Calissa's Science Fair Project

Calissa is in 4th grade this year, which means that she got to participate in the science fair at her school.  We talked about quite a few ideas for her project, but she ended up choosing: "Where is the best place to store bread?"

 Thank heavens for all those Monday holidays we had.  We were able to get started on it the end of January without adding it to a already full week of homework and activities.  We went to the store and bought Oroweat Country Buttermilk Bread.  She decided where she was going to test out storing it.  Then, she labeled her Ziploc bags and put the bread in.

 She decided to test out the counter, in the sun (on her desk), in a dark cupboard, in the refrigerator and in the metal bread drawer.

 Then, she made a chart and we checked on them everyday.  And then we continued to check on them EVERYDAY!  Three weeks later there was still NO MOLD on ANY OF THEM!  Crazy, huh?  I figured since the bread was $5 a loaf, it wouldn't have a lot of preservatives.  Guess I should have bought a loaf at Trader Joe's!

 Calissa did about 75 percent of the typing herself. I just formatted and printed her things.  She cut and glued everything all by herself.  I did offer to help, but she refused.  She did a great job and we were proud of her hard work!

 Well, it was science in action.  Her conclusion was that if you want to buy bread that doesn't mold, buy Oroweat Country Buttermilk!  Who knows how long it would have lasted!

Happy Birthday Travis!

 Trav's birthday almost got overlooked this year.  If you'll notice, he is not blowing out candles on homemade cinnamon rolls.  Instead, he's blowing out candles on homemade coffee cake.  I had been so busy subbing and running the kids around, that I forgot that I make cinnamon rolls and that his birthday was that week.  (Well, I didn't really forget ... but when I was planning the menu for the week, I forgot!)  I was really tired the night before his birthday, but since coffee cake was on the menu for breakfast, I figured I'd better make it.  Once it was in the oven, I realized that I had made a mistake!  Travis said he didn't mind, but I do owe him some cinnamon rolls one day soon!

 Blowing out his birthday candles on Thursday morning!  He got a new suit for his birthday (which we had bought in January, but he didn't pick up until right after his birthday).  We had a crazy, busy day that day.  Calissa had Activity Days, Conner had Baseball Practice, Parker had Volleyball Practice and both the boys had a Basketball Game for Church.  Travis had visits to make, so we didn't even see him until about 9 that night.

For Sunday dinner he asked for Shells.  We went to the grocery store on Saturday and bought everything except for the CHEESE!  Which is a crucial ingredient for shells!  Luckily, Drew picked up some cheese for me when he was picking up this yummy chocolate cake for dessert. 

Here is Travis in his snazzy new suit.  Handsome, huh?

On Monday, we got to celebrate once more at Benihana with the family as well as Drew, Tina and Christopher.  We had lots of yummy food and a great time!

Hope you know how much we love and appreciate you Trav!  Happy Birthday!

100,000 miles!

We've been watching our mileage since we knew we were getting close to 100,000 miles on the Honda Odyssey.

We were close as we came home from church, and made it to 100,000 as I took Conner to collect Fast Offerings after church.  

We had to take pictures since dad wasn't with us.  Parker and Calissa came out to the car when we got home to see.  (It was still on 100,000 miles).  I don't know why this was so exciting, but it kind of was!

(Hopefully it lasts for a long time to come! What you can't see in this picture is the check engine light that's been on for months!)