Geologists

You might recall that as our remodel was being finished up, that we wound up living with Yaya and Baba for a week or so (after a week or so living with Mimi and Pops).

One Friday while you all were still on winter break, I texted Mama and asked her what y'all were up to. She replied "They were geologists for most of the morning."

What followed were some amazing photographs that brought such joy to my soul. You two are so creative, such an amazing team, with complementary super powers.

I love that you have your Mama's creative oomph and such insatiable appetites for play, and creative play at that. Let that be a lesson for you: boredom is a great thing...look what can come out of it! AND you have so many hats you can wear, if you put your mind to it. You can be/become anything you want!

So...what does playing "Geologist" actually look like?

Well, Aidan was the excavator...smashing rocks and crystals into smaller pieces:

Julia and Aidan were the gatherers, collecting, washing, and polishing samples:

Julia, you were the organizer and cataloger of the geological samples. As well as the label-maker. You created the Museum exhibit for the samples (totally your idea too, apparently!)

This hammer cracked all of these crystals open. 

Please no touching!

This bench is special too. It belongs to the Queen and King!

These crystals are ____ and that are cool!

Way to go super geology team! Next stop...Grad School! Next stop...Smithsonian!

Field Trip

One sunny October day, Aidan, you laced up your brand new hiking boots, put on some light-weight, long-sleeve gear, loaded up your new backpack (which you were very excited about), donned your shades and the stature and bearing of a true cool dude and headed off to your very first ever field trip. 

Normally you have one or two stories about things that happen at school, but almost two weeks later, you're still telling us new stories about your very first field trip!

You've lately changed amended your plan on what you want to be when you grow up: A SCIENTIST! I can't help but think that this field trip had something to do with it.

You told us about the bus ride and how you sat next to Natalia and Ella.

You told us about how you went to Wayne Ranch.

You've told us about the PRAYING MANTIS you studied.

You told us about the SCORPION in a BOTTLE that you saw!

You told us about LUNCH!

And you've just been very energized and excited about the whole thing!

And THAT is cooler than cool!

Mama and I had a conversation with Miss Ginger, the Eco Lab Teacher, who went with you on the field trip, and she was bragging on you that since the beginning of the school year your spirit has really shone through and that you're getting even more interested in the Eco-Lab subject matter.

She told us a cute story about you on the field trip. You guys were discussing tectonic plates and seismology. She introduced the concept of the RING OF FIRE.

You said "That's my Daddy's Song!"

And then, according to Miss Ginger, you went all in, and sang:

"I fell into a burning Ring of Fire.
I went down, down, down and the flames kept goin' higher.
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire."

What cracks me up, aside from how adorable and clever and bold and creative you are, and aside from the fact that you and Miss Ginger had a talk about Johnny Cash and music, is that I only sang this to y'all like once or twice or ten times one weekend months ago. And it stuck with you...and that's the lesson here... things are really sticking for you now, Aidan, our little naturalist/singer. And that makes me happy; you are getting more and more ready for work in the field.

A Taste of July

Summer summer summer...

July was a flurry of family, friends, furry friends, finding frogs with friends, fireworks, fish, fancy pastries, biking to bakeries in the rain, Legos, and little bugs, manicures and pedicures from daddy (i tried my best), science experiments with pennies,  sleepovers, swimming, skinny dipping, and sunshine.

Sweet summer...goes by so fast, but hopefully the memories last forever.

Julia's note in which she asks Mimi and Pops to buy her ruby slippers with high heels. 

How Julia Packs 

How Aidan Packs

...on to our next adventure...