I was looking forward to posting tonight. Last week, we had our first "hands-on" day. It wasn't a Friday, but a Wednesday because the storm knocked our power out for a couple of hours. Still, I was excited to post pictures of the results.
Then, I realized that my camera is in my car, which is down a long, dark flight of stairs. Did I mention how cold it is? Yes, I am a wus.
So, I will content myself with descriptions and web links for tonight.
After much anticipation, Kipp and I finally completed the Edge Robotic Arm kit!!
(waiting for virtual applause to die down)
Now, I must admit that it wasn't really that difficult to build. Half the time, Kipp figured it out without the directions and really only needed me to tighten some of the screws. However, because we left the project out so long, we lost some loose screws. It took a bit to get them ordered and for them to arrive. By then, we were on to other projects. Last week, however, we finished it! There is a small glitch with one motor, but it works well otherwise. I would recommend the kit to others, but if you do purchase it, I would immediately count all of the screws and contain them carefully.
We also completed the Journey to the Earth's Core jigsaw puzzle, and it was really fun. It's amazing how many details the boys noticed in the layers of the Earth because they were absorbed in fitting the pieces together. As an added bonus, it also glows in the dark.
So, that was it for our first "hands-on" day. Since I can't dazzle you with gorgeous color photos, I'll tell you about a few more happenings here.
We belong to a group of parents and children who like to build things. We've just started on a series of electricity experiments. The group kicked off that series with a tour of the Folsom Powerhouse, where the children saw the hydroelectric turbines. This past week, the boys made electromagnets. It's great to see so many parents interested in getting in a building with their children.
Of course, we can't shortchange the arts. To balance our activities, we took the boys to listen to an abbreviated performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's Shereherazade performed by the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra this past Sunday. It was a wonderful performance well designed for children. Shereherazade herself spoke between each of the four movements about the story and explained the concept of themes representing characters. The conductor, dressed as the Sultan, introduced different parts of the symphony between in movement as well.
I was surprised at my boys' reaction. Well, Galen wandered among our seats, heartily enjoyed applauding, and announced loudly when the lights were turned out. That was expected. Kipp and Landry, however, listened and enjoyed the performance. So, my artsy genes are not completely lost in all those dominant science and engineering genes after all!
Then, I realized that my camera is in my car, which is down a long, dark flight of stairs. Did I mention how cold it is? Yes, I am a wus.
So, I will content myself with descriptions and web links for tonight.
After much anticipation, Kipp and I finally completed the Edge Robotic Arm kit!!
(waiting for virtual applause to die down)
Now, I must admit that it wasn't really that difficult to build. Half the time, Kipp figured it out without the directions and really only needed me to tighten some of the screws. However, because we left the project out so long, we lost some loose screws. It took a bit to get them ordered and for them to arrive. By then, we were on to other projects. Last week, however, we finished it! There is a small glitch with one motor, but it works well otherwise. I would recommend the kit to others, but if you do purchase it, I would immediately count all of the screws and contain them carefully.
We also completed the Journey to the Earth's Core jigsaw puzzle, and it was really fun. It's amazing how many details the boys noticed in the layers of the Earth because they were absorbed in fitting the pieces together. As an added bonus, it also glows in the dark.
So, that was it for our first "hands-on" day. Since I can't dazzle you with gorgeous color photos, I'll tell you about a few more happenings here.
We belong to a group of parents and children who like to build things. We've just started on a series of electricity experiments. The group kicked off that series with a tour of the Folsom Powerhouse, where the children saw the hydroelectric turbines. This past week, the boys made electromagnets. It's great to see so many parents interested in getting in a building with their children.
Of course, we can't shortchange the arts. To balance our activities, we took the boys to listen to an abbreviated performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's Shereherazade performed by the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra this past Sunday. It was a wonderful performance well designed for children. Shereherazade herself spoke between each of the four movements about the story and explained the concept of themes representing characters. The conductor, dressed as the Sultan, introduced different parts of the symphony between in movement as well.
I was surprised at my boys' reaction. Well, Galen wandered among our seats, heartily enjoyed applauding, and announced loudly when the lights were turned out. That was expected. Kipp and Landry, however, listened and enjoyed the performance. So, my artsy genes are not completely lost in all those dominant science and engineering genes after all!
