WRITING LISTS...
A reader and a writer; that's what mom calls me.  It makes me so happy to know that I can pick up a book or see a sign and decipher the "code" that is before me.  I have always had an appreciation for text, but now I am writing my own in the form of lists.  Mom is a list maker.  She makes a list for just about everything minus the grocery store.  I knew that if I wanted her to remember something really important I should write it down for her.  This was my list for our next grocery outing and I was right...we remembered to buy everything on the list.  Let round 2 of volcano eruptions begin!

ERUPTIONS...
Reagan the science kid here and today I made a volcano!   I came home from school raving about the experiment we had completed that week.  I made a mental note of each ingredient so I knew exactly what I need to get from the store to recreate the experience at home.  I gathered all my supplies and then I sculpted the volcano from play-doh shaping it around half of a water bottle.  It was so exciting as I filled the bottle with baking soda and poured in the vinegar.  Mom tried to soak in all the smiles, giggles and jumps as each step was completed.  We must have caused 5 different eruptions that day.  We went through 3 bottles of vinegar and nearly a box of baking soda.  Of course that was not enough for me.  I collected things from the kitchen trying each one in hopes that salt, chocolate chips, water and otherwise would repeat the reaction.  When all else failed, I made dad promise he would not throw it away and then added vinegar to our grocery list.  Yes, this would be repeated again very soon using a much crustier volcano. 

AQUARIUM TAKE ???...
It was our last trip to the Aquarium for the summer and we wanted to make the most of it.  Trouble was the weather was not cooperating.  Where earlier in the summer we had experienced short lines and lots of sunshine we were given long waits and air so thick it was difficult to breathe.  Our cheeks were pink but we made our way through the crowd to all of our favorite indoor attractions.  We marveled at each sea creature and played with the sharks and rays until we were wet up to our elbows and then some.  When we made our way outside we realized our visit would be cut short.  It was already sprinkling and the down pour was on the way.  A few train rides is never enough and skipping the Light House or Ferris Wheel just didn't seem right.  Mom tried to buy us time by eating in the restaurant, but everyone else had the same idea.  The wait was almost 2 hours and that was not a choice for our hungry bellies.  We ate our packed lunch as we watched the tiger training and then realized the real storm was upon us.  We headed outside only to be SOAKED and my tears only added to the down pour.  Mom was so disappointed to see me so upset; simply heartbroken.  She knew how important this trip was to me and more than realized our visit had been significantly cut short.  We typically spend all day rather than a few short hours.  We ride the train 7 times and walk through each exhibit twice.  We ride each ride until mom feels dizzy and then I ride them some more.  I was not a fan of the rain.  I can't remember the consoling words mom spoke over me or the promises she made that day to plug the tears and get me into our van, but I do know that there will be many more takes at the Aquarium.

ROLLER RINKIN'...
I can't tell you how many years it has been since mom put on a pair of roller skates, but this was my first rollin' adventure.  We needed something new and exciting to make us laugh till we cried and this was just the event.  We laced up our skates and hit the floor--literally.  I laughed all the way down and back up again at least the first few times.  Frustration hit me a few laps later but each turn got a bit easier...at least for me.  Mom was busy holding on to me trying to ease my burden while increasing hers 10 fold.  Imagine skating for hours bent at the waist with arms both extended and flexed.  We took lots of breaks but enjoyed our laps around the rink.  We earned our down time that afternoon as we were TIRED!  Little did we know we were a party of 3 that day.  My little brother was skating right along with us.  Whew--how will she ever hold on to both of us?
Mom printed the first picture and put it on the fridge.  Even now when I see this picture I tell mom we need to go back and skate again.  But, with her belly out in front, I don't think her balance would be quite as good this go round.  Our next rollin' adventure will have to come post little man #2.

UNCLE AL'S 70th B-DAY BASH...
It was a special day for my Uncle Al.  We tried to add to the excitement with a frame full of silly pictures.  I wore all the hats and masks he gave me over his years of traveling and held a word in each picture to spell out a special birthday message--Happy 70th Birthday Albert!  Dad and I call him Albert.  We use our best British accent and he does the same which often leaves me belly laughing.  It is lots of fun to see his silly side emerge.  Mine on the other hand is easy to find and displayed often.