La Feria de Ciencias

Last week was the Science Fair for Riley and Jane. They were both assigned to groups of 3 or 4 to complete a science project. Neither of their groups were very ambitious, which was O.K. by me. I actually lucked out quite a bit. A mother from each of the groups took over the project and I had to do almost nothing.

Jane's group grew stalactites and stalagmites with baking soda.

Riley's did the old Mentos and Coke experiment, determining which soda caused the biggest explosions.

Riley's exhibit became very popular when it came time for the explosions.

I wish I had taken pictures of the Junior High and High School projects, they were pretty cool. The Jr. H. built bridges out of toothpicks glued end-to-end with Elmer's glue. The H.S. did chain reactions with dominoes and other objects. Riley and Jane liked those the best.

Hoops anyone?

This is by Chapala Lake. Obviously someone thought the lake couldn't get any fuller.

Mr Pebbles and Jr.

I'm finally going to blog about our new pets. We've had them for a few months now. They are red-eared slider turtles. Babies, I think. We only got them on the condition that Jocie would be willing to take them when we leave. Turtles this size are illegal in the US. Too small. Kind of like those toys that get outlawed because of their small parts. Kids put them in their mouths. And these toys will give you salmonella poisoning.

These were Jane's idea, but all the kids like them. They don't do much. Eat, poop, scamper around a little when you try to catch them. They kinda remind me of Charlie.

They came with some pellets of food that they haven't touched. I found out on the internet that they are supposed to eat vegetables and feeder fish. We just do broccoli. Seems to be the only thing ours like.

They also love these fake turtles we put in the container. And doing yoga in the sun. See that foot, stays like that for hours.

I will miss Grandma Browne

On Sunday, Dave's grandma Edna Smith Browne passed away after battling cancer for over a year. Her children all surrounded her in her last hour. I will miss most dinners at her house on Sunday, always seeing a quilt being tied in her living room, her homemade gift tags, and especially going to the Utah County Symphony with her the last 6 years.

Dave is in Utah. The funeral is tomorrow. Wish I could be there to say goodbye. Bye Grandma.