Babysitting for the Weekend

We had all 3 grandkids from Friday afternoon until just moments ago. I'm tired
but we had fun.
Thanks to Rachel for the Pudding Paint tip - I think we ate more than we painted with it though. They make fairly decent frozen pudding pops too. After I moved that mess out of the way I showed Darcy how to make Corn Starch slime (which is sort of edible but not desirable). It was a hit!

The boys and Jessica had been in the living room with Papa D playing with the new blocks. Then Amy called sometime around that time to tell me that her Matthew's parents would be visiting next weekend. All I could think was "oh great...I hope they like early childhood decor!"

I cleaned the dining room (where all Amy's wedding presents are stored) JUST a tad
and Darcy discovered the JOYS of popping bubble wraps ALL TOO WELL. It sounded a bit like machine guns going off for a while at our house. Good thing no one was trying to sleep.

Photos of our McWane Science Center visit coming tomorrow.

Teaching Science to a 3 Year Old

She tried everything in the house with that magnet I think!

Smiles

"Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries."

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Another Day at Work

Sometimes the Boss Lady picks boxes that are way too big but I liked this particular box. I tried to claim it as a nice new bed but she insisted on packing books in it anyway. After packing 6 LARGE orders I decided enough was enough and took a well deserved break in the corner.
Aslan

One More - I left out ONE photo

Our Visit to the Montgomery Zoo

It was HOT HOT HOT but fun! The Montgomery zoo is very nice (a lot nicer
than the Birmingham zoo which is a pretty sad state of affairs. Birmingham
needs to quite fighting and just get busy and WORK on their affairs!).
Anyway we really enjoyed our trip! And the zoo had a lot of animals that
appeared to be in good health and well kept conditions.

The Chimps put on a show for us (I kept snapping photos but they were blurred
for the most part - too much movement and the camera kept focusing on the wire -
and not the chimps) but I have included a shot of the Twins watching the chimps. They were totally into the Chimps!

The Zoo has a baby Elephant and a baby Rhino (as well as a baby Chimp).
The Black Panther insisted on posing for photos (or he COULD have been scouting
out dinner - I'm not sure but I'm GLAD that fence was there!). He was so
beautiful. Even though the fence was there I still didn't get THAT close.
Ditto the White Tigers (but they were too regal to pose) - they stayed where
they were. I had to use the long range lens to get his photo.

About the time we gave up on the kangaroos coming out of the shade which was
far away, one decided to come see us. So I did get ONE photo of a kangaroo but
he/she didn't HOP over. It was more like a slow meandering over. It was TOO HOT
to hop!

Right before we left we passed the flamingos and two of them were putting on
quite a show. I have no idea if they were fighting or what. But it was
interesting. And I got a photo of that.

But the most interesting photos of the zoo, of course, was the grandkids.
And they enjoyed the waterfalls at the River Otter exhibit the most I think.
(I did too - did I mention it was HOT today!). Those River Otters know how to
live!. Well, the snakes have it pretty good in their air conditioned building
too.

The kids were great the whole time and we even ate out afterwards at Cracker
Barrel. The Twins attracted the attention of the ladies working there and
were passed around a bit. (They are cute but then I'm a bit biased).
Everyone went home tired but happy.

Montgomery Zoo Last one

The Montgomery Zoo Part II

Another Zoo Visit Part 1

Jessica is Thirteen!

Wow! I have a teenage granddaughter now. She has been with us today as
Amy and I have done some wedding stuff and also some baby shower stuff for
one of Amy's friends for tomorrow. It's been nice having her along. She is
such a sweetheart. Her sister and brothers love her and when she is gone they
miss her a bunch and let her know as soon as she gets home too!

We had her cake last night with the kids all here. (Ice Cream cake from Stone
Cold Creamery - with Oreos on top which attracted the littles attention immediately!).

Jessica cut the cake and Darcy noticed after she got her slice that "hey my slice
is not nearly as big as Daddy's slice!" and she wanted to swap with Daddy. That
didn't work and she didn't understand why not!

They played outside a bit but I think the twins were more interested in eating more
"snacks" - this time a code word for oreo cake I think.

