat breakfast. I poured him some calcium enriched orange juice and asked Rachel to make him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She slathered on peanut butter and jelly. Noah likes thinly applied pb and j. I grabbed 2 fresh slices of bread and remade the sandwich, while getting instructions from Michael. I cut it into 4 triangles, per Noah's request...to wit he said..."I don't think this is our bread". Put through the Noah translator= "I don't care how much food I waste, or that you have gone to the effort to make me something so I'm not hungry at school. Don't you realize I only eat chicken with ketchup and this whole breakfast idea is some crazy excuse to not allow me what I want. I will just be drinking this orange juice.

::::::::::::::::Ballet Recital Layouts::::::::

Here is a quickpage and one of mine with Eve:





<sub>Credits:

Lorie Davison's "Beep Beep Bugs" kit at Scrapbookgraphics

Darcy Baldwin's font: DJB SISSY at www.thedigichick.com</sub>

:::::::::::::::::::::::::Walking::::::::::::::

The last couple of days I have been a combination nature walk and a listening walk. As far as, the nature aspect I came across a, dinner-plate, sized box turtle heading for the parking lot. The turtle's large size indicated that he had been around awhile and might be smart enough to hold his own in suburban traffic, but I saw a turtle a couple of weeks ago that didn't survive. So, I went over to move him behind the fenced area of the park by the lake. The box turtle, quickly, tucked his bits into the shell and let out a flood of urine. I didn't mean to scare the pee out of him, but I did. I let him finish, then grabbed the sides of his shell and asked a passing walker where he thought the best place would be to put this turtle. He told me about a hole in the base of the fence a few feet away. As I was walking other for my turtle catch and release a lady with her little girl in a stroller called to me, moving quickly. She asked me to show her little girl the turtle, which I happily obliged. I tilted him all around so she could peek into his hiding face, then she pet his shell a couple of times. When all was done I found the fence opening at the bottom and laid the turtle on his tummy and let gravity pull him down the embankment. He came to rest at the roots of a tree next to the lake.

When I was walking, yesterday, I saw the box turtle staring at a little dog on the other side of the fence. He looked like he was casing the fence for his next great escape.

As far as, the listening walk I have been interspersing podcasts with music, but mostly listening to podcasts. This week, I have listened to Astronomy Cast and they were talking about asteroids and meteorites. I have also been listening to the series "Electrons to Enlightenment: A Five Part Series on Science and Religion". It has been interesting to hear how various people view science and religion, and whether they choose to reconcile the two, or maintain them in completely separate spheres. The show has segues with "people on the street" styled comments that give a range of responses. I tend to bristle at dogmatic people from any topic. I don't, discount their veracity necessarily, but I suppose the Southern approach works better on me.

:::::::::::::::::::::Blast From The Past:::::::

As I was talking to Michael, after Rachel and Noah left, I remembered a funny incident at a Church dance when I was about 14 or 15. I had a long skirt with about a 4 inch slit in the back and a matching jacket with shoulder pads (had to have the shoulder pads!). I went to step around someone, or over someone doing a dance move (kinda fuzzy memory here) and my skirt ripped up the seam to my behind. I grabbed the split bits and backed out of the gymnasium where we were dancing. My friend ran blocker for me. When we stepped into the foyer there was a lady working on a sewing project. I smiled at her and asked if she might be able to help me. She kindly agreed. I stood in front of her, while she mended my skirt and my friend ran blocker. In a few minutes I was back in the game. I didn't do any wild dance moves, but was able to have a good time. I don't even remember who she was, but it was a nice memory out of an embarrassing incident.


:::::::::::::::::::::Preschool Graduation Ceremony:::

They are doing a little ceremony for the preschoolers in the sanctuary, today. I have baked cupcakes and I just need to frost them. My mom is coming, too. My mom won't have the chance to read this blog before the ceremony, so I can say she is supposed to be getting some special recognition from Eve's class for coming to play for them this year. Such a cool granny! Yeah, for paid vacation days and appreciative grand kids.

Take care...and best of luck on any science projects your kids might have forgotten to inform you! :)

Success!

