Edible Oasis and Fall Art

In our Medieval-Early Renaissance history class, the kids learned about the Bedouin tribe who built cities in the hot, dry, desert of the Arabian Peninsula (currently known as Saudi Arabia). For their snack, James, Steven, and Kirsten made an edible oasis using crushed graham crackers, frosting, candy, and animal crackers. Building it was fun, but not as fun as eating it.

James, Steven, and Kirsten also completed their art project today. They made a fall painting using crayons,and water colors. They framed their art piece with Eucalyptus bark.

James's, Kirsten's, and Steven's

Caverns and Clouds

For last Tuesday's science lesson, I taught James, Steven, and Kirsten about underground water. We focused on the effects that rainwater has on limestone. Underground tunnels and caves form as water dissolves the rock. With a solution of washing soda, the kids were able to grow small stalactites and stalagmites. It took a week to grow, but it was worth the wait. There were many times when we didn't think the experiment would work because the stalactite kept breaking off. But over night, it finally decided to grow. We are going to let it continue growing until it forms a column.

Today for science, we began our study of weather by learning about clouds. It was the perfect day, with many different types of clouds in the sky to observe. We walked to our nearby park, spread out a blanket watched the clouds float by.

Mother Nature put on quite a show for us. We saw stratus (rain), cumulus (fair weather), altocumulus, cirrus (cold air, fast winds), and altostratus clouds. Later in the day, while running errands, we saw cirroculmulus clouds. The kids also learned how to find out the upper wind direction.

I discovered that if I was really observant while looking up, I saw a James and a Steven.

UPDATE: Our stalactite and stalagmite have joined forming a column. I think I'll have the kids try shooting it down with rubber bands. The first one to do it wins a prize.

Dave-o Likes It!

Look who's eating solids! I was surprised at his eagerness to eat so much of that watered down rice cereal (it's disgusting stuff). And he handled it like a pro. I guess David was right; Dave-o is ready for solids. Now, I need to go out and buy some baby spoons (the 1/4 teaspoon isn't the ideal feeding instrument).

League Champions

Three cheers for Steve-o!
Hip-Hip-Hooray! Hip-Hip-Hooray! Hip-Hip-Hooray!

This afternoon Steven's team, the Islanders, were named Rollin' Ice League Champions. They won the first playoff game 9-7 and the championship game 7-2. Steven took a couple of awesome shots at the goal and made some great defensive plays. On the drive home, Steven made the comment that it felt like he was playing professional hockey during the championship game. I asked him why and he said that the crowd was very loud. The cheering of great plays and the "awwwws" of disappointment were heard loud and clear. It was very exciting to watch and be apart of. I am so proud of Steven's attitude and team spirit that he showed throughout the entire season.

Friday's Life Lesson

Boardman
By David Zinn

Before I was old enough to say my prayers on my own, either my mom or my dad would say them with me. Just like Dixie and I have done with our kids, they would say the words and I would repeat them. I can remember the first time I felt old enough to say them on my own. It was just as my dad and I were kneeling beside my bed one evening. I told him that I felt like saying my prayers by myself and that I didn't need any help. After giving me a hug and kiss goodnight, he turned off the lights and closed the door leaving my alone to say my prayers in private.

I cannot remember why, but I did not say my prayers. I climbed in bed and snuggled with my favorite blanket while feeling the cool, silky sensation of the satin trim against my face. I could see the faint outline of hallway light as it reached through the edges of my bedroom door. I always took comfort in that light. Not that it made the room any less scary. It was knowing that light was just on the other side of my door. This night, however, was an exception. More light than usually was pouring through my doorway. A wide rectangular swath of light shown through a portion as if a section of the door had magically been cut away. “This cannot be,” I thought, “It's impossible.” I sat upright (or as upright as I could in the lower bunk of my bunkbed) and squinted my eyes as if to get a better look. The view was the same. I was convinced that I wasn't dreaming because I had barely laid down before I noticed the aberration. No sooner had that thought come to me when I noticed movement. The monster was caught, and he knew it. Knowing that the gig was up, he attacked me. A new villain was born...Boardman. As he approached, I realize the rectangular swath of light was his head. Somehow, though, it was no longer made of light, but wood. The aptly named “Boardman” (I came up with the name myself – clever, huh?) was made entirely of 2x4's. His method of torture: tickling. My older sister, Lori, hadn't yet introduced me to “Night of the Living Dead,” so tickling, I guess, was the most macabre act a monster was capable of perpetrating on a young child.

Needless to say, I was pretty freaked out. At some point, my hysterical cries were interrupted by the image of my mom as my eyes opened to reveal that I was, indeed, having a nightmare. Instantly associating cause and effect, I asked my mom if she could help me say my prayers. Of course, she agreed, and I prayed more fervently that day than I ever had. I learned a powerful lesson that night about the comforting influence of prayer. Boardman eventually joined the Cheerio-eating clown who, much like Freddy Krueger, haunted me frequently in dreamland. Others eventually joined the “dream gang,” but I knew that as long as I said my prayers every night, I was a member of the most powerful gang of all.

