Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Mad Scientist

In an effort to kill some time before swim class introduce Smart Flint Goldensword to the subject area of Science in Kindergarten, we busted out his kit:



Izzy objected to said kit and made an "I object" face:



Despite her demeanor, we rallied on and proceeded forward with ten, yes, you read that right, ten experiments. While I'd love to tell you the details about EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE, I will spare you the minutia and stick to those that actually worked.

We began with a box 'o supplies...not pictured here are the milk, lotion, and soap from our failed attempts during our scientific experiment session. Please disregard the facial expression from Sam-he truly was excited about embarking on this adventure....


One of our initial experiments dealt with dissolving color tablets in test tubes. We were supposed to be in "awe" of the bubbles that would form as it dissolved.


I know you're "awed" right now-I can feel it.

The next step was to explore the variation of colors achieved by holding the tubes to the light and combining them. Again, be forewarned of the "aweness" you will experience:





The experiment action went into high speed when we pulled out "the dish"-Sam, the Mad Scientist, was encouraged to combine the colors red, blue and yellow to see what he would get.....




Our next experiment included dropping a colored tab in water and "observing" its change.....Step 1:


Step 2: Sam thought this one was awesome.....


His favorite, however, was when we placed crystals into the dish we pictured above and it turned into this about one hour later:


Who knew crystals could grow like that? Not I, that's for sure....

Next up: volcanoes

Monday, July 19, 2010

Never Let Your Kid Talk to Strangers

We were at our local Baja Fresh for lunch today and the following conversation ensued with a stranger getting his soda at the drink fountain:

Sam: Hey Mister! You have eyes on the back of your head!
Stranger: What?
Sam: Yeah- you have eyes on the back of your head.
Stranger: Oh...do you mean my sunglasses? The ones resting right here (points to back of neck)
Sam: Yeah...yeah...that's what I mean but you know what?
Stranger: What?
Sam: Daddy and Mommy say that they have eyes in the back of their heads too and they are not sunglasses like yours.
Stranger: (laughing) Really? Well, that's interesting.
Sam: Yeah. I know and Mommy's works really good-so do Daddy's but Daddy's are bigger than mommy's but mommy's are better...Right, Mami?

At this point, all the patrons around us are laughing and the stranger (thankfully) says farewell. As he was walking away, Sam noticed he had a number ten on his back and yelled:

"Hey, you're a ten, right?"

And the stranger's reply: "I sure am...."

It's too bad Sam hasn't caught on to his own sense of humor but I'm sure it will happen soon.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Why I'm Better Than Betty Crocker but Not Betsy Ross

4th of July is one of my favorite holidays-I'm not sure if it's the fireworks, the food or the bbq's but I really enjoy it. This year I had grand plans...We were going to go to the fair and enjoy some traditional things....carnival rides, watermelon eating contests, funnel cakes, hot dogs, cotton candy, etc, etc, etc.

Instead, we stayed home.

And made a GIANT flag cake.

It all began with my assistant, Jedi-Chef Samuel:



After combining 18 tablespoons of butter, 3 cups of sugar, 6 extra large eggs, 1 cup of sour cream, 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 3 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of Kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda for the cake, it was time to make the cream cheese frosting.

Midway through the icing task, someone decided to join in on the action....here she is in all of her splendor and curiosity:





And here is the finished product...sure...the piping is way off but it was tasty:



Next year, I'm going to take Betsy Ross to task:



It's gonna be easy-peasy.

Office Visit

We went to pay Daddy a visit at his office last week. Mostly, Smart Flint Goldensword wanted to let Daddy's partner know that they should institute naps because Daddy could use one during the day. He wasn't around to hear Sam's case. Attorneys.....never around when you need them.


Here are Daddy's offspring checking out the view:


Here they are looking for "the little people" below:


And here they are making themselves at "home":

Swim Status: Minnow

Despite my former status as a lifeguard many years ago, I've been a slacker in the "swim lesson" category.

It's probably because I work.....


And I'm lazy.....


Nevertheless, I have ditched both of those and I present to you our little swimmer...

Here he is-kicking with straight legs and face (almost) in the water:


This is what Izzy does while her eldest brother turns into the future Michael Phelps:


More good form....



Spectator status in full swing....


"Minnow" Status Certification: