Oobleck, Pumpkin Muffins and The Zoo!!

Sunday, July 31st

I had not heard of Oobleck, ever, until this year.  Apparently Chris' class made this gooey s concoction this past year, and for some reason, every time Chris asked me if we could make Oobleck (the recipe was sent home...), I came up with some excuse not to. 
Well, Saturday morning, Chris wanted to make Oobleck.  I said, OK!! 
Corn starch, water and food coloring....that is it...simple! 
It is the craziest stuff I ever touched!  It can be like a slimy bouncy ball, that liquefies once it is held in the hand.  It felt weird and it was really cool!  I did not even care that both of us had semi-stained hands for part of the day! It was a quick, simple thing that absolutely lit up his morning!  What was I so dang hung up on before??  I am sure it was me not wanting to make a mess, not feeling like I had time, or that my time was better spent DOing something more productive.....
BEing carefree, spontaneous and fun is a lot easier and feels a ton better!

Saturday night, I went to a wedding reception and the kids had a sitter.  Lauren convinced me to let her friend sleep over....which I was really ok with.  So, Sunday morning after everyone was awake, I realized I did not have much in the house for a great "morning-after-sleep-over" breakfast.  So we got creative! I found a box of Pumpkin bread mix in the pantry.  The girls helped to whip in the few necessary ingredients and we made muffins!  Again, simple, and spontaneous.  It could have been easier to just pour a few bowls of cereal, and this made them smile.  I am loving how easier is not always better AND that what could have been perceived as a long, drawn-out, "unproductive" process, was instead fun, EASY and FUN!  The smiles on the faces said it all.

Lauren's friend is really excited about "The Jar" and has even told her mom to make one for their family!  So, asked if she could pull the activity out of the jar for us.  Sure!
She pulled out The Zoo!
"Yeah" I screamed in my head! (in a very sarcastic tone, by the way)  Lauren's friends eyes lit up.  And, so did Lauren's and Chris'.  I remembered the smiles from the muffin...and my inner sarcastic voice changed.  Let's do this!!! And "K", you are coming too!
So, off we went....Me, Lauren, Chris and "K". 
It was hot, and the zoo was really crowded...yet I had a blast!  Lauren and "K" were outstanding!  Chris....well, I am going with, "he was up late last night".  :)
Even his sour mood and crabby face did not ruin the day!  I am so glad we went!  BEing with them for the entire afternoon and experiencing the zoo through them was such a blessing.
What else can I say?  It was a great weekend and we had a blast!
(pictures to be posted soon!)