:::::::::::::Eve's Ballet Recital:::::::::::

Everything went well for Miss Eve, the ballerina. Granny Sue, Grampa Jim, and Granny Alice were able to attend the performance with us. I was most concerned with getting Eve's hair in the classic ballerina slicked back bun. I was trying to remember what Melissa, Michael's sister, told me a few years ago for Rachel's recital. Melissa will have to critique my work, but I think it turned out okay. The only thing that bugged Eve was the costume. The sequined trim gave her the itchies. Only one little girl collapsed in tears and one got teary, but Ms. Brooke encouraged her to finish. I was so proud that Eve payed attention to the teacher and finished up with a huge grin. Here are some photos:











Eve and Granny Alice:


Rachel gives Granny Alice a big hug:


Eve doing the bunny ears behind Michael:


Eve, happily, telling Michael she did bunny ears:


Eve and Ms. Brooke:


Eve and Michael:


Eve and Granny Sue:


After the performance, Granny Alice went and cut Denny's hair and Grampa Jim's, while Michael, Aaron and I picked up dinner from Zaxby's and Chick-Fil-A. Granny Sue entertained everybody else. After a late dinner, Granny Alice gave us money to take Eve to Bruster's for ice cream. She had her, current, favorite chocolate. Rachel ordered cotton candy explosion, I got turtle, Michael ordered chocolate raspberry truffle, Aaron a brownie sundae, and Noah rounded things out with a dirt sundae. After the kids brushed their teeth we were able to get in one chapter of our reading book, then lights out at 10:30pm.

Tomorrow Eve has her preschool graduation and my mom took the day off to attend. Eve's teacher, Ms. Crystal, loves my mom and asked...begged...me to have her come on the last day. I feel so blessed from the people that I have been acquainted with through all of the kids having attended at this same preschool.

:::::::::::::::::::::Iron Man:::::::::



I forgot to review the movie "Iron Man" that we saw last Saturday. Michael, Aaron, Rachel and I saw the movie in the theatre and had a great time. Robert Downey, Jr. did a fantastic job showing the evolution of Tony Stark from a self-centered, playboy, genius to a thoughtful, think of others, genius. Paul Bettany was a great character voice for "Jarvis" the interactive computer used by Stark. The interplay with the robotic devices allows for great comic dialogue and one-liners. The kids and I really liked the line, "If you try to put me out again, when I'm not on fire, I'll donate you to a community college." Jeff Bridges, who is a man with a great head of hair, is completely shorn for this film. Bridges puts on a wonderful performance, too! All the characters worked well together and stayed true to my memory of the Iron Man cartoons. Also, word of advice, if you go to the theatre for the movie, don't leave until after the credits are finished. :)

Take care! :)

Another Busy Day...

:::::::::::::::::Ballet Recital:::::::::::::

Eve's recital is this evening and she is a bit nervous. Her tights are washed and dried and she will have her last practice during school. If you would like to attend just email or call and I will give out the details, then.

::::::::::::::::Apheresis and Stuff:::::::

For Mother's Day I got up, showered, made breakfast, got Aaron up for his bath, Aaron said he felt like he was going to barf, I changed clothes, stayed home, started a book, took a nap, got hugs, kisses, two roses, 2 bars of chocolate (shared one bar), Michael went to give a triple product at the apheresis department, I called my stepmom, Alice, and wished her a Happy Mother's Day, put bickering children in time out (3 times), cleaned up the living room and my crazy desk, found the pictures mom gave me last month to give Eve's preschool class, broke the leg to my desk, proped the desk leg back in place and am hoping for the best, read with Michael for 30 minutes, went down stairs, Michael fed kids, I took the garbage out, Eve's tights, and read to kids.

Just doing a Walt Whitman...stream of consciousness kinda post.


:::::::::::::::::My Current Reading Book::::



This review is from Amazon's page:
From The Washington Post's Book World/washingtonpost.com
Death, it turns out, is not proud.
The narrator of The Book Thief is many things -- sardonic, wry, darkly humorous, compassionate -- but not especially proud. As author Marcus Zusak channels him, Death -- who doesn't carry a scythe but gets a kick out of the idea -- is as afraid of humans as humans are of him.

Knopf is blitz-marketing this 550-page book set in Nazi Germany as a young-adult novel, though it was published in the author's native Australia for grown-ups. (Zusak, 30, has written several books for kids, including the award-winning I Am the Messenger.) The book's length, subject matter and approach might give early teen readers pause, but those who can get beyond the rather confusing first pages will find an absorbing and searing narrative.

