More Science

This is Brandon's experiment he learned at AWANAS and then set up and taught everyone at home.





(Excuse the crying baby, I was baby sitting and she was grumpy)

21 Days to the Shake Out!

It's that time of the year again! It's time for the Great California Shake Out. I never used to do any sort of disaster drill with my kids until a few years ago. We had a small earthquake and I realized they had no idea what to do in case of an emergency. Not to mention there is 4 of them, and one of me, and I can't carry or drag them all under a table (I'd probably find a way, if I needed too). 

So we make the October Shake Out our yearly earthquake drill. Last year we duck and covered, we checked the house out and identified exits and safe places to cover, made meeting spots, and learned how to shut the gas off. This year our goal is to start organizing a disaster kit. 

With all my couponing I have built up a pretty good stockpile so if we couldn't leave the house, we'd at least smell great and have plenty of diapers. I don't think we'd last too long drinking mouthwash and eating toothpaste. So now we will be focusing onto non-perishable foods and water. 

I do have a tight budget, so I'm not running out and buying a ton of new (expensive) items to stock up my kit. It's recommended that you have a gallon of water, per person, per day (the Los Angeles Fire Department recommends 5 gallons per person total). If we go with the minimum, 6 people times 3 is 18 gallons of water at the very least. 

For practical reasons, I wont be buying a bunch of 5 gallon containers. I may get one or two, but logistically carrying and pouring these would be hard work (or I'd have to buy something to pour or pump them). I'd like to get a combination of small bottles, gallon, 2.5 gallon, and a 5 gallon or too. Plus, I have to find a place to store these and my other items. Baby steps! 

Here is my first baby step. 2 gallons of water from Winco for $.62 each. One is sitting on top of my washing machine and one still hasn't made it out of the car (where honestly it might just stay). Every time I make it to Winco, I'm going to purchase one more bottle to add to my supply. Then in 6 months, I'll start rotating the supply around.

Every Thursday I'll be sharing how we are getting prepared and practicing for the great Shake Out! Hopefully this will motivate me to get better prepared.

Wordless Wednesday

Our hot air balloon! You filled it with air (by running back and forth) and then let it sit in the sun. After an hour or so it floats like it was filled with helium. It can really get going in the breeze, and it could float around with a full water bottle attached to it. I got my exercise chasing it down the street until I found something heavier to tie it too. The kids had lots of fun with it.

The Fair!

We made it to the fair twice this year. It was nice to get to spend two different days there so we could see everything (and we still didn't see it all). Both times it was really hot! I was hoping for some cooler weather on our last trip, but no such luck. The kids wanted to stop and get their picture taken at every single one of these picture things, so walking around the fair took some time. 

I've also put so many pictures on my blog, I can't upload anymore. So I've been hosting them on imageshack and then putting them on here. It's a pain though and ruins the way my posts look. It also refuses to space things out right or line them up. That has nothing to do with the fair, but plenty to do with posting pictures of the fair. Doorbuster got a big bruise on the side of his face from falling off the step on one of the picture things. He forgot he was on a step and fell right off. Poor guy.

Hubby took Genius to watch the horse racing. They also bet on a few horses. I think it was a good lesson on probability. It was also way more fun then playing with dinosaur eggs or looking at animals for him. He's growing up so fast. Doorbuster was really excited over the garden trains and spent a long time watching them. He also spent a long time talking to one of the volunteers about the track and trains. We need to go back over to the OERM, but I want the weather to be a little more cool before we do that.

Daredevil went to knight school. I was really glad the put some knight stuff next to the princess stuff. Since we had 4 adults and 11 kids on this trip, we were able to split up the girls and boys and everyone got their fun. They also got to watch some sword fighting.

Every good knight knows that after he's had a long day sword fighting and slaying dragons, he must come home and run the vacuum a few times.

