Science Fair and Sammy Rides a Bike

Monday

I left work early today, since I had worked so much on Saturday. I first went to Costco to pick up the pictures I printed for Dallin's science fair project. Then I came home to see Jana working on a very nice poster board explaining Dallin's project. I ran down to the school to pick up the boys. We hurried home for Dallin to write a little bit in his science notebook and to get things ready to set up at the school.

We got there a little after 4:30, the time when we were supposed to set them up. I had forgotten the entry sheet so I had to scrounge one of them up. We finally got everything set and then headed home. What a stressful event this has been. We had the best intentions of not putting everything off to the last minute, but for some reason it didn't happen. It is mostly my fault, since I took charge of the project. Fortunately, Jana took over today and got me out of a big bind.

Tuesday

Tonight we went to the Science Fair. Kaylie was asleep and so I pushed her and Nathan around in the double stroller. There really wasn't enough room to do that. I looked at all of Dallin's competition for an award and I thought he had a really good chance at winning an award.

We went in to the gym for the principal to give out awards. There were 150 entires this year and only the 5th graders were required to enter. Each category and each grade got first, second, and third place awards. I knew Dallin would win something. But he didn't.

He cried a little and I was a little sad too, but it was probably for the best. We didn't follow the directions exactly, (though I don't think the other kids did either) and we put it together at the last minute. We really should have been more on the ball, but we've been so busy lately. The bottom line is that we didn't really deserve to win, but my competitive nature wanted too. I encouraged Dallin to congratulate his friends that did win. He was a very good sport and went out of his way to congratulate them. He's a super kids. I know that it was hard for him not to win, but that will inspire him (and his parents) to do better next year.

Wednesday

Today was late start day for the kids school. They played at the castle park in Renaissance. This afternoon, Nathan had his 6 month checkup. He's moved up to the 10th percentile in weight and the 60th for height. Dr. Rosequist seemed very surprised he was so interactive. She loved his eyes and chubby cheeks and his crazy hair.

Dallin had piano lessons today. He has really progressed and his teacher has started him on some more advanced books. He's doing two hands together now and is reading notes on the real staffs.

Thursday

Jana's birthday. I was running a little late and didn't have a chance to make a nice breakfast for Jana. She said that I can make it up to her on Mother's Day this Sunday.

Dallin had an African Safari day at school. Jana made some peanut glazed chicken for his dinner. When I got home, we all went to Red Robin for Jana's birthday dinner. We had a little talk with the kids in the car before we went into the restaurant. I asked them what they should do once we get inside. Sam immediately said "Don't climb under the table!" Dallin added, "Don't run around!" Once we reviewed the basics, we went in to eat. They were little angels. Well, mostly angels. Sam went exploring a couple of times, but otherwise, they did great.

After we got home, I took the seats out of the car and ran over to pick up Jana's birthday bike. When I got home, she rode it up and down our street a few times. I think she likes it.

Saturday

This morning, our neighbor and I took the Dallin and Sam to breakfast and then to a fishing clinic at the rec center. There were 5 stations where the kids (and parents) learned about fishing. Then we fished for a while. Sam caught a fish, or a fish grabbed on to the line that our neighbor had cast for him. Dallin's line jammed and we spent a frustrating time trying to get it fixed. Officers from the fish and game gave each of the kids their own fishing pole. It was a great morning and made me love living in Longmont.

We went home and then got ready for Sam's game. It was the first game I had seen of his all season. I've been so busy with Dallin's games. I'm surprised how many of their games had conflicting schedules. It was fun to watch him play. Then we ran over to Dallin's game. They did pretty well. Dallin had a great assist to a teammate who kicked it right in. He was starting to be a little more aggressive.

When we got home, I took the training wheels off of Sammy's bike and pushed him until he got the feeling of riding. It only took him going up and down the street a couple of times before he figured it out. After he got it he told me to "Go away, Dad!" he wanted to do it on his own. By the end of the afternoon, he had learned to turn pretty well. It was a completely different experience than teaching Dallin to ride. Sam's only complaint was that "people made the road too hard," after he had fallen several times. He always wanted me to let him do as much as he could without help.

