Ready for the Weekend!

This has been a pretty routine week. 

 On Sunday we were all really stressed about the science fair thing. All of the different things they have to do is way out of proportion for seventh grade. I was able to find some helpful websites and one showed a guy demonstrating something very similar to what she is doing. Once she saw that, she was a little more encouraged about it. 

Here's the schedule: Project Information Packet Handed Out................Aug. 26, 2013 
 Return Project Signature Slip.................................Aug. 28, 2013 
 Experimental Design Plan......................................Sept. 9, 201 3
 Note Cards..............................................................Sept. 27, 2013  Bibliography...........................................................Sept, 27, 2013 
 Rough Draft Research Information Paper..............Oct. 10, 2013 
 Abstract On Official Form.......................................Oct. 18, 2013 
 Final Project Packet Due........................................Nov. 4, 2013 
 School Science Fair................................................Nov. 20-22, 2013 


 What's required for each step that is overboard. For instance, here is what's required for the log book: 

 Your log book will begin with the “Question” that you are attempting to solve in this experiment.
 Include a date that you developed the question. 
 You log book should contain all the elements of the scientific method sheet as well as thoughts, actions, research, measurements, summaries, conclusions, sources, qualitative data, quantitative date etc. 
 Every time you think about your project you should date the entry and make the notation. 
 ALWAYS enter a date.
 Your background research sources will be noted in your log book. 
 In addition, include all notes of important information from each source that you will use to 
 If you are not sure, write it in the log book anyway. A good scientists notes everything so they can review the process at a later date. 


 There's so much overlap. It sounds like everything they do has to be in the log book even though they are turning it all in separately too.

I'll post more about her project as we get more done. I don't want this whole post to be about the project.

On Monday we went to the library to research. Afterward we went to DQ, and a lady was making things from balloons. Jasmine got this one.

On Tuesday Jasmine went to her drum lesson early so she could talk to the people there about her science project. They basically confirmed that what we are trying to prove with musical pitch and air columns is correct. She has jazz class right after lessons. By time we drive from one to the other, she only has about 5 minutes to change clothes.

Kayla normally has soccer, but I'm sad to say she spiraled down in behavior after having so many weeks of good behavior. It's like it was too much for her, and she had to act out like crazy for a week to make up for it. At least she had those good weeks, so I know she can do it. But she didn't go to soccer because she couldn't pull it together. Today she made an effort to fix some of the things she's been doing. 

Yesterday Jasmine marched at a football game for the first time. This is only middle school, so they didn't do the fancy formations you see in high school. Carrying the 2nd bass is quite a challenge for her!

After she played, we headed over to the dance studio for hip hop.

So, as you can see, it's been a crazy week for Jasmine.

Tyler called Wednesday after we got home from dance. In one of my last posts I'd said there were no openings in welding so he was going to try urban forestry--cutting down trees. He did great at going up 25 feet, but he did not  have the strength required for the job.  He tried brick laying, and that's what he'll be doing. He didn't feel like he did very well at it, and I reminded him that he's there to train. He seems to be doing quite well. He had some of the highest test scores on the testing, and he's getting along well with the others. He just has to deal with being treated like a juvie even though he's never been in any kind of trouble. I doubt I'll get pictures of him.

Adam is in crucible. It started this morning. It's 54 hours of very intense training with very little food and even less sleep. It uses everything they've learned and pushes them to the limit. It does not sound like fun, but it's part of being a marine. Adam has written every week starting about the third week, which has been nice. And of course have written to him every week and sent photos and such. 

Adam is on the count down to graduation. Jessica and Rick will be going. I cannot pull the kids out of school due to two of them having (way!) too low of grades to be eligible for family leave. They might waive it for this with some begging, but with the problems we are already having with a couple of Jasmine's teachers, I don't want to make it worse. But to make up for it, I am taking Adam and the rest o the crew (except Rick who has inspection) to Disney on our long weekend. Then Adam will leave very early on that Monday for the rest of his training.

Jessica is doing cave diving this semester. I'll update more on that and other things later. This post is getting too long.

The four kids still home will run in the Plains Peanut Festival 5K on Saturday. We will leave for Plains tomorrow (Friday) after the kids get home. Otherwise we'd be leaving at 2 a.m. on Saturday to get there in time.

So that's it for the week. It's only Thursday, but it feels like it should be Friday.