HallmarcDotNet

Sun, 03 Jan 2010

Our vacation has been quiet.Marc and Bryan working a lot. All of us relaxing and reading books and watching movies when we can. Otherwise, Melody and Thomas both had science projects to do. Grumble, grumble. As much as I like science projects, I don't like having homework to do over vacation. It defeats the purpose of vacation. Anyway, we've been watching bananas ripen for Melody's project.

Thomas and I built some bridges to test the structures of various trusses. Just a hint for anyone contemplating this as a science fair project. Don't do it. We tried popsicle sticks at first and there was too much variation in the different sticks to make a fair test. So Marc suggested straws and pins. These were such a pain to build with also. We planned to build nine bridges (three designs, three trials each) but we ended up only building three total. I ended up with super glue all over and pin pokes in my fingers. After these horrible, dangerous bridges were built, we got our revenge by hanging weights from them until they collapsed. Now we only have to write up the project and make a display. Meanwhile, Melody's bananas are still ripening. But at least they weren't dangerous like the bridges. 

Yesterday, we decided to get out of the house, so we all went to Forest Park. The weather was COLD and so we didn't go to the zoo. We went to the art museum (here Thomas is contemplating the picture "Man with Earmuffs"

and the Science Center. At the science center, Melody found out how much it would cost to send her into space. We're starting a collection if anyone would like to contribute to the "Send Melody to space" fund. Maybe that's why Bryan has been working so hard at Subway…

We wish you all a Happy New Year.