Adj. 1. inquisitory - diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation; "a probing inquiry";


Monday, September 29, 2014

Maryland Science Center

The Maryland Science Center had its homeschool classes again.  I wasn't able to sign Gwyn and Celee up for the classes they wanted, but Lyla did get in to one.  So I got us all IMAX tickets for the movie that day and we all went down.  They have a ridiculous registration system that I wish they would do digitally, but it is what it is so we make due.
While Lyla was in her class, Gwyn, Celee and I explored the exhibits.  Some ha changed since we were there last, so they had fun finding new things.  Like brains.  Celee went zombie on us for a bit.  Thankfully these brains were plastic.
We have found we always enjoy the maker room.  I can't remember what it's actually called, but there is usually some kind of design challenge and supplies that the kids are left to work out on their own.  This time it was earthquake-proof architecture.  They tried to construct a building out I skewers and packing peanuts that would survive the "earthquake machine."  

Lyla's class was on things that glow in the dark.  I don't think she learned much, or at least nothing she could tell us about, but she did have fun.  She painted with the chemicals out of a glow stick, so she was excited about that.
She also insisted that we go up to the 2nd floor where there is a UV light along the wall.  Our teeth glow!
The bed of nails is always a must-do.  I keep trying to explain the physics if it to them so they understand why the nails don't hurt you but one nail would.  I don't think Lyla cares why, but if I say it enough hopefully it will sink in right?


This is the obligatory picture I always make them take.
But this time we got smoothies!  They were super yummy, and this stand is part of a program that a friend works for that provides employment opportunities to disadvantaged youth among other things.  So win win!
I actually don't know if we'll do the science center classes again.  It really is quite stressful to try to sign up for them!  And we never seem to make it into our first choices either.  I hate to not take advantage of low-cost science classes though.  I guess if they have something we're really interested in, we might try it again nest year.  It is a "free" trip to the science center at least. 

Lake Anna and the O's

On Labor Day weekend we were invited to go to Lake Anna with our neighbors.  They have a very lovely condo on the lake with a boat and all kinds of nice toys for the lake.  It may look cloudy, but the weather was great!  It was warm and the water was warm and it wasn't so sunny that we felt like we were baking out on the water!
My girls had never been tubing before, so they were in for a treat!  Between the bouncy red tube and the slidey green tube, they were bounced and slung and spashed all over the cove!





















I think Lyla likes lake life.


Gwyn got her first ride on a jet ski!

Everyone wanted a turn on Big Mabel.  I guess technically it's a tube, but it's more like a huge inflatable couch.

I got to knee board for a bit.  The water was super choppy, but I stayed up until my arms gave out.  (Which sadly did not take as long as I would have liked)  But it was a blast!

That Sunday was Girl Scout Day at Camden Yards, so we had tickets to see the Orioles play the Twins.  I don't care much about baseball, but it is fun to be in the stands.  I think they must know that baseball isn't super exciting most of the time because there sure are a lot of extra entertainment things going on during the game.  I like the trivia best, but there's also all kinds of challenges and games people get to play, and puzzles and videos on the billboard.  So we stuck it out for almost the whole game.  Everyone was super sleepy from our weekend at the lake though, so we cut out to go home and nap.


Can you tell Lyla was past her breaking point in this pic?  Gwyn and Celee were too probably, but they still know to put on a camera face because other people will see this picture.  ;)
I'm glad we got to go see the Orioles play in Camden Yards.  The girls got jerseys.  We got to see the Orioles play and win during a good season.  It was a little hot, but our seats were in the shade.  It may not be an activity we choose to do often, but it was fun.  Go Orioles!

In other news...

