Ethan's science fair project

       Ethan submitted a project for the science fair at his school.  He named his project "Juicy Juice" and he investigated to see whether potatoes or dill pickles conducted more electricity.  He spent a few days taking over the kitchen table with pickles, potatoes, wire leads, copper wire, galvanized screws,  various timers, and a voltmeter.  He collected and recorded his data diligently (even though that was probably his least favorite part.)  He worked hard on his display board.  I am super proud of him!  He received a rating of "Outstanding".  He ended up hooking together dill pickles as a battery and connected them to a timer and it worked!  Great job, E!

Happy Birthday, Wesley

Birthday pumpkin roll - doesn't everyone
have pumpkin roll
for their birthday? 

   Oh my...my baby is growing up.  Wesley turned nine years old yesterday.  My cute little boy is now a cute big kid.  He's always had the mischievous smile and the twinkle in his eye.  People have always asked me, "Is he always smiling?"  And my answer is always, "Yes, unless his brother is tormenting him!"  He's always been a smiley, happy, cuddly kid.  A hug and a kiss from him melts away the troubles and frustrations of the day.
     He is the epitome of silliness.  I don't think he can manage to go through a day without trying to make one of us laugh at least 5 times.
     He's a doodler.  Almost any paper he finds is covered in doodles of fantastical creatures with angry eyebrows, sharp teeth, and huge claws.  In first grade he made me a nice Easter craft with a mama chicken and her chicks.  He had carefully colored them, cut them out, and glued them in a line, dutifully following their mother.  They were a vision of spring, those baby chicks with ninja masks.  Only Wesley would think to give Easter chicks ninja masks.  Rich and I regularly laugh over his creative doodles and artwork.
     Happy birthday to my dear boy on his ninth!  I love you, Wesley!

little guy

really growing up

muddy

wearing the coat and cap
all of Julie's brothers wore

all decked out in his
spider hunting gear

Wesley loves desserts!

walking with daddy

a boy's best friend

Pinewood Derby 2012

a lovely spring day...

Days like this are unheard of in March.  Usually we are still facing blustery days with an occasional blast of snow, but temps in the high 70s?  A true gift.  Just a few days ago the boys wanted hot dogs for dinner, but alas, there were none.  On the way home today, while I was trying to decide what to make for dinner, the memory resurfaced.  I was just sure I could talk a boy into building a fire for me.  I quickly stopped at the store to buy the appropriate supplies.  So upon arriving home, Ethan, the boy scout that he is, whipped up a fire in the fire bowl.  Wesley assisted by playing on the swingset, i.e. staying out of his way.  The cooking then commenced.  I must say, the first hot dogs and marshmallows of the season are always the best.  After dinner, there was more playing and even some fishing.  A good time was had by all.

playing with Zero

getting fishing gear ready

Mmmm...

Cub Scout Cake Auction

     Last night was the cub scout cake auction.  We have been baking throughout the week in preparation.  Wesley's cake was a pig wallowing in the mud.  Very cute, if I do say so myself.  I made the cake of the pig's rear end in honor of our friend and fellow scout leader, Jay.  He said he would kiss a pig if the scouts raised over $3000 at the auction.  Of course, someone asked him, "Which end?"  and the gauntlet was figuratively thrown down for me and I took on the challenge.  The dark pink spot is lips.  I was pleased with the end result.  I also made some cake pops as a trial run for Wesley's birthday treat at school.  He personally requested them so I thought some might be fun for the cake auction too.  The Hays family did their part to help raise funds!

Wesley's pig cake

Pig's rear end cake

cake pops

The first snow day

 The day started off with a little drive.  The snow was so beautiful, the branches were like an ice cave, a canopy over the road.

a stand of  pines

some pretty red berries

The boys built a snow ramp to ramp their sleds.

  Zero chased them.

 Then I got to work!  It was Christmas candy making day!  I did have a little help on one batch.

Rich and Ethan working

Wesley pretending to help

M&M pretzel candies, Rich's favorite

I made the rest of the candy myself.

Swiss Caramels, Ethan's favorite

English Toffee (my fave)

pumpkin custard (for Wesley since
he missed it at Thanksgiving)

Pecan Pralines (my second fave)

Apparently, I failed to take a photo of
 the fudge, except on Wesley's face.
He said it was great.

 Maybe this weekend I'll tackle the Oreo truffles.  I had to stop when the power went out.  Couldn't keep up with the dishes.  Then I finished my book and started the next one in the series.  All in all it was a great day!

Getting ready for Christmas

Monarch butterflies

Ethan found some monarch caterpillars and raised them to butterflies.  He released them after a few days.