Nature, Science and Artistic Expression

We've been busily preparing for the holidays the past few days, cleaning, shopping and baking.

But, there have also been a lot of non-holiday related things we've been up to. A little while after moving here, we discovered a large, nature preserve in our neighborhood. Having lived in the city for almost 10 years, nature within walking distance is new and exciting for us. The kids have explored it a few times but I never had so we decided to take a walk in the woods. 

The stillness and flocks of vultures inhabiting the treetops made it a little eery. (In a good way) 

There were lots of trails to follow. The kids have seen snakes, turtles and a fox and I'm sure there are raccoons, rabbits and other wildlife as well. I'll admit, I'm a little intimidated by the idea of encountering an alligator or dangerous snake which is not something we're used to worrying about but there's probably not really much chance of that. I hope.

There are not many trees suitable for Xury to climb so she loved climbing all over this fallen tree. We didn't have time for more than a short walk but it was fun and I'm sure the first of many.

Aravis has  loved playing with the snap circuits lately.

After building a few different projects, she started doing some of her own experiments using different things to complete the circuit like water, a potato and a carrot. Those all worked but her fingers didn't, which is probably for the better. 

This circuit made an alarm sound. She tried different temperatures of water, coke and ice to see if they changed the speed of the alarm. The ice water sped it up.......or slowed it down, I don't remember now. The closer the connectors were to each other the faster the alarm went. 

Then, since she had the potatoes out......

 

we played Mr. Potato head. 

Aravis is intrigued with the voltage tester and likes testing and seeing which of our outlets work. She and Dominick began experimented with it and discovered that it detects static electricity.

She rubbed this balloon in her head, put the voltage tester in her hair and, sure enough, it beeped and turned red

It detected an electric current. It was a pretty exciting find. 

And then, there was this photo shoot

The adorable mad hatter 

Tanner dressed her up and did her make-up but the poses are all Aravis. I am in love with these. 

And now, there are presents to wrap, cookies to bake and claymation movies to watch. Its time to get back to the busyness of the season! Hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday!