Sixth Grade Science Fair

photo here

Are science project assignments fair?  Is life fair?  I don't know.  But here's what I do know.  When a kid, out of necessity, is stuck doing a science project on her own, it's going to be lame.  When there is no abundance of materials at her disposal, only what she can find in her family's small apartment, it is not going to compare to the intricate machines with buttons and switches or the 3-fold presentation boards that outline the details of how things operate.  I'd be willing to bet that any kid who completed their science project completely on their own has never won a science fair.  But as the saying goes, winning isn't everything.

I was in the 6th grade when the assignment was given to me.  I don't remember too many details of what was expected, only that we had a month or so to have it ready. This was in the days before the internet (1983, Baby!) so I headed to one of my favorite places to search for ideas.  I crossed the street, cut through Victor Park and entered the familiar doors of the Henderson Library.  I asked the woman behind the counter if she had any books on science fair projects and she expertly turned to her card catalog system and found what I needed.

 photo here

(As a side note, I was always so fascinated by the library card catalog system.  I love the ease of access we have with the internet, but there's something awesome about pulling open a little drawer filled with index cards and flipping through each one until you've found what you're searching for.)

She directed me to the section of the library where the non-fiction books were housed and showed me which area held the books I could browse through.  Each book brought greater disappointment as I realized I could never make anything I saw in there.  I had no idea that there were stores that sold the kind of materials these projects called for.  But even if I did, it wouldn't have mattered.  We did not have money to spend on such things.

I left the library feeling defeated.  I was a good student who always turned things in on time but this project was impossible.  I had no one to help me and I had no idea where to even begin.  I felt sick each time the teacher mentioned our projects and reminded us that the date they were due was fast approaching. 

The morning our projects were turned in there was a happy, excited buzz about the classroom.  Each student's desk held their completed project - everything from intricate marble tracks to re-creations of the invention of electricity to graphs and charts detailing the dissolving of nails in various types of soda.  I placed my backpack on my desk so it wouldn't look quite so empty.

Our teacher, Mr. Sylvester, gave each student some time to present their project to the rest of the class.  He went down each row and when I saw that my turn would be coming up I asked to use the bathroom.  When I returned the students in the row behind mine were sharing their projects.  I had momentarily escaped the shame that I knew was inevitable.

When class let out at the end of the day, Mr. Sylvester walked to my desk and asked to speak with me for a moment.  I was painfully shy and thought I would burst into tears, fearing that I had disappointed my teacher.  He asked if I was still working on my project.  I told him no.  He asked if I had forgotten to bring it.  I shook my head.  He explained that the Science Fair wasn't for another week so I still had time to get something done and bring it in.  I nodded.

I walked the two miles to the Civic Center Library, hoping I could find something different in their larger selection of books.  I told one of the librarians that I needed ideas for very simple science projects, things I could make without spending any money.  She found me a book with projects that were so simple in comparison to what the other kids had turned in (each one took less than 20 minutes to put together) that I was too embarrassed (or maybe it was proud?) to make any of them.  I also doubted that I had the materials needed for some of these simple machines.  However, I checked the book out, thinking maybe I could combine a couple of the ideas to produce something acceptable.  As much as I tried, nothing worked out.

On Thursday Mr. Sylvester asked me if I was working on my project.  I nodded my head, telling myself it wasn't a lie when I was truly thinking about what I could do.  "Do you think you'll be able to get it in by  tomorrow?" he asked.  I shrugged.  I hadn't found anything.  Mr. Sylvester was a kind man.  One who saw past the shyness and understood some of my life circumstances.  "You just have to bring in something, Gerberta," he told me.  "I can't give you a grade on nothing.  But if I know you've tried your best and brought in something that shows you're trying, you'll pass this assignment.  You're a good student."  I nodded again.    

That afternoon and evening, I scoured the book for something I could create.  There was a system of spool pulleys connected by rubber bands that turned with a popsicle stick crank on a piece of foam board.  We had rubber bands from my brother's paper route and thread in my mom's sewing cabinet but no empty spools and definitely no popsicle sticks or foam board.  I debated carefully unwinding the thread from my mother's spools, hiding the thread, then carefully re-threading the spools later.  I searched outside for a stick that could fit into the end of a spool, with no luck.  I accepted defeat and for the first time in my life I tried to think of a way to avoid going to school the next morning.