Death meets the book thief, a 9-year-old girl named Liesel Meminger, when he comes to take her little brother, and she becomes an enduring force in his life, despite his efforts to resist her. "I traveled the globe . . . handing souls to the conveyor belt of eternity," Death writes. "I warned myself that I should keep a good distance from the burial of Liesel Meminger's brother. I did not heed my advice." As Death lingers at the burial, he watches the girl, who can't yet read, steal a gravedigger's instruction manual. Thus Liesel is touched first by Death, then by words, as if she knows she'll need their comfort during the hardships ahead.

And there are plenty to come. Liesel's father has already been carted off for being a communist and soon her mother disappears, too, leaving her in the care of foster parents: the accordion-playing, silver-eyed Hans Hubermann and his wife, Rosa, who has a face like "creased-up cardboard." Liesel's new family lives on the unfortunately named Himmel (Heaven) Street, in a small town on the outskirts of Munich populated by vivid characters: from the blond-haired boy who relates to Jesse Owens to the mayor's wife who hides from despair in her library. They are, for the most part, foul-spoken but good-hearted folks, some of whom have the strength to stand up to the Nazis in small but telling ways.

Stolen books form the spine of the story. Though Liesel's foster father realizes the subject matter isn't ideal, he uses "The Grave Digger's Handbook" to teach her to read. "If I die anytime soon, you make sure they bury me right," he tells her, and she solemnly agrees. Reading opens new worlds to her; soon she is looking for other material for distraction. She rescues a book from a pile being burned by the Nazis, then begins stealing more books from the mayor's wife. After a Jewish fist-fighter hides behind a copy of Mein Kampf as he makes his way to the relative safety of the Hubermanns' basement, he then literally whitewashes the pages to create his own book for Liesel, which sustains her through her darkest times. Other books come in handy as diversions during bombing raids or hedges against grief. And it is the book she is writing herself that, ultimately, will save Liesel's life.

Death recounts all this mostly dispassionately -- you can tell he almost hates to be involved. His language is spare but evocative, and he's fond of emphasizing points with bold type and centered pronouncements, just to make sure you get them (how almost endearing that is, that Death feels a need to emphasize anything). "A NICE THOUGHT," Death will suddenly announce, or "A KEY WORD." He's also full of deft descriptions: "Pimples were gathered in peer groups on his face."

Death, like Liesel, has a way with words. And he recognizes them not only for the good they can do, but for the evil as well. What would Hitler have been, after all, without words? As this book reminds us, what would any of us be?

Reviewed by Elizabeth Chang
Copyright 2006, The Washington Post. All Rights Reserved.

::::::::::::::::::Blogger Account:::::::::

My stepdad, Jim, is one of the newest members of the blogger community. I helped him set up his site and then left him to happily tweak the specifics. Next will be my mom. Oh, the excitement is tangible! :)

::::::::::::::::::Enjoying This Book:::::

Hello, Cupcake!

http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com/

Take care! :)

Testing, Testing 1,2,3...

::::::::::::::::Testing, Testing, and More Testing:::::

Noah, Rachel and Aaron are all testing this week for CRCT. Aaron's test site is close to the house, so that is nice. The check-in, yesterday, was unncessarily, confusing. It all worked out on time and then Aaron said he had to wait 45 minutes before the test started. He said he made friends with 3 of the boys at his table, so he was pleased.


::::::::::::::::Nim's Island::::::::

We just finished reading Nim's Island and the kids really enjoyed the story. It is a bit different from the movie, which we happened to see first. The kids really like Nim's friends who happen to be a sea lion, marine iguana and a sea turtle. They also like how self-sufficient the character is, but that she has such a loving relationship with her dad, Jack. Overall, this is a cute story.

::::::::::::::::Apheresis:::::

Michael went for his tri-weekly apheresis appointment. They took a triple product from him because they have so few donors. He came home absolutely exhausted.

::::::::::::::::Slideshow:::::

No photos of anything for the blog because I'm working on a slideshow for the Court of Honor on Wednesday night. It was presented to me on Wednesday, last week, then my computer crashed and after fixing it...a bit...I still can't access some music files and the computer error message says it doesn't know why it can't access them either. So, I'm doing a crippled effort for the slideshow, so I hope it works out any way.


