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22 February 2009

Just because science project

What happens when you take a soda bottle, put some water in it and then pump air into it?

You make a rocket that will attrack kids from all over the neighborhood in seconds!

I took lots of pics so I used a slide show...see below for a story and video.



Robert put one together really quick with just a piece of 2x4, foot pump, pressure guage, rubber stopper thingy (like my name for it), empty soda bottle and a 'key'. The key was a piece of metal with rope/string tied to it that kept the bottle from shooting up before they had enough pressure pumped into it.

Carus was home first so he took her outside, filled up a bottle about 1/3 of the way, put it on the rubber stopper thing and put the key in place. Then he started pumping it up to around 40 psi and then pulled the key. The bottle shot up in the air and Robert was surrounded in seconds.

Kids from all over the neighborhood surrounded them saying 'that was awesome' and 'can I try?' Robert shot it off a few more times and then came in for a little break and to find more bottles. And he also made a rocket top for one of them.

By the time he was finished with that Adam was home from choir and he joined the group of kids - Robert included - and they took turns pumping up the air, refilling the bottles, and pulling the key. The moment the rocket was up in the air they were running around trying to catch it.

And then they were back trying to be the next to shoot it off. Look I got video - sorry it is sideways, don't know how to turn that around...




While they were standing around waiting their turn I overheard one of the older boys - prolly 5th grade - saying, "its good to know that we can have a good time in this economy." Isn't it great what kinds of things kids say.

Oh, and one of the pics in the slide is of the rocket top bottle that got stuck in the tree. I'm not sure how well you can see it there, but it is also over on flickr. There was also a bottle that landed on our roof, but it rolled off and didn't get stuck.

See kids, science is fun

and can make you the most popular dad on the block!

21 February 2009

Adam's Origami box-in-a-box

Adam's class has been doing a pen pal program with a class in Japan. One of the moms from that class made every child in Adam's class one of these little origami box-in-a-box.

Biggest: Smallest:

Each box is a bit smaller and fits right inside the other.



And even though they are made of paper, they are pretty sturdy!

1. 2.

3. 4.

Aren't they the coolest!

The most I got from my school pen pal program (sent to Pennsylvania in 5th grade) was 23 letters with about 20 of them asking if I've ever been to the United States. (I'm from New Mexico).

11 February 2009

Have you ever boiled a pumpkin pie?

I have!

Yup, thanks to my lovely oven going from 350 degrees to 500 degrees in under 10 minutes I can say I have boiled a pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pies are supposed to cook around 45 to 60 minutes, mine was in the oven for probably 15 minutes total. And other than the bubble I had to pop, which was darker than the rest of the pie, it was perfect. Done in 15 minutes and yummy.

We learned soon after we moved in 4-1/2 years ago that the oven's actual temperature almost always differed than the temperature it was set to. It is mostly just 50 degrees hotter, and occasionally will be spot on, but every now and then we will have nice little spikes, which is why I can't put brownies in the oven and go start laundry or put cookies in and go to the bathroom. Both examples are true-to-life examples by-the-way. I have learned to either wait to put them in the oven or do a little dance so I don't wet myself.

I've also learned that while cooking I shouldn't answer the door, argue with Robert, or go wipe a kids' butt. Thankfully that last one is no longer a need in my house (thank you Jeebus)! But (hehe I said but) it was the bane of my existance for the longest time.

And yes we have lived with the possessed oven for 4-1/2 years. We are renters so its not like we are saving up for an oven to replace it. Oh, the oven I would replace it with. I dream of it. I dream of it and drool. And then I wake up and cry 'cause I'm stuck in my halfway-stuck-in-the-70s-kitchen with a possessed oven.

Your now thinking, "well why don't you just tell your landlord to fix it or buy a new one?" and I agree! Everyone please join me in telling my husband to call the landlord already and tell him the dadblamed oven is broken! Did I mention that one of the little burners doesn't work either. I don't miss it though - the other 3 suffice just fine. But he don't call, go over, and doesn't want me to call, go over, either. Why?
I dunno?

ANYHOO - I'm rambling. What was I going to tell ya?

Oh yea!

So tonight Robert is making dinner. And before you go "Aaahh how sweet" it was 'cause I told him if he makes dinner then I will make dessert, and his idea of dinner was frozen pizza - well cooked frozen pizza. I guess they aren't frozen now!
*Note: Robert does cook dinner probably 2-3 times a month for me and I appreciate it EVERY time. He also will buy dinner/take us to a restuarant several times a month and I appreciate that more. And he does dishes (sometimes - if I cry).

