We Celebrated National Astronomy Day!

If you haven't guessed, the new science museum in our area is our new favorite place to visit.

We had lots going on yesterday but for one reason or another, almost everything got canceled or "re-prioritized."

First of all, Rich had to work yesterday -- and today too. And Josh has been busy working on his Constellation presentation for school this week.

Josh was invited to two birthday parties at the same time - obviously he could only go to one and it was a slumber party for his friend Sean. He's home now and extremely tired!

One thing Josh really wanted to do was go to the National Astronomy Celebration at the Tellus Science Museum. But with his baseball game and the slumber party we didn't think it would be possible. We've had a few days of rain and Josh's baseball game was canceled. So we jumped on the opportunity to head up to Tellus.

It really beat sitting around the house all afternoon counting the hours until it was time to go to Sean's!

There were all sorts of activities planned, like solar viewings and looking through telescopes and other "outside" activities. But, unfortunately, the weather had other plans and it rained off and on all day yesterday!

That didn't stop the fun though. We only had a limited amount of time there this time so mainly focused on the "extra" events they had going on.

The Observatory was opened and the astronomer was there to explain about the telescope and answer questions. Josh was totally enthralled by this! And when the astronomer said he was going to point the telescope toward Betelgeuse, Josh impressed all present by saying that was in the constellation Orion!



Now we can't wait to go back one evening when they have the observatory open so we can see some stars!

They also had some people from the local Astronomy clubs answering questions and handing out things. Josh was able to get a handout that he can use for his presentation so he was very excited about that!

The boys made bracelets with UV Beads. The beads are white and when they get hit with UV light they change color. They were surprised to see even on a cloudy day, the beads changed bright colors! And yes I used this as an "Always Wear Sunscreen Even on Cloudy Days" lesson!



The local meteorite collecting club was there with meteorites for the kids to look at. This one was VERY heavy!



And then we played in the children's area for a while.



Their favorite part is running around the inside of a (fake) large hollow tree. The ceiling has a screen and you can choose different weather to show on the screen. Of course the favorite is thunderstorms! But they go in the tree and just run around in circles. Sam will do this as long as I let him I usually have to pull him out!

We weren't there for long, but we were there long enough to kill some time, learn something new and make use of our family membership there! That's the best thing about having it so close to us.

It's Friday and the Weekend is Just Around the Corner

Well. Here we are at Friday already.

Seems the closer to the end of the school year the faster time flies! It's hard to believe Sam has just over a week left of school. Six days to be exact! And Josh only has 3 weeks left (15 days and HE'S counting!)

We've been busy. Josh has one last homework assignment. It's for his ALP class. He has to give a presentation on "Space" for the "Space Time" unit they've been doing this term. I don't know why, but it seems HIS homework assignment gives MOM more work! I've been running all over town getting his "costume" ready, finding materials for the presentation....

We've been slowly chipping away on it, but the timing is horrible! I really wish she'd given this to the kids three weeks earlier. We've just finished CRCT (state standardized tests) and the kids just don't seem to be able to focus any more. Plus with the weather being beautiful it's hard to justify staying indoors to do homework. But still we sit. Me forcing him to do work and him moaning about it.

But it's due next week so we should be all down hill from then on.

We did manage to get outside and run through the sprinkler's again yesterday though. Those boys are so full of energy and just want to play outside, it's hard to say no.



Sam was a bit more daring this time.


We invited Derek, my neighbor's son, to run through with us.

They had a great time and got very muddy!


This picture was taken AFTER I'd hosed them down. Sam fell and was covered head to foot in mud. I would have gotten a picture of that but he was crying because he was muddy!

Anyway, we've got lots on this weekend. Josh has a baseball game in the afternoon then a sleep over at a friend's house. I told Sam I'd take him out for ice cream after I drop Josh off.

And Sunday we have to finish up Josh's school project. That should be fun with an exhausted, tired boy on our hands!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday: Boys Goofing Off

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I'm on a 12-week Mission.

I had a horrible realization the other day.

Our pool opens on Saturday and I'm about 12 pounds heavier than I was last year at this time! YIKES! No wonder none of my shorts fit me!

And then... the kids are almost done with school! YIKES!

If I don't start some type of plan for meals and snacks, I'll go out of my mind.

Before I had Sam I lost a significant amount of weight by following the Curves diet and the Body-for-Life exercise routines. They are both great, but I'm getting bored. And I've stopped doing the weights... I keep struggling with costochondritis for about 18 months and I find it goes away if I don't lift weights. But I can still run and do light weights and the WiiFit!

I just haven't been able to stay focused. But I'm determined now. I think I've mentioned before how we have to make adjustments now that Rich is at work late every day. Up until this week, he'd get home, we'd both be tired so we'd open a bottle of wine, unwind... soon the cheese and crackers come out, then we find some chocolate or some other type of junk food to eat.... now 12 pounds later, I'm paying for it!

Well this week, I decided I'm making some changes. I bought the EatingWell Diet book and I subscribe to the CleanEating Magazine. They are very similar in that they focus on eating fresh, healty, non-processed foods. And eating locally when possible.

I also joined a co-op of sorts. When we went to visit my mom and dad last June, my mom had just joined a local CSA farm. The produce was fantastic -- fresh, yummy, sometimes a bit different to what we normally eat, locally and organically grown. I really wanted to try this for our family, but have had problems finding one with a drop off point near enough to my house.

But, I found the next best thing (thanks Summer and Jackie). A lady right around the corner collects money and goes down to the Georgia State Farmer's market once a week and fills up baskets with fresh produce. All this for $15 a week. Score!

So with my newly armed arsenal of yummy, healthy recipies and my newly stocked fridge full of fresh produce... I'm good to go. This time I'm determined to stay the course. We go to my parents house in 12 weeks and that is my target. Twelve pounds in 12 weeks. I think it's doable.

Now I know with the kids getting out of school this may prove difficult to accomplish all the time. So the plan is to be strict for the next 3 weeks. Then, once the kids are out, I'm going to make a "Weekly Breakfast & Lunch Menu" for the kids too. I decide what will be for breakfast, snacks and lunch every day of the week. Or we can work together to make the menu but we're sticking to the menu!

Hopefully, this will help me keep the kids eating healthy, save money, save time and just take the meal time worry away.

Of course I realize I'll have to build in a day or so a week for a treat like pizza or ice cream. And sometimes things come up and you need to be flexible...

So, wish me luck! I'm going to try and post my weekly progress here Just for the support and accountability! And I'm going to start taking part in Meal Plan Monday so stay tuned for that.