Birthday girl

Kathryn had a good 10th birthday today. Grandma, Uncle Matt, Aunt Melinda, and Phineas came over for lunch (calzones) and cake.




She wanted a penguin cake. I think she's just testing my decorating abilities.


Pretty earrings!


She got several pairs of earrings for her birthday, then went out to Claire's with some of her birthday money and bought some more. Now we just have to wait six weeks until she can wear them!

Black belts!

Here is a video of Kathryn and I breaking boards for our black belt ceremony. This was the last step of our belt test, then we got our new belts.

As part of the belt ceremony, Master Williford ties on our first black belts. It was wonderful getting my belt, and even better watching Kathryn get hers.

Chicks

We have had so much fun with our embryology unit these last few weeks. The three weeks the eggs are in the incubator go by pretty slowly with not much to show for it. But boy, is day 21 exciting! As soon as the first chick started to hatch, the kids had to call Daddy at work with the good news.


It looks pretty pathetic, but it's hysterical to watch them flop around the incubator. This one was doing cartwheels trying to get used to its feet.


Our first two chicks.


What a difference a day makes!


Last time we did this, we didn't take them outside. I'm glad we did, though -- they loved it! Even at 75 outside, it was a bit cold for them (the brooder box is 95 degrees), so we only stayed out a little while.


Kathryn gave one of them a clover hat. The chick was not impressed.


Two cute kids; nine cute chicks.






Here's the brooder box in Daniel's room. It was fun having fewer chicks this year -- it was easier to play with them, they had more room, and they made less of a mess.

Fashion Review

Today was the judging for the 4-H Fashion Review. The entries could be anything wearable and sewn. There were aprons and jumpers, robes and sweatpants, dresses and skirts. Oh, and one really cute purple poncho...

Kathryn was very confident talking to the judge about her outfit, She talked about making it, where sher go the pattern (thank you, Babba!) and why she liked it so much.


The hood turned out great. Attaching it to the poncho was the toughest part for her. That and ironing the seams. She got a little burn on her hand from the edge of the iron. Thankfully the iron wasn't on a really hot setting.


Next week is the fashion show. All the participants will get a chance to model their creations and the prizes will be awarded. Since Kathryn is a cloverbud she isn't competing for a prize -- she'll receive feedback and a participation award. Didn't she do a great job?

Glasses

The big day finally arrived. Kathryn got to pick up her new glasses yesterday. Doesn't she look cute? From this angle you can't see the little butterflies perched on each of the ear-pieces. They're adorable! And best of all, she can see clearly again. I hadn't realized how impaired her vision was -- it happened so gradually that she never complained and I didn't catch it. Even good moms miss things sometimes, I guess. Daniel has an appointment to get HIS eyes checked next week. I don't think there's a problem, but you never know.

They're both out!

Just so everyone can see, Daniel is now without BOTH teeth on top. And he was able to hold onto this tooth long enough to get it under his pillow. Isn't he cute?

Snaggle-tooth

Just had to share some cute pictures. Daniel lost one of his big top teeth this past week-end. It came out at Pizza/Movie Night at TaeKwonDo. In fact, he lost it twice: once when it came out and again when he couldn't find it to bring home. He was happy to find out that the Tooth Fairy came anyway.


Sigh. Do you think a brick on his head will keep him my little boy? He's getting so big...