Jana and I took turns riding the kids around the block in the bike trailer. Kaylie enjoyed the ride especially. Finally, Jana rode around the block with Sam on his own bike. He got nervous when an oncoming car got close. He crashed into someone's stationary car that was parked on the side of the street and left a scuff mark. I went and talked to the owners and they were very nice about it. They didn't mind at all and kept asking me if Sam was OK.

I put the screen door up on the back sliding glass door that Sam knocked out last night. It wasn't a big deal at all, and I'm glad we didn't scold him. He was so upset with himself for pushing it off the runner, and he came right upstairs to us and confessed.

Sunday

Mother's day. This morning Nathan slept in to 5 minutes before 6:00. It was wonderful.

The older boys got up at 7:00 and I started making breakfast. Jana wanted the apple streusel muffins and orange julius. Definitely a tasty breakfast. Sam couldn't wait to give her his gift (one of his special cars) and took it up to her. She was already awake and didn't mind the visit. She stayed in bed until breakfast was ready, and since I had so much help from the kids it took me quite a while. We had a lot of fun making breakfast for Mommy. They each helped with one thing. Dallin helped make the streusel topping and grated apples. Kaylie helped me with the ingredients to the muffins and Sam put everything in for the orange julius.

At church, Kaylie saw her nursery teacher on the other side of the chapel. She said "He's my woorshry [nursery] teacher. He loves me SOOO much!"

After church I made barbecued chicken with rice and sauteed asparagus. After dinner, Jana played Memory with the kids while I cleaned up and made cookies for dessert. It is exhausting to be a mom. I'm glad Mothers' Day comes only once a year.

Catching Up...

15 April 2009, Wednesday

Dallin walked to school on his own for the first time. Jana watches him until he gets to the crossing guard and then on to school. There are adults at each crossing and he is has been very responsible lately.

Today Sam called me at work and read his first book to me. It was the first "Bob Book" and he did a great job. He cracks up at the pictures. He is very excited and Jana has done a great job making reading fun for him.

Tonight, Dallin brought a fish home from school. He is very excited about it and named it Goldie. I think if the teacher had asked us if we wanted a fish to sign a form we would have done it, but just sending it home with the kids I think is a little presumptuous. Note to self: never, ever, give anyone a pet they didn't explicitly ask for.

18 April 2009, Saturday

During lunch, Dallin bit down on a sandwich and it pushed his tooth nearly out. He was holding it with a tissue while it bled a little bit and he yelled, "Here's my tooth!" and he was holding it in the napkin. It had practically just fallen out. We all did a happy dance since we were so relieved it had finally fallen out.

22 April 2009, Wednesday

Tonight I worked on Dallin's science project with him. He is growing crystals from salt, sugar, and baking soda solutions. We made the solutions tonight. Now we need them to evaporate. Dallin said that he wanted to be scientist when he grows up. I told him I thought that was a good idea. He has a lot of science skills. I also suggested he could be an engineer, but he just laughed. Funny how engineers don't get any respect from scientists, even kid scientists.

26 April 2009, Sunday

We had Stake Conference this morning at 10:00. That's about an hour earlier than our usual Sunday morning so we were in a hurry getting things together. At one point, only Nathan and I were the only family members not crying. It was a fun morning.

27 April 2009, Monday

After dinner we had family home evening. We played "Categories" for the first time as our activity. Dallin liked squirting people in the face with the hair-spritzer but didn't like getting sprayed. The rest of the evening he was sneaking around with different water bottles trying to get me back.

3 May 2009, Sunday

As usual, while Jana and I were talking to my parents, the kids got on their Superman capes and began jumping from their table onto a pile of beanbag chairs. Kaylie had her cape on backwards and stood on the end of it as she jumped off the table. She landed on the bare floor and had the wind knocked out of her completely. I picked her up and encouraged her to breath and tried to help her not panic. After she got a couple of breaths she said, "I need to jump onto the beanbag, not the floor-(y)." She always puts an extra "y" at the end of her words that end in "r".