Days 164-170: December 12-18

This week, instead of posting a daily entry I decided to do a round-up of all our pictures for the week.  It just might be an easier alternative to trying to post daily.  We will see.

Monday: It was a normal Monday.  Mike went to class to take a final, I stayed home and did laundry.  But what would the day be without a picture of Mike eating Zoe's head?

Tuesday:  Today Clark Planetarium came to our school to do a science presentation for the upper grades.  Fourth grade opted out, so we asked if we could take their place.  I mean, who doesn't want an assembly at this time during the Christmas craziness?!  The kids were pretty enthralled with the experiments.  However, I noticed an extreme difference between the older kids and the third graders!  Our kids were definitely crazier than the others.  In fact, we are afraid they won't invite us to participate next year.
 

Using a leaf blower to suspend a ball in the air.

Static anyone?

Is there helium or hydrogen in this balloon?  When this candle is placed next to the balloon it will tell us.  With helium it will pop.  With hydrogen it will explode.

I think hydrogen is our winner!

Wednesday: It was a sick day.  I didn't take any pictures.  Epic fail.

Thursday:  I wasn't going to participate in our school's December potluck.  It is five days of Christmas treats (i.e. delicious junk) and if I didn't bring anything then I knew I wouldn't be able to eat anything.  However, at the last minute today I got in the baking mood.  I raided my cupboards to see what I had and could whip up without going to the store.  I settled on ooey gooey peanut butter marbled brownies with chocolate chips and Reese's peanut butter cups with a chocolate ganache frosting. And I didn't even eat any!  I barely even licked my fingers.  So I invited Kiersten and David down to do a taste test for me.  Cause I can't take anything disgusting to a work potluck, ya know?  They were a hit!  Even Mike and David, the non sweets eaters, liked them.  However, they are super rich so I cut them into tiny little chunks for the people's enjoyment.

I used a variation of this recipe from The Sister's Cafe.

Friday: For school spirit day today they wanted all the kids to dress in red and green.  Some of us teachers decided to make it an ugly Christmas sweater day.  I did feel funny parading around with all the parents during Christmas Books and Candy Canes in my cheesy Christmas vest.  Thanks to Leslie for providing many of the sweaters!

Saturday: For Grandma for Christmas I wanted to make her some freezer meals.  She doesn't really like to cook for just herself and has been eating frozen, processed foods.  I thought she needed some healthier alternatives.  Individual portions of chicken enchiladas, chicken tortellini soup, baked ziti and spaghetti sauce.  I am planning on wrapping the package of spaghetti noodles and adding a note about the meals hidden underneath.  I can't wait to see her face when she unwraps a package of spaghetti!

Sunday: We woke to a giant fog.  The world was covered in tiny little ice crystals.  It was beautiful, if you didn't think about the gunk that was building in the air.  We need a storm to kick this inversion out!

I love the little ice crystals on each branch.