Science Fair

Bradley participated in the School Science Fair this year. His project hypothesis was "Does the number of Mentos added to Diet Coke affect the fountain height?"

His display had the Mentos launcher that was used it also has Mentos glued in it for the display. We also added a flip book. Our camera takes high speed pictures, so we were able to get a bunch of pictures and glue them together for a flip book.

His school would only allow poster displays of the science projects, we were not allowed to bring in the kids' projects. Good thing, as about 10 other kids did a variation of Bradley's. That would have been one sticky gym.

 

 He was able to get the fountain to shoot 12 feet with 7 Mentos. Richard and Bradley had a lot of fun with 9 bottles of Diet Coke and a ton of Mentos to get this project done.



There were no ribbons or awards given, but they did have two 6th graders and two 5th graders move to the District Science Fair. Bradley' was one of the chosen 5th graders. At the District Science Fair they also chose two 6th graders and two 5th graders move to the State Science Fair. Unfortunately Bradley did not move on from the District level. We were real proud of Bradley making so far.

And to think this was just practice.... After the experiments were done and the project display was almost done Bradley informed us that the Science Fair is required for 6th graders and optional for 5th graders.... So another science fair will done next year. At least next time it will count towards his grade.

Go Green Again!

It is Earth day again...already? This year has just flow by.



So have I become more eco-friendly? I would like to say yes, but really it is Richard who heads that department in our family. After are mostly successful garden that we planted WAY too early last year, it has really been a passion of Richard's. So much that this year he bought a composter. Now we are saving food scraps and lawn clipping to make our own wonderful and enriched soil.



Let me tell you that I am glad this is something Richard wanted. This is a stinky venture he has created. Well only when you open the composter, ours is fully enclosed. I do have to deal with our counter top composter though.



This little can has filters in the lid, so it doesn't get all stinky just sitting on the counter, but boy when you open that lid it sure is ripe if it doesn't get emptied every day.



The kids absolutely love this. They help turn the composter and they always want to know if this food or that can go into it. Bradley thinks it is crazy that egg shells and coffee grinds can go in, but steak and candy can't.



As for me, I want to some kind of project in honor of Earth Day. I have chosen a pretty adventurous project. Hopefully I can get it finished in time and that it turns out like I see it. My idea....



But my fall back tribute to Earth Day will be dirt cups desserts. Very easy and safe. Bradley has been asking for them, so why not?

Project Overload

Here are the fun craft project we have done. The kids are real proud of what they are able to build, and they love to paint. The projects are fun, sometimes a little stressful for mom, mainly because I am a control freak, but it is helping me let go of the control and giving it to them.


June's Home Depot Project was a small table Foosball game.

I took the kids by myself to this. It was definitely an adventure. Olivia needs one on one help, while Bradley only needs help holding pieces together while he hammers. The problem, they both want (NEED) help at the same time. We eventually worked it out, and finished the game. It even came with cute little stickers, so no painting needed. YEAH!!!


July's Home Depot Project was a Periscope.

The kid's love this "spy" toy. They are really sneaky and spy on us from downstairs and around corners. They would be better spys if they could keep from giggling.



Painting

We bought these wooden creatures for the kids. Olivia really wanted a doggy named Piper. Bradley thought the snake was really creepy. Creepy is Bradley's new favorite word, it means everything from awesome to creepy. The kids were painting them one Sunday afternoon, but Bradley was too excited to play his new Wii game, so his never got finished. Priorities!!!

The Fence is DONE!!!

So we decided a few months a go to finally bite the bullet and put in a new fence. After going back and forth with the idea of Richard doing the fence himself, and what kind of fence to do, we finally decided that it would be faster, easier and not that much more cost wise to pay someone to do it. We did some research, got some bids and went with a vinyl company.

So after the main water line break three times and being without water for hours on end three different days. It is finally done and absolutely wonderful.

This is going to be a garden area in our back yard. Unfortunately it will have to wait until next year to get planted. I have one plant started...

This is the pergola Richard built so I can grow blackberries. I got some starts off my grandpa's vines. I am hoping that they will survive. I think some have already died on me.

I have never been very good at growing things. All my house plants die no matter how much or little attention I give them. Bradley thinks I need the AquaGlobes that they sale on the infomercials. Do you think that will help with the blackberries???

The Before Shot

Bradley and Olivia on our slide before I demolished the playset. We are now making room for a trampoline. I am also tearing down a fence and having a new one installed. Then starting a garden for the first time. I have a lot of projects on my plate, and a lot of projects I have just finished. The After shot will be in a few weeks.

Richard