Water Tension Magic

Both Luke and Isabel started a new lesson in their math today and got two worksheets each finished. We read our BOM story and practiced our Articles of Faith. We use our primary songs CD. It has all of the Articles of Faith songs on it and music always helps when trying to memorize. They are up to number four now. We then did a water tension science experiment. We had a bowl of water, Isabel shook pepper in it. The pepper floats. We talked about how some bugs can stand on water because of the water tension. I then had Luke squeeze a drop of liquid dish soap in the middle. The pepper quickly moves away from the middle where the soap dropped and to the sides of the bowl. As a jaded overstimulated adult, I just thought, lame. It was so fun to see Luke's reaction. He thought it was so neat and laughed, "WHOA!" when all of the pepper moved. He then just sat and watched (or should I scientifically say, observed) the pepper, water, soap bowl for a while afterward. I guess the reason why it does that is because the soap breaks the water tension. I read and explained it to Luke and Isabel, but I don't think I get it yet. All science is just magic to me.

Isabel then worked in her writing book while Luke read his new book from the library, Golden and Grey by Louise Arnold while I made some quesedillas for the pot luck lunch at the park. For all of you in cold weather now, be very jealous, it was great, kind of hot even. We brought Luke's friend Aden, who is on track break, home from the park with us. So of course on the drive home, I had to cruise by the elementary school so that we could taunt out the window, "WE'RE NOT IN SCHOOL!" Unfortunately for us, at that moment all of the kids at the school were out on the field flying kites, playing games and having a grand time. But of course we decided we are having much more fun than they are.

Thirty-two and a half

Today a lot of time and money was wasted at two doctor's appointments. I would love to rant and rave all about it, but this is not a rant blog. Plus I am just trying to take deep breaths and forget it. Rainbows, flowers, smiles, bunnies! There, all better now. At noon today at the park we went to a P.E. class. Our friend Sarah Wixom, taught our kids ("our" being us moms that home school plus moms whose kids are on track break) some soccer skills. Luke and Isabel really enjoyed it.

Tonight for dinner the kids and I had planned a surprise HALF birthday party for Joey. This morning I had Luke read the directions and be in charge of us making the cake. They frosted the cake, wrote in the card, picked out the presents (disposable razors, deodorant and shaving gel) and helped me get the balloons set up.

I know that this isn't technically school, but it is certainly a reason why I home school. When Luke was going to public school I felt as though it took up so much time and we weren't able to do as many fun things like this that I wanted. Now that we home school, life flows at a much nicer pace.

Field Trip to Anderson's Dairy

Anderson's Dairy is located on the North end of Las Vegas. It is not a dairy in the sense that there are any cows there, but in the sense that they make the cottage cheese, ice cream, creamers, etc. and package it all there. There is a really great tour specifically for kids with cute (more like scary) animatronic barnyard animals that talk to the kids and tell them all about the "dairy."

At the end there is a little movie about the history of Las Vegas and Anderson's Dairy. (And judging by the hair and clothes was probably made in the early nineties, not that that matters.) At the end everyone gets a big bowl of cookies and cream ice cream.

We went with Kollen, her children, and her preschool kids that she teaches. The older kids, Aden, Luke, Morgan and Isabel, helped the preschool kids by holding their hands when we were walking in the parking lot etc. Everyone had a good time! It is a great kid friendly activity to do if you are in Las Vegas. You just need to call ahead to schedule a tour time. Here is the website for Anderson's Dairy.