:::::::::::::::::Ballet Recital:::::::::

Eve and her ballet friends were practicing their recital in the hall where they will actually perform. When I walked in to pick her up the girls had just finished dancing and Eve was crying. I saw Ms. Brooke comforting her. One of Eve's friends explained that Eve was nervous. Ms. Brooke sat down with the girls and told them that she would get nervous when she was little too and that it was okay. She also reminded all the girls that people who loved them would be the audience. Ms. Brooke is a fantastic instructor and I thought the other girls worrying about Eve was so sweet. Eve seemed to feel much better after a few minutes.

::::::::::::::::::Walking:::::::::::::

When I went walking, yesterday, I borrowed the headphones my mom got for free from Delta. You just, gently, clip them over your ears, which is better than the ear buds. Ear buds...HURT me! Michael loaded "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" on the mp3 player and I laughed the entire time to the park and back home. That show is a riot.

Smiles!

That Was Unexpected!

If you guessed that title had to do with Noah you have read my blog a few times. If you didn't know let me tell you about our trip to the doctor's office yesterday with a short regression, to clarify, to Sunday. Noah's substitute Primary teacher noticed he kept fiddling with his right ear. She said I needed to check that out. I asked Noah if it was bothering him and he replied that it was just itching. On Monday morning he came downstairs with a bit of a whimper saying his ear did hurt. I sent him to school with a note to inform the teacher I was going to make a doctor's appointment as soon as they opened and to keep him out of any activity that might hurt his ear, like physical education. I was able to make a sick visit appointment for 2:15pm. Since Michael had a dental cleaning appointment he got off work early and said he would pick Noah up at school. I called at 2:00pm. to have them notify the teacher. When Michael got to school Noah was at the neighboring high school watching a performance by the drama class. He wasn't back until 1:50pm and it takes a full 30 minutes, on a good day, to reach the clinic. I called and was able to get a new appointment at 5:15pm.

...at the doctor's office...

Noah had no fever, but when the doctor put the (*edited)otoscope in the ear canal Noah quickly, but gently moved the doctor's hand away. We new that his ear must be pretty sensitive. It appeared to be a middle ear infection and he asked if Noah had been swimming lately, but he had not.

...Now the LEFT ear...

the doctor said there appeared to be something SQUARE in Noah's ear canal. We asked him if it was a Lego and the doctor said a Lego would be too large. Noah denied having stuck anything in his ear. MIND YOU...this comes from a kid who stuck a rubber band up his nose (both nostrils) to see if it would fit. One side was fine, but it got stuck in the other...and GUESS WHAT...not even a Lego sword could pry it out. GO FIGURE. This is also the same kid who wrapped a cord from the wood blinds around his neck when he was 3 and jumped off the couch because he was being Superman. Luckily the blinds gave way and he was left with a slight rope burn for a couple of weeks.

...back to our story...

So the nurse is sent in to irrigate the ear canal. AH, the 3rd time was the charm. A little white square shaped object came out. The doctor returned to check what it was. He took wooden tongue depressor and mashed it. He said this is definitely not wax. It feels like rubber.

...The CONFESSION...MAYBE...

Noah then has an EPIPHANY..."Maybe it happened when I had an eraser stuck to my finger nail and I scratched my ear. Maybe."

The doctor said there appeared to be little bits of the eraser still in the ear, so he gave me a homemade recipe of water and baking soda to squirt in the ear each day to wash it out.

...Positive Outcome...

1. Noah can still hear...listening is different (as we all know)
2. We got to see Dr. Pugel's get photographs of his trip to the Mediterranean and some with his new macro lens hanging on the wall.
3. Noah gets to take amoxicillan in his favorite flavor...(this one is kind of weird)
4. Though our wallet is depleted by 45 dollars from the doctor visit and cost of pharmaceuticals we have a priceless Noah story to share. :)


:::::::::::::::Old Pictures...New Layout::::



Credits: Dawn Inskip at NDISB, TTS, SSS
Luisa Leandro at Sophia Sarducci

Darcy Baldwin: DJB DAWN at The Digichick
Kate Hadfield: Doodle Alpha
miscellanous font: CK Cursive

:::::::::::::::Ballet:::::::

Eve's recital is quickly approaching. She is very excited! If you are interested in attending please let me know and I will email the particulars. It is an evening performance, no cost.

Later gators...I must make waffles.

