Science Fair Time!

Parker proved himself a future scientist yet again this year with his experiment on cucumber boat racing.  I have to hand it to Peter, this experiment involved some crazy engineering and he did a great job helping Parker out with his vision. 

The idea was to carve out 4 different cucumber boats, and see which model made the best time. 

Here is Parker, carving his boats.

The four competitors...

And here is the racetrack!  A raingutter capped off at the ends, filled with water, and powered by a fan.   

Parker kept time with a stopwatch...here is the first boat, ready to launch.

barely making it mid-race...

It finally made it to the finish.  However, the other models did not fare so well - the cardstock sail seemed to be too heavy.

So, the engineers went back to the drawing board and came up with this!  Packing tape, of all things, seemed to work best for the sail.  They really flew after that!  Number 2 was the winner.

Parker was lucky to have Grandma Stewart join him for the science fair! 

It is so fun to have her close enough to pop on over when Grandpa is out of town!

Here he is, reporting to the reviewer on his project.  I had fun reviewing some of the other kids' projects.  Parker did a fantastic job!  We're so lucky to have a scientist in the family!

Fabulous Five for The Teebs

The day has come...our baby is FIVE years old!  We are officially leaving the preschool years behind us in this house, and while our hearts still ache for our boy at that sweet baby stage...

...we also know that Tyler is beyond ready for big kid-dom.  We had three separate birthday celebrations for him...well, four if you include his little birthday treat at preschool.  He is certainly loved beyond measure by those who know him!

Party #1 - with Grandma & Grandpa Stewart.  Grandma made Tyler a special train cake that she let him decorate any way he wished!  He was in heaven with all of that frosting and candy!  Such a fun night for him.

Party #2 - with his buddies!  We have decided to have big friend parties on even-numbered birthdays, so this year being odd, Tyler invited just his closest friends to play with him at Chuck E. Cheese.  They had a fantastic time - Tyler loves his best buddies!

Party #3 - with Grandma & Grandpa Brown, and the MK crew.  We did a bowling lane cake - although he's only been to a bowling alley once, he loves to bowl with random items in the house.  He loved celebrating with his cousins and G&G, and even got a trip down the traditional Brown family spanking tunnel!

Here is the lowdown on our five alive teeny little super guy:

Height & Weight: 42 inches and 38.5 pounds

Obsessions:  GAMES, in particular the Wii...we don't even own one, but I swear he plans his playdates around who owns a Wii.  He even told us that he daydreams of beating everyone at the Wii.  Wii think he's a little crazy.  He loves loves LOVES playing any type of game - board games, card games, computer games, sports games, you name it - he loves it.  A frequent disagreement between the boys is what to play - Parker, legos.  Tyler, a game.  Favorite games right now are the Tractor Tippin' game, Mille Bornes, Hiss, Cars Speedway game, and Hide and Go Seek II (his made-up version - one person counts, the others hide, and when they are about to be discovered, they jump out and scare the seeker).  We are working on being a good sport when we don't win :).

Favorite Foods:  Candy still tops the list...nice.  He also loves Green noodles (homemade pesto over linguine), cupcakes, mac & cheese, and pancakes.

Favorite Song:  "I Will Follow God's Plan"

Favorite Color:  Red

Favorite Book:  Math 123

Favorite Toy:  GAMES...surprised?  When it's nice out, he does love to ride his bike or scooter, or to play baseball or soccer in the backyard.  He also loves bug hunting, and just got a bug vacuum for his birthday.

Favorite TV Show:  Jake & the Neverland Pirates 

When I grow up...:  a racecar driver

Favorite words/phrases:  "Although..." before anything, "I want someone to play a game with me", "Maybe his mom will let us play the Wii?" and often says "I love you," accompanied by lots of smooches.  He is constantly coming up with funny phrases that are one-hit wonders, however.  Yesterday he saw some baby spiders crawling out of the bark and exclaimed, "Holy Ghost!"...as in, holy cow, holy moley, etc.  Yeah, we had a little talk about that one :).  And he still has an adorable lisp, that I secretly hope never goes away...

Amazes us with: his keen intellect, sweetness, comedic talent - including an awesome funny-faced chewing dance (we have to figure out how to get it on here), lightning reflexes, and competitive nature.  Also his recognition of many sight words and genuine interest in the world around him.  Tyler is a lover of life and we are a lover of him!  Happy Birthday, Monkey Shine!

Mars Doesn't Need Moms

Parker:  "When I get in trouble and get sent to my room, I sometimes wish that I lived on a planet where kids controlled their parents."

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum

A week ago we flew the coop to see Grandma & Grandpa Stewart for the weekend.  Aside from the usual fun of train-playing, popcorn munching and chatting we headed south to McMinnville to check out the Evergreen Aviation Museum and more importantly, this sucker...

The Spruce Goose!

The pictures do not do it justice.  The massivity of this thing is beyond description.  It was amazing to behold!

I took about a hundred pictures of the other planes, not including the awesome space craft in the other building (they are actually getting the space shuttle Discovery very soon).  For this post, however, I'll spare you the awesomeness and just show you the Three Men's favorite planes...

Peter's favorite (I hope I am getting this name right) - the B-12 Bomber

Parker's favorite - the F-14 Tomcat

and Tyler's favorite, the SR-71 Blackbird (doesn't he look happy to be by his favorite plane?)

This was my favorite - they are constructing a water park...with waterslides that come out of that commercial jetliner...on top of a building.  Does it get any better than that?

Love Notes from The Teebs

(After a big smooch)  Tyler to Mom:  "That was a limousine kiss, 'cause it was super long."

                                                    *****

Tyler to Mom:  "You're the best mommy that I love."

                        "You make the best dinners, Daddy makes the best waffles."

                                                    *****

Mom:  "I love you.  You're such a sweetie."

Tyler:  "You're such a love bug.  I'm going to share all of my toys with you."

                                                    *****

(In a sad moment) Parker:  "I don't have any best friends."

(With sympathy) Tyler:  "Aw, I'm your best friend, Parker."

Tyler's preschool took a trip to the fire station this week!   He was so excited and wanted to dress up for the occasion. 

The firefighters were awesome!  They let the kiddos do just about anything their little hearts desired...

Driving the firetruck,

Climbing aboard the ambulance,

and playing with the jaws of life!

Here he is with his class & cute teacher!



They drew pictures today of what they want to be when they grow up. 

Can you guess what Tyler wants to be?

Our Valentine's Day

linked up here:

Peter's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Daddy!  Our celebration was small, but cozy.  We had our traditional birthday dinner at Red Robin, and came home for dessert and presents. 

The boys made adorable cards for him.  His main gifts of a miter saw & air compressor we purchased on Black Friday.  Other presents included gift cards to Home Depot & Amazon, a new chess board set, "To the Rescue" by Thomas S. Monson, and a panini maker! Our Main Man sure has accomplished a lot in only 32 years...we love you!

Our Texan Browns Visit!

Earlier this month, we drove to my parents to be with my brother Matt, his wife Lisa, and their adorable girls - Vanessa, Nicole & Natalie.  We hadn't seen them in over a year and a half, so we were sure to soak up every minute of fun we could! 

Matt & Vanessa.  Matt cooked for us while there. 

I'm hiring him as my personal chef if they move here after grad school.

Cute Lisa

Nicoleee

Baby Natalie!  Who I snuggled as much as possible!

Playing Rock Band with Cousin Jason

Celebrating Matt & Peter's birthdays - the "2" candle was the only one we could find in the house.

and cousing bonding time.  This is Parker's new thing - roaring.  Lovely.

We miss them already!  Get back up to the PNW ASAP!