Science Fair

It's science fair time again!  I love that Xander and Mia get so excited about it.  They always know what they want to do too.  Xander wanted to learn about how caves are formed and Mia wanted to learn about how lungs were formed.

This year, Ben and I each took a kid and worked on the science projects with them.  Each year, Ben is reluctant when I ask him to do it with the kids.  It's not a small project and it's hard to squeeze into his schedule.

The week of the science fair, Mia and Xander were all excited.  They couldn't stop talking about how it would be okay if they got 2nd place.  Then they had it all planned out which place they would take. 

The day came where they had to explain their projects to the judges.  Mia gets frustrated easily and Ben worked with her the night before so she wouldn't be nervous.  Xander wasn't nervous at all.  Afterschool, when I picked them up, they were all so happy and I knew it must have gone well.  I was so happy they did it.

We went to the science fair in the evening and were able to see everyone's project.  Mia and Xander could not contain their excitement.  

When the time came for the annoucements of the winners, Mia and Xander scooted their way to the front.  Mia watched out for Xander and held his hand (I love when they do that).   They announced Xander's name first for honorable mention.  I don't understand his expression on his face.  I yelled out to him to smile and this is what I got.

When it was Mia's grade's turn, they always start on the bottom with honorable mention and move their way up to the top.   I was nervous for Mia and when they didn't call her name at all when it got to second place, I thought for sure, she didn't get it.  But, then again, it's Mia.  And they called her name for FIRST PLACE!  She was so excited!

After we got home, Ben and I were talking in the bedroom.  I can't remember his exact wording but basically, he decided that doing science fair projects with the kids is fun.  I told him, I am going to remind him how he feels now, next year when I tell him he has to help the kids again.

And yeah, science fairs are fun especially when you kid wins all the time!

11 years. . .Woop! Woop!

Ben and I liked to do fun activities for our anniversary.  We try to do things we normally don't do all the time.  Like, one year we went sledding, and another we went to the production, "Wicked".  This year we decided we wanted to go iceskating.  It's been probably 10 years since we have gone. I really wanted to go to San Francisco to go iceskating but unfortuately, here in California, those outdoor skating rings close at the beginning of January.

Luckily, we found some indoor skating rinks.  We ended up going to the one in Oakland.

At first Ben and I stayed towards the edge.  I couldn't believe how hard it was.  It seriously felt like it took me 1/2 hour just to go around once.  Plus, the iceskates that you rent, were horrible in the ankle. After awhile, Ben and I got better.  Not triple axel better, just "I think I'll move more towards the center of the rink" better.

In fact, check out Ben being all fancy. . .

http://youtu.be/6gZEhp0Q8Co

My ankles only lasted about an hour and a half before they were crying in pain.  Almost after each lap I would make, I'd take a timeout in the hockey booth to give my ankles a little break.

Afterwards, we headed to Jack London Square where we ate at "The Fat Lady".  Historically, a brothel, now a delicious place to eat.  We heard that they go all out with decorations for each holiday.  I'd love to see what they do with the place for Valentines day.

Speaking of Valentine's day, aka "Val-Day", Ben and I make things for each other.  I've got a great gift that is already done. . .hmmmm. . .hope Ben hasn't forgotten.

Yeah, Ben, that was a reminder. . .better hurry T minus 6 days.

Mia does it AGAIN!

Last year, Mia submitted a photography entry in the PTA Refelctions contest.  Her entry went to district and then onto State.  This school year, Mia wanted to do photography again.  The theme was, "The Magic of the Moment".  She knew right away that she wanted to take pictures of clouds.  Here are some of her favorite pictures of the clouds.

She took them at different times of the day and in different places.  She finally decided on this picture as her entry.  This was taken right outside our house.

This was the description that she had for this picture:

"It's magic.  Clouds move shape.  I captured that beautiful view of magic.  It's magic because you may never see this magic again.  It fills your mind up with treasures and magic."

This year, Mia's entry went to the District level.  She was the only one from her school and even nearby schools that made it to Districts.  Also, this year, they did not take as many entries in the district and state levels.  For some reason, I thought because we go to a small school, Mia's chances were better since there weren't as many entries from our school.  But, I think that everything gets judged at the district level and it doesn't matter what school you are from.

We are so proud of Mia and that she is discovering her talents and interests.  

Next year, I've been asked to help promote the Reflections program at our school.  Since it is fairly new at our school, I don't think the parents know much about it.   I LOVE that the Refelections program gives children the opportunity to express themselves in artistic ways and I hope that more parents and children take advantage of it.

Mia expressed interest in continuing Photography for next years Reflection contest.  We might just have another photographer in our midst!

Year of the Icecream

Each year we choose something fun to discover.  Last year it was "Year of the Museum".  We started our year at the museum of art at Pixar.  Throughout the year we visited places like the Oakland Museum, the Bay Area Museum, Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Lawrence Hall of Science and even a local museum in Clayton.  Because of our library pass, we were able to get into most of the museums for free!  They also have free days throughout the bay area which makes it so nice!

This year is the "Year of the Icecream".  This will probably be everyone's favorite year!  Our goal is to find unique icecream places that people don't normally know about.  Luckily, Ben has co workers who know all the good places.  For our first visit to an Icecream place, we chose the San Francisco Creamery, which ironically is located in Walnut Creek, not San Fran.