Everyone did do more then just play, we learned about chickens, eggs, incubating eggs, eating eggs, eating chicken, and looked at other animals. We watched the goats rock out to their invisible ipods, as Daredevil was convinced that the goat that was panting? breathing? rather hard was rocking out. I agree, he did look like he had a tune playing.



Here's where I give up on posting pictures, as imageshack ate up the last of that picture. I really need to get dressed and go outside so we can parachute some clothespins and fly some kites. That's science for today.

It Never Fails...

It never fails that....

When I have to use the restroom, someone needs something...like the back slider opened right that very second.

When I'm pulling something hot out of the oven, someone needs to hand me something, or come running over.

When I wash all the towels, someone spills something and uses all the clean towels to clean it up.

When it's time to leave, someone loses a shoe.

When it's time for schoolwork, someone has lost their favorite pencil.

When I'm typing a blog post, someone is arguing loudly with someone else.

When we have a lot of things to do, everyone works at half the speed and takes twice as long.

No matter how many times I answer the question "What are we doing tomorrow?", No one listens to the answer.

When I am not being in the best mood, that one of the kids will do something really sweet or nice, and make me feel worse for being in a bad mood.

When we leave the house, someone will have to use the bathroom. They'll have to at the one store that doesn't have a bathroom to use, and they will do it with a cartload of stuff, and have to go right-that-very-second.

When I'm trying to checkout, watch prices, check my coupons, and make sure everything is right, someone runs off and someone talks 50 miles a minute. Someone will also bag the groceries very slowly, with one item per bag, and then have no idea how to get the bag into the cart.

When it's time to get in the car, someone is wandering around the parking space next to the car, singing songs and walking in circles, even though someone else is trying to park there.

When they are told to "Bring something quiet to play with", they will always choose a big, made with many pieces lego that they swear they are just bringing in the car, that will break into a million pieces as soon as they step outside.

When you open the fridge, there is a lego or two inside.

When I push the water button and no water comes out, I check the water line, the water in the sink, and the water tank, before noticing that someone pushed the "lock" button on the water/ice dispenser.

Simple Daybook 9/20

Outside my window...
I really need to mow the lawn. Hubby usually mows, but he's been working & volunteering tons. I also need to pull weeds. None of this will be done today, as we have lots of work to do.

I am thinking...
I need to come up with some better ideas for lunch. I also need to do the dishes and put in something for dinner. Actually, I think I'll marinate some chicken to BBQ tonight, and make my crock pot night Thursday. 
I am thankful...
For overtime and for coupons. I hate that gas prices are staying up when it looked like they were going to stay at a bearable level. Especially now that we drive a whole lot more then we used to! I used to be able to put in about $20 a week in gas, now I spent $50-$60. 

From the learning rooms...(if this applies)
Multiplying and dividing (yes, still); adding numbers up to 40; counting to 8; following directions printed on the top of the page; doing what Mom says to do, now that you feel like doing; forces make things go; maps; the Constitution and why it's important. 

In the kitchen...
You don't want to go in there, it's quite messy. There's also no forks in the silverware drawer. Someone should tell the maid she needs to get busy! I still have patty making on my to-do list, and I want to bake some cookies. That's a good incentive for cleaning the kitchen, cookies. 
I am wearing...
Yoga pants and a warcraft tshirt. I have lots of cleaning to do, schoolwork to supervise, science projects to do, and I did a good 45 min of exercise this morning. I'll get dressed nice tomorrow.

I am creating...
I was going to buy tulle and make another skirt for Princess for dance class, but I don't have time for that. I need to sew up a few things of hers, and that should be done before I make projects. 

I am going...
Crazy! No, I keep saying this week is busy, that week is busy....I've come to terms that we are just going to have very busy weeks until school ends. But I'm very glad to be busy and very glad the kids get all these opportunities. 
I am wondering...
Why did I think it was funny to teach Doorbuster to go "Ma,Ma,Ma,Ma,Ma,Ma,Ma"?
I am reading...
The Shattering by Christine Golden (yes, still)

I am hoping...
That I get time to wash the car today. 
I am looking forward to...
Thursday and Friday 
I am hearing...
Phines and Ferb. Cute show. 

