Science for All

We are so lucky to have according to parents magazine the #1 best science center in the United States in our back yard. I have been going to COSI since I have been a kid, and I will be the first to tell you that it has been better and better every time I go. Now that we have kids we have a change and a reason to go more often.

If you are ever in the area you really need to go. COSI is fun for all ages. One of the most recent set-ups is a walk through time and technology. As you can see Isabella sitting on an old range.

As a reminder to all you parents... Every last Friday of the month there is a admission sale!

Our kids should be like superman.

This past weekend was beautiful. So we decided to try and get outside as much as possible. If everyone remembers Superman needs the Earth's yellow sun to gain powers, so do we! Yes everyone the lives as far north as us does not get enough Sun, more specifically vitamin D.

According to U.S. News, "In the winter, it's impossible to produce vitamin D from the sun if you live north of Atlanta because the sun never gets high enough in the sky for its ultraviolet B rays to penetrate the atmosphere."

So why should we spend more time outside, well..."The sunshine vitamin may protect against a host of diseases, including osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancers of the breast, prostate, and colon. What's more, sunlight has other hidden benefits—like protecting against depression, insomnia, and an overactive immune system."


So get outside, but be aware of how much sun you are getting. Don't burn! Oh and take more pictures, but first make sure you don't let you kid have your camera, you may not get it back.

Race Day

This past Sunday was the first time that I ran a 5K race. Nicole, Isabella, and Charlotte were all there to help cheer me on.

Isabella was very upset that she was not able to race. So I talked to the announcer and we were able to run around and have her run through the finish line. She was so excited.

If you are in the Columbus area for the Memorial day weekend. There is a 5K race in the Park of Roses, "Ring around the Roses 5K" that is also holding a kids run. So if you wanted to come out and join us either with your kids or run with Nicki and I, please do. We will be there. Isabella will be ready for her 100 yard race.

A horse of course

This weekend there was a kids day at our local YMCA. There were a lot of learning booths that the kids could visit. Such as kids were able to learn about fires and fire safety and then of course what everyone wants to do, they were able to hold the fire hose and spray it. (Isabella needed assistance)

Also they brought in some horses the kids could ride. Isabella was so very excited about that. Although one thing was deterring from her fun. A mouse! Yes, someone dressed up like a mouse that Isabella was deathly scared of. But in the end the mouse went inside and all was well. The name of the horse she was able to ride was Reina.


Did you know that horses were first domesticated between 3500-4000BC? Originally (millions of years ago) they were a small multi-toed animal. Yes evolution does happen.

There's no stoppin' curiosity

Who's to say
What's impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There's no stoppin' curiosity

I wanna turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's song
I don't want this feeling to go away

Who's to say
I can't do everything
Well I can try
And as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren't always just what they seem
I wanna turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's song
This world keeps spinning and there's no time to waste

Will it all keep spinning and spinning round and round and
Upside down
Who's to say whats impossible and can't be found
I don't want this feeling to go away
Please Don't go away
Please Don't go away
Please don't go away
is this how it's supposed to be
is this how it's supposed to be
-Jack Johnson

Cousins

Easter 2009

The Bunny or the Egg?

According to Wiki, Easter eggs are specially decorated eggs given to celebrate the Easter holiday or springtime.

The egg was a symbol of the rebirth of the earth in Pagan celebrations of spring and was adopted by early Christians as a symbol of the rebirth.

The ancient Persians painted eggs for Nowrooz, their New Year celebration, which falls on the Spring equinox. The Nawrooz tradition has existed for at least 2,500 years.

We Wonder Why We Are Wreally Wilting

We have been trying to get outside as much as possible. I believe the cabin fever has set and we all need to open the doors that hold our comfort and warmth in from the cold winter and see that the sun is starting to come out. Our grass is turning green, my outdoor plants are wanting to bloom, while my indoor plants are wilting. Does that tell you anything?

Isabella Update: I wanted to write down some of the expressions that Isabella is currently using because I think they are absolutely adorable and funny. In the morning she tells us that she has "crumbs" in her eyes. Which if you think about it is an excellent analogy of what it look and feels like. We recently tried to tell her that is "sleep", but while saying it we could see how that is very confusing. Another phrase that Isabella is currently using is when we comb her hair in the morning she wants to know why the "nuts" are in her hair.

Food, Food, Food, Oh how I love my Food

Charlotte loves her food. Every time she starts eating a lot I can't help but sing the Wiggles song "Food, Food, Food". I thank Isabella for introducing me to the song. I could not find the lyrics anywhere on the Internet so I decided to type them out. Check out the song... it's a catchy tune! ...and then when you see your kids start eating you too can get this song your head.



Banana, potato, some fruit from the fridge
Tomato, sultana, a bowl of porridge
Rock melon, pineapple, rhubarb in a dish
A lemon we squeeze on a fish
Spaghetti, I’m ready for a big piece of cheese
Some fruit cake with custard, may I have more please
An apple, a pawpaw, and red strawberries
Roast chicken, fish fingers, and cream and jelly
Food, all I need is some food
Food Oh I love my food
Baked beans on toast with corn for crunch
Eggs that are scrambled, with bacon for lunch
Yogurt with muesli, to chew and to munch
A carrot and peas and a broccoli bunch
Food, all I need is some food
Food Oh I love my food
A meat pie, a burger, vegetable quiche
With parsley on top, and orange to squeeze
Rice cakes and biscuits, a soft mandarin
Sponges, and muffins with a cheery thrown in
Food, all I need is some food – fruit salad
Food Oh I love my food – hot potato
Food, all I need is some food – cold spaghetti
Food Oh I love my food – mashed banana

-written by The Wiggles
Please tell me if you believe some of the words are wrong.

Plant Update

Here are some pictures of our plants that we have started mostly from seed. We have had some successes and some failures along the way. First I would like to say that "Chompers" our venous fly trap has not helped as much as anticipated but he is eating away, as you can see in the picture below. (Yes that is a dead fruit fly)

Our shamrock has bloomed as you can see pictured.

Now for an update on the herbs... these have proved to be the most difficult. So far Parsley and Dill has been growing well. (Pictured) Rosemary, Thyme, and Basil have either stalled or died. But we have started a new round of each.

What I have learned... when watering make sure you do not over water. That will get you some fungus and also fruit flies. Then if you under water obvious things will happen. Here is the tricky part... if you allow the soil to dry out between watering's (as you should), when you water again the soil doesn't want to soak up water. It just flows right through and it appears to be watered enough. So you need to let it drain and water over and over again until it is completely saturated. So drainage is the key! I have been watering ours in the sink. Water the plant... walk away... water... repeat until the soil is dark.

I have recently started doing this, I will report back with the results later.

Note: I am growing this in Ohio pretty much where the sun doesn't shine ever! See this past post. So I am hoping when the temperature changes so will the luck of our growing.

Charlotte's New Personality

Charlotte is on the move! If you have seen here lately she is a girl with a mission! Here are some pictures.

Baptism

Charlotte Astrid Felter
Baptized into the Catholic Church 4/5/2009
God Mother - Mandi Falk Peterson
God Father - Christian Felter (Robert Felter by proxy)