Salmon Release

Every year at our Intermediate School, the kids get to take part in a "circle of life" science lesson.  They raise salmon eggs through the fall and winter, keeping track of how quickly they change from egg to little squirmy thing to bigger squirmy thing to something vaguely resembling a small fish.  Then they release them in a stream to become part of our area's salmon population.  If the mini-salmon are extremely lucky, they will return to the same stream in about five years to spawn.  They have about a .0000001% chance of avoiding bigger fish, pollution, illness, bears, and fisherman, so out of the 100 or so fish the kids released, I think that means about .00001 of them will return.  The kids had great time catching the little guys in clear plastic cups, walking them carefully down to the stream and wishing them well on their journey through life.  Who knows, maybe one of the salmon will win the lottery and return to complete the circle! Even if doesn't, I still think this is a great, hands-on science activity for the kids, and one that they enjoy, which is important, too.

 

Trying to catch a salmon-fry.

 

This one Ben named "Meatloaf"  Salmon loaf would have been more appropriate, maybe?

Getting ready to release Meatloaf into his new home.

Just keep swimming...

 

This is a lovely spot for baby salmon.  I hope they get to enjoy it!

UW Field Trip

Ben's class went on a field trip to the University of Washington and I chaperoned.  We got to go to the planetarium and see a very cool demonstration about the universe.  Afterwards, I chased five fifth graders all over the UW campus.  Unfortunately, they didn't stop moving long enough to get pictures.  I loved being back in the midst of Suzzallo Library, Denny Hall, the Quad, Red Square, Drumheller Fountain; all the beautiful spots were just like I remember 20 years ago!

We met up with the rest of the group at the new Husky Stadium, where we went on a tour.  At the end, the kids were invited to run down the tunnel onto the field and then run around and get their energy out.  Smart tour guide!  Maybe one day Ben will be a student here...

Glass Museum

I didn't intend for Spring Break to have a "glass"  theme, but it kind of turned out that way.  I'd heard great things about the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, so we decided to check it out.  I was impressed with the museum, but I thought the public art outside was more impressive than the exhibits inside, and they were free!  We did enjoy watching the glass blowers, though, so it was worth the money.

This fun fountain is outside the museum's entrance.

 

  It's pretty amazing what can be created from glass!

Some of the pieces of art that we especially liked:

 

Watching the glass blowers:

 

This was pretty amazing!  He blew a glass bubble, then tapped it and it shattered.

 

This cone shaped structure is the outside of the glass blowing auditorium:

Across the street from the museum is the Federal Court House. 

 

If you look closely at the semi-circular window, you can see more amazing glass art.  I wanted to go over and find out if we could go inside, but the kids weren't interested.



 

 

As you start down the walkway, you come upon a huge collection of Chihuly glass sculptures.  This is only one segment; I took a panoramic shot and it took six pictures this same size to capture the whole length of the display.

 

I asked the kids to point out their favorite piece. 

Jillian had two favorites.

 

 

 

Farther down are these giant, blue glass structures.

They kind of look like rock candy. Or plastic sacks full of air.

Continuing on, the ceiling is covered with more Chihuly glass.

  



Very sea creature-esque! 



We enjoyed our visit to the Museum of Glass.  It was worth it to go at least once to see the glass blowers, but I think next time we'll stick to the outside and enjoy the free public art. 

 

 

Japanese Internment Memorial

After Kylie's races, Ben and I walked over to the new Japanese Internment Memorial at Pritchard Park. I've been wanting to see if for a while, and Ben is studying the Internment in school, so it was the perfect opportunity.

First he stopped to climb some trees!

The memorial is located in the same location as the ferry landing where 227 Japanese residents were forced to leave the Island on March 30, 1942. It's a serene setting, perfect for strolling the path and contemplating the people whose lives changed so drastically that day.

There are several carved wooden plaques with stories of some of the people who were relocated. Ben paused at each one and we read them together.  He was very interested and touched by the stories.  

This plaque depicting the return is my favorite.  I like to think that I would have been welcoming and supportive of the Japanese when they returned, would have taken care of their property and returned it to them in good condition.  At least I hope that's what I would have done. 

The sign when you walk into the memorial says in Japanese, "Let it not happen again." Amen!

