Science Projects

Craig and Daniel both have science projects coming up. Today we did the fun part -- experiments! Craig was trying to answer the commonly asked question, "Will this fruit or vegetable sink, float, or dance in water and 7-up." (Don't you always ask that question about your fruit?) The main fruit he is going to focus on will be raisins. They dance in 7-up! They will sink in water but in 7-up they will float up to the top with the bubbles and when the bubbles pop in the air they will sink back down. So they continually dance up and down. :-0

Here are some more of his experiments...



Daniel was making a hovercraft with old CD's, pop-top bottle lids, and different sizes of balloons. He was pretty happy with the outcome but struggles blowing up the balloons. We will have to practice before he has to demonstrate.

We believe...

Every morning we have scripture time with the kids. We read a chapter and then practice the articles of faith. I usually help Ashton say an article of faith but lately she wants to do it on her own like the boys. A couple of days ago she said, "We believe that Mom will do what I say." Then today she said, "We believe that God will come to our house and chase Mom. Mom will run away. Then I will have the whole house." Totally cracks us up but we have to be careful not to laugh because she is very serious about it. We just say, "Great job" and give her high fives. What a nut.

Have to love Craig

For those who read David's blog you are up to date on our little lover boy. He has 3 girls who stand across the street and point at the house. He has gone out and talked to them once. Another time they ran away saying, "There he is!". Now he just lets them stand out there and doesn't go out to talk to them. Lets just say it is funny to have little girls stalking my home. He also has a girl who insists that he sit by her on the bus. And now he is getting love notes left in his desk at school. You know the kind that say, " To Creng (spelling must not be important) From ? Wond you go out with me? I love you Cring. Sirkint Pale. (I have no idea what the last two words mean -- do you think it is a code, name, or just really really bad spelling?) Oh, and she also drew a picture on his card of a girl outside under clouds and a sun. It totally cracks me up and I have been enjoying watching this new stage of life. Funny thing is Daniel, who is almost 12, doesn't care at all about girls. Then there is Craig...

Potty training

Well here we go again. I think Ashton is going to be potty trained this time. But she has shown that in the past and then nothing. We will see. The last few days she has been interested in sitting on the toilet again. Then Yesterday she told me that she didn't want me to change her diaper anymore. I agreed and sent her and Dave to the store to buy underwear. She loves her underwear with tinker bell on them. I'm not sure she has figured it out yet. Earlier she was sitting on the potty and said she was done. She got off, put on her underwear and pants, went to wash her hands, and peed in her pants. She looked very surprised. She is also very independent about it. I am not allowed to go in the bathroom with her. So I wait outside until I am given permission to come and help. Well keep your fingers crossed that soon I will have no one in diapers. Yea!

Almost killed the boys!

Horse lessons were a little too exciting. We normally have the 3 women at lessons who own horses and are around them all of the time. Of course yesterday we only had one there. (This is how life always is, right) She was holding the lead line of Daniel's horse while I had Craig's horse -you are correct, I am not qualified. The boys had just gotten on the horses when Daniel's suddenly reared up and bucked him off. Poor guy, He didn't have a chance. The horse bucked up and twisted at the same time. He went flying and landed really hard. He screamed and I first started to go straight to him when I realized Craig's horse started to follow me. I stopped the horse and told Craig to keep him still (which sometimes isn't as easy and it sounds while sitting on the horse). Julie Ann was very quick at stopping Daniel's horse from bucking and moved it quickly away from Daniel. Daniel was yelling which was making all of the horses in the arena nervous. So I quickly told him to be quiet but tell me exactly where he hurt. He calmed down and I was able to tell that it wasn't his back or neck, so I started to help move him out of the arena. Julie Ann was taking the horse to the side when both of us noticed another rider lose control of her horse and get bucked off. The horse started to charge straight for Craig. Julie Ann and I both gasped at the same time. We knew there was nothing we could do. I was more afraid for Craig then I had been when Daniel was bucked off. Craig saw the horse coming and very calming backed his horse up. The charging horse missed him by inches. He and his horse just sat there very calmly. It isn't that easy to back a horse up. But Craig did it and kept his horse calm and still. It was impressive. Poor Daniel thought he was going to be done. But no. Julie Ann and I thought it was best that he get back up on the horse. I let him walk and work his leg out (his upper leg, hip, side, and arm all hurt) while Craig did the rest of his lesson. Then we had Daniel get up on Craig's horse first and finally up on the horse that had bucked him off. He was not happy about it and started to cry. We kept him on there until he stopped crying and sat with authority on the horse. We hope we helped both him and the horse realized that Daniel was in charge not the horse. When we got back to the stable the ranch hand was very impressed that Daniel got back on the horse and told him so. I could tell that Daniel felt proud of himself. I was proud of both Craig and Daniel and very grateful that they didn't get really hurt. Daniel may disagree but it could have been a lot worse.

Getting started

Dave is getting me started. Tammy tried for a long time to help me become computer literate - it never took. So I will try again now. Also Dave isn't always accurate with what he writes. So he needs someone to keep him in line. :-)

I look forward to keeping in touch -- Cindy