Science projects and cookies

This week we did something in our family we've never done before -- a school science project! Every fourth grader had to do a science project for the science fair in order to get an A. Having never had to do one before (neither Darren or I ever had a science fair when we were in school) we weren't sure what to pick. I started looking at some of the suggested websites for ideas and I called Rose for help since she is a science teacher. All were great ideas. But then I saw one that I knew would be the best. It was "Can you make a photograph without a camera?" Darren was on board with it (he had to be because I couldn't help with this topic). And, of course, Kevin had to agree to it since it was his project. Darren and Kevin spent a few days at the photo lab and out in the yard working on projects. My job was to help type up the report and do the display (it takes a lot of patience waiting for a fourth grader to type a report - Darren actually helped finish that because I didn't really know everything they had done). And Kevin actually thanked Darren for helping him with the project and said he enjoyed it. The day of the science fair he was able to show others what he had done and he said they were all impressed.















Darren and Kevin working on the display.
















The cyanotypes (questions regarding the process have to be addressed to Darren or Kevin)















I can't remember what these are called but you use special paper, put the leaves or whatever you are photographing on the paper, put them under glass and put them in the sun for a while.
















Kevin and the finished display. The pictures in the middle are scanograms (scanned on a scanner).

The other day Jacob brought me some cookie cutters, and in a sweet voice with a sweet look, asked if we could make cookies. The other boys weren't home so it was just the two of us. This type of cookie is not my favorite to make because it causes a big mess. But with only Jake it wasn't too bad.




















Jake "helping" roll out the cookies.



















Decorating and eating the finished product.

Our Weekend

The end of April began baseball season for Kevin. When my brother, Gary, was a kid he was on the Cardinals team. I remember them having a tough time and not winning very much that year. So when I found out Kevin was on the Cardinals I wondered if that team name was jinxed. So far, it seems to be. All the other teams are much better and Kevin's team spends 3/4 of the game in the outfield. Hopefully it will get better. But he does look very handsome in his uniform.



















Darren's parents came to Rexburg for a few days. Since they are now retired they decided to take advantage of experiences like watching a grandson's play and baseball game. Friday night we went out for ice cream cones. Jacob really got into his.






























Ethan's kindergarten class put on "The Three Little Pigs". Ethan was one of the narrators and he did an awesome job. He had a lot of lines to memorize and he needed very little prompting from his teacher.















Ethan's class before the play.















Since Pat and Carl were staying at a hotel with a swimming pool, we had to take advantage of that. I was the only one that didn't get into the pool or hot tub. Once you are an adult you're not as willing to get your picture taken in a swimming suit but here are three of the swimmers.
(Jacob liked his "big muscles")