Science Bowl

We'll post a YouTube video in a few weeks, but for now just know C10 was a hit. Of course she was.

Here is the team.

Walking to the library

I've read that at 10 years old children are mentally mature enough to make the right decisions to cross streets, and that before that they really aren't capable of always making the right decisions. So C10 turned 10 at the beginning of the month, and I figured I already let her walk the neighborhood by herself (small streets to cross, but nothing major), so I'd let her walk wherever she wanted once she hit 10, including crossing bigger streets by herself.

So. The library called and left a message that said that one of her holds was in. It was 4:30, but I told C10 that she could walk the mile to the library and get her book if she wanted. She did. She changed, gathered up her stuff, and left. Just like that.

FREEEEEAK OUUUUUT. She had to cross 410 (East-West Highway) at Adelphi Road at rush hour. Which, at that point, is three lanes each way. Did I say rush hour?

I emailed the mom's listserv in town for support, and got multiple emails back. And I posted something on facebook.

Then I got the text from the library saying she'd checked out a book. Which told me she'd gotten there safely. So I relaxed and knew she could get home. Then a friend emailed and said she'd seen her at he library. Then a friend CALLED and said C had crossed right in front of her on 410, and did beautifully. And then the facebook posts started, and kept coming as people who didn't even know her saw her (She wearing a blue & white dress? I saw her, she did great!!). I think the whole neighborhood saw her.  It was fantastic. No worries. We live not just in the city of Hyattsville, but one of those villages people keep talking about. Really.

Here she is all proud after making it home.

Jug Bay on the Patuxent River

Last time we were at Jug Bay Natural Area, C10 was almost 11 months old, and not yet walking 

And apparently we took no pictures. I don't recall it at all. Maybe I can blame it on lack of sleep, since C10 was still nursing at night. Yeah that's what I'll do.

Anyway, friends of mine went to the Billy Goat Trail last weekend and I thought we should do that with our girls, but the dog can't hit the whole of that trail, so we decided to stay in Prince George's County instead. It isn't a thrilling or challenging trail like the Billy Goat Trail but it was nice.

The first thing we did when we got there was go to the wrong place. This was a boat ramp, not very well used. There was one truck there with a man in it, reading the paper. But the water was high, almost up to the top of the dock. The girls wanted to stay here, although it was kind of ... not exciting.

 

When we got to the actual trail we meant to be on, we started on the first loop. One of many that overlapped and linked. so we were actually on this bit of the trail 3 or 4 times, as we did the different loops. Maybe 5.

C10 found multiple fairy houses, and Q8 found a bark "gun" which she proceeded to brandish around, and ask if it would be more effective as a knife or a gun. When asked what her goal was (to kill you, mumma) the answer was clearly gun. So she proceeded to shoot me with the bark gun. And then hugged C45 and told him she missed her gun (because C10 had broken it)

Here is the "knife" action.

Last moments there

Dog tails

Happy Birthday C10

Into double digits! Quiet birthday on a Thursday that included gifts and heading out to Baskin Robbins for ice cream.

On Friday we had friends over, blueberry pie, and sleepovers. Lovely evening.

Smiles and Gifts:

Books!

Lapis Lazuli Necklace ... photo? photo? Hey, its around her neck in the next bunch.

The awesome gift cards

A lovely new dress

A cool bike license ( I want one ) and stuffed dog puppet ( loverly! )

 

Time to make the donuts

This morning C9 & Q8 asked for French Toast. I suggested that they make it themselves. If I'm home I'll usually make C9 French Toast because it is a good way to get her to eat 2 eggs, but I was feeling a bit lazy. So then they asked if they could make pancakes. Sure! Absolutely! Grab the cookbook! Which they did, and as they were flipping through to get to the recipe they saw "old-fashioned doughnuts" which of course caught their eye. And they asked if they could make donuts. In a fit of good humor I said yes.

I basically left them to make the dough while I showered, and they did a nice job. When I came back downstairs they were almost done with the batter, and they'd followed the recipe to a T.

We floured the boards, rolled out the dough, and cut it with cookie cutters. Doughnut dough it pretty flat to begin with, but I was hoping it would pop up once it hit the hot oil.

 

The oil took a while to warm up to 360 degrees F .... good thing I had my instant read thermometer. I LOVE that thing. Thank you, thank you C45 for buying me that. I use it all of the time. And I guess I should say thank you to B for breaking my other thermometer. Yep, because if I still had that I wouldn't have this expensive and awesome one. I think all other frying problems I've had in the past have been a result of not getting the oil hot enough. Hot oil = good frying.

I did all the frying, of course. And still got a teeny burn on my thumb. But didn't want the girls doing it. Frying action shots (and yes, I'm on a stool):

 

Once the doughnuts were fried (they DO puff up to become 3D!!) and cooled a bit the girls dipped them in powdered sugar (C9) and cinnamon and sugar (Q8). 

A sample of the final product!