Morning came and along with it came dread.  I couldn't stay at home because I would be found out.  I couldn't escape to the library because they would know I should be at school.  I could think of no other place to hide.  I walked into my classroom, avoiding eye contact with Mr. Sylvester.  At lunch time he approached me.  "No project, Gerberta?"  I shook my head, trying to look at the ground to hide my tears.  "The Science Fair isn't until tonight, you know.  You could still bring something after school.  Couldn't you go home and make something before the Fair starts?  You could make something simple - even a spool of thread on a pencil can be a simple machine.  Do you think you could do that?"  I nodded, despite knowing I could not bring in such a mediocre thing which required no effort.

When I got home after school I looked through the book again.  Mr. Sylvester was so good-hearted and kind to me.  The last thing I wanted to do was disappoint him.  I turned each page slowly and would search the apartment for anything that was even close to the needed materials for each design.  Each page brought a fresh wave of discouragement until I found the instructions for a pinhole camera.  It was simple, yes.  But I could bring my lamp and set it on the table, too - that would make it look a bit more exciting.  I started to feel like this could actually work out.  I went to the kitchen and found that we had a cylindrical box of oatmeal that I emptied into a Tupperware container.  I covered the open end of the box with a square of wax paper and held it in place with a rubber band.  I grabbed a ruler, found the center of the bottom panel of the oatmeal container and drilled a hole into it with the end of a sharp pencil.  It was finished.

I ran to my room and pointed the tiny hole towards the light bulb on my lamp as I looked at my wax paper screen.  Sure enough, my light bulb appeared upside down!  It was almost like magic.  And I can't tell you the pride I felt at having created it myself!  On the inside of a cereal box I neatly printed out an explanation of how the camera worked, along with a simple picture that I copied from the book.

The Science Fair had already started so I grabbed my creations and my lamp and hurried toward the school.  When I walked into the crowded gym some of my enthusiasm waned.  There were parents and teachers walking from table to table as each excited student showed how their project worked.  I wasn't sure where to go.  I looked around and spotted my teacher.  He saw me and smiled, showed me to an empty table and helped me get situated.  It wasn't long before the judging was completed, the winners were announced, and we all found our way back home.

I don't think it will come as a surprise that I didn't win any awards that night.  But I can guarantee you that there wasn't any child there who was more bursting with accomplishment than I was with my silly little pinhole camera.

That was the day that I realized that I could do anything.

Seven Is A Lucky Number

They are almost the same size!

It has been just over 7 months now since I broke my leg. Initially, the doctor told me that it would take about 6 months before I'd feel back to normal - but apparently he was just kidding. Actually, to be fair, I am doing immensely better than I was 7 months ago. I can walk. I can drive. I can carry my baby up and down stairs. I can do pretty much everything I need to in order to function. My scars are looking much less frankenstein-ish.



But so far, I still can't run farther than half a block. (And, honestly, calling it running is a bit of a stretch.)

Well, well, well. I don't like that voice in my head that tells me I can't do things. So when my friend Jenny wrote on her blog about an upcoming triathlon called TriathaMom and encouraged beginners to give it a shot, I started to think. And that darn voice in my head started to shoot me down every time. It went something like this:

Wow. A triathlon. I wonder if I could do that?

Are you kidding me? You can't run! You haven't ridden a bike in ages! And let's not even get started on the swimming part.

Yeah, I guess. But I looked into this triathlon and it said you could walk the swimming part if you had to because it's in an indoor pool. I can walk in a swimming pool, right?

Wouldn't you feel silly? I mean, walking when everyone around you is swimming? And what about the whole bike thing? You don't even own a bike!

Well, that's true. But ElemenoB does. I could borrow hers. And this triathlon is so low-key that I could just walk the bike if I had to.

Walk a bike for 12 miles? What are you, crazy?!

That does seem kind of crazy, doesn't it. But walking the 5K isn't too crazy.

If you want to just walk the whole thing, what's the point?! Why do it?

Because I like to prove to myself that I can do hard things. That's why. And I don't want to walk every event - but I could if I had to. I would just want to finish. That would be accomplishment enough for me.

So go away, voice in my head. You lose.

