Ten on Tuesday

1. Zane got two new science kits for his birthday and was ready to dive into all things science yesterday. His first kit was called "Gross Science" and included a miniature toilet that mixes things, a worm straw, and molds to make vomit, maggots, and worms so all very gross things. We did four different experiments, but always come back to baking soda and vinegar, the best of all experiments, especially when it's done in a toilet!

 2. Friday night Abbey and I made a quick pit stop by Able and Kari's backyard camp out. Neither of us could leave our children all night to camp out, but it looked like lots of fun and we got this adorable photo while we were there. Love these people!

 3. Bike riding has become part of our daily routine around here since Zane's birthday. For unknown reasons Zane just wants to ride back and forth in front of our house. This means he has to get off and turn his bike around at the end of the street because he can't ride up driveways yet. All my attempts at trying to convincing him to go around the neighborhood have failed. This current set up does mean Rowan gets to ride his "bicycle" on the driveway, with his tiny helmet, which is so adorable.

 4. When they aren't riding bicycles the boys are in the pool, which is holding up wonderfully with Zach's constant supervision to the pH. About the time I thought they could play together safely I had to do a water rescue on Rowan Friday. It is felling a lot like summer 2001 - 2003 around here with a lot of my time spent life guarding. I even found my old lifeguard whistle last week. I need to put that to use, get these kids walking some laps!

 5. Zane also got lots of new nature exploring things which meant we were out on a nature hunt first thing Monday morning with our bug sucker upper in hand. There was not a lot of nature or bugs to be found Monday, but we managed to collect a few rolly pollies and ants. Somewhere in the hunt we lost the night vision light for Zane's bug sucker upper and had to go on a hunt for that, with out any luck. However, it did become clear that two bug suckers would be needed in the future to prevent violence on our nature walks.

6. Unlike Zane I woke up feeling rather terrible Monday morning and did not have any energy. After a day of science and nature hunts today I felt worse and was back at the doctor for antibiotics/steroids. Yet another terrible cough and sinus pain. It never ends and is always at the worst time possible times. I do think it is less frequent, but still terribly annoying. 

7. Between birthday celebrations and coughing my head off I haven't been to the gym in a week and am feeling bad about it. I work tomorrow then head out on vaca Thursday. I guess the key is to not let this  discourage me and just start back when I feel better and we're back in a routine. I had been getting my 10,000 steps a day until yesterday when I laid on the couch all afternoon. The struggle is real.

8.These pictures of the boys in their safety goggles crack me up. Rowan was covered in a mixture of cornstarch, from goo making, and powdered donut during afternoon science time and looked like a hot mess. They are nothing if not safe though!

 9. I cannot believe I am back sitting on stool, in the bathroom, for long periods of time each day watching a little boy try to go potty. My loyal readers will remember how much I despised potty training the first time around and are probably thinking why am I trying to potty train Rowan already. I am definitely not trying, but his little boy loves to sit on his choo choo potty seat and requests to often. He has been successful a handful of times, but mostly it's just this, sitting in the bathroom while he giggles and does what boys do in the bathroom, if you know what I mean. I am dreading this phase the second time around, wish me luck!

10. Lastly we are so looking forward to seeing our STL friends and Zach's family this weekend. We of course will be seeing the penguins and the new polar bear exhibit and hopefully we make into town in time to go to The Magic House. I can't believe Zane still has vivid memories of the Magic House a year and half later, so it must be pretty fun. Then we're off to Grammi and Papa's where there is sure to be lots of nature to explore. I am hoping to sleep at some point, but it's looking doubtful!

Side note: I wrote this earlier this afternoon, but now Zach is at the after hours clinic with Rowan who decided to spike a fever, I'm sure from his "hurting ear" he complained of all day. Life remains crazy here in case anyone was wondering!