Field Trip

The other day Hyrum saw a depiction of DNA on TV and was asking what it was. We started talking about cells - you know, what they are, what they do, where they are, etc. Facinated he exclaimed, "Can I see one???" As I was thinking to myself, "Gee, I don't think I've even used a microscope in... how many years now," it hit me that my own cousin happens to be CAPTAIN CHEMISTRY! The scientist extrodinaire! Who just happens to have use of her own exclusive and all inclusive laboratory! (Okay, technically, it belongs to the school district who pays her to teach her budding science underlings correct laboratory procedure... among other things.) So I called Captain Chemistry herself and set up an appointment to explore my enthusiastic son's curiosity. That was today and it was so cool! We'd told Hyrum that we would scrape some of the cells off from the inside of his cheek and then look at it through the microscope. Hyrum and Jo, who we'd brought along for the experience, were rather scared as I'm sure they pictured their afterward shredded mouths. They were pleasantly surprised at how harmless it was to rub off some of their spit then see pieces of themselves suspended in blue dye on a slide. We got to see the tiny dark dot inside the cell where the DNA lives. She also had a prepared slide with blood and they thought that one was pretty cool, too. They also got to see the classroom pet snake, Peaches, who shed her skin last night. Talk about learning about the life of a cell!! Even the snake shared in the lesson with the topic of, "What happens when a cell dies?" It was an all around good experience. As the mom, I'm entitled to imagine that it also promoted how cool school can be and all that stuff, too, right?

Sweet Skills (First of many similarly titled, I anticipate)

Tonight Jo's school had a Mad Science Workshop night where they made cool things like slime, bouncy balls, and Cotton Candy. It was pretty cool. But there was some standing in line time. Toward the end of the evening as we neared the last booth, the 2nd or 3rd grade boy behind us started showing off his armpit farting skills to his friend. His mom rolled her eyes resigning that even otherwise well behaved boys will still be boys. Meanwhile, Hyrum watched as the boy stuck his hand up his shirt for the talented display and fingered the edge of his own shirt. With his head slightly cocked, Hyrum had an expression on his face of utter interest and admiration. I know this will be coming up in subsequent conversation. Hyrum may be proud in a couple of years to be the first to corrupt his Kindergarten class in such an art. Being as he is such a true 'boy,' it just wouldn't surprise me.

Oblivia and Sleeping in Church: Excerpts from JoAnna

OBLIVIA
A few weeks ago, we were all in the car and the topic of serving a mission came up. We were probably talking about 'Uncle Sam' who's in Arizona on a mission right now. She asked if I had gone on a mission. We talked about Jason's mission to Bolivia, and the conversation went on with different questions. Finally, questions answered, the conversation lulled. After a minute, Jo said, "When I grow up, I want to go to Oblivia like Daddy." I couldn't help but laugh and think, "Honey, I think you're already there sometimes!"

SLEEPING IN CHURCH
Jo was playing with the text letters on Jason's cell phone during Sacrament meeting today. After playing with it for a few minutes, she turned to me and showed me the screen. On it was a long series of zzz's. She whispered to me, "Look, Mom! The phone is snoring!!" Clever girl. She must have been on leave from Oblivia and had come home for a time.

I love my Jo.

At the Park in St. George

We went to St. George a couple of weeks ago for a wedding. Cecily took the chance to come down and see Grandma Rose one last time before moving back East for Tommy to continue with school. Poor Grandma Rose was so confused when we showed up with two toddling girls in matching clothes. It probably would have been hard enough for her to keep track in different clothes! We went to the park for some well needed wiggle time after our visit.

Hyrum shows his stuff on his bike we'd brought down with us. We took the training wheels off both kids' bikes just a couple of weeks before we went down to St. George, so they know they're pretty hot stuff on their new and improved wheels.

JoAnna is our climbing socialite as she searches the park for new friends to play with her. She just doesn't understand why other kids don't want to make friends with someone they'll never see again. Poor lonely girl.

Teeth

Lizzie's gotten two more teeth this past week. They are teeth I've been waiting and watching for for several weeks now. Of course, when a person tries to see the teeth in a baby's mouth one of three things usually happens:

1) Baby's mouth automatically clamps shut with the strength of a vice-grip.
2) Baby's tongue sticks out, covering all teeth surface area and impeding inspector's vision.
3) Baby makes use of the very items being inspected and attempts to draw blood.

So, Lizzie has also discovered light switches. As she turns on a light, I've gotten her to look up to notice what happened at the flip of said switch. Thus, her head is thrown back with her mouth hanging open and her attention diverted. And I can now verify, having seen for myself, she has two new teeth.