Sneak Preview of "Dinosaur Destruction"

Lego Movies

 Spencer and his pals have been creating Lego movies. Lego movies are great because you don't have to hire temperamental actors. You just use those little Lego guys, and they do all their own stunts. I like to see science lessons finding their way into Lego movies. Apparently, the end of the Mesozoic Era left an impression.

New York City

 My good friend Melani and I held our second annual homeschool convention in New York City this year. Our wonderful husbands graciously took over all home duties, which is no small thing. While in New York, we didn't eat much because there just wasn't time. During our 4 days there, we saw Times Square, the observation deck of the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the American Museum of Natural History (Night at the Museum!), the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Ground Zero, Trinity Church, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Central Park (twice), Rockefeller Center, the Cloisters, the NY Public Library, a New York Philharmonic concert at the Lincoln Center, the Guggenheim, Little Italy, Chinatown, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Thanks to Melani's incomparable navigating skills, we became pros at using the subway and bus systems.

Here are my Chinatown dumplings posing in front of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Alexander Hamilton is buried here at Trinity Church.

The view from our nosebleed seats at the Lincoln Center.

I took this picture for Rebecca and Eva who are currently very in to fashion design. Those weird chandelier-type things at the top of the window display are made out of balloons.

Feeling off-balance at the Guggenheim. That Frank Lloyd Wright sure was creative.

One of my favorites! Three Musicians.

Melani on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Valentine's Day

One night when we were out running errands, Ben asked if we could stop by Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby? Unusual. He hid the items he bought. I found out later that he bought candy molds to make the delicious candy you see in this picture. It was so delicious that it was gone in 2 days. Well, maybe 18 hours.

Winter Occupations

Eva is the proud parent of Henry the Snowman. He has gained height and weight over the last few days. This is what he looked like shortly before his growth spurt. You can see that he's holding the snow shovel. That's a bit of wishful thinking.

Rebecca and Eva have become businesswomen. They both have Etsy stores. Rebecca is selling these cute earrings online. Eva is selling refrigerator magnets.

Here's Rebecca's Store

and

Here's Eva's

Ben made this very cool contraption. I don't think I'm allowed to say what it does, but Mary Shelley wrote a book that may give you some clues.

Jungle Quest: Spencer's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Spencer!

Eva's favorite working spot is right on top of the heating vent.

Spencer's 11! He turned 11 on Thursday, and the 11-year-old scouts had a klondike camping trip on Friday. Unfortunately, the camera didn't make it into the bags going to the campout, so we don't have any footage, but Ben and Spencer both said it was a great time. Spencer got his very own mummy bag for his birthday.

The birthday party gang at Jungle Quest. Jungle Quest has zip lines and rock climbing.

Cubs Perform at Broomfield 1st Ward Talent Show

Too Cold for School?

A precedent has been set. I've lived in Colorado for many years, and I don't recall ever hearing that school was cancelled because the weather was "too cold." Until now. Schools all over the Denver metro area are closed today, not because there's too much snow (we have maybe an inch and a half on the ground) but because it's too cold. Last time I checked, it was -4. While I agree that -4 is cold, I think any temperature differences below 20 degrees are academic. Can you really feel the difference if your ears are already numb?

School's not the only event that's cancelled today. Cub Scouts is cancelled. Young Women in Excellence is cancelled. But I will bet money that ballet will not be cancelled. I can hear it now. "Girls, if you're cold, put on more legwarmers and jump higher!"

I drove Ben to the bus stop this morning because he left his bike at school. There weren't many cars out. I think the cars were on strike. When I revved up the car in our carport, it made this horrible whining sound. If I understood car language, I bet I would have heard, "Aw, c'mon. Seriously? None of the other cars hafta go out. Geez."

On the way to the bus stop I got to see those awesome sidewalk plows. Spencer and I are big fans of the sidewalk plows. They look so cool zipping along where the cars aren't allowed to travel. In fact, I think I'll write a letter to Epcot and suggest that they build a sidewalk snowplow ride. It would be a hit.

Broomfield 1st Ward Talent Show