Cub Scout Field Trip #4--Art Walk

I had a brilliant idea for this month's Cub Scout field trip...an Art Walk!  One of their requirements is to go to an art gallery or museum, and the thought of taking seven crazy nine-year-old boys into an enclosed space with expensive art made me hyperventilate, so I thought, "Winslow has some cool outdoor art, we should keep them outside and let them explore it."  Sounds like a wonderful idea, doesn't it?  Ha!  It was like trying to take a herd of squirrels on a walk.

This is the "Rainbringer" totem pole at the round-about on Madison and High School Roads.   I want to know why don't we have a "Sunbringer" totem pole instead?  This was our second stop.  Our first stop at the glass mural outside Ordway was so out of control that I totally forgot I had a camera with me.  At least here there was the threat of cars zipping around the round-about to keep them in line.

This is the pool in the library garden.  Of course all they wanted to do was try to fish the coins out of the pond.  

Here's the cute little otter statue, also in the library garden.  You can see how much they loved it.

From the library, we walked down Madison Avenue.  All the way down the street, the boys picked dandelions and chanted, "Mama had a baby and her head popped off!" while popping the tops off the flowers.  I don't even know how many times Whitley and I told them to quit it.  

A little farther down the road are these really cool driftwood sculptures.  A block before we got there, I stopped the boys and told them that these sculptures are for sale and they were NOT allowed to go near them.  Fortunately they listened, because this horse is selling for $2,000.

I didn't get close enough to the dragon to see it's price...but it sure is cool!

Next stop, City Hall.  Finn managed to squeeze himself under these "blackberry vines," and proceeded to mimic an alien attack...I didn't think it was appropriate to encourage him by taking a picture.

More sculptures at City Hall.  The boys weren't quite sure what to make of them, but at least they didn't climb all over them.

This water pump was the definite favorite.  They spent about 20 minutes taking turns figuring out the foot pump...you have to step on it just right to get the water flow steady enough to take a drink, otherwise you get sprayed!

Finn mastered it and kindly helped the other boys take a drink.  I know he was tempted to stomp on the pedal and soak everyone, but thankfully he controlled himself.  

Daniel, Hiram, and Smith tried to pick up the giant fork outside Fork and Spoon. 

We ended our walk at Blackbird Bakery, where we just had to buy some cookies...more as a reward for Whitley and I surviving the walk than for rewarding the boys!  They love to be together and have so much energy, and I'm so glad we didn't take them inside anywhere!

Cub Scout Field Trip #3

 This month's Bear Scout field trip was to the Police Station.  

Four of our six Bears were there, a much better turn out than last month!

First, Officer Christopher let the boys sit at an officer's desk and talked a little about the typical day in the life of a police officer.  He emphasized that police officers do a lot more than chasing bad-guys, and their job is not at all like what you see on TV.  They have to write a lot!  Like 2000 to 3000 pages a year!  Every time they make "contact" with someone, they have to write a report.  The report has to be detailed and accurate so they can refer to it if the case goes to trial, which often takes over a year.  Ben wasn't so excited about that part.  He hates writing.

Then they got to see the evidence room. Officer Christopher explained how the officers take each piece of evidence and put it in separate bags.  Then the evidence is secured in a locker or vault so it can't be tampered with.  They have a scale to weigh drug evidence and special bags for money or clothing evidence. Each different type of evidence has to be taken care of in a specific way.  Sometimes they have to call in an evidence specialist if it's beyond their capabilities.  He didn't really give an example of what that might be...but I can only imagine...a severed hand, maybe?

Next stop was the holding cell!  I told them I didn't want to see them in there ever again!

Then we went downstairs and met one of the detectives.  He talked more about how his job isn't at all like what we see on TV.  Like those computers that magically enhance videos so you can see clearly who the suspect is...not real.  And sending off DNA and getting the results back in 10 minutes...not real.  And finding all the evidence you need to convict the suspect after looking for only 20 minutes...not real.  He says there is something called the CSI effect which makes people on juries have more doubt about a suspect's guilt than they should because they expect evidence to be as clear and unmistakable as it is on the TV show CSI.  

After talking to the detective, Office Christopher took us back into the conference room and let the boys ask questions.  Blake asked how people are handcuffed, so he got a demonstration!  Ben said he didn't want to ask any questions because he didn't want to be demonstrated on!  Officer Christopher told the boys that when they're a little older, they can go on a ride-along with an officer.  It was a very interesting, fun field trip!