13 - Boil Water in a Paper Cup

50 Dangerous Things (you should let your children do)

We attempted to boil water in a paper cup. Sounds ridiculous (and dangerous) right? The book recommended doing this activity with a true paper cup or an origami box. We picked an origami box, which was a hard enough feat, making all those folds and getting them in the right places.

With Gavin, is his cousin, who is making herself a pair of duck tape shoes.

We followed the directions meticulously and read the science behind why you would be able to get water to boil in a paper cup. Only, it didn't work out for us :(

The first box leaked alot. The browning on the top of the box was expected, in fact, the book stated that it may even go on fire. It suggested using the shiniest paper you had available (higher clay content) and so our second box was made from magzine paper.

The second box leaked faster and more furiously. We noted that the water was really hot and just about boiling. But not quite. Maybe we will experiment with it another time.

Dangerous? Absolutely! I asked the boys to stand back as I was concerned about the flopping open and the hot water scalding them. The book made it clear that it was fine to allow the top of the box to burn since it would be stopped by the water in the cup - definately 'dangerous' stuff!

I'm Sorry Blog

Dear blog -

I really like you. You're alot of fun. I mean to pay more attention to you, it's just so hard right now. See there are these 4 boys (you know, how you got your name?) who need something alternatingly every 2.7 seconds. When they don't need something, they are making ALOT of messes, torturing each other, and jumping from heights that would give most mothers palpatations.

Ethan is out of school, and although he purports to enjoy his time off school, it mostly stresses him out. Because the bus doesn't come, and there's no morning news or schedule posted, and we don't structure our day into 1 hour increments, his anxiety sky rockets and that takes a toll on all of us.

Because when Ethan's not happy - ain't no one happy! And it seems like Ethan gives license to everyone else to spiral out of control right along with him. It is hard to play board games, listen to a story, or hear your own thoughts, while Miley Cyrus, who is housed in his iPod, is singing at the top of her lungs out of my new Bose speakers.

See, Cesar Millan knows packs need a stable alpha leader. The pack needs a calming, centered energy that disperses to the whole pack - oh boy, am I in trouble. I don't need Supernanny, I need the dog whisperer - remember, we are talking a pack here.

But, just when the screeching of the banshee's reaches heights that I am sure will require human sacrifice to quell, everyone finds a groove and like cogs in a wheel a little humming can be felt.

Then there's a lull and all is right with the world. Ethan cracks a joke and settles down to read the phone book, Mikey & Gavin sit down to a quiet game of cards, Sean watches squirrels in the backyard and I peel the "kick me" sign off my back.

Hang in there blog - this too shall pass, and I'll probably miss it when it does.

Hunting for Treasure

We have wanted to dive into Geocaching for some time now. It's an activity the whole family can do together, usually involves alot of walking, and occurs outdoors - doesn't it have 'Costello' written all over it ?! It is an all around fun thing to do, is used in the scouting program, and involves a worldwide community.

We were given the opportunity, by Dennis' cousin who works at Kittatinny State Park, to attend an introduction to geocaching at the park. Dennis, Gavin and Mikey got to try out the class while I had to chase Ethan and Sean through the park got to spend some time with my other two children. The park lent them these little units.

The handheld GPS gets you within a certain radius and then you are on your own to do the looking. Some caches give you more clues than others, but it really is a 'hunting' game.

After the park we were offered food, fun and frivolity at Dennis' cousin's house. It's definately the place you want to be offered food. Yum!

We carried on at home, looking up some caches local to our house. The little packages were well hidden in places we pass almost everyday. You would have no reason to know about them, unless you are playing the game.

Some we found, some we didn't and there is still alot to learn in the way of abbreviations, terminology and geocaching etiquette. We haven't purchase a heldheld GPS yet, but used this little app that did a great job.

Happy hunting, everyone!!

09 - Make a Bomb in a Bag

50 Dangerous Things (you should let your children do)

The 'bomb' referred to in this activity harnesses the awesome power of cider vinegar and baking soda. The fun of it was containing it within just the right amount of space to cause some cool results.

The goal was to keep the packet of base out of the pool of acid until you 'set off your bomb'. The boys had a good time redesigning their 'bombs' and coming up with additional ideas.

Seems like I found the explosions pretty entertaining ;)

Dangerous? Apparently, from the sounds of the videos, I was scared!

08 - Throw a Spear

50 Dangerous Things (you should let your kids do)

We didn't have to look far for a spear around here - we're armed to the teeth! The book definately had some good tips on good form and increasing your likelyhood of hitting your mark.

In the book, there was data and facts about spears that prompted alot of 'Bing' searches.

Dangerous? Only to the pillow case we used as a target!