Model Rockets

***Guest Post By Jeff

This week has been busy and with all the gifts opened by the kids, I think I was the most excited about opening the model rocket kit.  During the previous day I spent time putting together the rocket and attempted to get Lincoln and Jackson interested by showing them the various parts and pieces.  After many failed attempts of asking the boys to help me with the project I finished building the rocket on my own.

                We set off to the large park next to Grandma Madison’s house and hiked to the far south end.  There was a strong wind of 15+ MPH which is not ideal model rocket weather.  We were committed and excited to see our rockets lift off.  After 10min of setup and selecting the smallest engine for our first launch, we successfully launched both rockets.  Of course neither of them went as high as we wanted so we installed the medium engine and nearly lost one of the rockets as the wind carried it across the field and nearly out of reach.

                Both Lincoln and Jack are now excited about launching the rockets and want to know when we can use the largest engine to send the rocket to outer space…   Stay tuned for more rocket adventures.

Running to catch the rocket as it floats back to earth with it's parachute working well

Harrison enjoyed the swings at the park after a nice run 

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Last week we had freezing rain that built up quite a bit of ice.  Lucky for me, I didn't have to go anywhere, so I just enjoyed the beauty of it.  The kids loved all of the icicles hanging from every surface.  The roads stayed clear enough for travel in the days following, but everything else stayed coated for days.  So beautiful!

(I'm also grateful for all of the workers who trimmed trees through the summer so that none of the trees fell and knocked out the power!)

Harrison's Fourth Birthday

Harrison didn't think it was fair that he had only had three birthdays when Lincoln had had ten already, so we decided to let him have another one.

He wanted to have a pet party because he loves his stuffed animals so much, so all of the kids got to adopt a pet, name it and make a leash and tag for it.

I had them eat cereal out of a dog bowl with no hands, but Harrison is much too proper to participate.  He just sat and ate his calmly with his fingers while the others raced to finish first.  Several came and went while he sat and quietly ate.  So funny.

We are so proud of our little miracle munchkin.  He is always making us smile with the things he says and does.  I need to do a better job of recording more of that again.  Today he said, " Mom, I learned about not eating the bowl when I was a baby.  I've learned more stuff since then.  How many minutes have I learned about stuff?"

He is very bright, artistic (teachers are always amazed at his motor skills) and aware of what is happening around him. He loves to go to school and always wants to know what day of the week it is so that he knows what to expect.  He still loves his blanket and that poor thing shows it. He likes to organize things and struggles being the youngest - he would love to be able to keep up with "the brothers."