You see where this gets me? Now I have to do it. I can't let that negative voice in my head be right. I want to work towards something. I don't want this gimpy leg to control my life. I am going to do this thing. I'm going to run and bike and even put on a swimsuit and get in a pool. I'm going to work like crazy to whip myself into shape to the point where I can at least finish this thing.

TriathaMom? Here I come.

Our Eagle

Purchasing some supplies at Home Depot

We knew from the time that Coolister first became involved in Boy Scouts that we wanted him to earn the rank of Eagle but we wanted him to want it. He kept procrastinating - almost to the point where we didn't think he'd make it before the age cutoff - but he finally got serious and got to work.

Coolister debated a few different project ideas and finally decided to design and build bookshelves for a local elementary school. He was able to collect enough in donations that he built 5 bookshelves and also gave a generous gift card to Barnes and Noble with each one.

He worked hard - and with the help of his family and many great friends and neighbors he was able to deliver the bookshelves before his 18th birthday.

One requirement for his eagle application was to have a parent write him a letter of recommendation. I was lucky enough to be the one to do this, and here is what I wrote:

To Whom It May Concern:

How does a parent write a letter of recommendation for one of their children without coming across as biased and boastful? I’m not sure that it is possible. However, I do wish to emphasize that although the following letter will likely seem to contain the gushing recommendation that you would expect from a parent, words are inadequate in my attempt to describe what a remarkable young man our son truly is.

Many of the things I can think to include in this letter would likely be redundant because they will already be a part of the other information which is required as a part of his Eagle paperwork. I will do my best to give you a glimpse into what is not included elsewhere.

Coolister is the oldest of our ten children. Most teenage boys do not have much interest in their younger siblings; this is not the case with Coolister. As the oldest child he has shown genuine caring and leadership in his association with each of his siblings. We have been pleased with his example to them of one who sets and accomplishes goals, works hard in school and is a loyal and trustworthy friend.

When Coolister is faced with a challenge, he conquers it head-on and without discouragement. In March of 2010 Coolister suffered an extreme open dislocation of his ankle which required surgery and physical therapy to rehabilitate. As a talented cross-country runner this could have been devastating, especially when he was told that this injury would likely put him out of sports for a year. However, Coolister did not let this deter him from his goal of running in the State Championship Meet the following season. He was good-natured and positive throughout the whole ordeal. Coolister worked hard and recovered quickly, surprising his doctors and physical therapist, and trained all summer to be back on track for cross-country in the fall where he was able to reach his goal of competing at the state level.

Coolister proved that he not only knew the words to the scout oath, but lived them as well, when his youngest brother was born last December. I slipped on ice and broke both bones in my lower leg three weeks before the baby was expected to arrive. When I came home from the hospital with a newborn baby and orders to stay in bed for 6 weeks, Coolister was a great help to our family. He never complained when asked to shop for groceries, run errands, help prepare meals, change diapers, or shuttle his younger siblings to their various activities.

At first sight, Coolister can come across as a fun-loving, silly kid. However, behind the scenes, as his mom, I get to see the side that many others don't. My son has a heart of gold. He is quick to forgive, always one to help others feel included and he is filled with a light that comes from really knowing who he is and what he has the potential to become.

As stated in the beginning of this letter, I feel that my words are inadequate. I am sure I could continue to write volumes and still not feel as though I have sufficiently helped you to know what really makes our son who he is. How can I summarize nearly 18 years of a life well-lived into one short letter?

Suffice it to say that I wholeheartedly recommend our son, Coolister, as a candidate for the rank of Eagle Scout.

Thank you,

Gerb

We are still awaiting the final word but the local council approved his application with "absolutely no reservation". Awesome job, Coolister!

Graduation

{cue pomp and circumstance}

I am proud to announce that after 4 weeks of feeling a bit on the geriatric side:



I am still not allowed to put weight on my foot but I feel so much younger now that I'm free of my walker.

I look forward to a future date when I can happily announce that I've graduated to these:


Stay tuned!

Race Day

I am not sure why it is so hard to write about this day. I have been meaning to since Sunday afternoon but all of the thoughts, emotions, experiences and accomplishments of the day remain in my brain in a wonderful jumble that can not quite be organized into words that are adequate to convey what it is that I think and feel.

How do I tell the story without making it all about me? I mean really, where do I begin? I guess I'll start at the very beginning. (I hear it's a very good place to start.)

