Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Volcanoes and Oobleck....

Another fun, but messy day in our backyard!!  Today we made volcanoes, added some baking soda and vinegar, and voila, an eruption!!  Next time, I will need way more salt though, as we ran out and still needed more for the "dough"!!  This is where we found the instructions for the volcano.  The kids did this on their own, with supervision.  I posted the "recipes" on the garage door, and they took turns measuring ingredients out.  I think they did fantastic!!!








The boys had been previously whining about not having any friends down here.  I mentioned that they have to actually talk to kids at the pool or park to make friends!!  So, they got a bit better in the last 3 days.  Yesterday, at the pool, they met 2 boys close to their ages.  They played in the pool for an hour, and are now best buds!!!  They came over to join us for volcano making this afternoon!!!  So proud of my boys for not being shy like their mom!!!


And then there's OOBLECK......

Jacob wanted to make this"stuff" that could move like a liquid, but could be a solid too.  He googled it, and came back with oobleck.  It is just a mixture of cornstarch, water and a little food coloring.  It is pretty neat stuff, but the food colour stains!!!





Noah is now a mini HULK.  Not sure he will ever go back to his original colour!!!


Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Boys and Backyard Explosions!!!

Lab coats are complete, so let the experimenting begin!!!   We started off with the well known coke and mentos explosion!  The boys thought it was awesome!!







I think we will go get different varieties of soda, and see which works the best!!!  



Monday, July 29, 2013

Day camps are full....guess we will have our own!

I didn't really get around to registering the kids in day camp down here in Florida.  For those that didn't know, we have bought a second home in Orlando, and plan to spend time between Orlando and Calgary.  I wasn't sure what summer would bring.  We have passes to a theme park, and access to the pool, so wasn't sure they would want to do more.  But, 2 weeks in, and they are ready for more!!!

The local camp was full, so I figured we would be scientists for the week, and do daily activities.  The boys have swim lessons in the morning, so afternoons will be great for experiments!!

Today, we started with making lab coats!  I bought large mens undershirts and cut them up the front.  Here are the boys designing.  They are currently drying out in the garage!






Tomorrow, the experiments will begin!!  

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Wow!!

Where did I go????


Well, it was surprising easily to fall back into the rhythm of life in Alberta after we moved back!  I helped with the Scout programs (Cubs Monday nights, Beavers Tuesday nights), swimming lessons, volunteering at school, seeing friends on the weekends! 

We recently (beginning of May), returned to France for a very short 10 days.  We missed all of our friends there, and simply could not wait until the fall to go (as we had planned to go back in about 18 months to visit!).  We rented an apartment while there, which was beautiful, and the kids played their hearts out with their friends.  Jacob, our oldest, was barely at our place the first 5 days.  He has such wonderful friends in France, and spent as much time as possible with them!!

We didn't let the kids in France know we were coming, just their parents!  So, we waited (im)patiently outside the school doors that first afternoon.  When the boys' friends walked out the door, they couldn't believe their eyes!!  "Is that really you, Jacob?" " Josh, are you staying here forever?? "  It was so neat to see Jacob's two best friends, one nearly in tears as he just stood near Jacob, and the other holding Jacob's hand, almost like he would disappear if he let go.

I have a feeling we will return to France at least once a year, and that some of our boys will start spending parts of their vacations there very shortly!!!  When we moved to France almost 2 years ago, I really had no idea it would become such a big part of our lives.  It really became a home for us!!  

And on that note, we have also bought a second home in Florida.  Another place that has always felt like a second home to us!!!  I know, completely spoiled!!  So, not sure when we will find time to go to school and work, as we have too many places too visit!!!  

The boys and I are spending all summer down in Orlando.  We have passes to Universal Studios, so will maybe go there a bit, but are mostly looking forward to lots of pool days, beach days, bike rides, and ice creams!!!

 I will try to remain better about updating this blog, especially with pictures, as I know we have some friends in France who wish to remain connected to the boys' goings on!!!  So, here are the first few pictures!!

Bought a new bike for Jacob, as he discovered he loves mountain biking out in the mountains!

Out hiking in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Noah playing "Doctor" at Nana's house!

Celebrating Parade Day in Okotoks, with friends and family.

My handsome crew!

The boys in front of their new house in Orlando, Fl.