Snow Day = Science Day

Today we had a Snow-Day for both Andrew & Mike! It's "raining" ice, so it doesn't even look like anything is falling, until you look really closely.

Mike was going a little stir-crazy, so he looked online for some science experiments to do with the boys. First we made plasma by frying grapes in the microwave. You cut a grape almost completely in half (just attached by the skin), dab the exposed middles with a paper towel to dry them off, then cook it openfaced in the microwave for 10 seconds. The electrical-like "fire" is awesome to watch! All my brothers, (and all my sisters) should definitely try this! (You should probably get parents permission first, if it's not your own microwave :-)

The next science experiment was to make Flubber! Luckily we had an ant problem a while back, so I bought some Borax to make a natural poison to get rid of them (it worked too!). So, the recipe, from http://www.thenakedscientists.com/, said to use Borax, Elmer's Glue, and a little water. The stuff is really cool! It's got to be the same stuff we used to buy from the quarter machines in the grocery stores when we were growing up! Mike even decided to dye it green (after I took these pictures). We had lots of fun with it!

A Good Day!

Yesterday was a good day! Mike and I had dentist appointments in the morning and we forgot to get a sitter for the kids, so they came along. They were pretty good, and the staff at the office was so great with them! I'm always so amazed at how well they remember us - right down to Alex's name! I wish I were better at remembering details about people!

When we came home, Mike got to work finishing up our tiling around the tub surround. (I can say "our" tiling, even when I didn't help with any of the tiling, because I help make it happen by keeping up with the kids and housework while Mike works!) I'm so glad we chose to pay the extra money for the decorative tile along the edge. It really adds a lot to the look!

As with all of our home improvements, Mike invited the boys to help with what they could. I'm so grateful for a man who is not only willing to learn how to do projects like this himself, but who also takes the time to pass what knowledge he can on to our children! And they love the time and attention he gives them!!

The last great thing that happened was the icing on the cake for me! It made whatever stressful moments I had endured throughout the day leave my mind as I celebrated this major acheivement!:

Ethan TRIED Taco Soup AND LIKED IT!!!

Now, I know it's my own fault that my kids are picky, but I'm doing my best to help them overcome it! Ethan typically chooses not to try foods he's skeptical of, mostly out of a sense of loyalty to Andrew who enthusiastically declares that there's no way he's going to try anything new. However, Mike and I have been enforcing our rule of "You must TRY what Mom has made before you are allowed to eat anything else," and I've been making more of a variety of meals lately - not just stuff they already like 'cause I don't want the fight.

It took a lot of encouragement, but Ethan got "just brave enough," like Little Quack in one of Ethan's favorite books. It even inspired Andrew to give it a try, but he couldn't make himself chew the Frito that was dipped in the soup. Maybe next time! I feel a renewal of hope that I CAN get my kids (well, at least Ethan, for now) to expand their dietary repertoire!

Over the Country and through the Woods . . .

Okay, I began this blog right after we got back from Utah, but didn't get to finish putting in all the pictures I wanted to. Now, it's been so long, and I still don't have time to finish it, so I'm just publishing it as is:

We had a wonderful time in Utah! It was so good to see all the Spencer Family and be with them for Grandpa's Funeral Services. Grandma was so strong! Mike and I both came away from the funeral feeling inspired to be better and make more of our lives! It is not enough to just "get through" each day; we need to strive to improve ourselves and learn more as we go along! The best part of the funeral was the Mandolin Tribute. Everyone who could played "You are my Sunshine" and then held the mandolin's high in the air. I'm sure Grandpa was simply beaming!

We had a lot of good times with family also! I am so bummed to discover that I was so much into enjoying the Bridal Shower for Audrey, (my brother Erik's fiance), and trying to keep Alex happy during it, that I didn't take any pictures at all! There were two times I saw a Kodak moment, grabbed the nearest camera and snapped, but the camera was my mom's and not mine. I plan to get those pictures and post them soon! One was of Grandpa Larsen holding Alex up on one hand, like he's done with every baby since his oldest boy, Justin.

That night we were able to be in the Ogden Temple with my brother Gavin as he received his endowment! It was such a special experience! I am so completely proud of him, and amazed at the man he has become! I can't wait to watch him continue to grow on his mission in Tampico, Mexico! He is going to work miracles in the lives of others!

Aunt Carina and Uncle Ben were very gracious in letting us stay in their nice new house. (They've only lived there for two weeks, but they let us come and go and make messes as we pleased!) It was great fun! I was so glad that Andrew, Ethan, and Alex got to get to know Tyler better (and vice versa)! They're going to be great cousins together!

Andrew played more Game Cube (and Wii, and Xbox, and Computer) than I would have liked, but I have to realize that he really does connect with the people he plays with as he's playing too! He has favorite games to play with each person. I hope to help him find other things he enjoys doing with family members as well!

For New Year's Eve, all the Slade kids hung out at Will & Heidi's house. I was so glad my kids could spend some really time with Kathie and Henry again! We all had so much fun reconnecting! We barely even noticed when it became 2009!

Ethan and Brooklyn really became close! Brooklyn likes to play the little mother to Ethan and Ethan is so grateful that someone wants to give him all their attention! They played together really well!

Our last night, at Grandma & Grandpa Chase's house, we packed in all the fun we could. Danette made a delicious dinner, we watched Glenn Beck's Unlikely Mormon DVD, and played Cranium Conga with everyone. We all agreed that I should've listened to what everyone else had said and chosen a different game to play, but it was still fun.