Around the house...
We are starting to decorate for Halloween. 

I am pondering...
The phone calls I need to make, what to do next for Science. If we should move the legos to the boys room or keep them in the playroom. 
One of my favorite things...
Water bottles

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Work, work, work! 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
I'll pass on the picture right now, as I need to get moving and get kids started on the next activity. 

Super Saving Saturday-Yard Sale Finds!

I am so pooped! My hands hurt I am so tired, and I am looking forward to bedtime.

I figured that since I needed to go to Walmart for some chicken (they sell boneless, skinless chicken breast for $1.88 normally which is a really good price) that we would go stop at some yard sales along the way. I know that Genius really needs some new pants for the colder weather, and so does Daredevil. I was hoping that I'd find some kids clothes but there wasn't anything! I just might have been too late. I did score something I had been looking for at a good price.




I found a bunk bed (with a bed and a futon) for $35. Everyone on craigslist was selling them from $50 on up. The boys room is small and the two futons took up the whole room. Now Princess has one futon, her mattress is on the top of the bunk bed, and the other futon pad is on here, and I have a futon frame in my garage. Maybe I will luck out and find another mattress for it. To get the bunkbed here, I loaded it onto the roof of my van all by myself, and unloaded it and set it up by myself. I even went to home depot and found replacement bolts for the ones that were missing. I'm pretty pleased with myself over that.

I also got Princess a new bike:



She has been riding Daredevil's old green bike, and we put a pink basket on it. It was really getting to be time for a bigger one, and time to learn to ride with no training wheels. This one is perfect and she has some room to grow. I paid $20, which was probably a little on the high side, but it was in really great shape (still has the tag on the front wheel).

Aside from my yardsale finds, I bought 15lbs of chicken breast and 2 loafs of bread. I have tons of ground beef (and it's $1.50 a lb on sale so I may buy a few more pounds so I don't cry when it's $2.50). I will probably buy some more beef too, once I figure out what's on sale. We are pretty well stocked up on sides, and we don't cook anything really fancy.

I do have a patty maker I am dying to try, but first I need to finish cleaning my house! I am too tired to do that right now.

Simple Daybook

Outside my window...
It's sunny and going to be a beautiful day.


I am thinking...
About the debate on food stamps being used at restaurants that is going on over at The Common Room's blog. I think it should be restricted to people who don't have kitchens (the homeless), or the very disabled or very elderly. You can buy frozen TV dinners and frozen meals, that's plenty simple and easy as it is. Last time we ate Mcdonalds was 3 weeks ago. Eating out is way to expensive.

I am thankful... 
For all the blogs out there that teach how to cook from scratch. I'm thankful for all the activities that the kid's school pays for. I'm thankful I can be home to teach my kids. I'm thankful for Doorbuster's "I lub you!"

From the learning rooms...(if this applies)
The difference between i,a and O; dividing by 4,5,6,7; counting and writing 1-5; learning letters, speed reading, rules and being helpful. 

In the kitchen...
Pulled pork sandwiches in the crock pot, since I only have an hour between dance class and raid time, and hubby works late. Homemade rolls too! My rolls were turning out funny, and I found if I make them in the morning and roll them into balls and let them rise all day, they come out much better. 

I am wearing...
Yoga pants and a tank top, until I do my "dancy-dance" (exercise), and then take a shower and get dressed. I'm running a smidge late in my schedule today. 

I am creating...
Like I have time to create anything really creative right now! I'm going to create a neat house a little later, and create some clean laundry. I'm creating an "alt" on WoW so I have another toon to fill in raid spots when we are short people. It only took over a year to get to 85, because I hate leveling. Besides, I had to figure it out for when hubby gets his guy up there. 


I am going...
All over Southern California it seems. In the next 7 days we have dance class, PE Class, Drum lessons, Awanas, babysitting two days, church, a doctor's appointment, and visiting friends. Whew!

