Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Science Fair

Justin had to do a project for the science fair.  We tried to find something fun to do and I came up with the idea of using gummy bears after finding a few interesting things online.  Google gummy bear science project and you will find some fun stuff!  I asked J what we could do with gummy bears.  Since he had been doing some experiments in school that involved dissolving things in liquid, he decided we would dissolve the gummy bears.  His hypothesis was that they would all dissolve the same way, regardless of color/flavor and that the water would take on the color of the gummy bear.  It was sun to see they didn't dissolve, they grew!  He didn't get the whole osmosis thing, not that we really went into it all that much.  He made it through the process and did a pretty good job.

Gummy bears placed in water.

Look how they grow!

Started at 2 grams and now up to 10 grams.

Continuing to grow.

At about 16 grams now.

It's hard to read the things he wrote in pencil.  I only made him write the
question in marker.  I figured you can read the pencil just fine up close.
It's

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Misc. Summer Activities

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Love Justin's zebra!

Ryan and I did a shape hunt and he was able to take pictures of different shapes he found in the house.  He, like many children, loves to use a camera!  Sometimes he would use my iphone, but we also got him a durable vetch kid's camera that has been great. 
Circle from the shape hunt

and obviously squares.

Bubbles are always so much fun for kids to play with.  You can buy them or make your own.  My boys enjoy chasing the bubbles too, so this battery operated bubble blower made it easier to produce bubbles faster.

Riding bikes is also a good way to get the boys out and about.  I got tired running beside Ryan when we would go around the block.  Amazing how things aren't as level as they seem when you aren't chasing a child who forgets to use brakes as he approaches a parked car.


Ryan wanted to paint or stain the fence, which obviously isn't the best thing to have a child his age do.  Using water to do the job was just as much fun for him though.


Water is a hit!  Ryan is already looking forward to using Grandma's hose next summer when we visit.  It wasn't even a super hot day that day.  It doesn't seem to have slowed him down though.

Before we left we went to a couple of museums.  Water play is popular with Justin too.

Justin absolutely loved making flying contraptions out of water cooler paper cones and watching them fly when placed over a fan.  He got some pretty good ones.  Would be so easy to do with a box fan on its side and possibly something (even posterboard) wrapped around it so kids don't get their fingers too close and be tempted to stick fingers in by the blades.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Alphabet Activities!

Ryan has done some pretty fun alphabet activities in his preschool.  He doesn't go everyday, so he misses out on some of the activities.  He does enjoy the ones he does and he likes that they use a variety of materials.

ch for cheetah

t for tractor

h for horse

m for mountain

g for goofy goldfish

s for snake

b for bear in cave
Perhaps this wasn't an alphabet craft, but it is cute.

o for ostrich