* This is too funny. Someone pointed out my error in using the term "Oscilloscope" for what was stuck in Noah's ear, when it should have been "Otoscope". Thanks for pointing that out and I won't show Noah because he might just want to stick that in his ear when we get the rest of the eraser bits out! :) Oh, and YOU do realize I'm NUTS! :)

A, Mostly, Clean House

::::::::::::A Toe Tappin' Great Movie:::::::

I spent the Saturday cleaning while Rachel was at a sleepover, Michael and Aaron were out doing a clean-up day and rock climbing at Sand Rock, and Noah and Eve were at my mom's house. I'm one who likes background noise, so I had popped in "Murder By Death" and listened to it as I moved around the house. When that movies was over I grabbed Strictly Ballroom.
This movie is so quirky and fabulous! Michael and Aaron came home near the end of the movie and Michael was excited...yes, excited to see I had that movie playing. When it was over he rewound it and played it again. He told the kids to clean in the living room and that they would enjoy watching the movie while they cleaned. There were a couple of times we sent Rachel to do something and she would plead to, "let me just watch this scene, then I'll go!"
I think Michael and I are in agreement that our favorite character is Doug Hastings who is the father to the main character, Scott. This mild mannered geeky guy is a closet innovator and amazing dancer. All of the characters are like a caricature...a little bigger and more colorful, than in most movies. This movie is enjoyable from beginning to end! I highly recommend this film!


::::::::::::::Dryer:::::

Michael was able to fix our dryer that was broken for three days. I have the Mount Everest O' Laundry to clean. The thermal fuse died and I looked up a schematic on-line and looked for information on our type of dryer and diagnosed the problem. Michael took the information and hot-wired the dryer to test the theory and sure enough I was right. He was able to get the part and fix it pretty quickly. What a handy guy!



:::::::::::::Fly On The Wall...Perhaps?::::

Again, this cartoonist has captured one of the quirks in our family. This cartoon depicts how Michael reads books to the children:


If the kids want the book read "right" they give the book to me. If they need a bit of silliness they give the book to Michael. Sometimes when the books are short we will do the readings on the same day. I love Michael's "intrepretations" they are always funny and fairly bizarre.

:::::::::::::::::Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins...Oh, my!::::

Michael's family came over for family home evening and we had French bread pizzas and salad. Michael's mom brought cupcakes and a cake to celebrate the September birthdays, which were Aaron, Rachel and Eve. After everyone left Eve asked, "So why didn't anyone bring me presents?" I told her that it wasn't a birthday party for her, but everyone was wishing her a happy birthday. She, surprisingly, accepted my explanation. The kids love to play with all of their cousins and the kids are really polite. I have some amazing nieces and nephews!

:::::::::::::::::Ballet and Tap:::::::::

Eve begins her ballet and tap classes today. She is chomping at the bit to get started. She keeps wanting to take her outfit and shoes out to try them on.

:::::::::::::::::Cub Scouts::::::

Noah starts back to Cub Scouts today. He seemed accepting, but not excited.

::::::::::::::::Layouts::::::::::

...they are simply ideas floating in my head. Maybe later today I can create one!

Smiles, fine folks!

No, Your Other Left!

I realized that my postings have not included some of the silly snippets from our vacation, so here are two of the boys joining the "Virginia Militia". My kids are the 2nd ones from the ends. You will hear my snickering in the background. I simply couldn't contain my mirth.




:::::::::::::::::::Shakespeare Update:::::::::

well, he is still dead. But, other than that, we watched "As You Like It". Aaron recognized two of the actors. One gentleman, Richard Pasco, played the part of Brutus in "Julius Ceasar" and the part of Jacque in "As You Like It". He also recognized Helen Mirren who played Titania in "A Midsummer's Night Dream" and Rosalind/Ganymede in "As You Like It". These plays were filmed as a part of a BBC production to have all of Shakespeare's dramatic works recorded. It is wonderful to see the wealth of actors still around today.

:::::::::::::::::::::::Pre-school::::

I took Eve to meet her new pre-school teachers, Mrs. Crystal and Ms. Kimmie. She was shy for all of 5 minutes, then she put on a fancy dress-up dress and created some play pizzas. She also hosted a lovely tea party. I signed her up for a combonation ballet/tap class. She is so excited "to be big!"

Off to work on odds and ends! Smiles!