Thursday 7/2

A lot of fun activities packed into one day!

We took a walk in the morning, and the kids had a pole-climbing contest to see who is most likely to help hook up the tether ball one of these days. Justice won, hands down!

King of the Pole Climbers

Haley came in a close second,
but didn't have the right shoes

Keigon gives it the old college try

Piper made a fun, if not whole-hearted, effort

Then we headed downtown, where the Science Station was hosting an Outer Space exhibit outside their not-yet-recovered-from-the-flood building. The kids absolutely LOVED it! We stayed and had a picnic by the river, then went back to the exhibit until it was time to go to Franklin.

Outside the Science Station

we timed it well - small crowds

learning about the importance of a
pressure balanced suit in outer space

before applying the pressure

unprotected body in outer space
equals bugged out eyes, ears, tongue...

the gravity well

learning about thrust required for orbit launch

Gazette photographer stalking Piper & Keigon

Piper playing hard to get

right before the "money shot"
Piper will laugh her way into the paper

Justice helping Piper

what would an apple weigh on
different planets?

Justice learning about orbit velocity

space-themed Legos

Keigon tries to launch a mission to Mars

learning about light spectrums/gasses

The Dinosaur ate our lunches!

picnic by the river

KCRG was there, too

At Franklin, Haley led outdoor games of tag and "What Time is it Mister Fox", since we've already done a lot of reading this week. Finally we headed back to the house for some free play before going to the pool early for once.

Playing at Franklin

Finally we SWIM!

Wednesday 7/1

We had time to play awhile this morning, and took a little walk / run down the street before heading out on a field trip to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. We had a boys vs. girls scavenger hunt at the museum, with each team making a list of things we saw in the artwork, then trying to find the things on the other team's list. We had time to check out the giant "Floodstock" sand castle and other sculptures around the perimeter of the CRMA building before we had to head home for a hurried lunch. Then we had our regular reading time, followed by free play which included Balloon art, Littlest Pet Shop, Fuse Beads and a Treasure Quest tourney between Piper and Stephanie (after Keigon left for T-Ball).

Piper brought her Leapster

Piper racing the dog

Keigon racing

Keigon shows us where the neighborhood bonfire was held

a piece of "Iconography" by featured artist John Buck

we couldn't take pictures at the actual exhibits, so this is our team on the upstairs catwalk

Floodstock Giant Sand Castle

another sculpture we didn't really "get"

taking a break on our way back to the van

Tuesday 6/30

Movie Day! It got off to a late start, so the movie took most of our morning - we got home just in time to have lunch and head to Franklin for reading time. After reading, we took some casserole dishes of food over to Westminster church, as part of a welcome dinner they are hosting for members of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance ministry. These are people who come from all over the country to help with the rebuilding efforts from last year's floods. We got to meet two of the PDA volunteers, and they were very grateful for the homecooked meal. When we got back from doing our good deeds, we got set up with another movie (Narnia), then Harrison's Grammy came to watch Piper & Keigon (Stephanie & Harrison had to leave for a play in Iowa City). Grammy had a super time with the kids, and they seemed to like her a great deal, too - ever since, they keep asking when she can come back!

Monday 6/29

An easy going day. We played inside all morning, then started our primary project after reading time. Our mission was to create and deliver invitations for the neighborhood 4th of July parade & potluck. We managed to get them made, but not delivered. It was a nice day for swimming, so Harrison offered to deliver them himself in the evening, so we could get to the pool early. Thanks, Harrison!

Justice pulls the balloon shapes off our fireworks wire

Piper and Keigon gather balloon shapes to throw away

Harrison cuts wire strips

Haley forms loops from the wire strips

Early pool time - a pause for snacks before swimming

Thanks, Harrison!

Friday 6/26

Another fun, busy day with the troops. Harrison led us in a craft project in the morning - we made sand art bottle creatures. Then after lunch and reading time, we went to the Hiawatha library to watch a show by the K-9 Ambassadors. They taught us about safety around dogs, then they did some demonstrations of dog tricks, and finally let us practice the safe way to approach a dog we don't know. We made a quick run to 1/2 Price Books for our reading rewards, then wrapped up the day with swimming. Piper began swimming without her water wings!