Rocket Experiment and Boys with an Attitude

Today I took the kids to the science center to learn how to make rockets.  It was so neat!  

This is a class of all homeschool kids and the local science center offers experiments for them.  This time it was about making our own rockets.

We learned about Sir Isaac Newton and about action and reaction.  We only needed cardboard, cups, soda bottles, water and air from a bike pump. It was awesome.

This is Chaz's rocket.  Who knew we could shoot the rocket high in the air using only water and air?  How well you made your rocket determines how high it goes.  Obviously it's best to make everything symmetrical 

Ivy is getting ready to shoot her rocket

Ashley was pretty excited to put on her science glasses and do her first experiment.  So cute.

This guy has it set up to where you have your rocket (20 oz soda bottle) filled halfway with water.  He made a thing where you hook a tube up to it, turn it upside down, clamp it with an attached string, and pump air into it. When Ryan pulled the string, it made the clamp let go and the rocket shot really high into the air.  

Once we were finished we went back into the science center for awhile.  A nine year old built this ferris wheel and donated it. It was going round and the boys were amazed a little kid built it.

Caleb

Chaz and Ryan

Ashley weighing herself on the weight wall.

We didn't stay for very long because while the boys were on the bed of nails, they got in a punching match.  NOT JOKING.  I was so embarrassed and upset with them I calmly walked up to them and said we are leaving.  I cancelled the McDonalds trip, Game Stop trip, and put them to work with chores at home.  They were NOT happy but hopefully they learned their lesson.  They were all in tears.  I kept a notebook in hand and whoever complained about their chores got another one added to it.  They learned real quick to work in silence AND with a good attitude.

Picture Taking and Having Fun at the Science Center

A few days ago I got an email from the science center that they needed a few kids for picture taking at the science center. Could we come?  Hmmm....no problem!  We love the science center!  I spent all morning getting the kids ready, cutting the boys hair, and making them look good.  It was fun because when we got there they told the kids they just want them to stay in a certain area, play, have fun, and act natural.  In the meantime I snuck my own photos in.  :D

Ewwwww..... What's with the pile of manure?  See below.

Interesting.  

Kyle is holding Caleb's hand during a demonstration about storms and fires.  The heat comes on, the ground shakes, and they get mist sprayed at them while watching the videos.  It's pretty neat. :D

While Chaz is looking through this, it shows his eyeball on a big screen.  

Ivy thought getting pictures from the science center photographers was awfully boring.  

Caleb and Kyle talking to other kids while shooting hoops.  

Ryan on the Skycycle.  The photographers were gonna use him for pics on the Skycyle but couldn't because he was wearing a black shirt. Ryan was bummed so I just paid to put him on it.  :)  Pretty neat!

Ryan loved it!

Ivy working hard to pull herself up on the hardest one. Ha ha.  She did it though!

This was Caleb's favorite area and I hated tearing him away from it so quickly but we had to go wherever we were told.  Seeing him play in here made me realize I need to get some stuff like this for him in our house.  He is in his big brothers room but once we get them bunkbeds, there will be more space.  

I need to find this Lego table for Caleb.  We have the one for small Legos but seeing Caleb play at this one for so long makes me want to get one for his age too.

Ivy on the bed of nails

It was a fun day but we were SUPER tired at the end of it.  Who knew having fun and taking photos was so tiring!  We were in downtown so we had to walk somewhere to find a restaurant to eat at.  We were getting a lot of stares so I guess not that many big families walk through that area.  By the way, Subway can get expensive with so many people eating and you know me, I always use coupons!  Even with coupons it's really added up but it was the most affordable place to eat nearby.