We also had to Paint (a given everytime Darcy comes over) only this time Jacob joined us. I could not convince him that he didn't want to paint so I gave up and let him try. He was happy to paint a strip and shout "I did it". After about 5 stripes he quit and hopped down. Darcy painted until we ran out of paint.

Fun again - I was tired when they left but a fun tired.

Darcy's New Kitten

Two posts in one day! A Record I think for me.

I got a phone call this afternoon early on and my 3 year old granddaughter
excitedly told me that God had sent her a kitten. She had been praying you
see and she went out to play and found one in her back yard. How could her
mother NOT let her keep it?

We went over and took them kitten food and a few other things and to visit.
The little fellow looks to be about 4 weeks old but he's not the least bit wild.
Very good with the kids and Darcy loves him. He's already learning to try to
avoid the twins. Jessica is also trying to claim him though - could be some
conflict there.

Darcy just kept telling me that I could not take him home with me but
I assured her that Aslan would not like me bringing home another kitten
and that I knew that this was HER kitten. I tried to teach her a bit on
how to handle kittens too and how they NEEDED naps. Poor thing didn't get
a nap this afternoon that's for sure!
smiles, Chris

Oh one more thing

That Blog Reading Level thingie

I found that on another site.

I do NOT think my blog is a "Genius" blog.

I post science stuff on my blog for my students. They
all know my blog address. (Sometimes I assign them reading on
it -IF you recall that youtube Bacteria thing that was an assignment.
I still have that Bacteria song going through my head! But they loved
it!)

SO if 9th graders can read and understand it, well then we
are all geniuses.
Chris

Cat's Purrs and a Woman's Heart

I couldn't sleep last night. This is not rare these days as I seem to sleep
in spurts and fits.
When my husband is off on business trips Aslan takes the opportunity to
sleep with me. And there is something soothing I've noticed about his
purring. It's very loud. OH WAIT. Maybe that is why I have trouble sleeping.
He's on my head! After I move him a bit, he continues purring. But everytime
I move he thinks that is an invitation to be petted. So I do. I'm a softie
like that.

Now if he tries that with Duane (and I think he did ONCE) he goes flying
and this is not so very fun as he is somewhat overweight and certainly has
no wings. Duane is a HARD sleeper and never truely wakes up but the cat
goes flying anyway.

I know he never really wakes up.

He can't really be awake though he says he can't stand to have the cat
in bed with us.

I've thought about this. Last night. When I couldn't sleep and the cat was
purring.

Two days after we brought Matthew, our oldest son, home from the hospital
he said to me, "Wow, he's already sleeping through the night. That's great!".
He doesn't know really how close to death he came that day.
Matthew weighed 9 lbs 7 ozs and was a fine healthy son but he wanted to eat
every 2 hours (this continued until he left home - hey, he may STILL eat every
2 hours but that is no longer my problem!). So every two hours I would go feed
him. Duane never once heard him cry. Now since this was the ONLY time he cried
I really didn't mind so very much - he was never sick and was an easy child.
But I was determined the next night that it was the husband's turn to get up
and at least get the baby and bring him to me to feed. So when I heard him
cry I pushed until he fell out of bed. A bit dazed he asked "What" and I said
"go get the baby" and he stumbled off - right into the open closet. At which
point I gave up.

Now his mother lives with us and I know it's not just him. She also can sleep
through anything (not that we have any babies around any longer).
Tornados. We live in Tornado Alley in Alabama.
And sometimes they come at night. I hear them of course. They are rather hard
to ignore. When it's just the three of us here I lay awake and ponder what to
do. I'm awake you see but they are happily dreaming. And blissfully unaware
that hail is pounding the house, the wind is howling and tree limbs are falling.
I don't think I'm physically able to drag both of them to the basement so I've
decided to just stay with them. OR maybe one day you'll read of a woman found
with her cat in the basement but no sign of the missing husband and mother in law
in the latest storm.

So now you know what I did last night.

Mr. Tompkins in Paperback

A few years ago - okay a great many years ago as a child, maybe a preteen, I read a book by George Gamow called "Mr. Tompkins in Wonderland". It introduced many
chemistry concepts to me. Perhaps it was another of the Mr. Tompkins books. Anyway
the book has recently been reprinted (Mr Tompkins in Paperback) and of course I had
to buy it. I THINK this is where I came up with my concept of the "happy atom" that I have used with many a Chemistry class to try to explain valence electrons and how atoms bond with one another in an ionic bond.