It was on the night before the race that I finalized my running playlist. I added some R.E.M. for Chip, who was not able to make it, some Relient K for ElemenoB who was going to be tending the kids while we ran and some Michael Buble for my dad - among a handful of other great running tunes.

Early the next morning I awoke to the sounds of Coolister's crutches as he made his way up the stairs. I couldn't imagine what he was doing up at 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday since he normally slept in as long as possible. It turns out that he was just wanting to come cheer us on from the stands - you know, offer up some family support for his dad and I.

How thoughtful. We all loaded up and headed out.

The temperate weather surprised us. We were expecting a cold, windy rain but instead found mild weather that was perfect for running.

Once we arrived at the starting point I realized that I had missed a few calls on my phone. Two calls were from my longtime interpreter friends, Clint and Amy, who were both there to run the 10K as a show of support to me. It was just a few minutes before the starting cannon for the 10K when I tried to call back, to no avail. I have to admit that with over 2,000 runners present (and just as many spectators) I knew that my chances of finding them were slim to none, but we headed to the starting line to look for them anyway.

Another of my missed calls was from Jason and it was then that I realized that I had forgotten my camera. Jason had offered to come and take pictures of the race for me but it seemed vain to take him up on it so I hadn't responded one way or the other. Well, wouldn't you know it... the next thing we knew we ran into Jason, camera in hand. I was so grateful that he knows I am vain enough to want pictures for this very blog post.

Pictures like this...

This is Allen and I as we were waiting for the 5K to start. Completely un-posed, too. At the appointed time, we found a place in the sea of runners behind the starting line and before we knew it the starting cannon fired. It took us a full minute and a half before we were even able to cross the starting line. (Before I go on, let me apologize in advance for how shy Allen is around the camera...)


The crowd was so massive that there was no way I could even think about running until about a block into the race. It was frustrating at first, that is until we had reached the half mile mark and already I was feeling ready to walk. Because the race started out on a long, gradual hill it was quickly wearing me down. I was about to slow to a walk when I saw the first sign on a light pole. It read: GO GERB! I wish I had pictures of the signs which some mysterious friend had placed around the course, but this will have to suffice:


SO AWESOME! I was touched to know that someone would take the time to not only make signs but to go around and post them at strategic points throughout the race. I made it another good stretch of road then slowed to a fast walk for about a half block before picking up my pace again. When we had reached the point where we were about a mile into the race I spotted Coolister on a grassy hill and called to him. Jason had loaded our eldest manchild up in his car and sped over to this point of the race for some more photos.


I probably only walked a total of 1/4 mile because the signs and photo ops kept me going. And Allen was amazing, encouraging me the whole way. I even gave him permission to go on ahead a few times but he stayed right with me.


As we neared the finish, Allen even offered up a little prayer on my behalf...

I told Allen at this point that I wouldn't be able to make it around the track at the finish without walking. I had already pushed myself beyond what I thought I could do and my legs were not going to cooperate any longer. However, I was surprised. So many dear friends were there cheering me on! First Jason with his camera, then Allen's sister Rachel & her husband Jeremy who we didn't know had run and finished ahead of us. My friend Natalie surprised me with cheers from the sidelines, and Coolister encouraged me through the finish line. I found a second wind that I didn't even know was there.

I also didn't realize that Allen had purposely fallen behind so that I could cross the finish line before he did.


Did you know that the proceeds of this run go towards cancer research? It was no accident that this was the race I chose to conquer. There were so many parallels that ran through my mind as I worked my way through the course. They kept me going and brought me strength.

We finished 908th and 910th at around 35 minutes. But I was not running for rankings or time.

I was running because I can run. I was running to remind myself that I can do hard things. I was running in memory of my dad who died from brain cancer 9 years ago and in support of my friend Jes who amazes me with her strength in battling cancer now.

Victory.


After the race Coolister crutched his way over to us which made this, my favorite picture of the day, possible. Me, my man and my oldest boy. I love these guys.


I couldn't help but think that the only way this day could possibly be better would be if I was somehow able to find Clint and Amy. And then, wouldn't you know it...


Happiness.

Letters About Literature

Here's a shout-out to ElemenoB who entered the Letters About Literature contest and took third place out of 400 entries in her age category!