Backyard Camping

The YM (scouts) planned a camping trip at Memorial Park in the Redwoods for this weekend. James loves camping and was excited to go, while Justin groaned at the mention of another campout with no intention on going. David planned on going as well so that he could bring Steven along (Steven needed to go on a campout to earn his Webelos Badge.) But, at 2pm I received a call from David telling me that he was sick with a cold and fever. Of course, this meant he wouldn't be able to go, which also meant Steven wouldn't be able to go. He was so disappointed! Steven had been looking forward to this day all week.

I spent a couple of hours getting James ready and then a last minute Justin ready (I'm glad he decided to go). After getting those two off, I was able to focus on making this evening a fun one for Steven.

We made foil dinners and Steven set up the tent with little help from me.

Next, he built a fire in a tin pie pan and we roasted marshmallows while listening to the high school football game that was going on down the street (it is homecoming week at Branham). We could hear the announcer on the loud speaker, the crowd cheering, and the band performing.

Then, Kirsten and Steven excitedly loaded up the tent with their night time necessities and called it a night (and it was only 8pm). We'll see how long they last outside. I have a feeling they'll wander inside sometime before daybreak.

Four Months

My Dave-o is now four months old! He has spent this month fine tuning the skills he learned at three months. For example, Dave-o reaches and grabs at objects faster and easier now (especially my hair which is why I cut it); he laughs more often and for longer intervals. Dave-o is also rolling over from his back to his stomach with more ease. One thing that Dave-o has gotten worse at is sleeping through the night. I don't think think he's gone through the night without waking up for an entire month. In fact, some nights he's been waking up two times. David thinks we need to introduce rice cereal to him, but I'm not ready for that step yet. And I don't think Dave-o is ready.
All of Dave-o's baby hair has fallen out including his cute peach fuzz that outlined his ear. He looks bald, but he actually has a lot of hair...blond hair. Just like his brother James.

Here are some pictures of him from this past month.

Pacifica Waves

This past week, I have been teaching the kids about the ocean and how waves form. So today, we took a field trip to the beach. We are so lucky to live near many beaches. The nearest being about 30 minutes away. But I chose the Pacifica beach, which is an hour away. It's been over a year since I have visited my hometown of Pacifica. What a wonderful excuse to go now!

The fog, of course, greeted us along with a cold, damp chill. But, we came armed with jackets and hoodies.

Steven enjoyed rock jumping.

Many jellyfish were discovered along the shoreline, as well as seaweed and kelp (which was begging to be dragged).

Kirsten tried to keep up with the boys in their explorations, but needed a little help along the way.

After our scientific research, we were starving. So, we ate lunch at Straw Hat. The employees made a mistake with our order, so the manager gave us free drinks and a five dollar off coupon. While we waited for our pizza, I looked out the window and noticed that the Taco Bell next door was closed down. I have two years worth of memories working there as a teenager. I remember David picking me up for dates after my shift ended. I always made us a Taco Bel Grande to share on the beach. Seeing it boarded up was depressing.

Once our stomachs were full, the kids indulged my "walk down memory lane". As we drove up the steep hill of Hickey Blvd, I told my captive audience about the many times my sister, Deborah, and I rode our bikes to the beach. I pointed out the school I attended for kindergarten. The bus stop that I stood at for most of my youth. The public transit took me to my friend's homes, to the library, to the mall, to my Jr. high school, and high school. We stopped in front of my old house on Lynbrook Drive to pay our respects. This was my refuge for my entire childhood (minus 2 years). I was happy to see it in good shape and well taken care of (my mom would be happy to know that there were flowers in the flower boxes). Then, we drove along Waverly Place, where I played "cops" with my siblings and neighborhood friends and learned how to ride a bike. I pointed out my newspaper route. They were impressed when I bragged about being able to accurately throw the newspapers onto the doorsteps. And they were even more impressed when I told them I made 80 dollars a month.

Our next stop was going to be Golden Gate Park, until I remembered that Steven had an NXT Robot class that we had to get home for.

On several occasions, James and Steven commented on how our outing felt like a vacation. I can see why it felt that way for them. But for me, it was going home.

A Painful Lesson

David and I were awakened at 2am to the sound of crying. And it wasn't Dave-o.

The cries of pain led us to Justin's room. He complained of severe abdominal pain to the point where he could hardly stand.

Just a few hours earlier he had been at a dance, so our first question was, "What did you eat at the dance? Was it a lot of junk food?"

"I ate a lot of mints," Justin groaned. That didn't come as a shock. Justin LOVES those Lifesaver mints.

"How many did you eat?" was our next question.

"There was a big bowl of them and I had a lot of handfuls," he said.

I'm guessing Justin must have had around 100 mints.

I banished Justin from his room (he sleeps next to Dave-o's room) and had him sleep on the couch. Then I warmed up our "heating pad" (a long sock filled with rice) and told him to keep it on his tummy.

In the morning, Justin told me that the heat worked and he was asleep, pain free, within 20 minutes.