Our Monarch-loving friend Bridget set us up with Monarch caterpillars this year. We had several caterpillars, and even found one in the wild when we were collecting milkweed for them. I think Monarch caterpillars must eat each other sometimes though because our tiny one disappeared. Then one of the big ones crawled off. Poor thing. There is no milkweed in my house outside of the caterpillar net.
Still, one finally did make its chrysalis. We all got super excited when the chrysalis turned color and we could see the butterfly inside. Then she hatched! Celee tagged her. (So if she makes it to Mexico, they will know where she came from) We tried to feed her a bit. Then Celee released her. Happy breezes to Mexico, Fluttershy #1! (Of course the girls named them all Fluttershy)





Celee and Lyla started back to gymnastics. We foundation tumbling/trampoline gym in Westminster that they are really enjoying. We started out with both girls going for the competitive team. They were doing well! But then we got sticker shock! And as neither Celee nor Lyla really wanted to compete at this point, we went back to the recreational class. They are still having a blast with it and getting better at it too!

Gwyn started practice for the Piranhas swim team. She is a natural swimmer, but it takes a while to get your endurance back after being out for so long. It's fun to watch her improving!

Gwyn's Girl Scout troop had their Bronze Award pinning ceremony. I'm so proud of these girls!



It still amazes me at times, almost like I'm caught unawares, when I realize how old my girls are. I feel old for saying it, but the time has flown by too quickly! Gwyn is as tall as me now and will probably be taller soon. Celee is so thoughtful and responsible - she is such a help to me! And Lyla, even though she's still small, she can do so much on her own! They really are little ladies now. I love my little ladies!

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Our first Specials Day

We joined a specials co-op this year that meets in Eldersburg each week.  I really wanted the girls to meet some kids their age that live in Carroll Co. so they could have some friends out here.  The co-op offers some cool classes too!  Lyla is taking PE, Spanish, Art, Exploring the Universe, and HapKido.  Celee is taking Drawing, PE, Spanish, Hangul, and HapKido.  Gwyn is a "middle schooler" this year so she's in Ultimate Frisbee, Fencing, Munchkin (yes there's a class where they play Munchkin each week), Sewing, and Kitchen Chemistry.  Besides being a long exhausting day, it's going really well!
Celee is learning to sketch and shade.
Gwyn is getting good at Munchkin.  She can even beat Jason now!

Lyla made a water rocket that she got to shoot.  The class even learned to calculate height with an altitude meter to see whose rocket went the highest.


HapKido is a defensive martial art.  Originally Geyn was in there too, but she wa the only one even near her age (besides Celee) so she switched to Kitchen Chemistry.

Co-op day makes for a super long day because the girls also have piano in Elsersburg before co-op.  So our day starts there at 7:45 and ends at 4.  Needless to say, we are all zone-blazed by the time we get home.  I'm glad the girls are making friends though.  I have to help with 3 of their classes, so I'm getting to know some of the kids and moms too.    They have pizza lunch every co-op day which they love.  I love pizza, so that's fine with me too.  But it does ruin my Pizza Friday dinner option.  So in my more blazed than usual state, who knows what dinner will be on Friday evenings.  

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Gwyn is 12?! What?!

Twelve years ago (on Labor Day) my first-born daughter made her debut.  She actually showed up the day after Labor Day, but only by an hour or so.  Even though I've been there watching it, I don't know that sleepy tiny fuzzy-headed baby turned into this young lady!  She is tall and smart and funny and determined and creative and thoughtful and ... And ... And ... She is awesome!
Upon waking up we all piled into the do if room for Gwyn to open presents.  She got a few things she had asked for.  We also surprised her with roller blades.  She was pretty excited about all of it!

Later that afternoon, we went to the park to try out Gwyn's new blades.  Celee and Lyla got to roller skate too and ride bikes when they got tired of skating.



Gwyn planned out her spend-the-night party.  She wanted to make marshmallow pops and everyone decorate their own.  She also wanted everyone to decorate her cake together.  I wasn't sure how ten girls decorating one cake was going to turn out, but they did a good job!  They are definitely getting to be young ladies.




Gwyn enjoyed opening a few more presents.  I love that more and more she and her friends are picking out presents for each other, and sometimes paying with their own money.  They know each other better and take more ownership of their friendships.  
These girls played, laughed, talked, watched silly movies, and generally had a grand time.  They even went to sleep at a decent time.

Happy Birthday Gwyn!  I'm so glad you had a fun birthday!  You are an amazing daughter and I'm so glad you're ours!