Happy Father's Day

The boys surprised Dad with a homemade gift - as soon as he opened it a fan blew little scraps of paper all over him. SURPRISE! I think he loved it, wink wink.

graduation

Graduation was a bit unique this year as it was during Covid-19. After 12 years at Seton we gathered in the parking lot and via radio transmission each student was announced, came forward with their family with masks on and presented their certificate. Blaise and his classmates took their sixth grade picture on the lawn while appropriately social distancing.

Siena held a zoom graduation as there were too many students to do it in person. Ambrose was recognized with an award from the math department for Advanced Math. He won a Science award and the St. Catherine of Siena Award (which was voted on by his peers).

projects

During Covid-19 a menagerie of projects have been completed and/or started -

- painting (doors, bathroom trim touch-up, kitchen touch-up, trim in hallway, etc.)

- more stripping of hoosier cabinet

- moved furniture in the front room of the cottage

- tore out privot along our driveway and are trying to grow grass and do a planting

- Blaise and I have been coloring a lot and he has gotten into cooking

- Blaise and Ambrose are working on a go-kart

- Ambrose has taken apart items like a microwave, done various arduino projects and really gotten into Instructables - in fact he has challenged me to enter some as well in various contests. . . 

 Dutch Oven Low Country Boil

 Ambrose printed this 3D vase for a contest

 Ambrose designed and printed this key as a replacement for Monopoly board and a contest

 Ambrose did cross-stitch and programmed the lights for a contest

irises

We toured the Parkers 100+ variety of irises this past weekend. Fragrant, beautiful and what a treat to walk along a beautiful path along Mud Creek in their backyard. The best part catching up with friends while still maintaining proper social distance.

time together

Covid 19 some might say has stuck people together but for our family it has brought us even closer. We've slowed down as activities aren't on-going which has allowed the boys to explore other activities whether it is simply coloring a design, printing something on his 3D printer or working on a project together. We have spent a lot of time as a family working on various house projects - yard projects, working on the basement, I've started stripping the hoosier cabinet, etc.

It has also brought time together at the cottage earlier in the year then normal. Here the boys spend 'quality' time trying to wake up dad (not sure he appreciates this as much as they do).

egg drop

In 6th grade at Seton there are a number of traditions to end the year (May Crowning, egg drop, Niagara Falls field trip, Godspeed, etc.) The ending for our family after being at Seton for 12 years will definitely be different during Covid-19.

Last night, Blaise let his egg drop go from a second floor window in our house and we videotaped it. The videos will all be shared with the entire school.

Did his egg break? Well before I get to that I have to comment on the determination. Both of my guys (and I wonder where they get this from?) get an idea in there head and they want to see it through. Blaise didn't want to do like every other student and make his egg drop out of a box. He watched a video where the guy used straws in a triangular shape and insisted that was what he was going to do. Numerous straws, lots of tape (regular and duct) later . . . the egg broke. 

There was disappointment BUT there was so much learning. He commented afterwards that Mrs. K won't take off any points because the egg broke it is more about what you put into your design. And they do a follow-up lab report and I love that he recognized the design in triangular shape would have worked better if it was larger. We should test it out . . .