6

We ordered the biggest icecream you can get there, the kitchen sink.  The kids got to each choose their favorite iceream and topping.

Looking at it, you don't think you could ever possibly eat the whole thing.  But let me tell you. . . it is possible.  They have a kitchen sink challenge where if you can eat it in 15 minutes you can get your picture on the wall.  Not too long ago, they filmed, "Man vs. Food" where the host did the kitchen sink challenge.  

We are going to have a fun year, I'm sure of it!

GOING. . .

GOING. . .

GONE!

Grandma/pa Armstrong Visit and other things. . .

GRANDMA/PA ARMSTRONG VISIT

Grandma and Grandpa came for a quick visit last weekend. They were in Utah helping Autumn, who had just gotten ACL knee surgery and thought they would pop over to see us. We pop over meaning, driving 12 hours. We had fun visiting and Grandma/pa bought the kids Christmas presents which they got to open. My Mom thought it would be so funny if we wrapped dollar store gifts and gave it to them and said that was it. She thought my kids would complain about not getting more. But to her surprise, my kids were totally content with the dollar store gifts and did not expect more. I think she was pretty impressed with my kids. I was proud of them myself. She got the big presents out and my kids were even more excited! We wished they could stay longer, but hope to see them again soon!

 ORNAMENTS

I love our tradition of making ornaments for our tree each year. We do lots of crafting around here and I love seeing the kids get so creative. This year we used beads. Each year, I'm always thinking of what type of medium we should work with. Sometimes, it is hard thinking of something different to use. It doesn't matter though, the kids can be creative with anything.

 

TAEKWONDO AND GYMNASTICS 

 A couple months ago, Mia decided she no longer wanted to take gymnastics so we took her out. I was asking her what she would like to try. We thought of soccer which we were too late signing her up for the fall. Xander played teeball this year and wasn't super interested. I was trying to think of what he would like to do. Karate was the first thing that came to my mind. It is more an individual sport and he secretly wants to be a spy someday so karate seemed perfect. An opportunity came along at the gym where they do gymnastics and I was able to sign both kids up for Taekwondo. Taekwondo is Korean karate which is perfect for my little ninjas. At their first class, the instructor taught them Korean words, which they found facinating. They got to learn different kicks and other moves. Xander said, "I love this Mom!". I guess Moms do know some things their kids like.

 Shortly after Mia quit gymnastics, I put Zoey in. All summer long she waiting until she turned 3 and then waiting until the enrollment in September. When I bought her her first gymnastics outfit she yelled, "Sign me up!" She calls gymnastics, "nastics". She loves doing gymastics and bouncing and jumping and tumbling around. She is getting better at waiting in line, which she had no idea what a line was at the beginning. She is also learning how to wait her turn. I think the teacher thought she was older because she is so tall, and would lightly scold her for not waiting her turn. I felt bad for Zoey, but it didn't even bother her. She kept plowing forward. That's my girl!

 

I can't believe December is flying by! I wish December was a little longer and a little slower. I love this time of year!

Thanksgiving with the Andersons

For Thanksgiving, we visited Betsy and Russ in Portand, Oregon.  I've never been to the Portland area before and this was a first for all of the kids.  We arrived Wednesday afternoon after traveling all day.  Russell's sisters and brother visited too and so we had a nice big group.  Thanksgiving is much more fun with LOTS and LOTS of people.

The kids loved playing with their cousins.  I especially loved watching Xander get some much needed boy time!  He is surrounded by girls all the time and it is so fun to watch him play with boys.

Thanksgiving morning, we played some football- even the girls!  I love to play, but usually, Ben just plays with the men. The little kids got to play their own game and I am so glad they did.  It was fun to watch them run around and throw the football.

We had a wonderful dinner and at one time I looked around at everyone cooking and thought, "We are just kids, trying to make a thanksgiving dinner!" Well I guess we are big kids now. Everything turned out great!

Ben and I tried to hit Walmart for the Black Friday sales but after parking a mile away, and walking into chaos, we turned right around and left.  There was a huge line, just to buy your things.  Not worth the wait for us!

Betsy and Russ let me take their family pictures.  There family is SO cute! We took them at Nike and you would never even know looking at the pictures.  The campus is amazing and just blows my mind.  I left wanting to work there!

Thank you for having us Andersons!

Who does that?

Who forgets to post about Halloween??  And how Mia and Ben both won for scariest costume at the ward party?

Who does that?

Who forgets to post a picture of the school Halloween Parade?

Who does that?

Who forgets to post about the Mommy preschool trip to the pumpkin patch?

Who does that?

Who forgets to write about the Halloween inspired pizza night that has become a tradition in our family?

Who does that?

Who forgets to take pictures of the pumpkins the kids carved and only takes a picture of the one she painted?

Who does that?

Who forgets to write about the Warrior Dash  and how dirty they got, how much easier it was than she thought it would be, that she had so much fun doing the race with Ben, and how washing the clothes and shoes afterwards was interestingly so dirty?

Who does that?

Who forgets alot these days?

Um me!