Thing 1 is an award-winning scientist!

Well, she did it. Thing 1 won 1st place in the science fair last night for the first grade. Her daddy and I couldn't be more proud. We are the proud parents of an award-winning 1st grade scientist.

She got a blue ribbon for placing 1st, AND a spiffy trophy that declares her as the best scientist in the first grade. You should have seen her smile.

Thing 1's project was about density. She wanted to see if an egg would float or sink in water, salt water, cooking oil, and karo syrup. She was very interested in why things float (or not), so she and her daddy cooked up this project.

She is also quite pleased with herself, and apparently enjoyed the experience enough to want to participate again next year (so far, anyway).

So now it's on to the regional science fair where she'll compete against other winners from the area. However that turns out, she's a winner in our book.

Our First Science Fair Experience

Thing 1 came home from school shortly before Christmas with several thick documents in her backpack that announced the highly anticipated coming of the school's Science Fair. There was no question whether or not she planned to enter a project - it was a done deal.

Now being the nightly homework, reading, and dinner parent that I am, I immediately thought, "This sounds like the perfect job for my husband!" So I assigned him Science Fair duty, and haven't looked back since.

The project is due on Wednesday, and they're very nearly done. The experiment itself (something about eggs floating in water ... or not) was finished by last weekend.

Now comes the hard part, though.

Thing 1 has to do the work herself. That means she has to put together her display with all the photos and text all by herself. I know it will be hard for my husband not to help her, but this has to be her project. In the long run, it will be a very good experience for her.

Once again, I'm a proud Mom.

I'll let you know at the end of next week how she does.

Thing 1 Is Growing Up

Today, I realized that Thing 1 (age 7) is growing up. Oh, I've seen it coming for some time now. But today, it finally sunk in.

This morning she said, "Can we have eggs for breakfast?" When I told her we could, she said, "Great! I'll crack the eggs and stir them up." And she did!

Very well!

She also added all the spices for my special "Gig 'Em Aggie" scrambled eggs. Her Dad makes "Hook 'Em Horns" scrambled eggs (she secretly tells us both that she likes ours the best!).

Not only did she (mostly) make breakfast, she also helped Thing 2 with his.

Thing 2 was not interested in eggs this morning. He wanted waffles and cinnamon rolls. Who could blame him? Sounds like the perfect breakfast to me!

Thing 1 toasted Thing 2's Eggos to perfection, poured on the syrup (got a bit carried away here), and even cut them into bite-size pieces for him.

Now let me assure you that this is not the norm around here. Not by any stretch of the imagination. That's not to say that the kids don't do nice things for each other (or us) from time to time ... because they do. But it doesn't usually happen to this degree of "niceness".

My baby is growing up.

Needless to say, I was a happy Mom this morning.

Even if it was too darn early to be making breakfast on a Saturday.

It's birthday party time again!

Thing 2 has his 5th birthday coming up in mid-March. This year (so far) he wants an Iron Man party. As with his older sister, Thing 1, the theme can change ... and change often!

Eventually we'll agree on a theme, and the search will be on for fun things that he and his friends can do at the party. This happens twice a year, every year. It's always a struggle to keep coming up with activities the kids will enjoy, won't be too much trouble to pull off, and (most importantly) won't cost too much money.

Here's a little tip for you. Check out this website: http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/. Visit this site once, and you'll be hooked. This collaborative site is a huge repository of birthday party ideas by theme and by age. So if you (like me) were interested in what fun things other parents have done for their 5-year-old's Iron Man party, all you have to do is read through the postings. I'll be doing that over the weekend.

Each posting is different, but most contain information on the following categories:

• invitations and thank you notes
• food
• games and other activities
• craft ideas
• party favors

For every birthday party we've ever done, I've always been able to find some good ideas from this site. Usually I end up combining the ideas from 3 or 4 different postings, and the kids have always had a great time.

And while we're on the topic of birthday party planning, here's a great resource for getting those party supplies from the comfort of your own home: http://www.birthdayexpress.com/. This place has all the cups, plates, napkins, party favors (and more!) that you'll ever need. The prices are reasonable and they ship your items pretty quickly too.

Here's to happy birthdays, and happy birthday parties, from now on!

Sometimes I have to go out of town for work ...

... and it's both good and bad. Today I'm leaving on a two-day trip to South Texas for a trade show. I don't have to be away from home too often with my job, but from time to time, it happens.

Thing 1 doesn't get too sad about it anymore - mostly because she trusts that I will bring home surprises if I'm able to (and I usually find a way to do so). Thing 2, being only 4, still gets a little teary-eyed on occasion.

Being away from home when I'm on these work trips is both good and bad. It's bad because I DO miss them while I'm away. Those phone calls before bedtime just don't compare to a goodnight hug and kiss.

The good part is that I get a little "me" time ... even if the trip is work-related. I can watch whatever I want on TV, and it's usually not Sponge Bob or Spiderman cartoons. I actually get total control of the remote (sorry, honey)! I can lounge in the hotel bathtub ... drink a glass of wine ... read a book - all at the same time!

Or, I can sleep.

Mom's need time away from all the home and family responsibilities sometimes, if for no other reason, just to rejuvenate. I come back mentally refreshed and ready to be a Mom again.

My husband is a terrific father. I couldn't ask for better. The kids are in good hands with him, so I have no worries at all.

So if you ask me if I feel guilty being away from the kids ...

... I'll truthfully answer, "not really." :-)