Five Things for Friday: Big Kid Catch Up

While Walter is definitely the star of the show right now, we still love these big kids and the crazy things they get up to including: 

- 1- 

Chair of Death! 

We showed up at Forest School one week to find the amazing "Chair of Death" waiting for us. A lovely, ugly-brown recliner mounted to skis from the 80s. What could be better?!? The flames they spray-painted on the sides of course! The kids had SO MUCH FUN riding this thing down the sledding hill (pushing it up was another story haha). Dylan, Tate, and Jakey - you will forever be legends in our Forest School. Thanks for the thrills! 

-2- 

Easter

At the encouragement of Elder Stevenson in General Conference, our family worked to be more intentional in focusing our Easter celebrations on the Savior. Each day of holy week we took a bit longer to study the scriptures and discuss the events leading up to the Savior's Atonement and resurrection. It was a beautiful week! 

-3-

Science Fair

After several school years of not doing science fair projects, we were back at it this year for the IMA science fair. Hazel presented findings about why canyon maple leaves all change different colors, even on the same tree (leaves exposed to the most sunlight turn red while leaves exposed to the least sunlight turn yellow). 

Eliza tested to see if she could train a chicken to peck a xylophone (yes - you can!)

Lenora extracted DNA from a strawberry and a kiwi and compared which had more genetic material. 

Orson texted to see if helium balloons could actually lift a child (they could, but you'd need 30,000!)

And Conrad did a balloon rocket project with his IMA class. 

-4- 

Tulip Festival and Butterflies

The pictures speak for themselves on this one - the tulip festival is ALWAYS a joy! 

After the tulips, we stopped by the butterfly biosphere for a quick visit. We ended up getting up close to lots of butterflies this visit. 

Where's Eliza in these pictures?? Well, she decided she's creeped out by butterflies and their "flappy wings." In fact, when she was prompted to write a poem a few days later, this is what she penned: 

Butterflies Are A NO 

By: Eliza Ballard 

They say, 

Oh so pretty, 

Gorgeous display.

I say, NO 

Butterflies are a no. 

They're just too gross. 

They've got to go. 

They say,

See their wings

Straight out of dreams. 

I say NO

Their crawly and flappy

You guys are getting sappy. 

Butterflies are a NO!

Haha, who would have thought?!? 

-5-

Random Moments of Excitement for 500

Conrad still enjoys watching drum lessons on YouTube with his drum mat from Jamie. 

How to make PBJ discussions have been circulating (in case you're wondering PB on BOTH slices of bread is the best). Orson decided to take his sandwich making one step further... the monster! 

Lenora made these super cute playdough fairies that remind me of the fairies from Sleeping Beauty. 

Eliza has been perfecting a new skill - making sourdough bread! She's getting really good at it, and her bread is SO yummy! 

And, Hazel became a meme! Someone created it for the Heroic Youth's Facebook announcement about registration opening. It's SO perfect!