Oops, sidetracked again. See I do that.
A lot!

So he turned the oven on to 350 degrees and then went to the garage freezer - thank you David's mom and dad for giving us your old chest freezer, and thank you David for bringing it to me - to get the pizzas (Freschetta Brick Oven). Then back upstairs - opened the packages and put the pizzas in the oven. He set the timer for 3 minutes thinking that in 3 minutes he could check 'em and rotate 'em - yup it also cooks unevenly - and he sat down to his show.

And then the timer goes off and then he opens the oven door says "SHIT" and the smoke alarm goes off.

That's right folks, our oven BURNED (not badly) 2 pizzas in 3 minutes!
The boxes say to cook at 400 degrees for 12-16 minutes! HA! Not for us, we're special. No not that kind of special!
So after we got them out of the oven, and fanned our smoke alarm with a towel - 'cause I'm short and can't reach the button - we surveyed the damage.


Not bad... They were still edible and just as good as usual.
As we were waiting for the kids to come in for dinner I just looked at him with a smile, and he looked at me and said, "I know. Call Don."
I didn't have to say a thing. This time.

09 February 2009

Meet Justin

Recently the kids have been saving up to get their own pets. They have been doing chores, saving bday/Christmas money, and scrounging for loose change. I am a firm believer that having pets as kids teaches responsibility and will allow as many pets as we can handle (and I can talk Robert in to having) - and believe me we are borderline zoo/ark status already. The kids have inherited my soft heart for any and all animals and even though Robert likes to pretend indifference, he is a sucker too!

We have been practicing to remember to check food and water, and cleaning cages by having them letting me know to make a mark on the calendar each day. We discussed all that has to be done with their chosen pets and research has been done.

Adam is wanting a lizard (like an anole or gecko) and will be getting it soon. He has to learn a bit more and save a bit more money since lizards and their care can be pricey.

But Carus had enough money for her pet this weekend so we headed out to PetSmart. She loves all things cute, cuddly, and furry so naturally she gravitated towards the rodents. (And the birds, and the cats, and the puppies/dogs visiting with their owners.) We all settled on a hamster based on their care level, price, and that Robert doesn't like rats.

We carefully picked out a cage, hamster ball, hamster house, food, chew sticks, and finally....a hamster. He is a honeybear hamster and he has a great temperment. He hasn't bitten anyone and he is very mellow. Did you know you can potty train hamsters?! Seriously, they sold hamster potties there! That might be an option in the future. And there was also a little car with a ball in it that would actually 'drive' when the hamster went running around in the ball - BEYOND FREAKING CUTE! Sorry had a moment there. See how easily amused I am. Back to the story...

On the way home she decided on a name - Justin. Robert really wants Pooh - like Pooh Honeybear. But Carus likes Justin. Don't really know where it came from but I love it.

Adam and Carus spent Saturday evening sitting in a chair in front of the cage with a pencil and notebook documenting Justin's behavior - they even made little sketches to go with their observations, which consisted of "Justin found his food." and "Justin went into his house." Justin didn't cooperate with them and do some tricks or run on his hamster wheel or anything - poor kids. Then at bedtime Carus asked if she could sleep in the chair in front of his cage. She does not want to miss a thing.

The kids were supposed to give Justin 24 hours of acclimating to his home, but Sunday morning I woke up to find them in Carus' room like this.

They were letting him run around while keeping him in their leg cage. He would try to run over and under the legs and they would just pick him up and move him back to the center giggling at how his little legs tickle as he dug and climbed. Carus then announced that his middle name was Timber and last name was Lake - yup, Justin Timber Lake. That's probably where she got the name. Cute huh!

Adam told her that his last named had to match ours so he was then renamed to Justin Wiggle (last name) [sorry have a thing about not posting my last name online]. His middle and last name, I'm sure, are still subject to change, but she is firm on the Justin.

I didn't let them play with him too long so had them put him back in his cage and Carus then fed him and checked his water. She didn't even need reminding from me. And then she asked if she could clean his cage - which was because she wanted to put him in his ball and play with him more - but it is still being responsible and so I'm glad for that.

Neighborhood kids were paraded one by one into her room to check out Justin after I wouldn't let her take him out to meet them and when my friend Tara came over, Carus greeted her at the door with "wanna see my new hamster?" She said, "don't you guys have enough pets?"

