Yes I am THAT mom!

I really think that kids get way too much sugar and junk on a regular basis so I am that mom that doesn't send candy to school for holiday's or birthdays. We usually make something more on the healthy side. I am even extremely retentive when I send MacKenzie's lunch to school. So this year for Valentine's Day Kenzie and I baked two pans of banana bread with a few mini chocolate chips thrown in. Then we cut out hearts, drizzled a little bit of a pink and purple glaze on them and Cameron helped me bag them up. I filled a basket with enough for both kids to take to school (Cam only took them for his teachers) and sent them off. My kids (hubby included) loved the banana bread and I am sure that the kids and teachers did too.

Sniff Sniff

Big Boy

Just thought I would post the latest. I have been waiting to put this video on because I didn't want to jinx myself. We have been diaper free for about a month and a half now. I do still make him wear a diaper or a pull-up while he naps or goes down for the night. It bothered him because he isn't a baby anymore but I told him that when he sleeps that his wiener doesn't always sleep so we have to keep him out of trouble when Cam is sleeping. That works for him. But he is so proud of himself and so are we. It is very sad though because he is my baby and his isn't that so much anymore.

Report Card Time!!

This week was report card week and we have much better news to report for the second marking period. If you didn't notice I never posted the first marking period grades. I won't say they were horrible but they weren't great. MacKenzie had definitely redeemed herself this time. She was able bring three of her grades up. We are extremely proud of her and her efforts. Still the main problems lie in her inability to focus and stay on task. She has promised to work on this and we have hung a large carrot in front of her nose if she is able to improve even more on her next report card.

Reading ~ A
Writing ~ B+
Math ~ A
Social Studies ~ B+
Science ~ A

Non-Newtonian fluid

This is my favorite picture of him. He was so focused.

Now I know what you are thinking what the??? I am always looking for something interesting for Cam and I to do during the days when I don't take him to school. He had a blast playing with a box of beans, finger painting and play-dough. So I was trying to figure out something new. I am not sure where I saw something about cornstarch so I looked it up. The term Non-Newtonian fluid is a general term that refers to the properties of an object (click here to learn more). It has to do with the fact that when you mix cornstarch and water together that it can both act as a liquid and a solid. Something to do with putting stress on the object. Anyway it is a lot of technical science stuff. Even though I don't understand all the science stuff I thought that it would be really cool for Cam to play with. He had a blast. I think at first he wasn't sure what to think about the texture but after a while he couldn't leave it alone. For those of you that can't stand a mess it isn't for you. I will say that even though it makes a big mess especially when you are doing it with a 2 1/2 year old it cleans up very easy. Just let it dry for about 20 minutes and vacuum it up. A great example of how it works is here in this YouTube video(I am not sure what they say in the video or if it even is in English because the computer I am using has no sound). After pulling Cam away to give him his lunch I also made a batch of cornstarch clay. So if you are looking for a cheap (walmart cornstarch $0.98 & salt for clay $0.33) bit of entertainment/science/math lesson try this it was a lot of fun.

Cornstarch recipe

To make the Non-Newtonian fluid all you need is 1/2 cup of water and 1 cup of cornstarch. Just mix it all together and have fun! It is best if you use a glass bowl.

To make the cornstarch clay you need 1 cup salt, 1/3 cup water, 1/2 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water. First heat the salt and 1/3 cup water over medium high heat for 4 minutes stirring occasionally. After the 4 minutes remove from the heat and stir in the cornstarch and cold water until thick. Let cool before kneading. If it is a bit sticky knead in more cornstarch. Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. This clay will dry if left out. It is very strong and can be painted or colored with markers.

I am a robot take me to your leader......

I went to the commissary on Tuesday to stock up my pantry. While I was putting away the grocery I was flattening any boxes that I emptied. Cameron is know as the "Recycle Nazi" by my parents because he loves to recycle and is always looking for stuff to put in the recycle bin. So I called him into the kitchen and asked him to put my ever growing pile in the basket for Kenzie to take out later. I heard him giggling and talking in a robot voice to I turned around and found him putting a box on his arm. I stopped what I was doing and helped him get all dressed up as a robot. Then he danced around the kitchen saying in a robot voice "I am a robot take me to your leader". That boy has an imagination!

Super Bowl Cake

More cakes

Here is one from two weekends ago. As soon as I get the pictures loaded up I will post the Super Bowl cake.

Who knows?

Don't ask me. I just thought it was funny.

Ice Princess

For Christmas Kenzie received figure skating lessons from Grandpa (Rob's Dad). She was so excited and couldn't wait for lessons to begin. The first session was Jan 8. Her lessons are Saturday morning. She loves them. It took us a few weeks to get the right skates for her but now that she has her very own pair of skates and we got them sharpened she is doing quiet well. After her lesson and before the next set of lessons start there is a half an hour set aside as a "Basic Skills" session. This time is only open to the skaters and their families. So since Rob was home with Cam I laced up a pair of skates and got out there on the ice with MacKenzie and helped her practice. By the time we were done she was doing very well on her one foot glides. She was also very impressed in how well her old mom could actually skate. We will see what the next few weeks will hold for her. She is definitely interested in continuing her lessons and rising up through the levels. She would really love it if she was able to do at least one jump. We will see. We tell her every day that it takes time, dedication and a lot of practice.