Oktoberfest at Big Canoe

Good Morning, Birthday Boy!

McIver woke up to a decorated room on his birthday.  He was excited to get to school and celebrate his birthday with his school friends.  We'll be planning a trip to Frankie's Fun Park with a few friends in a few weeks.

Olivia made a GIANT birthday card for the Birthday Boy.  

Burt's Pumpkin Patch

We spotted Burt's Pumpkin Patch on our way to Amicalola and said we'd stop by on our way home.  Even though the kids were worn out (and hungry), we stopped for a quick walk-through.  I've never seen so many pumpkins in my life ... all colors, sizes, prices. 

I've never seen a $120 pumpkin before. 

They had hay rides, scarecrows, Halloween decorations and more.  It really was a neat place to visit.  The pumpkin pies smelled sooooo good!

Amicalola Falls

We spent Fall Break in Big Canoe with Nanoo and Pop.  They didn't get to the mountains until late Friday afternoon so we spent the morning hiking to Amicalola Falls. 

At the start of the hike ... Tex was overwhelmed by all of the smells!

We were all smiles after we reached the top of the 425-step staircase to the top of the falls.  McIver almost fell out when he saw the parking lot at the top ... "You mean we could have DRIVEN here!?"

A beautiful view on our way back down the mountain.

A cabin where Appalachian Trail hikers can spend the night.

She's Ski-Ready!!!

STEM Night at Heathwood

McIver had a crazy busy Tuesday this week.  After racing home to get in some reading after school, he had to get changed for soccer practice (with his new goalie gloves) and head to Owens Field.  The gloves were a hit.  We had to leave soccer practice early to get to school for the Lower School STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Night.

We blew up balloons with baking soda and vinegar, then crushed a water bottle using the CO2 captured in the balloon.

We tested the surface tension on a penny with drops of water and dish soap.  FYI:  Dish soap DECREASES the surface tension on a penny meaning that you can get FEWER drops of dish soap on a penny than water.  This experiment required serious concentration and a steady hand.

McIver and his buddy William each built a Puff Mobile using a set of supplies - 3 straws, 2 sheets of paper, 3 paperclips, and 4 life saver breath mints.  There was also a roll of scotch tape on the table so they could use as much tape as they needed.  McIver was so focused on his own plan that he wouldn't take any of my suggestions.  I was sure (SURE!) that he was using too much tape and would end up weighing down his mobile.

The first test run went okay, but led McIver to believe he needed to do some tweaking.

He ended up removing one of the 'wheels' and had the car that went the farthest of all of the cars tested that night.  Yea!