The Incredible Bendable Girl

Ben stayed home from work yesterday and so I got to take Mia to gymnastics all by myself. Normally, while Mia is doing gymnastics I'll take the little ones for a walk or go to a nearby store because Zoey wants to run around on the mats.

I was so excited that I brought my camera. I was having tons of fun taking pictures from the sidelines until one of the teachers told me I couldn't use my flash. Dang it! I still got some good ones though.

They sort of do this circuit training where they go to different stations. Today Mia jumped on the trampoline, dove into the pit (a hole filled with cubed foam), practiced handstands and doing a backbend using the wall.

On the other side of the gym, they practiced balance on various balance beams. You know how you watch someone do something and for so reason, you have the foolish notion that you can do it too? I went home and tried to do a back bend because back in the day, that was cake for me. We almost had to call 911! It was so tough and my body was so stiff. I couldn't even go half way!

SCIENCE FAIR

I love to give Ben the assignment of helping the kids with Science Projects. He always does such a good job and the kids love doing it with him. Mia chose to do her project on fingerprints. She learned about the different types of fingerprints. Then, she took each member of the family's fingerprints except Zoey's. We did try to get one from her, but it was almost non-existent.

After taking everyone's fingerprint, she practiced her skill of identifying each one as an arch, whorl. double loop or loop. Our house then turned into a crime scene where each member of the family touched an identical mug. Ben put the person's name on a folded piece of paper inside the cup so Mia wouldn't know whose was whose.

Mia then dusted the fingerprints with graphite and using packaging tape they removed the fingerprint. Ben laid out the fingerprint from each cup as well as the fingerprints from the very beginning. Mia then guessed whose fingerprints were on each cup. She got all of them right!

Mia was so excited to take her Dad to the Science Fair. On the way she told him, "My teacher is a fan of you and so is Ava and. . .she went on listing everyone." Apparently, Mia told her class that Ben works at Pixar.

We had told Mia beforehand that she may not win anything and to not be upset because she did a wonderful job. We hoped that preparing her beforehand would help any disappointment that may come. Mia has a hard time losing. We've been trying to work with her on that.

We enjoyed walking around with her and especially looking at her project. The moment came where they had all the kids and parents gather around the stage because they were going to award ribbons to the science projects.

I was all prepared mentally on how I would console Mia when she didn't win because, really, what are the chances? I thought to myself that this would be a great opportunity to teach Mia about being a good sport.

Then, all of a sudden I got really nervous because, deep down, I really wanted her to win! I hoped that she would just get an honorable mention. She has talked and talked about the Science Fair and was anticipating this night for days.

Her friend Mason's name was called and he got a 3rd place ribbon. And I got even more anxious for Mia! Why was I feeling this way? What is wrong with me. . .? Am I becoming an obnoxious parent??

Then, they called Mia's name for second place! I was so happy for her!

I guess we'll teach Mia how to deal with disappointment and being a good sport another day.

If she would only stop winning. . .

Zoey and her Best Bud

Our Gifts for Val-Day

Ben and I have made the tradition of making gifts for each other for Valentine's Day. Last year you may remember the tie cake I made for him:

Not straying much off that path, I decided to turn this mess:

Into this:

I made everything myself. I even used the drill press for the first time with success! I organized Ben's ties by putting the ones that I thought were ugly up high hoping that he will just grab the ones that are easier to get to!

Ben was hoping that he could use the Anniversary music video as my Valentine gift too. No such luck is what I told him. No rollover gifts! Here is what he made me:

Check out the heart:

He also included a ticket for a free day where I can do anything I want! I love making gifts for Valentine's Day!

Goals

Along with millions of others, Januarys get me into the mood for setting family and individual goals.

The mark of a new beginning.

A time to start over, to start anew.

Ben and I were discussing goals that we would like to set with the family. One of mine is to read a General Conference talk with Ben every Sunday when the kids go down. I feel like I miss quite a few talks while tending the kids during Conference and thought this would be good time for us to catch up. We've done it for a few weeks now and I really enjoy it.

Ben wanted to have the family write in their journals together. Sarah's family does it every Sunday and I've always thought it was neat. Ben said that his family used to do it when he was younger and that the only journal entries he has are from those times.

We've tried it a couple of weeks now and I hope we get into the habit. It always seems hard at first but if we can do it consistently, we can make it stick.

One of my personal goals is to read my scriptures better. I always read it at night and I am always tired. One thing I have tried is reading my scriptures out loud at lunch time to Xander. It's been hard to remember to do it, but when I have, it has been so much better.

Watch out 2011, here come the Porters! We will be triumphant!

Photo Blunders

Ben and I celebrated our 9th anniversary by going on an Alcatraz Cruise. We listened to an auto tour while wandering around the cell house. The escape stories and history of the island were fascinating. I brought the big mama camera because I wanted to get some good pictures. I normally leave it home when I am on an outing with the kids and need all hands on deck. It's giant and too hard to carry and take care of kids at the same time.

I put it in my smaller camera case, checked the battery which was fully charged and giggled with excitement.

I took some beautiful pictures of the outside of the buildings which were aged perfectly, the cells, San Francisco at night, and anything else that stuck out to me. Half way through the tour, my camera died. I didn't have the spare battery because I left it in the giant bag. I thought I would turn the camera off and on and see what would happen. I did it and it battery came back to life.

I took more pictures and then we were on the boat to go back to San Fran when the screen went black with the words, "CF card unformatted." Unfortunately, when I switched the on/off switch I unformatted the card and lost ALL of the pictures! AHHHH! I was so sad.

No pictures to document our fun date. Bummer!

I was using my new flash and I think that drained the battery faster than I expected.

We still had a great time and tried out this diner off of the Embarcadero called Fog City Diner. The food was good but way overpriced for what was served. Ben ate his first 17.00 burger! It was fun to just go out. We don't do that very much.

I commented towards the end of our date, that Ben and I hardly talked during most of the date's activity. Ben says it is sign that we are comfortable with each other.

Since, I have no pictures from Alcatraz, I thought I would leave one with you that might make you pee your pants. Ben may kill me for posting this, but I'm willing to take the chance.