Science Fair

The kids' elementary school gave students the option of participating in a science fair.  This year Allie decided she wanted to give it a whirl.

This is another area of parenting that really stretches me- science fair projects.  Science.  Hmm.  Not my forte.  I did the minimum requirements for science.  Something about the periodic table of elements and chemical explosions and dissecting frogs just doesn't do it for me.  But, I had to gird up my loins and dive in with Allie to come up with a project.  Fortunately, the world wide web gives lots of options!

We finally decided on a little experiment about how the pH levels in soda affect teeth.  After following the directions perfectly, we didn't get the results we were hoping for.  It kind of backfired.   So basically we didn't come to any great conclusion, but it was a great learning opportunity to realize sometimes you have to just try, try again! 

She decided to share her experiment in an oral presentation to some judges.  I didn't get to go in with her when she presented, but she did awesome when she practiced with me!  They had an evening for all participants and families to come and see all the other projects.  When we got there, we realized Allie was one of 4 other first place winners!  We were so proud!  I suppose a large part of the scientific method requires multiple attempts at experimenting, which Allie discovered. The judges must have agreed.

 Way to go Allie Gallie!  We're sure proud of you!

Snippets

The end of January, Jacob headed out to Nevada for work for a few days.  We were on goat feeding duty, so of course had to send a picture to let Jacob know the high caliber crew he had left in charge of the herd.  Perhaps he's a bit too trusting?

One morning while he was gone I headed out to the garage to go feed, but when I tried to open the garage door it would only open 2 inches then stop.  When I pushed the button again, it would go down to the ground, start to go back up, then stop again at 2 inches.  I tried to use the manual release, but the door just slammed back down to the ground.  It was stuck solid, there was no way I was going to pull that door up. Yippee. This is the part where I realize how incredibly fixer-upper-challenged I am!  Fortunately after a few phone calls, one including Jacob- mostly for moral support seeing as though he was 4 hours away, I managed to get hold of Wally Orton who was able to make it out in an hour.  After he finished, he said I was lucky- he was supposed to be in Tremonton that morning but had a cancellation so was able to come out fairly quickly.  I consider it a huge blessing!  He also managed to have the part in his truck!  Hot diggety dog! Suddenly I realized how grateful I am for a garage door that goes up and down without much thought.  Also very grateful for a husband who usually gets to be in charge of these fun little adventures.

Apparently that big long spring thinger up at the top should NOT be in two parts.  I'm so happy that we now have one long continuous spring.  Hoo-double-ray!

When Jacob came home, we decided to head over to Tremonton that Friday night for a little rodeo.  It was a fun night.  We always are glad when daddy comes home!

Allie, Ty, and Lexi are all doing the school musical this year.  The musical is The Little Mermaid Jr.  They have practices a few times a week and will perform in March.  Parents are required to help out at a few of the rehearsals for the smaller children, so I've gone a few times with Lexi.  She is a "poor unfortunate soul."  Seriously, so cute!  There are 5 little Kindergarten girls who will be the poor souls. 

This coming week I will help out with Ty's group, the sailors.  Allie will be debuting as a seagull.  It will be pretty darn cute!