Science Fair

Today was Rodney and David’s Science Fair at their school. I was very involved in the whole thing. I worked with three other parents on putting it together. I did this because both Amy and I feel the learning is very important and should be fun. Also both boys really wanted to do a science fair project.

Rodney did a project on environmental science and David did his on Natural science.

For Rodney project we put the four plants in four of the cups with extra dirt. Next we put holes in the bottom of the cups so they can drain. Then we measured ¼ cup of water in separate cups. Cup one got 2 things of water. Then in the other 3 cups we put one ¼ cup of each dish soap. Next we poured the soap and water on to 3 of the plants, 1 dish soap for each plant, and just water on the first. We did this for the next 7 days. All three of the plants died in the end. The interesting part was the plant that got the all natural biodegradable soap started to die first, but was the last to completely die out. Also the dirt look like it would, ware the other two that got soap looked like oil spills.

For David’s project he did it on volcanoes. Were he made a volcano and learned how and why it works. This is very important that he learn the process and why things work. He really enjoyed him self.

The fair went really well and we had 25 kids participate in the fair. We had lots of good projects. So our judges had a really hard time with their final decision. In the end we gave out six 1st, 2nd, 3rd places and 5 honorable mentions and 2 participation awards, and then 6 special awards. Rodney got one of the 1st place awards and a special award (for environmental Science) , David got a 2nd place award.

It was a lot of fun. I look forward to doing it again. And it will be better that this year.

A good day as family

1) We all went as a family to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3. The boys really liked the film, I thought it was ok with a little too much going on, and Amy was a little board. The movie it’s self was filled with more violence that the last two films together. David was a little scarred and sat in Amy’s lap for much of the film. Of course David would never say he was. I really like the special effects, and Keith Richards (of the Rolling Stones) guest appearance.

2) Because David had his first really good day at school in along time we took him to get his new bike. We had been planning on getting him a new one but really wanted him to have a good at school. I would seem that his meds are working.

3) We worked on the boys’ science fair projects. Rodney and I worked on writing up his project and got the photos of the progression of his project printed at the Drug store. Amy work with David on his volcano.

4) My German Iris is in full Bloom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s all about Family and gardening

Today we spent much time together as a family. Amy and I feel this is very important. After lunch we all went to Target and Trader Joe’s for groceries and supplies for the boys' science fair projects. We also stop at my favorite plant place to get some new annuals and perennials. Rodney need some flowers for his project on dish soap and plant growth and David needed stuff to make a volcano. (David originally wanted to do his project on hot lava.)

The place we stopped to get the plants is just a road side stand of a privet grower. The guy has always had really good plants and good prices. Just 6 bucks for perennials and 10 bucks for a flat of annuals. I got some fox glove for one of my bare spots and some marigold to plant around in my entire garden. (We used 4 of the annuals for Rod’s project. I’ll give more details on there project later) So this afternoon I got to spend working in my garden. Both boys were out there “helping” me. They would “help” me with digging by filling in the holes after I would dig them usually before I got the plant put in there. I spent much time moving some of my old perennials form the front yard and the side. I moved all my cone flowers to a spot they would get more sun and I moved some of my Bee Balm the was over growing in some areas, to the spot the cone flowers were. Also I looks like my German bearded iris (Play with fire is what it is called) is about to bloom. I should be getting 50+ blooms this year. (I’ll post it in full bloom in the next week or so) This means I will need to split the bulbs this fall. So if any one in the area wants one you can have one.

After all the panting and weeding we watered the garden. I watered the boy’s turned the water off and on, much to my dismay. Then they helped me plant the Marigolds in the flower box on our porch. Both boys seem to be very interested in what I’m doing in the garden. I hope I am in stilling my same love of gardening on them as my father on me and his before. Rodney is a little more in to it the David but both had a good day with me.