Science Fair 2011

Braxton had his Science Fair at school last week. His class did 2 group projects and he did an individual one. The group ones were the M&M Lab, does an M&M dissolve faster in water or another liquid and the Tennis Ball Lab, where they bounced different brands of tennis balls to see if more expensive ones bounced higher. Very fun.

His individual one was "Does Jell-O Preserve Fruit?" He took three different glass bowl, he added an apple slice, an orange slice, a grape and a slice of banana in each bowl. In one bowl, he added water, in another Jell-O, the third, he just left the fruit alone. Over 7 days, he took notes and pictures of the changes in the fruit. The answer to the question is Yes, Jell-O does indeed preserve fruit. All the fruit turned brown, but the Jell-O fruit did stay fresher longer. Only 7 kids in the whole school got interviews with the judges, meaning that the kids who got interviews were in the running to be the winner. Braxton was one of the students who had an interview. We were so excited for him. The neat thing is that 3 out of the 7 students who had interviews were in Braxton's class, including the boy that won the science fair. His teacher does a great job with teaching science and doing labs with them.

Braxton and his display board

Pig dissection (that science in the country)

Making marshmallow domes

Emma ate most of the marshmallows

The fruit on the first day

Bowl 1

Bowl 2

Bowl 3

The Fruit on Day 7

Bowl 1

Bowl 2

Bowl 3

Social Studies Night

Last night was Social Studies Night at Braxton's school. Each grade was able to show what they had learned in Social Studies this year. When you entered the school, you were given a passport and when you visited each grade and saw what they had done, you were given a stamp for your passport. It was really fun. Braxton was able dress up again as Jupiter for the 3rd grade wax museum. The students took turns and stood in the hall like they were statues, with big red buttons on their togas. People would press the button, and then the statues would give their lines and tell who they were in Ancient Rome. It was really cute and the kids had so much fun.

Braxton's Jupiter pose.

A Viking's Life for Me

This month, Braxton's class learned about Vikings. How fun is that!!! Today they did a Viking play called "A Viking's Life for Me" for their parents. It was so cute. The kids wore fur vest and carried swords. Teachers are so awesome and creative, how do they come up with these things?

Braxton played Berserker #1. Berserkers (according to Wikipedia) were Norse warriors who were reported in Old Norse literature to have fought in a nearly uncontrollable, trance-like fury, a characteristic which later gave rise to the English word berserk.

The Longship

"One, two, three, four. We are fearless, hear us roar." Miss Emma waiting for the performance to begin

Ancient Rome Party

Braxton's class has been studying Ancient Rome this month. He loved learning about Rome and we loved hearing about it everyday during dinner. What a fun subject. Today was their Ancient Rome celebration. The kids got to dress up as a famous Roman and had tell a little about that person. Braxton was Jupiter (aka Zeus). He was really nervous that he would forget his lines, but he did a great job. They also had an authentic Roman meal with Little Caesar's Pizza, grapes, Capri Suns and cheese.

"I am the GREAT GOD JUPITER!! I am ruler of all gods and goddess. I live on the mighty Mount Olympus and rule over all the kingdoms of heaven and earth. I control the sky, lightening, thunder and rain. The Romans gave me credit if they were healthy and rich. My Greek name is Zeus. I am married to Juno and my brothers are Neptune and Pluto. I have many sons and daughters. I use lightening bolts as weapons, so DON'T MAKE ME ANGRY!!!" (I caught myself saying this today while I was standing at the sink doing the dishes).

Science Fair

Last Thursday, was Science Fair Night at Braxton's school. The 3rd grader did a class project, "Does Hand Sanitizer Really Kill Germs?" The students split into 3 groups, those that used sanitizer, that washed with soap and water and those that didn't use either. Of course, my son, volunteered to be in the dirty hands group. Anyway, they swabbed their hands and rubbed it on a petri dish and then went to the science lab every day and checked for germs. The hand sanitizer group had least amount of germs growing in their petri dishes. So, yes, hand sanitizer does kill germs. They also had some hands-on activities. The kids got to see and touch cow livers, kidneys and hearts. We also got to look through some telescopes and look at the moon, Orion's belt and Mars. Very cool.

Tornado in a bottle

Last Day of School

Today was Braxton's last day of school at Kaysville Elementary, well, until August 2011. I went to his class after school, just in case it was going to be hard for him to say goodbye. When I walked into the classroom, he had a line of kids in front of him giving him hugs and telling him how much they were going to miss him. It was very sweet. I couldn't help but get a teary-eyed when I saw what good friends he has. Third grade has been so great so far. I have really seen so much growth these past few months. One of the things that makes me sad about moving is that I can't take Braxton's teacher, Mrs. Timothy, with us. I just love her. She is a wonderful teacher and Braxton loves being in her class. Maybe if we're lucky, she'll decide to teach 5th grade in 2011. (I can dream)

Back To School

Today was the first day of 3rd grade for Braxton and he was so excited. I always feel a little sad to send him out the door especially since he didn't think it was necessary for me to walk him to his class this year. Summer was so much fun and went by way too fast for me this year.

Oh and Emma was nice enough to wake up in time to get a picture with her brother too.

PS: I start back to school tomorrow evening :( it's been so nice to have a break.