I am wondering...
Someday, I'd like to have two washing machines and two dryers. Then I could do double the laundry at once. I am very happy with my one I have! I am also debating if it's worth it to keep WIC, as I only have Doorbuster on it, and I haven't used a single check this month and I have no idea when our next appointment is. Nobody drinks the milk, and no one eats the cereal they give. Hmm.  

I am reading...
The Shattering by Christine Golden

I am hoping...
That we all stay sane tomorrow.



I am looking forward to...
Watching the kids in all their activities this week, visiting friends.
 
I am hearing...
Kids laughing and giggling behind me. Kids sniffling.


Around the house...
It's a bit messy around here, but everyone has been busy working on school stuff. 


I am pondering...
My shopping list, and once the sale ads come, dinner for the next few weeks and what I want to stock up on. I also need to cut the massive stack of coupons I have before I go shopping next. 

One of my favorite things...
Doorbuster now dances on command. You tell him to dance and he stands on his tip toes, puts his hands over his head, and turns in circles. It's the cutest thing ever. 


A few plans for the rest of the week:
Don't ask. 


Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This is the corn that Genius helped plant, transplant, watch grow, harvest, husk, clean and cook. We had it with dinner last night, and it was the best corn ever. There was a lot of pride on his face! 

Monday Menu

This week marks the start of our OMG, we are busy busy week! We have dance class, music class, Awanas, and PE Class. So here's what we will be eating this week:

Monday:
Breakfast: Yogurt/Cereal/Toast
Lunch: Ham & Turkey Sandwhiches
Dinner: Sweet & Sour Chicken with Rice

Tuesday:
Breakfast: Yogurt/Cereal/Toast
Lunch: Leftovers/Sandwiches
Dinner: Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Veggies

Wednesday:
Breakfast: Waffles/Pancakes
Lunch: Pizza
Dinner: Sandwiches at the park/Dinner out for Mom & Dad

Thursday:
Breakfast: Yogurt/Cereal/Toast
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Carne Asada with Rice

Friday:
Breakfast: Waffles
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Meatloaf on Garlic Toast and mashed potatoes

(Saturday and Sunday I'll decide a little closer to then, depending what is on the sale ad this week)

Where Was I?

I never thought when I woke up 10 years ago I'd be remembering exactly what I did 10 years later!

I woke up to my alarm, flipped back the covers, planted my feet on the ground and turned on the TV to Fox 11, just like I did every morning. Instead of the usual 2 newscasters talking about the usual assortment of new stories, there was a shot of the first tower with smoke billowing out of it. I remember sitting on the edge of the bed wondering what happened, when they explained a plane had hit the tower. At first I thought it must have been an accident, but when the 2nd plane hit it was very clear that it wasn't.

I debated with myself if I should keep my stepdaughter home from school and if I should stay home from school. I figured since whatever was happening was back east, that I might as well take her to school and I could always pick her back up if it was needed. Hubby headed to work, I dragged myself from the TV, and took Genius and I off to college (he went to class with me).

When I got to school (I was going to school for TV Production), hardly anyone was there, and we ended up going to the studio and watching the news on TV. The school radio station was broadcasting over the campus the NPR stuff, and we flagged down anyone who wanted to watch what was going on. Another one of the students (who worked as a flight attendant), had her daughter there with her. She didn't know that morning if she should send her to school or keep her with her. Eventually, we all headed home, as I believe they cancelled classes for the rest of the day.

I picked up my stepdaughter from school, and spent the rest of the day watching the news in disbelief over the amount of lives lost in one single attack. All these innocent people who just woke up and went to work like anyone does, and they changed the course of millions and billions of lives forever.

What will I teach my kids about this day? I'll teach them what happened, about evil in the world, about the heroes that ran into the building and lost their lives. I'll teach them about conspiracy theories, our government, and what freedom means. I'll teach them about the brave military forces that fight for the freedoms we enjoy, and how we must be watchful and prepared to protect our home. I'll teach them that every day is a gift, and to never miss an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

Maybe when the 20 year anniversary comes around, I'll have scratched the surface on everything that could be learned from 9/11. So much has happened in 10 years. Today we will pray for peace for those who have lost loved ones, and pray for the safety of all of our rescue workers.

