Weekend activities

It was a super busy week and I've neglected blogging about it. So tonight after settling everyone in bed including myself after listening for Bill's snoring and double checking to see if the kids were asleep, I tip toed down to the computer and am beginning to blog about the weekend. It's not like I don't need the sleep. It's just that this next week looks just as busy and if I don't write now when will it happen.


Intense consentration. Notice the tongue.


Friday night the Young Women had a basketball game. They haven't won a game this season but they are improving. It's fun to see them shoot the ball, run up and down the court, dribble and pass. They continue to make more baskets then they did at previous games. They best thing is they have a lot of fun playing a game that helps them work together.

Saturday we decided to take a trip into DC and visit an orchid show at the natural history museum. On the way from our car to the musuem we got side tracked and ended up at the african art gallery. We enjoyed looking at the art as much as looking at the Orchids. The Orchids were gorgeous. We also made our way through parts of the natural history museum. We have been through the museum before but, Lydia couldn't remember seeing all the animals. It's like visiting the zoo but none of the animals move so you get to see all of them. Here are some of the pictures from our day!

Find the similarities

Of course both with their tongues out

Studying the Zulu warrior


Above is a picture of a water fountain located on the bottom floor of the African Art Gallery As boys do they goof around. To make a long story short Willy ended up with a wet foot and pants. It wasn't funny then, but as I write it, it's "wholarious". Thinking about Willy walking the rest of the day with a wet foot just makes me giggle.

Beautiful delicate orchids

Pointing at what?

Fifth Grade Band Concert

Wow!!!! We made it through Austin's first band concert it was great! I really mean that for a beginning band of over a 100 students they really did well. Austin looked great in his khaki pants and black Mayfield band shirt. Mary had a Little Lamb, Old McDonald, Mexican Hat Dance and the other usual beginner pieces were the featured songs. It's great to hear the sixth grade band too. It lets you know that with practice they will be better next year. Good job Austin!!!! After the concert we made strawberry and pineapple smoothies and enjoyed a few minutes of family time before saying prayers and going to bed.

Emily Completes Program!

Emily in clean room bunny suit (far left)

I had a great opportunity with Emily this morning to go to BAE to receive her certificate of participation in Women in Technology program. Emily and I got to participate in an interview about the program that will be used to open up this program to other BAE sites. Emily gave an awesome interview. At lunch we had the privilege of sitting and talking to a man that helps recruit college grads for engineers. He had some great advice for the three girls from Osbourn High. He was very interesting to listen to. The program was great we heard from the Vice president of the company. He talked about the CEO of the company who is a woman and how she became an engineer when engineering was a man only field. He talked about how diversity in the field makes it better. The 12 girls who attended this 9 week course presented with their groups a skit or song about some of the things they learned. It was informative and entertaining. They also received a disk with pictures as they did different activities. Emily's favorite thing she learned was soldering. She made a Simon game by putting together (soldering ) different electronic parts. I'm so glad she took part in this program.


Emily learning Cad design or designing her web site

Emily soldering her Simon game

MORMONAD

Emily Austins and Lydia's

Jessica was in charge of the Family Home Evening so after the calendar, song and opening prayer she introduced us to her topic. She broke us into teams and had us create our own Mormonads, like the ads you find in the New Era. Emily, Austin, and Lydia created the grand prize winning ad. I think it is so good we should send it in to see if they will publish it. Let us know which one is your favorite. It was a fun activity !!! We had some great donuts (Thanks to the Losee's) for refreshments. We love Family Home Evening. It's a great excuse to have time together!!!

Jessica's and Willy's


Mom and Dad's

Hair Cuts

My long hairy boys were desparate to get their hair cut, so I finally took the time to cut it. I am the first to admit their hair gets shaggy because it's hard to make it the top priority on my to do list. For some reason as their hair begins to get too long I make a note of it as low priority, several weeks later its still a low priority even though it's grown. Finally when Bill says he's going to go get it cut I finally get out the razor and cut it. This time Willy even went to a barber with a coupon for $6.99, and paid to get his cut. But I'm too frugal to let all of them spend money on a hair cut. I am glad the hair cuts finally make it too the top of the list. Boy do my boys look so much better.

Spring Forth

The last couple of mornings I have noticed the tiny heads of the crocus popping up through the brown soil. In the cool mornings their purple heads appear, by afternoon they are fully opened and the yellow center bursts forth. The daffodils and tulips stems are breaking the stiff brown earth. The birds are chirping louder to greet the day. The sun feels warmer and the kids are packing their coats instead of wearing them.

Soon the trees will bud and the leaves will burst forth filling the country side with greens of every hue. The Daffodils and Tulips will bloom in a magnificent color assortment. The air will feel fresh and new!!! Soon the kids will exchange coats and boots for shorts and sandals, sledding for swimming, and hats and mittens for sunglasses and sunblock. But for now Spring is peaking through and we are going to enjoy the energy of life being rejuvenated. It feels so good after a long winter. It's like a stretch after a long sleep filled night. Invigorating Spring!!!!!

Cubs and Cars

Tonight was the big Pine Wood Derby Bash for our pack!!! We had a great dinner with a noodle bake, salad, rolls and dessert. It was a lot of fun. All my boys are too old for cub scouts, but I am the committee chair for our pack so I helped where ever I was needed, mostly in the kitchen. It was nice to help with it and not have a child in the race. I was able to work with some great leaders and parents who really helped to make it fun for the boys. Lydia and Austin thanks for helping set the tables you did great.The boys made some great awesome looking cars. It's great to see how much the boys love the races. It's a great time, but I'm happy that it only comes once a year. Until then so long Pine Wood derby!


Brother Boxer our awesome cub master and the mega phone. He kept it all together.