Monday, September 28, 2009

And now, for a moment of lovlieness!

While Luken was conducting the experiment shown in the previous post, Keeley actually allowed me to snap a few photos of her, and even looked into the camera a time or two with a smile!!











He blinded me with SCIENCE!

Last week in Luken's class, his teacher demonstrated an experiment, and he came home wanting to conduct it on his own. He talked of one big cup filled with water, and a small cup with a paper towel. I didn't quite understand, but Todd figured it out!

First, fill up a large cup with water.




Wad up a paper towel.


Stuff it into a smaller cup.




Then, invert the small cup and push it down into the water.


Push it all the way in, all the way under!!!






You can even let the cup float around a bit.


Then, gently lift the small cup back out.


Check out that paper towel - even though that cup was completely submerged in water, the paper towel is completely DRY!!!








Keeley wanted a turn.


Then she wanted more than one turn, so I set her up with her own!


See?? All dry!




Luken correctly told us that the air pressure inside the small cup keeps the water from entering the cup and getting the towel wet.

Very cool!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Happy Fall!

All's well here...

Just thought I'd type out a bit about what we've been up to lately.

Luken is enjoying Kindergarten - he really loves P.E.! And the other day he came home wanting to perform a science experiment from class, and it was so cool! He will probably reenact it again this weekend, and I will take photos of that. :)

Ms. Keeley is officially potty-trained! It only took a couple of days, and really required little effort on our parts - she figured it out on her own, which is the BEST!! She has done just FABULOUSLY with it, and we are so proud!
She enjoys school, as well. She is making friends, and loves the part at the end of the day where she jumps up and down, and then gets her backpack. This past Thursday, they did something making clouds, which one of her teachers said she LOVED, so I look forward to that finished product coming home so I know what she did!

I have been enjoying my time alone with Keeley while Luken is in school. I finally have her attention, and she is a different child when she's not trying to keep up with her big bro. It is also nice to have little girl playdates for her, and she is finally really starting to play well with her friend Hailey! :)
They hug and everything! <3


I also really enjoy my ALONE time when Keeley is in school, even if it is only about 2 hours each time. It's amazing what I can accomplish without interruption! I have been busy doing some deep cleaning around the house, and organizing things.

I've also signed up to go to Keeley's class every now and then to read to the class or help out with art projects. It's nice to have the time to do that, as I couldn't do that for Luken's class, since siblings are not allowed. I also hope to help out at Luken's school from time to time. Keeley and I meet up with him for lunch once a week or so, which is great fun!
Here is Luken enjoying his first school pizza day!


Yesterday afternoon, Keeley and I walked to pick Luken up from school (Keeley in the jogging stroller), and we played with another friend of Luken's on the playground for a while, then took a leisurely stroll home, stopping often to explore. We saw turtles, fish and birds in the lakes, and Luken got up close and personal with a ladybug and a worm, which was cool! The weather is turning just lovely here now, so we intend to do a lot of this while we can!

Unfortunately, I wasn't paying attention to where I was standing at one point, and felt stinging pain on my feet, then looked down to find I was right on top of a fireant pile. Yes, they are named fireants for a reason! I have 3 bites on one foot, and one on the other. All are largely swollen and quite painful. So, I guess I will hobble around this weekend, and hope the swelling and pain subside quickly. Lesson learned!!!!!!!

Oh, yes, and one other interesting fact: we've learned that Luken has the unusual ability to control his epiglottis when he's inhaling, which makes a weird popping noise when he blocks his own trachea. :P

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Super Spectacular September Sunday!!

What a wonderful day!
Keeley has been DRY and clean in PANTIES all day today! We've been working on it for a couple of days, and today she rocked it! Woohoo!!

Earlier today, Todd took Luken out for some dude bonding fun, including a movie, and Keeley and I stayed home, being domestic - including fun things like laundry, and also preparing a feast for dinner of Beef Stew, Beer Biscuits, and Strawberry Shortcake!

We have had a lovely break from the heat over the past few days, which has included a fair amount of rain, and today it rained steadily most of the day.

Keeley decided she wanted to play outside in the rain with her "bumbrella," so I sent her out back and took a few photos from inside!












Then, I suggested she go out front and search for some puddles to jump into!! (Of course, I accompanied her there, and used Luken's umbrella to protect the camera, which was awkward, but fun!)




















Dinner was delicious, dessert is waiting, and the kids are getting their baths! The windows have been open all day, and we have enjoyed the fresh air.

Hope you had as wonderful a Sunday as we've had today!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Keeley's first day of preschool, in her own words.

So Keeley couldn't wait to see her own video, after we worked on Luken's so here she is!!

Luken's first day of Kindergarten, in his own words. :)

I finally figured out where my video camera to PC cord was, and have even managed to get some videos processed, woohoo! This morning I even remembered how to produce them for the web, so maybe I will actually get more videos posted here from time to time. (Though it is an arduous process, so don't expect daily video production or anything!! :P)

Anyway, without further ado, here is Luken telling us all about his first day of Kindergarten!



Sunday, September 6, 2009

Sometimes they are so cute and sweet!

Just some cute snuggles!!










Hope that made you smile!! :D

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Keeley is officially a Preschooler!

Yes, it's true - our baby girl is not really a baby anymore at all!!

We met her teachers (she has TWO!) last week, and they sent her home with a paper apple to decorate.






She got all dressed in some new clothes. She and Daddy picked out the shirt when we did our back-to-school shopping for Luken! :)
She also had a pretty bow in her hair!


I tried to get her attention, and she struck this funky pose. :P


Each child's name had been written on a frog, and the kids had to find their name and place their frog on the lily pad. Keeley found her name with no assistance!!


Ms. Stephanie was outside helping with the frog task:

(On a side note, Ms. Stephanie's daughter was in Luken's class at the same school last year!)

Ms. Jane was inside the classroom, helping everyone get situated.




Keeley found where her backpack goes!


Then she washed her hands!


And sat down to play Play-Doh! Yay!


After that, the teachers gently announced that it was time to say good-bye, so all the parents had to go. :( :)
Keeley did GREAT! No tears! None from Mommy, either. I knew she was in good hands, and she seemed happy, so I was happy!

After school she got to experience carpool pickup for the first time, and she did great! Then we went and picked up Luken from Kindergarten and headed to our favorite store for chocolate milk, and frosted cookies for a special first-day-of-school snack!

We are so proud of Keeley for being such a big girl! :D