4 moms, 35 kids- Hubby's Lunches

This was a much needed link up over here, as my hubby has forgotten to bring his lunch the past few days. It's ok, I know he was very busy! My favorite lunches are over at The Common Room. They are so pretty! You can also check out the other Moms too- Life in a Shoe, Smockity Frocks and Raising Olives (which all make me feel good about being bit of a slacker on my hubby's lunches!).


My hubby doesn't like leftovers. He doesn't (sort of) like to eat the same food groups for lunch as for dinner (if you eat chicken at lunch, then there has to be anything but chicken for dinner). He doesn't like greasy food. It has to be a decent portion. He has a fridge, microwave and freezer at work, but no place to do more then rinse a dish. So after much trial and error, this is what he gets for lunch:

Boston Market Frozen Lunches/Dinners. They are about $3 at Target (a bit expensive) but he says they come in a good size and don't cook up too greasy. $3 sure beats out eating out (which runs $6-$15 each time). Sometimes he likes to take soup, or chilli. It's really rare that he will take anything that's leftovers!

If I made him pretty lunches he would probably think I was nuts. It would be fun though.

A Science Lesson

Daredevil & Princess are learning about forces, friction and gravity. After powering balloon rockets along the strings, I let them loose to see what they could come up with. Genius joined us for this one.





And a variation on the strings- probably a little hard to see, but it's a Lego ski lift.

Wahhhhh!

I am so, so glad that my hubby puts up with his old car, and not having fancy vacation, so that I can stay home with the kids. I don't think I could manage all the housework, school stuff, and activities while working or working from home. I know with my last job, there was no way I would have been able too! It is so worth it. To us, at least. I know there are lots of Moms who have to make choices to go to work. Working from home worked great for a long time, but it was work! It was double duty- watching the kids and attempting paperwork and phone calls.

We now have P.E. class for all once a week, dance once a week for Princess, Music lessons for Daredevil, Awanas (Genius does an extra class at home on the computer- so don't think he is left out), I watch 2 extra kids once a week, raid nights 2 times a week, church, we should join small groups so we meet more people, then monthly ES meetings, I like to do a monthly field trip, and all of the normal errands and schoolwork that must be done each day. I usually like to have 2 days that are stay home days, but it looks like that's going out the window really quickly. Plus, add in park days and visiting family and friends.

I guess if we aren't home, that's less to clean! Princess' first Dance class is today and I don't know who is more excited, me or her. She is asking to leave every 10 minutes, so today we are learning to read a clock.

Speaking of clocks, I use Google Calendar to text me for all the activities the day before and 15 minutes before I have to leave for the activity. It's also nice to use since my hubby can see the calender from his phone and wherever else he goes. We all update to the same calender, so it makes planning things really easy. You can also set it to email you your agenda for the day. Or, to remind you to put out the trashcans on Monday night. It's very helpful for us, and free!

Doorbuster Says......NO!

Doorbuster is getting to be quite the echo. He can say:

Mama
Dada, Dad, Daddy,
Train, Track, Choo-Choo, Whoo-whoo, ding-ding
Hello, bye-bye, HI!
Drink, juice, cup, cheese
Car, Go, No, (NOOOOO!), Mmm-Hmm
Thank you, please
Shoes, Whereditgo? (complete with hand guestures), There IT IS!
  (We loose shoes around here often, can you tell?)

We went to Walmart on Monday and you would of thought he owned the place. He was walking around telling everyone bye! and waving. It was really cute (although very time consuming). It was worth it though, he looked like he was having a blast! It's also nice to have some big helpers- Genius and Daredevil can now take things and price check them, or go a few isles over and bring stuff back. They even carry in the groceries.