Robotics and back to back meets…

"There are an endless number of things to discover about robotics. A lot of it is just too fantastic for people to believe."
Daniel H. Wilson

James has been getting into robotics recently and used some Christmas money to buy a kit.  He didn’t want to buy a pre-made kit where you can only make one thing, he wanted a kit that had a bunch of parts in it.  When the kit arrived, the first step was to figure out what to make.  James chose to make a wind powered car using wheels, fans, motors, a battery, and a box we found around the house.  It worked well, he sent his car across the house and then had it go across the cul-de-sac.  He’s already thinking of the next project.

There were two gymnastics meets this weekend and Isla’s was first.  She was all smiles as we went to the event and she did a great job.  This is notable because she moved to level 2 only a month ago, meaning most of what she was doing was fairly new to her.  Still, she performed every routine and had multiple 9+ scores.  She’s not in a competitive level yet, so they didn’t have placements for individual events.

Ashlyn was up next, and she wasn’t sure how well she would do considering how long it’s been since her last meet.  As always, the pressure elevated Ashlyn’s focus instead of distracting her.  She did awesome and ended up getting 1st place in floor and bars.  It was the first time I got to see her floor routine to music and I was blown away at how well she did.  She’s come a long way.

Stacking, crafting, and coaching…

"The key to coaching is love."
-Dabo Swinney

Asking the kids to help with dinner can be risky, but it’s important to get them involved.  Oftentimes their “help” is anything but. Case in point, this week we asked them to help make chili, and rather than get things ready they turned it into a can stacking contest.  James won for height, Isla won for decoration.

Meanwhile, Ashlyn has been busy crafting things for a secret project she’s working on.  I don’t know what it is, because it’s a secret.

Isla is starting to think about future career options and thought she’d try out gymnastics coaching.  Her first lessons did not go well, but it had more to do with her class than her coaching ability.

It’s always good to have a backup plan though.

Science, lightsabers, and a birthday…

"Science is a wonderful thing if one does not have to earn one's living at it."  
-Albert Einstein

Pandemic time is slow time, which means we have to find ways to entertain ourselves.  This weekend we thought it would be fun to perform some science experiments.  Little boats magically moved across water, candles re-lit without touching flame to the wick, and a worm grew out of the sand after lighting it on fire.  It took more time to get ready for the experiments than it took to actually do them, but it was a fun way to spend some time on a quiet afternoon.

After the excitement faded, it was time for an impromptu light saber duel in the living room.  I don’t know who won, but you have to give James some points for wearing baby yoda pajamas during the fight.

And apparently I had a birthday this week.  I like writing about other birthdays much more than my own, but I get paid by the picture on this blog so here you go.

A taste of snow and puzzles…

"A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky, unbidden, and seems like a thing of wonder."
-Susan Orlean

We saw our first snow of the year this weekend.  It didn’t last long, and it didn’t stick, but that didn’t stop James and Isla from going out into the cold to enjoy it.  Hopefully we’ll get more snow before the winter is over.

Watching Mommy work on puzzles inspired Isla to do the same.  This week Isla completed the puzzle the kids have been working and was excited after she put in the last piece.  She immediately wanted another one and picked out a Star Wars puzzle to work on next.

So far 2021 is not starting out as a great year.  The kids may not remember all the turmoil and and uncertainty facing our country, but I hope things in prove so they can remember 2021 being an improvement over the previous year.

Farewell 2020…

"It's pretty clear this is not safe at all."
-Ashlyn

The year ended rather quietly, which was a fitting way to end 2020.  We spent the week playing and having fun as a family, grateful we made it through 2020 in much better shape than many others. 

We took one last chance to get the kids together with our bubble friends group and we were able to count down to the new year with bubbly drinks and laughter.

We’ll never forget 2020, but a new year is here and we’re happy to say hello to 2021.