Gloop

I was trying out different kinds of gloop for a library program this summer.  Gus and Anders were more than willing to help.

 Gloop, or Oobleck, is just a mixture of corn starch and water.  Gus had a great time mixing the two and adding water to make it runny or corn starch to thicken it up.  You know you have the right consistency when you can roll the gloop in your hand and make a solid ball. Then when you open your hand the ball melts into a gooey mess.  It is a great way to show solids and liquids.

 You can add food coloring or paint to make it different colors.  Or even freeze some colored water to watch the colors mix as the ice cubes melt.  If you mix corn starch, water, and baking soda together it also makes the same gloop consistency, but if you sprinkle a kool-aid packet on top the gloop will fizz and bubble.  That was pretty cool.

The boys played for hours.  Clean up was super easy. 

For the library program I had different kinds of gloop set up at tables for the kids to play with.  I also made some gloop by boiling water and cornstarch which made slime. The kids were able to spoon the slime into a strainer and watch as it oozed into the bowl below.  Lots of fun.

Star Wars Reads

October 5th was Star Wars Reads day, so my boss arranged for some Jedis to come by the library.

 They gave a little demonstration on using a light sabre and then asked for volunteers from the audience.

 I know this will come as a surprise to all of you, but John was the first to volunteer.

 Kids were encouraged to dress in costumes or Star Wars gear.

The Jedis were even good with the littlest of Star Wars lovers.

Swimming Lessons

For a couple of years I've heard wonderful things about this awesome lady who was amazingly talented at teaching kids how to swim.  She also happens to be the Kindergarten teacher at Messiah Lutheran Classical Academy, and I've heard fantastic things about her classroom teaching skills as well.  I asked her back in March if she would have time to teach my boys when we were down in Texas this summer.  She was able to squeeze the boys in and I was/am very grateful.  Since we didn't go to Texas until mid August she was actually already back at school. 

We talked about swim lessons for months.  John was very excited and jumped right in.

 Gus sat there watching John and started to get very nervous.  

Really, really nervous.

But we didn't give him a choice and Betsy was able to get him to stop crying and release his death grip on her in a matter of seconds.

Anders was just so mad he had to wait so long for his turn.

 Anders loved his lessons.

On the last day this kid wanted to jump off of the diving board.  He didn't even want daddy's help, but daddy insisted.


Gus did well to and ended up really liking his lessons.

 He went from, you want me to put my head where?...

 to inches his way closer to the water.

 Before I knew it he was putting his head under water, kicking his legs and moving his arms.

On the last day he actually got brave enough to get the rings at the bottom of the pool.

 He really, really, really wanted to go off of the diving board like his brothers.

 Maybe next year.

 John worked on diving the last couple of days.

 He was jumping off the diving board and swimming to the side the last day.  He LOVED lessons.  And, yes, I must put LOVED in all caps because John lives life in all caps.

Coming up for a breath.  He can't wait to go back next summer.

My little swimmers with Mrs. Kirk.  She is awesome.

Little Bakers

I had some little helpers in the kitchen the other day.

 These two were very excited to make apple dumplings.

 They were hard little workers.  

Then it was time for a snack.  Anders was being a loud and obnoxious boy so Maggie gave him a look.

Then her lipped curled a bit in the corner.  This look that says, why are you doing that, is a look Maggie has often when she comes over.  I just shake my head and tell her that I don't understand either.

Student of the Week

Gus was student of the week at school.  He was very excited to make his poster and talk about it in class.  One of the perks of being the student of the week is being the line leader.  Gus was really excited about that.

 We sat down at the computer and he chose all of the pictures he wanted me to print so he could put them on his poster.  In order for them all to fit I had to be the one to place them.  In the end I didn't feel like he did enough so I had him write some words to glue on the poster.

I love that he wanted me to print out a picture of a bus and write Gus the Bus since that is what we call him.

The Star Student

Fishing

The boys were super excited to go fishing.  They stayed out on the water for a good amount of time.  Gus and Anders were ready to come in, but John would have stayed out there all day.

 Gus caught a fish not long after they got out there.  It was a small one so they threw it back.  Gus said it was disgusting.

 The things grandpas do for their grandchildren.  My dad gets pretty bad motion sickness.  But he braved the nausea for his grandsons.

 John is patiently waiting for a fish to bite.  Sadly, he never caught one.  But he was happy for his brothers when they caught one.  Because he is a sweet boy like that.

Gus ended up catching a second fish that was actually big enough to eat.  The boys had a great time watching Hans prepare the fish.  Fritz was extremely interested in all of this and even got a hold of the fish head at one point.  Gus wouldn't let Fritz lick him for a week after that.

Ice Cream and Karaoke

We couldn't hit the lake this summer with out going to the Charcoal Corral.  It had been two years since we were there, but the boys remembered this place right away.

Anders enjoyed his ice cream this time so much more than last time.

The last time we were at the Charcoal Corral, Anders didn't appreciate the awesomeness of ice cream.

John and Gus also remembered singing karaoke so we made sure to let them do it again this year.  John and Gus would have been happy to sing Yellow Submarine again, but Anders was adamant that they all sing an Adele song.  Gus was getting a little nervous before their names were called and said he didn't want to go up on stage.  Hans managed to coax him up, and well...

 our scared little boy came out of his shell.

 He really put on a show.

 At one point he was dancing so much he had to take a little rest.

 Then he was back at it again.  

John sang really well.  Anders sang loudly only on the parts he really liked, and Gus danced the night away.

 I love my boys.

You don't always know what they are thinking.

And they are always ready to entertain.