Robert ended up going back to PetSmart and getting a bit bigger cage because this one pictured here ended up being smaller than expected. Now Justin has more room to move around.

While transferring him to the new cage we put him in the hamster ball and Yoda was SO interested. Unfortunately I was busy with the transfer and wasn't able to get a picture, but I'm sure it will happen again.

The cats have been watching and listening at the cage but don't seem to be much of a threat - we are actually only concerned about Simba trying to get in the cage. Timmy and Wilbur seem more interested in just watching. Simba has been kept in check by Carus constantly watching him and today he hasn't showed any interested (yup I'm watching just as much because I will not be the bad mom that let Justin be eaten).

She has started a book about Justin and I will post it when she finishes because I'm sure it is going to be beyond cute - although I know I am a little biased....

The first thing she said to me this morning when I woke her for school was, "could you take care of Justin today while I'm at school?" No good morning, no I love you, not even the usual - I don't feel good I think I need to stay home (she loves school just doesn't like getting up early). I knew she would love her very own pet as much as she loves the family pets - and I'm so glad she is being so responsible.

Adam's pet will come in the next few weeks I'm sure - he is still doing chores to save money and research on what he really wants, and there is a Unique Animal Pet Fair weekend after next and they will have lots of info and maybe some good deals on equipment we need.

06 February 2009

25 Random Things

I really like this one, being random is fun and maybe I should post some random things/thoughts more often...

25 Random Things

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you. (I will not be tagging any more people, but if you want to participate then just create your list of 25 random things and let me know)

1. I am the oldest of 4.

2. I wish I had a sister.

3. I want NEED to move

4. I LOVE road trips

5. I have a HUGE secret

6. I really like having my tongue pierced

7. I want to work less - I feel I'm missing too much of my kids childhood

8. My brothers are idiots and that makes me sad

9. I want to be president

10. I believe in human to human reincarnation

11. I want to travel the world

12. I only have 23 people on my friends list to tag

13. Dr just dictated ASScending colon

14. I'm afraid I made a HUGE mistake

15. Don't do this if your in a bad/sad mood, everything random that pops into my head I don't want to share

6. Like this thought

17. Or this one

18. I want to ride a horse

19. I want to live on the beach

20. I want another baby

21. I'm really easily amused

22. I'm over winter - ready for spring

23. I never give up - NEVER

24. NO SERIOUSLY! I need to move

25. I don't want it to be over - something else, this I'm okay with being over. I have been random enough for today...

My first born

Over on Facebook there has been some survey taking that has been kinda fun, so I thought why not add them here? Feel free to do them on your blog (and let me know) or in an email to me.

My first born:

1. WAS YOUR PREGNANCY PLANNED? Sure - every 15yo plans on getting knocked up

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Nope

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Scared/surprised (I was stupid and didn't think that I would get pregnant)

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? No, to the dismay of the school guidance counsellor (freakin idiot)

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 16 by the time I had him

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Stepmom told me I needed to pee on a stick...

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Robert and I found out at the same time - literally 5 seconds after putting pee on that

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yep

9. DUE DATE? September 20, 1998

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes would be an understatment - although as soon as I hit the 2nd trimester I was golden (with Carus that's another story)

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Crispix cereal - that stuffs NASTY when you ain't preggo

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Um everyone

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Boy

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? At first, but as soon as they showed us the ding-a-ling on the ultrasound I got mondo excited

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 30-35 pounds (after the pregnancy...I ain't tellin)

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Nope

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? See above

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? Preterm labor - but that isn't surprising when you decide to move all the furniture and shampoo carpets at 7 months preggo. Bed rest got boring fast and the meds that make your hands shake like crazy SUCK!

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Providence St. Vincents

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? Water broke about 3:30 pm and he was born at 12:21 a.m. the following day

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Lori (stepmom), gramma, and I went and picked up Robert and then we went to the hospital

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Lori, gramma, Robert, sherry (holding the camera and pushing with me put her in preterm labor - she was 3 months behind me), a nurse, and the midwife

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Au-natural

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? You kidding me! I was terrified of it starting to hurt so of course I got drugs! Stupid anesthesiologist poked me 7 times to get the darn epidural in!

25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 6 lbs 15 oz28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? Sept 2, 1998

26. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Adam Robert (last name)

27. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 10

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