Mr Tompkins, you see, shrinks ala Alice in Wonderland, to Quantum size and explores the atomic world on their level. And everything is wonderfully personal. Electrons that are paired dance happily along.

In the picture I've uploaded from the book Mr Tompkins finds himself in a sodium atom and he realizes quickly he has no one to play with.

"Why haven't I got anyone to play with?" he shouted across.
"Because this is an odd atom, and you are the valency electr-o-o-on...," called
the electron as it turned and plunged back into the dancing crowd.
"Valency electrons live alone or find companions in other atoms," squeaked the high
pitched soprano of another electron rushing past him.
"If you want a partner fair,
Jump into chlorine and find one there,"
chanted another mockingly. (And later he does to form Sodium Chloride - NaCl - salt).

Inbetween chapters of adventure are chapters of science facts (some of which even
I have problems following! Quantum physics is um difficult.).

Great book! I'm glad it's back.

George Gamow was a Russian nuclear physicist who wrote many books - many for
children.
This is published by Cambridge University Press. Foreward by Roger Penrose.

A Visit from the Twins

Duane has built a slide for them in the backyard and it was a hit for
a little while. Tiny (our Newfoundland mix) really wanted to play with
the boys and I think the feeling was mutual. Jacob is a "cookie" monster
but only eats the cream from the middle and just hangs on to the outside
parts until they finally crumble away (you can see him holding onto them
as he tries to slide). Jeremiah is the "thinker" and you can almost feel
him trying to plan out the best way to slide. He has now figured out how
to undo the "child-proof" locks on the cabinets. While Jacob is entertaining
us with some show, Jeremiah is certainly taking something apart or
experimenting somehow! These two will be a matched pair for sure.
Then they sat and worked together on what we all do best here - books!
smiles!

Happy 4th of July

The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not. (The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, Harvard University Press, 1975, 142).

The Declaration was actually signed over a period of several days (Not on
July 4th so Mr. Adams picked July 2nd.). I do think we've left out the "solemn
Acts of Devotion to God Almighty" part.

Stress Test

I was looking forward to a summer of the beach and planning
a wedding. Also, of course, planning lessons for next year -
in Biology and Mathematics a Human Endeavor (both new for me
this year) in addition to Chemistry and Physical Science (both
of which I've done for so long now I have them well mapped out
by now!).

About mid-June I noticed my ankles were swollen. We were heading
to the beach so I ignored them for the time being. When we
returned my mother saw them and said, "Those ankles look just like
mine did right before my heart attack!". She had my full attention.
I went to the family doctor the next week - planning on just getting
a nice diuretic to get rid of the extra fluid.
But, no, he starts asking all kinds of questions starting with had I
noticed any chest pain (No.). Am I fatigued a lot? (Yes). Do I get
short of breathe? (I said no but now that I think about it - maybe.)
THEN he asked about family history. I told him my mother had five bypasses
and a heart attack at age 69 and that did it. Next thing I know he's
taking blood, doing a chest x-ray and and EKG. When the results came
back - well, I am now headed for a Stress test Monday..and an Echocardiogram.
I don't need a test to tell someone I have Stress.

Anyway, I went to my ministry Prayer coffee this morning. When it came time
for personal prayer requests I still had not said anything about all of this.
And then other ladies started in on their requests - ALL of which involved
increasingly horrible heart stories. From a bad result of a resting stress
test (which I thought sounded good - resting! - but I find out you do NOT want
to do a RESTING stress test at all) to a horrible heart surgery. My pulse
was kinda going through the roof by the time it got to me so I just said, "Well
I'm having a Stress Test Monday." You could have heard a pin drop.
My dear friend said, "FOR YOUR HEART?" (And I then wondered if there WAS
a Stress test for Stress?). I am afraid I snorted. I had to spend some time
assuring everyone I feel fine and the swelling has gone down (he did give me
a mild diuretic!).

SO, I'll post more after Monday! If I survive!
Pax