Today's Preschool Science lesson

 This is the conversation I had with Silas upon his return from preschool today:

Silas: Mom, I need sodium bicarbonate.
Me: What now?
Silas: Sodium bicarbonate.
Me: Us lay-people usually call it "baking soda."
Silas: Get me sodium bicarbonate.  I need it.
Me:...
Silas: Please!

 Silas then goes and gets the volcano he and his dad made together last year.
Me: What else do you need to make it explode?
Silas: Vinegar.
I get him vinegar to accompany the baking soda.
Silas: Also water.
He goes and gets some water, then proceeds to experiment pouring/scooping different quantities of each substance into the volcano.

Silas: I'm making Crater Lake (in Oregon).
Me: Does adding water make it more or less bubbly?
Silas: Less.
Me: What makes it more bubbly?
Silas: Vinegar added to sodium bicarbonate.
Me: Okay!

I guess his teacher was right when she said we should encourage him in science.  Maybe we'll work on DNA sequencing next.

Easter Generosity

The Easter Bunny came this year and, as per tradition, hid eggs around the house.  Welcome spring, everybody!

Easter 2012 shall forever more be remembered as the day we managed to find and fix not one, but two bad leaks in our water line, and, thanks to the generosity of the PUD technician, did not have to hire a plumber, spending only $5 for a replacement part.  In fact, we've felt very grateful lately for the kindness of strangers, as well as for the generosity of neighbors.  We are feeling the love!