Other January Happenings

Sarah attended a quinceañera for her friend Elizabeth. She had a ball.

Grandma O gave us a box of love which has been very popular.  Matthew and Megan especially like to have a good dose of love every day. (The box had cinnamon sugar in it.)

We went to the Gilbert Riparian Preserve for a bird walk.  We saw lots of birds and really enjoyed our time.

Random trip to the park.  When did they get big enough to do crazy things?

Megan and Matthew gave U a LEGO set and some treats for a date.  They built the submarine and ate gummy LEGOs.  The gummy creation is a multi colored alligator.

Our domino game ended up looking like a tree.

Megan and Matthew had Math and Science night at their school.  We got to see inventions based on animal adaptations and do a bunch of different activities.

Matthew with his "Sun Shield" 

Details of his invention.

Megan with her "Jackhat."

Details of her invention.

The Phoenix Herpetological Society was there with lots of interesting reptiles.  Megan of course loved being with the animals.  Here she pets a baby alligator.

Matthew created a giant gear creation with his friend Micah.

One of the teachers was organizing the kids to make a giant tower and trying to beat another group that was making one.  Megan and Matthew were both helping out.

Megan also started her own tower with a friend.

Sarah did her science experiment on how the color of cloth affects heat absorption. 

Megan and Matthew had their second running club race of the season.

Megan ran the 1.5 mile course in 15 min 33.16 sec. She timed herself on her watch.

Matthew ran the course even faster since he finished before his sister.

A few memorable quotes from the month:

Megan About Magic Erasers

"They really are magic! I wonder what they are made of? I hope it isn't rainforest stuff."

Matthew on getting taller

"I'm going to be a little taller than dad. I told him that, so if thoughts make it happen then I will be taller than him!"

More -isms

After seeing Moana:
U: Moana did what was right, even when it was hard, didn't she?
Megan: Yes.  She stood for what was right even when she thought "I am standing here and I am going to die." She stood there anyway.

At dinner, we were talking about someone travelling and mentioned "checked luggage."  Matthew looked at us and said, "What is checked luggage?"  I guess we are teaching the kids to pack light.

The alarm to go to church goes off:

Matthew: "Someone forgot to put my shoes on!"
Wonder who that could be.....

U: Who would like a fourth macaroon?
Megan: Me!

U: you haven't even finished your second one.

Megan: I'm suffering.
(Note: she was savoring.)

Mom: There's more than one way to skin a cat.

Megan: What's the other way?

Matthew is big on following rules and laws (that he agrees with) so lately he tries the following tactic:
"It is a law that ..."
Matthew's laws include:

• "parents have to say yes to their kids the first time."
• "sisters have to help clean their brother's room."
• "you can't cry in the car."
• "you have to have snacks when kids want them."

Matthew: Who are the people that tell you if the soil needs other stuff in it to grow plants?

Me: Farmers? Gardeners? Can you describe more what they do?

Matthew: Oh! It's scientists.

Matthew to Megan: Let's play scientists! Scientists do art.

Matthew: I was going to drink my green smoothie but then I remembered how much mom likes them so I saved it for her.

Sarah: Just because I'm forcing you to do this doesn't mean you have to cry about it.  You have a choice.

Megan loves calling the day before anything "the day" eve. For instance, the day before Mother's Day is "Mother's Day Eve. Next Tuesday is "the last day of school eve" since Wednesday is the last day of school.