Science Day

We had a science day today--we were supposed to have friends over (X calls them "the rest of the Ricardo's", but really, they are the "other Rodriguezes"). Unfortunately, friends ended up needing to cancel and reschedule for next week, so it was just me and the girls!

We didn't do a lot of the experiments planned (we'll save them for next week with friends), but I found an old shoebox size tupperware, and drilled holes in the top while Xaris and Ilane hunted rocks, sticks, leaves, and started digging up some dirt.  We dug up some grass and plants too, and built a snail house.

Then, Xaris was very brave.  I pulled out the first snail and put it in the house--but she did every other one after that.  Her only question: "Will they be mean?"  When I told her that they wouldn't, she just went ahead and gave it a try.  So proud of her.

After nap, we made Cloud Dough for the first time.  Yes, loads of fun, very soft, and very moldable.
Yes, also very messy--the small amount of baby oil in the flour meant that the flour dust "stuck" a little better--to clothes and skin.  It wouldn't just clap or shake off.
It was still lots of fun, and since we were outside it really didn't matter that we were getting cloudy with flour.

let's play catch up

ilane had her 18 month well-check, and Xaris had her 4 year well-check since I've last blogged.  Here are the updates on both girls!

The good news: Xaris weighed in at 27 lbs, which PUTS HER ON THE CHART for the first time in 2 years!!  She's in the 5th percentile, but hey, that's better than negative!  She's 38" tall (25th percentile) and healthy in every other way.  We might need to get her eyes checked--it either took her awhile to figure out what she was supposed to do with the eye chart, or she really did have some difficulty seeing it.  She doesn't have great genetics for eyesight, unfortunately.  But, it would be fantastic if she inherited her father's eyes and has perfect vision.

iXy weight in at 21.4 lbs (15th percentile), 31 inches (30th percentile) and head was 17.5 inches (5th percentile).  Quite the opposite of her sister--who has a big ol' head!  She's doing well, but is still not talking much so we're trying to make it not quite so easy for her to get what she wants without using words (or at least trying to use words).

They are both just great fun!  

They are each other's favorite (except for maybe when papa comes home) and prefer to play together.  When iXy isn't in the room, Xaris complains about being lonely, and typically ilane will follow Xari around the house playing with her.  Of course, they complain about turns and sharing, but most of the time they're fine and play well together.  Part of me is waiting for the other shoe to drop.  :)

Xaris has her ballet recital soon and just got her costume!  This is her with her two best ballet friends and her incredible teacher Miss Sarah.  

She loves these friends, and really enjoys her ballet class...and ANY other kinds of crazy dancing she can manage!  Case in point--this video I managed to capture when she jumped down from the bench in the middle of lunch at the zoo.  It was completely random, I'm not sure where it came from, other than she decided that she just had to dance!

And this from one of our before-bed dance parties