6th grade science project

 

I honestly don't think I did my own science project in 6th grade.  At MacArthur Elementary, my school in 6th grade, we choose an important person in history and had a "wax museum" with our research posters.  We posed as the historical person while families, teachers, and peers walked through.  There were favorite people who you saw repeated like Albert Einstein and Abraham Lincoln.  I was the only Nellie Bly.

It has been pretty amazing seeing Elliot do his science project and see all the creative ones his peers did.  Elliot's science project was taking Crayola and off brand markers and coloring lines on a page to see what brand lasted the longest before drying out.  Not surprisingly Crayola won.

Avery did a popular science project with bubble gum, although not quite the same as other students.  Avery had three brands of bubble gum which she measured the bubble size.  Bubble Yum made the largest bubbles.  It was the perfect science project for Avery because she loves gum.

I got my good camera out for these headshots and it makes me want to break it out more often.  I forget how good my DSLR camera is, especially with my new lens.

Back to my phone for these poster photos. We thought the balloons added some fun dimension that looks a bit like bubble gum. :)

Avery didn't win an award but we felt good about her poster since we started and finished it the night before it was due - because that's what you do, right?! ;)

an interesting turn of events

 

I have to admit, I don't think Avery would call it interesting.  Coming home from the lake on Saturday Avery was complaining about how all we have for lunch food is sandwiches and sandwiches are boring and could we please at out?  I didn't appreciate her attitude but after 3-4 hours at the lake with just snacks and it being around noon, a restaurant sounded like a good idea.

We pulled into the parking lot at Serranos and Avery was pulling her overalls on over her swimsuit when the fishhook she forgot about stuck through the jeans and in her leg.  She found it at the lake and put it in her jeans for later.  She's our little magpie and loves to collect things.  This was a lesson she learned the hard way - not to collect fishhooks.

Andrew tried to cut the hook with a utility knife but then it got stuck and broke.  Thankfully an urgent care shared the same parking lot so we decided I would take the kids unto the restaurant and start on chips and salsa while Andrew to Avery to urgent care to get the hook out.

Urgent care couldn't get it out so Andrew had to take Avery to the hospital and I called my parents to pick us up.  At the hospital the nurses told Andrew and Avery that she needed a tetanus shot and might need to be sedated if they need to cut the hook out so she couldn't eat anything.  That scared Avery and she was shivering from nerves and being a little cold so they gave her a blanket.

Eventually Avery got a room and later on a doctor came and was able to cut the hook and pull it through.  No tetanus shot needed because she's up to date with her immunizations, and no sedation but they did use a shot to numb the area.

Avery was a trooper and was so glad to have the fish hook out.  Her leg is red and bruised, and was swolen for a day but on the mend!

Glad to see Avery back to her normal smiley self.   It was ironic that she was the one that wanted to eat out the most but didn't get to.  Daddy did grab her some McDonalds on the way home after.  She deserved it. ;)

12 year old birthday girl

Avery is officially 12 years old now!  Here are some snippets of her day.  She opened presents when I got home from my run.  She loved clothes and she definitely got some, as well as some earrings, spiral hair ties, and an "A" necklace.

With early release and postponing her piano lesson we had time to get some Joe's BBQ and pazookies at Oreganos, some of our favorite birthday freebies.  That mac and cheese is soooo good! and I tried the pork and beans for the first time and it's a winner for me.

I love that these sisters have built in BBF's for life.  Especially Avery and Zara, but Bea will catch up and I hope they stay close friends in their adult years.

Downtown Gilbert is such a popular area with lots of cool restaurants and murals.  We couldn't resist taking some photos.

The balloon is from the Young Women Presidency.

The water is still cold but that hasn't stopped the kids from getting in the pool next door.

We love our Avery!  She shares our anniversary but we do what we can to celebrate Avery on her day and often have a special date on another day.

Sunday cake

Twelve is a big birthday so we're celebrating as much as we can!  We had birthday cake at Avery's party but wanted to have one to share and sing with family Sunday night so here's birthday cake number two!  The design is dill weed blossoms, inspired from a cake on Pinterest. Simple and cute.

I hope my kids remember these times.  All the noise of all the family gathered around to celebrate them.  These are the people that will always be there to love, support, and cheer them on!

party time

 

Avery really wanted a birthday party this year (it wasn't an option last year with Covid) so last Saturday we threw her one!  She wanted lots of school friends, plus we had Lexie Weber and Natalie, and of course Zara and Beatrix!  I whipped up a cake for her which is messy and so much fun, just like Avery! ;)

We started off playing the monster drawing game, ate pizza and snacks, and answered fun questions to get to know each other better.

Beatrix was in heaven at this girls party.  Don't be fooled, she was not interested in pizza, only Doritos.

We had to get some group photos with everyone under the balloon garland.  This is our first attempt of a balloon garland and it's not terrible.  Zara and Avery helped and we learned as did it.  Blue and teal are her favorite colors.

The party was pizza and movie night.  We let the girls choose the movie; either Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan, or Yes Day (a new family movie with Jennifer Garner).  We went for Yes Day but wished we went the other since a few of the girls had seen it already and weren't that interested. It was still a good time.

After the movie we sang to Avery and shared some cake, everyone had some! Then Avery opened her presents and gave one big group hug.  So many fun and thoughtful gifts!  What a fun group of girls.  So glad Avery got to have the party she wanted and felt special.

Avery turned 10

 

Sunday was Avery's birthday and she is now 10!  It's a little crazy having two kids in double digits. 

 

Eyeballs are a thing at our house right now.  

 

We started of the day singing to Avery and opening presents.  Andrew and Elliot went early to set up seating at the inner stake center for our special meeting in the afternoon.  Then we skyped my in-laws to wish each other a Happy Anniversary.  Yes, we share our anniversary with Avery's birthday and Andrew's parent's anniversary.  It's a big happy day!

Church was at 11:00, choir practice at 2:00, special stake meeting at 4:00 (Andrew and the kids broke their fast right before), cake making and family gathering at my parents ended the day.  It was a suuuuper low-key anniversary for us this year (more than normal) but we did go on two dates last week!

 

The girls went a little nuts with Avery's birthday balloons and it was hilarious!  I really want to hold onto this fake belly picture for when they really are pregnant some day.  Wouldn't be amazing if they were pregnant at the same time?!  I always loved being pregnant with my sisters.

Avery has a big heart and a bigger need to just have fun!  She tries my patience and likes to do things her way and in her time and that's why I learn so much from her.  Avery has the most beautiful freckles and a twinkle in her eye whenever she smiles.

As for the changes in the stake boundary every single ward gained or lost members, every ward changed names, another ward was added to the stake so all three buildings have three wards now.  Our ward time went from 11:00 to 10:30.  We were one of the wards to gain new members.  We also go a new bishop and 2nd Counselor.  We loved Bishop Speakman and we will love Bishop Ashcroft.  The Lazona Ward is now called Dartmouth Ward.  Change is good and exciting!

So grateful for amazing church leaders and revelation.