The machine

Mr. 7 has been loving his new science teacher and science lab.  They've been studying simple machines and mechanical advantage, and their semester-end project was to build a machine based on one or more simple machines, and explain its function.

Mr. 7 was clear on the design: a pulley attached to a weighted end of a lever.  What was less clear was what it could be used for.  After several brainstorming sessions, he decided it was a kitchen scale: one hangs the water pitcher in the sink, and fills it until the counterweight (the blue-taped batteries or pink weights below) minus the water weight in the pitcher balances out your food (below, a 1 pound can of beans).  His classroom presentation was a success.

Mr. 7's Dad has been wanting a kitchen scale for a while.  We'll have to see how Mom will feel about the scale becoming a permanent fixture.

Honorable mention goes to the Google Cambridge office, who cheerfully debated over e-mail whether iridium or osmium would be a more cost-efficient counterweight while Dad was boringly buying cheap handweights at the sporting goods store.

Off to bed

with a few required friends. Asher, Andy, and the blankets. A very snuggly bedtime.
 

The Toddler

Somehow I'd forgotten exactly what it's like to live with a toddler. One who feels so strongly that their way is the only right way. One who will build a ramp with all the blankets and pillows to get what he wants (or push the nearest chair or stool into position). One who will feed the fish the entire container of flakes. One who must take 2 blankets and a lion (and often a monkey) even though he only has two hands. One who says "peas" when he is asking nicely. One who will give you the biggest hugs when you walk in the door and the biggest grins when you figure out what those words he's saying mean. This is toddlertime in our house with all its ups and down and we love him!

 
 
 
 

Quarantine

Last night Mr. 7 and I were not feeling so well. We snuggled downstairs with some movies hoping that our stomachs would feel better. Instead it just got worse from there and Mr. 5 joined us a few hours later. The sickness continued throughout the night and this morning we decided it necessary to quarantine the house even though Mr. 1 was feeling well. The award goes to the Dad who cleaned up countless times, changed sheets, bought gingerale, and generally helped us survive the worst of it. We're all feeling better the last few hours (Mr. 5 wants to have a pajama Christmas party since he missed his party at school but I can't say I'm feeling up to a party) but I think it's going to be an early bedtime tonight. And tomorrow we need to figure out where to rent a carpet cleaner.

Too busy

This time of year I'm always torn between all the wonderful things to do and enjoy and just wanting to curl up at home and never leave the house. I had great hopes that this year - our first post-residency Christmas - would be different but alas fellowship has its own challenges and having two elementary school kids does not make for a quiet time. And I just can't resist Christmas concerts and special surprises and advent calendar tasks and all the other fun that goes with this time. Maybe next year will be quieter...

I think my goal for the Christmas letter is Valentines Day this year.

Christmas concert - Mr. 7

Christmas concert - Mr. 5