Science Fair

I am pretty sure I never once did a science fair project growing up. Now apparently they have kindergarteners doing them! The boys' school, Winchell Elementary, did a science fair for the whole school. The boys had a good time doing the experiments, Connor's was baking soda and vinegar, and Riley tested things to see if they would "melt" in water - sugar, salt, and pepper. I had the boys write everything for their displays themselves, messy handwriting and all, because I thought it was important for them to do the work themselves. Either there are a bunch of parents in their class who do not feel the same way, or there are an amazing number of prodigies who can not only type and print on their own, but also cut neatly and even glue little decorative borders on their writing. All in all, the boys had fun, and they both got really good evaluations. Connor is really quick to point out that he got more "Excellents" than Riley. The competition continues!

Riley's supplies



Stirring in pepper

Namaste and Merry Christmas

The shopping is all done, Aaron is cooking, (what an awesome husband) and I am looking forward to a nice evening with all the family. The past few days I was having a little trouble feeling the Christmas spirit, but I am much better now! As if the holidays weren't already crazy enough with Meagan taking drivers training, Aaron and I working and the boys being home from school, I am in the process of opening a yoga studio, called Flow in Plainwell with my friend Betsy, and was driving myself nuts designing my first-ever website. It is up now, and while it's still a work in progress, at least that's out of the way, so I can get on to the fun stuff, Like decorating the studio and figuring out what to teach in my Intro to yoga class!

Check it out: Flow, Yoga by the river

Riley the videographer

Riley shot this video of our new cat Stella.

South Haven Storm

I went to South Haven today because there were reports of 20 foot waves. I don't think they were quite that big, but the wind was really blowing. Too gray for really good photographs, but I did make this little video of the lighthouse.
It was hard to keep the camera still, as the wind was practically blowing me over! I am still picking sand out of my hair.

South Haven Storm

Happy Holidays!

Tonight we had family over for our post-Thanksgiving holiday meal and photo session. We had tons of good food and great company. My experiment with making everything gluten-free seemed to work pretty well, if the amount of pie devoured was any indication. I also brined a turkey for the first time, and I don't think I will ever make a turkey any other way. It was fabulously juicy!
Today we also added to the family. We welcomed Stella, a fuzzy gray kitten belonging to the girls. They had a total of 7 cats in their house, and something had to give, so now we are pet owners again. The boys are ecstatic! Luckily the cat is really mellow, because I don't think the boys left her alone all day. Now we just have to make sure Riley isn't completely allergic. It's been awhile since we had animals in the house, and Riley was a little wheezy when we put him to bed. I don't know what he would do if we had to get rid of this cat!

Grand Island Paddle Trip

Aaron and I just got back from our belated anniversary trip, which we attempt to take every year to remind ourselves that we still know how to have fun. We did a paddle trip to Grand Island, near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Lake Superior. We had been saving, and Aaron got a deal on some kayaks that we have been wanting for a long time, a couple of Current Designs sea touring kayaks. So we loaded them up and drove up to Munising, MI, then paddled across to Grand Island for a wet and cold weekend. It was the first weekend in October, in the U.P., so I wasn't expecting 70s, but I also didn't expect it to rain on and off the entire 4 days we were there. Thank goodness we have good gear, otherwise we would have been miserable. As it was, despite the rain, the winds were blowing (or not blowing, really,) in our favor, and we were able to paddle a good portion of the coastline, which is marked by 200-foot cliffs, waterfalls, sea caves and sea arches. It was beautiful! I gripe about the rain, but it really was a great trip, and already has me planning our next destination, which will probably be the Les Cheneaux Islands, near Drummond Island in the U.P. Although with the possibility of snow in the forecast this weekend, that trip may have to wait until next year.

Birthday fun

We had the boys' birthday party at Greater Kalamazoo World of Gymnastics. This was the first year we invited school friends and not just family, and the boys had a blast! Aside from the gym being in a warehouse in an industrial park area of town, it was really cool. A coach led them though a whole bunch of gym activities: rings, trampoline, vault, and something she referred to as "big blue." For two boys who like to run and climb all over everything, it was a dream come true!













After the gymnastics party and cake, we had another gathering at our house, with family and more friends, and a couple of Darth Vader pinatas. I was a little disappointed that the dark lords of the Sith didn't put up a better fight. A few whacks with a bat and they spilled their candy guts all over the place!