Before church, Justin loaded his pocket with mints that he had brought home from the dance. But this time he didn't eat them all. He shared them with us and his friends.

Friday's Life Lesson

Lost and Found
By David Zinn

Getting lost in a department store is a very traumatic experience for a young child. I know. It happened to me; and I can remember it like it happened yesterday.

Let's face it, young children are at the mercy and whim of their parent. Being a parent now myself, I can see how it sometimes feels like it's the other way around. Parents need to get stuff done. Kids need to play. These conditions are sometimes not very compatible. This lack of compatibility often leads to frustrated parents and extremely bored children. This is the condition in which I found myself many years ago.

It happened at the mall inside one of the name-brand department stores. As a kid, you really only have one option if you don't want to die of boredom: the clothing racks. They called to me every time I stepped foot in a store that had them. They would seduce and beckon with words such as “come, David, your mom won't be too mad,” and “all the other children are doing it.” It was too much for a boy of my age to resist. I would part the clothes and play inside the hidden jungle gym. Not all the racks were the same either. Every one had to be explored, conquered if you will. It was like having my own private playground. The problem is that moms hate the clothing racks because they don't like losing track of their kids. I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty certain the guy who invented the modern clothing rack was the same one who designed the “great and spacious building”.

I must have been playing for just a few minutes, when I peered out from my private fun house to find that my mom and Lori (my sister) had vanished. I spent a few frantic minutes searching the areas surrounding their last known location, but my quest was in vain. I had an overwhelming sense of helplessness as I realized I had lost them. I also felt a little betrayed by the fact that my mom had allowed this to happen. A helpful store clerk, having recognized the look on my face from years of dealing with this sort of thing day after day, came over and comforted me. She assured me they would locate my mom, and I would be reunited with her very soon. She led me to her manager's office where I gave my name and as much personal information as I could. I was pretty frightened, and crying pretty hysterically. I have no idea how they managed to understand a word I said. Having been crying for some time, my face was a total mess. I had tears and snot everywhere. The manager gave me a tissue (exactly one tissue), which I used to mop up a portion of my face. It was nowhere near enough. Having been reassured my mom was on her way, I turned my attention to the utter discomfort I felt having a messy face and one tissue (now completely useless). I was annoyed. Couldn't she see that I needed another tissue? Was she blind? I look enviously at the large tissue box on the other side of her desk. I pictured myself pulling out tissue after tissue and cleaning my face and hands. I would even share with her, but no. She would not offer me another. Looking back, I know that I could have just asked, but I was a little too frightened and intimidated. I didn't want to wear out my welcome.

After what seemed to be hours, my mom finally showed up. She had been looking for me as well, and was as happy as I was to be together again. She gave me a big hug, a kiss, and a pack of tissues. All to myself.

Glop

Kirsten invented the word "glop" in reference to hot cereal.

This is how you make glop:

First, microwave your choice of instant oatmeal (Kirsten likes Peaches and Cream) according to the directions on the back of the envelope. Now for the secret...
DO NOT STIR IT. Finish it off with a lot of milk and enjoy.

"The bigger the glop, the better," says Kirsten.

Caterpillar Park

After finishing our school work, we packed a picnic lunch and headed for the kid's favorite park. We found a shady spot, spread out our blanket, and ate PB&J sandwiches (Kirsten had hers elephant style).
We don't know the "real" name of this park, but our family calls it "Caterpillar Park". Can you see why?

Another appropriate name for it would be the "Spinning Park" because most of the play equipment spins.

Dave-o swung with me and went unhappily down the slide with his brothers and sister.

Dave-o even sat on his own.......for a few seconds.

He also decided when it was time for us to go home.
But we don't let Dave-o run our lives....No!....Of course not!

Blue Eyes

Dave-o's eyes are finally starting to lighten up.
They're no longer a charcoal color.

Hello Mr.Blue Eyes!

Move over Frank Sinatra (Ol' Blue Eyes).
There's a new kid in town.

Picture: Courtesy of James Zinn

Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert

Here's the recipe for the ice cream sandwich cake. It's so decadent, you'll be surprised!

Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert
Recipe by Kim Girgenti

24 ice cream sandwiches
Whipped Cream
Chocolate sauce

Place 1 layer of ice cream sandwiches in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.
Spread a layer of whipped cream, then a layer of chocolate sauce.
Repeat all layers. Keep in freezer until ready to serve.

David's Birthday

Today we celebrated David's birthday. The kids (especially Kirsten, our "interior decorator) spent the afternoon making the house festive. Kirsten even decorated David's chair with ribbon.

My sister-in-law, Stacy, arrived early with Emily and Owen. She was a big help with the food preparation. We ate flank stake, scalloped potatoes, salad, deviled eggs, and french bread. Mike made it just as we were sitting down to eat (he has perfect timing).

And for dessert; Ice cream sandwich cake.

My nephew, Owen, provided the music.

Michael and Stacy provided the laughter and love (not to mention a ton of baby clothes for Dave-o).

And the kids provided the entertainment (or more appropriately, the noise).

Happy birthday David!
I love you!