Grace's Science Project

So, I don't like worms. Well, that isn't exactly accurate. I don't mind earthworms. But I DO NOT like little, maggot-y worms. Don't like them. So when Grace got off of the bus three weeks ago with a cup SO excited about her science project, I was equally excited to see her interested in science.

Until... she showed me her two maggot-y worms that she got in school. She told me all about the life cycle of her soon-to-be beetles. I told her that that cup was NOT going in my house. I don't like worms. I told her that we could keep the cup outside. Her eyes welled up with tears as she told me that it would get too cold for them or either a bird would get them. Hmmm... she was right. So, I reluctantly allowed this styrofoam cup of maggot worms (okay... technically they are mealworms) into my house - as long as nobody messes with the plastic cover and rubber band keeping the cup sealed.



Have I mentioned that I was NOT thrilled about these things in the house?!? They have suppressed my appetite more than I'd like (try eating chicken noodle soup with a mealworm trying to figure out how to get under a rubber band and out of its cup).



Well, the worms had been growing fine. I would occasionally put a piece of carrot in there (the food of choice, Grace informed me). This morning, I checked on these things... still sitting in their cup on a window ledge. Nothing. No movement. Nothing.

If you know me AT ALL, you will know that this really devastated me. I don't like worms, but I really didn't want them to die. ESPECIALLY since Grace was SO excited! I dreaded telling Grace. So, after dinner (yep, I put it off almost a whole day) I finally told her that her worms had died. We went into the kitchen and she wanted to see the cup. I went about doing something else and heard "No, mom. This one is moving its legs." WHAT?!? Sure enough. It is alive. What is even more, when I lifted the plastic for Grace to put another piece of carrot in the cup, the other one is still alive TOO!

So, as much as I DO NOT want worms in my house, I am certainly glad that THESE worms are okay. Looks like I'll have grand-beetles in about two weeks! And then they really will be out of the house! Grace has already told me that she can't wait to set them free.

-isms

So, I've been without computer for a while due to some sort of virus that got into my computer. I still can't upload pictures because it takes so long, but I did want to share some -isms from the last week or so...

Bubbaism -
Bub and I were in the computer room, me trying to load a newer McAfee and him playing with legos. He, apparently, didn't want his sister to come in so he put his body in the doorway to barricade it and keep her out. But while he was doing this, he kept yelling at her "NO, THIS ROOM IS OFF LEMONS"

Another Bubbaism -
Last night before bed, something happened to the rug in his room. It got flipped up on one corner. I told him to hop into bed, but he told me he couldn't until he made up his rug. like making up your bed...

Faithism -
I washed all of the bedsheets yesterday and hadn't put pillow cases back on by the time it was bed time. I was getting there, but the kids all have other pillows so I wasn't in a huge hurry. Faith kept wandering out of her room and when I finally asked what her problem was, she told me that her pillow was naked.

Graceism -
When they get off of the bus, I always ask the girls to tell me two things that happened at school. It is usually what was for lunch and who got in trouble. Last week there was one particular boy who stayed in trouble in G's class. His name?!? "Jonathing"

Another Graceism -
Grace is learning a new song in music at school. She is so proud to be learning the "Natural Anthem" -- pretty sure that would be the National Anthem, but either way she is proud :-)

Alright... I am Old

So, I didn't think twice about last week's birthday. The big 3-0. I think it mainly had to do with the fact that Rob is in the field, so I really didn't celebrate it. The kids did give me a card (the present wasn't wrapped so still sits beside Rob's dresser in the bag). I got gifts from family in the mail, but I just considered them fun care packages that just so happened to coincide with September 11th :-p

However... here I am 30 years and five days old. Sitting on the loveseat with Sam minding my own business when Faith comes over and says ...

F: Mom, do the thing that makes the wrinkles come right here (grabs next to her eyes).

me: what?!?

F: You know. The wrinkles that come right here when you smile.

So. It is official. I am old.

I have what I will affectionately call - from here on out - smile lines. I will wear them proudly, since it means that I smile enough that my face wants to stay that way. :-)

Burp Cloths

So, I've wanted to start using my sewing machine again for a while. With so many people I know having babies, I thought I'd use it as a reason to make something. I have found that I really love all of my homemade baby gifts (not that I don't appreciate and love the other things too). So, I looked online and found my way to homemadebyjill. She makes homemade burp cloths. I thought... that can't be TOO hard, so I decided to take it on. Though, they would be much easier if I'd already gotten my birthday present from the girls (I picked out a new pair of fabric shears and showed them over and over to both girls :-)).


Well, I have done it. So far, I have made 6. The first one is OBVIOUSLY the first one. The last two are really done well (for my experience level at sewing). I am giving the turtles to a friend who had a boy two weeks ago (better late than never... plus they are burp cloths - she'll be able to use them for a while, right?!?) and the two pink are for a girl across the circle from us who had a baby girl last Thursday (SO tiny!! She was only 6lbs, 8 oz... well under my 8lb minimum :-)).





Anyway, here they are...

Four done...

they fold nicely in half or quarters (see pink)...

showing both sides (this is BEFORE washing... the edges fray when washed as you can see with the pink ones)


pink ones have yellow on backs -- see the fray? They will continue to fray with every wash.

On a completely different topic... don't you WISH you could sleep like this?!? Quite a thinker, huh :-)

The best Bubba-ism to date

The boys and I went to Walmart this morning to get some bread (darn that commissary being closed on Mondays). As usual, I found myself in the craft section - just looking. Well, I needed some straight pins (since I have actually started using my sewing machine and the ones I have are .. well... not straight) so we went to the quilting aisle. There were those HUGE packs of batting and foam on the aisle too. Bubba picked up a pack of foam and asked me what it was. Here is what I THOUGHT was being said:

Bubba: Mom, what is this?

Me: It is foam. Please put it back.

Bubba: This is foam?

Me: Yes, foam. Put it back

Bubba: Big foam?

Me: Yes, it is big foam. Put it back.

Bubba (picking the pack up and putting his head on it): Hello? This is Josh.

***He thought I was saying PHONE!! I just about wet my pants!

Updates

I can't believe that it has been a month since I had Samboni. Here are some new pics and movies...

If you listen long enough (around second 25, you'll here a little talking... a little... and you have to listen pretty intensely)

A sneeze from Samboni

Bubba laying with Samboni at F's soccer game this morning

F cannot get enough of her baby brother... notice him telling her to get out of his space!

Voices

Sam is finding his voice -- you know, that cute little 'coo' that comes first. I haven't gotten it on camera yet. It is still pretty sporatic, but I am working on it and will post.

I have such mixed emotions about it. Knowing he is my last baby, it makes me sad that he is growing up. I am SO excited though to see what kind of person he turns out to be (as I am with all of the kids). I am also mixed knowing that once he STARTS, it doesn't stop! If he is like G, there won't be a moment of silence in our house!!

PS... yes, he IS flipping me off after his first bath. I have to remember not to try to bathe him while he is hungry. He likes baths, otherwise :-)