March for Science

We had Earth Week instead of Earth Day. 

It started when Mason Skyped with my friend's 5th grade classroom in Chicago. They are doing a unit on renewable energy and had great questions for Mason. In addition to talking about the process of taking used cooking oil and turning it into a viable resource, he said a lot of the kids' questions had to do with why the government wasn't supporting the biofuel industry and renewable energy.  Funny how the kids get it, but not the goons in charge! Now there's a rumor that the carbon credit bill is being added onto something else that might get passed at the end of the summer. In the meantime, Mason's entire company continues to hang in there even though they haven't produced fuel since January.

 Hannah requested a photo by the statue outside of the library.

 A new tree for the front! It's a Perkins Pink Yellowwood that will have pink blooms in spring and yellow leaves in the fall. I'm so excited to look out and see a tree now and not either a dying pine tree, or the stump of a dying pine tree. Now we need to be patient while the grass grows in around the bottom. Hannah was my diligent grass seed spreading helper. We also picked up a Katsura tree for the back corner of our yard in hopes that it will soak up some of the water that likes to accumulate. Both are native to Missouri.

We braved the unseasonal cold temperatures and went to find herbs for one of the new garden boxes at the Farmer's Market on Saturday. We got chives, dill, basil, thai basil, cilantro, and oregano. I'm not sure what to do with thai basil, but it was buy 5, get one free. The kids were more interested in building a fort in the field.

 The weather improved greatly, and that afternoon the kids and i headed downtown for the March for Science. There were roughly 1500 people in attendance and a very friendly atmosphere. We didn't make signs this time because I was supposed to be at a 5k that was cancelled due to weather and Mason abruptly had to go out of town, so our attendance was last minute. Had we made them though, Mason's was going to have a picture of the Statue of Liberty with the words "She blinded me, with science!" and another with a picture of the Earth and have one of the kids write "Save some for me." I loved the thought others put into their signs:

• Got polio? Me neither. Thanks, Science
• I speak for the trees (from Dr. Suess' The Lorax)
• No science, no beer
• What do we want? Evidence based policy! When do we want it? After peer review!
• Powered by science, strengthened by diversity
• There is no Planet B
• Science is basically an inoculation against charlatans
• There are no alternative facts about global warming 
• Science: because you can't just make shit up

 We walked from the courthouse straight down 8th street to the Quad.

 It was amazing to see a thick wall of people completely encircling the Quad!!

 Afterward, there were science booths in Peace Park to explore. After face painting, we learned about earthquakes, made slime, looked at all kinds of amphibians, rocks and bones, played with kinetic motion machines, watched coke and mentos reactions, and smashed marshmallows that'd been frozen with liquid nitrogen.

Go, Science! Get out and explore. Discover. Ask questions. Get your hands dirty. And most importantly - DON'T STAY SILENT!!

ATA Tournament + Easter

Hannah had an Easter party at school on Wednesday.

 This is the little moth that kept her company while I tilled the dirt in the new garden boxes and while she made chalk drawings on the driveway. She took this picture of her buddy.

 A fun package arrived! Great Grandma Lueder sent them the Time Bomb game that they liked playing at her house. They were so excited to get mail and have played it many times! It seems that no matter what I do, I always end up blowing up...I need to learn their tricks. They think it's hilarious.

 Zane was "electric" for his school's Vocabulary Parade.

 Mason and Hannah both had the day off so we all went downtown to embarrass him. It was great fun :) We stood on the corner yelling and waving. We even waved at his friends to ensure maximum embarrassment. It worked!

 Hannah, Mason, and I then proceeded to a tree nursery to pick out something suitable to replace the pine we took down in our front yard. We found one that'll work perfectly, along with another for the backyard that'll soak up some of the water that accumulates there. The nursery had peacocks. They're always fun!

On Saturday Zane had his first ATA tournament. Being the first one, it was a bit chaotic in general, but he did very well. We were so proud of him! Here he is doing his form.

 And weapon (nun-chucks)...

 This is the one-step. It's like beginner sparring, where both kids do their forms but don't touch each other.

He got 3rd place in forms for the 8-and-under division! He was initially bummed about not winning his heat in the one-step and had to take some time to regroup and remember to be a good sportsman, but in the end he came around. 

Saturday night we rallied to do Ukrainian Easter eggs! This would be Hannah's first time doing the wax. This photos was taken moments before that lid of wax tipped onto the stovetop, oozed down the front of the oven, and hit the floor. Oops.

 Zane was the color master.

 The other lid of wax also tipped due to the other child and we made them take a break to think about what they'd done. Each did more waxing and we ended on a happy note. Luckily, Mason and I could put our feet up while the Bunny did his thing that night.

 Baskets! Bright and early.

 After the eggs were found, Zane immediately got to work on his Lego monster while candy consumption was first and foremost for Hannah.

 Hannah was excited about her glitter chalk paint.

 Driveway art.

Our day included lots of hanging out, briefly playing with neighbors, mowing the lawn, Z and M went fishing but didn't catch anything, and K and H attempted a nap that didn't happen. That evening Mason took us to a new restaurant he found that's just outside of town on the MKT Trail called The Station at Katfish Katy's. It was great! Hopefully we'll go back soon when they have live music. Tonight we had the place mostly to ourselves.

The Spaces Between

We have been very busy as of late, but it seems I don't have many photos of things that we've been doing. In addition to the normal basketball and ATA for Zane, baseball practices have started for both kids, Mason and I spent the weekend building garden boxes out of cement pavers, staining the inside of our back fence, installing a rain barrel, purchasing blueberry bushes (and steak!) at the Farmer's Market, staying on top of kiddo school work, and getting Hannah's health needs all set for Kindergarten. There has been a lot of dividing and conquering. 

In between all of that....

Zane is sharing his love of Pokemon with Hannah and she loves it. 

 She has repurposed this necklace into her "Pikachu Power Up Necklace."

 Mason took Zane to the archery range. The boy is a good shot.

 Hannah set up a game where ALL of her Shopkins were waiting in line for the potty. Riveting.

 Mmmmm Mac n' Cheese!

 The little lady and I went to see Beauty and the Beast and we both loved it!

 Checkers! The monkeys have been getting along really well lately (knock on wood).

 Hannah's first tball practice! She did wonderfully! She nailed the ball, chased down a few in the field and volunteered to be the first one to run the bases. She is on a co-ed team with one other girl.

 Hannah's teachers told us about a girl in the morning class that is also going to Lee next year. The mom and I were excited and immediately set up a play date so they'd have a familiar face once summer school starts in June. We even orchestrated them being on the same tball team :)