Fare Thee Well, Second Grade

I cannot believe that the school year is over!!! Where did the time go? I really can't believe that my baby boy will be a 3rd grader in the fall. It was a great year and I am sad that it is over. Mrs. Smith is a wonderful teacher. We were lucky to have her teach Braxton. He has really grown this year. Thank you Mrs. Smith.

Now that school is out, we can concentrate on the important things. Like getting ready for our trip to California next week. Disneyland here we come!!! (Oh, and it will be nice to see Kevin and his family too :)

Field Day

Today was Field Day at Braxton's school. There were a lot of fun activities for the kids to do. I usually volunteer to help with Braxton's class, but this year I helped with just one activity. So, I played with bubbles all afternoon. It was really fun to watch all the kids get so excited about bubbles. I did miss being with Braxton's class, though. I only got to see him when he was at my station, but watched him doing the other activities from afar.

Muffins and Polar Bears

Today was "Moms and Muffins" at Braxton's school. Basically what that means is before school starts they have muffins and milk for the kids and their moms. Getting myself, Braxton and Emma ready by 8:00 this morning was a chore. Braxton and I are not morning people and Emma didn't have time for a bath, so her hair was a disaster. We made it, but they ran out of chocolate muffins by the time we got there. Oh well. Anyway, we found a nice spot on the floor in the lunchroom and sat on a blanket and Braxton read me a nice book about a dalmatian puppy. Very fun. They also do "Dads and Donuts" earlier in the year, which is always a hit.

What happy children, I have :)

After Moms and Muffins, Braxton's class had their animal fair. They had to pick an animal and do a research paper, write a story and then make a clay model of the animal in its habitat. Braxton chose the polar bear. My son LOVES animals and chose the polar bear because as he said, "it's in danger" (endangered). We learned a lot and it was fun to see all the other animals that were chosen by his classmates. Everything from a star fish, a chicken and a king cobra to a dolphin, tiger and giraffe. I love all the fun and creative things they do in 2nd grade.

Braxton's paper and story Braxton with his project. He painted his polar bear yellow because they didn't have white paint.

Braxton and his teacher, Mrs. Smith

Pre-Thanksgiving Lunch Date

Today was the big Thanks- giving lunch at Braxton's school, so parents were invited to come and partake in the school lunch goodness. Let's just say the potatoes were okay and the banana that I got from the "sides" cart was good. Braxton has been talking about this for about a week and telling me how excited he was that I was coming to have lunch. Anyway, it seems the most important thing about lunch for Braxton and his friends is to eat it as fast as they can so that they can go out for recess. So, my little lunch date was cut short when my son looked up at me and said, "Mom, is it okay if I go and play with my friends now?" Who would say no to such a thing? So, I sat there and finished my lunch with the other moms who were also left by their sons. Did you know that girls actually look like they enjoy having lunch with their moms and don't seems to care about recess?!?! What a strange concept.

Mr Dibble's Garden

Braxton's Principal, Mr. Dibble, owns a small farm in Layton, Utah. From what I hear, he has quite the garden. So this year at school, they decided to have Mr. Dibble's Garden where kids can decorate some veggies and display them at the school. They made the rules very clear...Parents Cannot Help. I had a lot of fun ideas in my Halloween mind, but Braxton wanted to do his own thing. So here is Braxton with his pumpkin. I love the pumpkin's pointy teeth.

Braxton really liked the helicopter on the right, so he asked me to take a picture. Very cute.

Homecoming

Homecoming Game Fireworks

This evening was Weber State's Homecoming game they played Dixie State. I was a little torn about who to cheer for. I spent 2 very fun and glorious years at Dixie. St. George, Utah is a great place for an 18 year old, fresh out of high school to live and socialize. I guess study too, although I did more socializing than studying back then. (Smile to myself) Anyway, I am now a student at Weber and I really enjoy it, it has made me remember that I actually like going to school (it's amazing how your grades improve when you don't have 5 room mates and a busy social life). Weber is also where Ryan got his MBA, so I figure that I have paid them enough money over the years, that I should cheer for them. They owe me a win, right?? In the back of my mind, though I still wanted Dixie to do well. I guess either way, my team was going to win. Weber did end up winning, 44 to 7.

Go Weber Go!!!! (and Dixie too)

Okay this picture has nothing to do with football, but I just had to take it. A girl sitting next to us was wearing these very comfortable shoes, I think I will get a pair for the next game.

Ryan and Braxton at the game.

Braxton and Weber's Mascot

Braxton and Ryan with the little Wildcats that the cheerleaders were throwing to the crowd.

The Game

Final Score

First Day of School

Today was the first day of second grade for Braxton and the first day of my second year as a junior at Weber State. Let's just say if I graduate before Braxton does, I will be happy. My day started early because my son was so excited to get back to school, that he woke up at the crack of dawn. Then about an hour before we were to leave for school he grabbed his backpack and informed me that he would be waiting for me outside. After I reminded him that he hadn't had breakfast yet, he came back in the house. I was sad to see him go back to school, but I was excited for him because he was so excited to start 2nd grade and to see his friends. While I was walking Braxton to school, I noticed that there were a lot of moms with big smiles on their faces. When I got home and noticed how quiet my house was and that I could get a lot done when someone isn't looking to me for entertainment, I realized why all those moms were smiling. And I smiled too.