Crafts from the Past

I'm doing the Crafts from the Past program at each of the branches and this one was at Eldersburg.  I get to talk about Living History camp and show pictures from last year.  The kids get to clothe and decorate corn husk dolls.  Then we do a weaving project on our styrofoam tray "looms."  That takes a while if the kids do it well.  But if there's time we have a thaumatrope to make as well.  Its a fun program to do, and I hope it gets some kids excited about Living History Camp.  :)

Many things

There's been a lot of things going on lately!  Somehow, I don't have many pictures of the girls at TGIF this semester.  They are taking cool classes, I'm just not with them much this time.  I am doing a Battle of the Books team though.  These four kiddos are doing a great job becoming experts on the books for the battle in April!

The tiny rooster is always watching....

I got to go on a date with Gwyn.  I made her an appointment to get her hair cut in a salon.  We don't get our hair cut often, and a lot of the time I end up doing it because it remains difficult for me to make appointments for things like this.  I did it though and took my girl out for some mom time afterwards.  She picked Dunkin Donuts, which is good with me too!

She also found time to sew her own skirt for Living History this summer.  She's helping me with a few Crafts from the Past programs at the library too, so she can wear it there as well.  It's such a good feeling to sew something on your own that you get to wear!

World Thinking Day Troop 1980

The Littlest Chick

The last little egg hatched.  This one is a banty silkie.  She's so tiny!  The girls named her Poochie (after much back and forth).  She is so funny!  I was scared to put her in with the others because they are a week older and bigger than she is.  But she just scoots right up in the middle of them.  They just move over and let her.  So its all good.

Who would have thunk one day I'd have chickens in the house?

Don't worry Sunshine, we still love you too Little Man.

The Science Fair

It's science fair time!  And once again, we we waited too long to start our projects.  :/   But it did get done and no one was up till all hours the night before.
Lyla wondered what is the difference between salt and sugar crystals.  So she had to grow both kinds of crystals and then compare them.  She also had to look up facts about both crystals and what they look like under a microscope.

Celee wondered how our sense of smell affects our sense of taste.  So she needed test subjects.  We took four different fruits and had people taste each one with peppermint oil on it, then plain with holding their noses, then just blindfolded to see how accurately they could identify the fruit.  She even got the neighbors to try it.

I don't think Jason liked the peppermint oil.

But it's always fun to mess with Lyla.  ;)

In the end, Lyla had a nice display and learned a lot about how the actual structure of salt and sugar crystals is different.  They grow differently and in different circumstances.

Celee got some people at the actual science fair to try out her experiments.

Gwyn also did an project on crystals, but more complicated than Lyla's.  She grew four different kinds of crystals, epsom salt, baking soda, alum, and sugar.  She measured them as they grew and documented the differences in the size, shape, and environment that worked best for each type.

evaluators

The girls enjoyed explaining their projects to our scientist evaluators.

Lyla was happy to wear her future scientist shirt.  As much as the girls groan about doing these projects, they always enjoy the day.  And they are proud to share their work with other people.  So I think it's worth it.  

Yay for the Science Fair!

A Belated Valentine's Day Party

We had a very belated Valentine's Day Party with EB.  The original party got cancelled for a snow day, so it ended up two weeks later, which made it a little weird, but it was ok.  There were games and crafts.  The kids learned some songs.  They had snacks and Valentine's Day Bingo.  And of course they exchanged Valentines.  Gwyn wasn't feeling well at all, so she sat most of the activities out, but Celee and Lyla had fun.  I think Ameoba Tag is the favorite game.  Happy late Valentine's Day!

Happy Birthday to Me!

This crazy picture sums up my birthday well.  I was up super early, busy all morning, we went out to eat at the Cheesecake Factory and by the time we got home, we all crashed.  I got some really great presents.  The girls and Jason are always so thoughtful and sweet!  And I got a nap - which is awesome.  So happy 38 to me!  I joked that 38 feels like its going to be a lot more fun than 37, so here's to it!