Extreme Science at COSI

Today we went to COSI as a reward for Alex being extra-good lately. The kids got to make bubbles, make faces in a time-lapse camera, balance in the wacky gravity room, and watch a presentation about the extreme science of combustion. They blew up balloons of hydrogen, lit several salts to see what color they are when they burn (copper is green for example), and made dry ice glow by burning magnesium inside it.

Alex's First Day of First Grade

Today was the 1st day of Alex's 1st grade. His teacher is Mrs. Weinberg and she seems very nice. We also found out not to photograph Alex's new backpack with the flash, due to that snazzy reflective stripe. Glad to know it works. Way to go Alex! We're so proud of you.

School Orientation 2006

This evening we met at Alex's school to see his classroom for the next year. His class is made of 1st and 2nd graders and their are 3 of these classes - the primary grades. Their classrooms are actually lined up along one wall of an enormous room, with each teacher's space marked apart from the others by filing cabinets and other dividers. Another wall houses the 3rd and 4th graders - Lower Intermediate - and another wall contains the 5th and 6th graders - Upper Intermediate. The 4th wall is the area where the whole school meets for a weekly meeting. The middle houses a library/resource center/computer lab. Like I said, a huge room. The top picture is the kids in a covered wagon and near several western facades that have been recycled from the Western-themed auction earlier this year. After a couple of hours of hard orientating, we unwound at Chuck E. Cheese's and beat things with padded hammers.

Back to School Pool Party 2006

Today we went out to the Sylvania Country Club for Alex's Back to School party. One of Alex's classmate's dad is the executive chef there. As you can see it was a pool and ice cream party. Alex is getting to be a better swimmer, though one of his classmates has been taking lessons at our gym and was swimming great today. We may have to sign up. It was fun to see some of his classmates and his teacher even showed up to say "Hi!"

Hoop Dreams

Mark and Melinda got Alex this OU basketball outfit. It's reportedly very comfortable. He wanted to get a shot in it near the only goal he can dunk on. He is eating his vegetables (Ok, one carrot a week) and is growing taller everyday.

The Butterfly House

Today we hauled the troops out to the Butterfly House of Whitehouse, OH. This is the first time we've been here as a family, despite it being so close. The Butterfly House is home to over 100 species of butterfly, depending on the time of year. They had several Monarchs that were raised locally, but will be released for their migration to Mexico in September. The kids were great in there, being very careful not to step on or touch the butterflies. It was a real joy to see them enjoying the butterflies. I know it won't last forever, but for now we can spend a lazy summer afternoon watching pretty butterflies.

Rib-Off 2006

This has been a nearly annual local event for us since we discovered it. This year, they moved this benefit for the United Health Services to the Lucas County Rec Center where they usually have the county fair. There was more room than the usual venue down by the river so we didn't feel very crowded. We went early and had lunch there. We packed the boys' lunch and we had ribs from a couple of different local vendors - very tasty. We spent the next 3 1/2 hours in the expanded kids area they had this year. It was run by Hero's Toledo and was full of inflated bouncing obstacle courses. Alex also stood patiently in line for a painting of a heart on his arm. We topped it off with ice cream and called it a day before the crowds came in for JoDee Messina performing that night. We hope they have it here next year and expand the kids area even more. As you can tell from the last picture, it really wore them out.

Spring Break 2006 revisited

I was way behind on blogging and just finished my Spring Break in Oklahoma entries. In case you missed any, here they are.

Spring Break - We're Late!
Wrestlemania
Baby Manning
Blustery Day in the Backyard
Papa!! Hockey!!
Precious Chunky Doll Baby
Peep Eggs
Nana and the Little Man
Spot the Real Monkeys
Climbing on the Animals
Manning's First Zoo Trip
The Playful Sea Lion
Aaron's a Real Swinger
My Favorite Manning Photo (So Far)
Making Girly Sandals
Marcus's Scarf
Impromptu Family Reunion
Bedtime Stories
Sam Noble Museum of Natural History
Pentaceratops
Posing by Dinosaur Bones
Paleontologists in the Making
Hornhead
Marli's Scarf
Curls and Air Hockey
The Evans Clan - March 2006
Showing the Boys the Duck Pond
The Oklahoma Aquarium
Fishing Equipment for Giants

Evan's Hot Wheels Party

Alex's best friend, Evan, had the whole family over with bunches of other kids to his house for a Hot Wheels-themed birthday party. They had hot dogs for the kids and pulled pork for the grown-ups. They got another inflatable "moon bounce" like they did last year and everyone seemed to enjoy it. It was a hot day, but buckets of iced drinks kept us cool. It was our pleasure to celebrate the 6th birthday of such a great kid.

August Adventures

Alex finished another week of Maumee Valley Day Camp today. This week was a little more active than his week at Hob Haven and was part of their August Adventures week. On Monday he found some fossils in the local fossil park, then spent the afternoon swimming at a local park. Tuesday they went on a nature walk on the school grounds and spent the afternoon swimming at a local pool. On Wednesday he went hiking at Oak Openings and then more swimming at the local quarry. Yesterday was spent at a local farm and today was spent canoeing. This was one of the hottest weeks all year, so we worried about his ability to keep hydrated and reapply sunscreen, but he survived the week (with 35 bug bites). This may become a tradition.