Backyard Camping!

 The weather is getting nicer so we decided to go for a little camping trip in our backyard!  We had a lovely picnic and then went for a "hike" around the neighborhood.  The hike turned out to be a fabulous idea because we met some neighbors who have a little girl that is Genevieve's age.  They came by for an impromptu beer at our campsite and then Evie played with the little girl for most of the next day.  Needless to say I think we are all excited for Evie to have a neighborhood friend!

Evie and I were the only intrepid campers that made it for the whole night.  The tent did make a pretty good place to play for both of the girls though....

Yay Genevieve!

Last night Genevieve had "the best night EVER" because she won an award at the Southern Arizona Regional Science Fair!  She won one of the "grand prizes", 3rd place in the kindergarten division (because she is still 6) in the Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences category. Her experiment was called "Eeew Mold!"  She was also extra excited because her best friend Isabella also won 3rd place in the social sciences category for her experiment on which cookie tastes better.

Of the 1,400 kids who compete at SARSEF only about 500 get an award of some sort and only 200 of those get the "grand prizes" so needless to say we are pretty proud of her! 

I am pretty sure that at the tender age of 6 she has already won a trophy cooler than any I ever won....  She also won $25 dollars (being a prize-winning scientist is seriously lucrative).  Her prize money is burning a serious hole in her pocket.  As of an hour ago she wants to use it to buy a new groovy girl, however, other options have included more toy horses and calico critters... Oh choices choices. 

Science!

The past few months there has been some exciting science going on in our house. It began with a multitude of experiments kit that Nicole (aka Mimi) bought Evie for Christmas.  We made polymers, used dyes and Evie has proved herself to be a mean pipetter.

 Izzy has also enjoyed helping when we let her (which is as often as I can!)

Then in February it came time to put together Evie's poster for the IST science fair.  She tried two different experiments to grow mold on oranges, apples and bananas.  I am afraid neither succeeded. This totally baffles me because otherwise we seem to have no problem growing mold on food in this house.  During the experiment we even accidentally bought apples that a week later were moldy!  Regardless, Evie had a lot of fun with the experiments and putting together her poster.  I started out having her type it herself but after it took 1/2 hour to do the one sentence of what her experiment was about "Will different molds grow on different fruits?"  I decided it was OK for her to dictate to me while I typed.  Perhaps the best part of this science experiement are the conclusions:

She did well enough at her school science fair so that this week she gets to go to the Southern Arizona Regional Science Fair.  It should be fun!! (and of course I'll let you know how it goes...)

Poor blog...

Poor blog has gone neglected for 2 months!  Well of course this is bound to happen when the computer you blog on is usurped (not to mention your free time) by a very exciting event in the Lacroix household!  In mid-January Patrick made the decision to start his own law practice and by February 1 he was out and doing it!  While very exciting for all of us, it does mean that my official duties as webmaster, graphic designer and accountant took up most of the time I would have otherwise used to keep this blog up to date.  I'll do a little recap here and then make a point to steal the computer away from him at least once a week or so!

 Last weekend I took the girls to the Botanical Gardens.  The main reason was to see the butterfly house.  Evie loved going into the greenhouse with the butterflies but Izzy got so scared that I think my left ear is still just a little bit harmed.  Poor thing screamed so loud and was so terrified I had to rush her right back out of there! Later on she said she wanted a butterfly toy and we (mostly Evie) convinced her to go back into the exhibit and try it in exchange for a toy.  Went back in she did, but I had to hold her the whole time and she clung to me as if I were taking her into a lion's cage not a butterfly exhibit....

 

During Rodeo Break at the end of February Evie got to spend two days at Zoo camp.  I think her little sister was a bit jealous, but at least Izzy got to go play at the park each day when we picked Evie up!

Mt. Graham with snow, outside of the barn where I held a workshop in Safford.

View to the Town of Jerome from Clarkdale, outside of the Town Hall where I held another (different) workshop.

I have also been traveling a lot the last two weeks for work.  3-days in Clarkdale last week and then 2-days in Safford this week (then Casa Grande, then Phoenix, then Sierra Vista)  On the two over nighters I brought along my camera because one should have fun while working, right?