Two weekends ago I had the chance to go down hilling skiing for the first time. At first I went out and tried out the ski’s trying to figure them out. I did this for a while getting some help from others in my ward. I fell once doing this and I got upset, but I kept going. I then tried to do pizza wedge again and did a little better. The pizza wedge is something that helps you stop when you are skiing. It is making the skis look like a pizza without crossing them. I started talking with some people in my ward and they invited me to go on the lift. It was a fun and scary experience learning to ski. I fell down lots and lots. You get better at something by trying again and again. This is what I did. I was a little sore, but it was so worth it.

Fun skit i found

Here is the first part of a skit that is with trees and such that I thought was cute. I will put more of it on the blog later.
ruthio

Four Winds Nature Institute
4 Casey Rd. Chittenden VT 05737
802-483-2917 www.fourwindsinstitute.org
LEAVES: Substitute K-2 Puppet Show
Characters: Dandelion, Foxtail Grass, Common Mullein, Pine Needles, Maple Leaf
Props: large magnifying lens with grass leaf pictured on one side and dandelion leaf pictured on the other
Dandelion
Hey you, would you mind moving over a bit,
please? I can’t get any sunlight.
Foxtail Grass
I’d like to but I can’t. I’m rooted to this spot!
Maybe you could grow a bit higher?
Dandelion
I don’t know, let me give it a try…ugh, ugh.
This is going to take some time.
Foxtail Grass
Hey, that breeze is blowing me over a bit. Is that
any better?
Dandelion
Much better! My leaves really need sunlight.
Foxtail Grass
Mine too! They need it to make food so I can
live and grow and make flowers and seeds.
Dandelion
That’s just why my leaves need sunlight too!
Our leaves are like food factories for the plant.
Foxtail Grass
Yeah! And for all the insects that eat us too.
Dandelion
Yeah – that kinda BUGS me!
Your leaves are so skinny, how do they ever get
enough sunlight to make your food?
Foxtail Grass
Oh, getting enough sunlight’s not the problem
for us grasses, but getting dried out by the sun –
now that can be a problem. Skinny leaves don’t
lose as much water as wide leaves do.
Dandelion
My leaves are wider, but it’s damp down here
near the ground so drying out isn’t a problem.
Foxtail Grass
My leaves have smooth edges but your leaves
are kind of scary-looking – like jagged teeth!
Dandelion
Those just help the water drip off so I won’t rot.
Foxtail Grass
My leaves need water to make food – they get it
through their veins. I can see you have veins too.
Dandelion
I wonder if they’re the same. Here, I’ll get my
magnifying lens and take a look. (holds up lens
with grass leaf) Wow! Your veins run right next
to each other like train tracks.
Foxtail Grass
Yeah. They’re called parallel veins, but they
could be called “train veins!” Let me see yours.
(Hold up lens with dandelion leaf) Yours are
different, like branches on a tree, or a feather!
Dandelion
Yeah – that’s why my veins are called pinnate –
it means, “feather-like.” Hey, I have an idea.
Let’s see what other kinds of leaves we can find.
Only I’m too low. I can’t see anything.
Foxtail Grass
Here’s that breeze blowing me over again. Can
you see now? (grass exits, mullein enters)
Dandelion
Oh yes, now I can see. Why, hello, I haven’t
met you before. You’re a tall flower, but you
don’t have any leaves!

Kalli is a big sister and I am a aunt again

My sister Reva had her baby boy this morning at 500 am. Joey and Reva are going to call their little boy Kaden J. Powell. It is fun to be a aunt.
I am doing well in school. It is keeping me busy. I got to go scuba diving two weeks ago. It was fun and scary. I am trying to track down some pictures I will post them when I get them if I can find some. Work is going well. I have been helping Virginia in harvesting her fruit trees. It has been a lot of fun. Well have a good day.
Ruthio

Balance

How do we balance time to serve others and taking care of our selves? Sometimes in life I feel like I don't do enough service. I want to learn to be able to have a balance of serving others and taking care of myself. I sometimes feel like I am selfish because I don't serve people often enough. What are some suggestions that people have as to how to better balance things?

Happenings

School is great, and a little busy. Work is good. I recently sprained my ankle which is no fun. I will be aunt to a nephew in a month or two. I like white gravy. I went to the zoo in Logan on Labor day. It was a lot of fun. There were lots of birds and mammals. There were some cute wallabies at the zoo. They look like minature kangaroos. I have taken some fun pictures. What animal is seen in this picture? Hope everyone is well.
Ruthio

Whistle

So today I was whistling and I thought what causes whistling. It is interesting to find that it is the vibration of the lips and the air that is around it. I had a lot of fun whistling many tunes today. I am excited for my symphonic band class. I have had one rehearsal so far. It is a lot of fun to play the clarinet. Have a good day :)