This is a contest where students write a letter to the author of a book which has touched their life in a personal way. She wrote to Alma Yates, the author of the novel Sammy's Song.

I would tell everyone to go find a copy of this book and read it but, unfortunately, it is no longer in print.

I love this book - and so do my girls.

It is the story of 10-year-old Marni who learns to deal with her handicapped cousin Sammy when he comes to live with their family. It delves into the uncomfortable feelings many people experience when they are around people with disabilities. As the story unfolds Marni learns to see things from Sammy's perspective. As she spends more time with him she realizes that there is someone unique hidden beneath his uncommon exterior.

I love that ElemenoB chose to write about how this book has influenced her way of thinking towards those who are different.

Congratulations, ElemenoB! Contest or not - you make me proud.

Bragging Rights

My kids are pretty dang awesome, to put it lightly. So, although this blog is generally not a place where I gush over my kids' accomplishments (and awesomeness), that's what it's going to be today. Consider it a Christmas letter if you want - I mean, they ARE playing CHRISTMAS MUSIC ON THE RADIO ALREADY!! And it did snow here this week. (But you'll still get a Christmas letter in December. You know you want it.)

Wait... why am I making excuses? It's my blog, after all. You don't have to read it.

And so, (drum roll, please) I present for your reading pleasure: My Amazing Offspring!

First we have Coolister.
Can I just come right out and say that I LOVE when my kids share the same interests that I had at their age? He ran his first season of Cross Country and loved it as much as I did. His fastest time was 16:58. Not only was he Rookie of the Year, he also lettered and got an Academic Achievement award. On top of this, he gets the grades I only dreamed of at his age. And (here's my favorite part) when he gets home from school the first thing he (almost - there is food, too...) always does is to find his baby brother or sister and give them hugs. OK, I'll stop.

Next we have ElemenoB.
She graduated from braces and got contacts. (And I bought a bat.) This young woman has taken up a liking for drama and just auditioned for the school musical. She seems to have natural ability in everything she does. She is a huge help with the kids and around the house and a loyal friend to her siblings. She has a talent for writing and a new interest in photography which is pretty impressive. You will never see her sitting around without a book in her hands. ElemenoB also shares my love for finding a great deal, and I won't lie - I LOVE it.

And now, Thumbelina! This girl also shares my love for drama and is hoping for a part in the school musical. However, they came up with a new rule that 7th graders cannot play main roles. Don't get me started on that. Just let me say this: their loss. She is also very patient and loving towards her younger siblings. I was initially worried about her transition to middle school but it turns out she has just enough sass and spunk to OWN that place. Like her older sister, she has a knack for writing and drawing. Thumbelina is my best helper when it comes to cleaning. If I want a thorough job, she's the one I ask.

Next in line, All-a-Boy!
This kid has been an amazing reader from kindergarten, but it still amazes me when he brings home books as thick as his arm and finishes them in just a few days. He's been reading the "Fablehaven" series and also just finished the book "Brisinger". He's 9. Is this normal? All-a-Boy is always sharing some deep insight with us or asking questions we don't know the answers to. This kid has an old soul, but he still thrives on playing with friends and building Lego creations.

Next we have Cowgirl.
This sweet kid is still in love with anything having to do with cowboys, Texas and horses. Her creative abilities are always amazing me - from her homemade 'computers' to her written stories and colorful drawings. If we gave her a ream of paper and a box of markers and locked her in a room, I don't think she'd re-surface until the markers had gone dry or the paper ran out. Cowgirl has a tender heart and likes to make sure no one is ever left out of anything. She loves caring for and singing to her baby brother.

Look out for the Princess!
I mean, look at that face - do I need to say more? (I will anyway...) This girl is the queen of randomness which is a great source of laughter for the family. She is also not shy about voicing her thoughts. In fact, just this week when I asked her if she could please get me a diaper, she responded, "Um, Mom? When you ask me to do things like that it kind of makes me feel like I'm your slave. So don't ask me anymore, OK? OK." She mixes up 'ask' and 'tell' which makes for some interesting conversations as well.

Next I present... Hubba! This train lover has branched out some and also loves the main characters from Toy Story. He is all boy, through and through. Hubba has recently taken to walking up and hugging me around the neck from behind and saying, "I love you, Mom." I love his sweet hugs. He is as addicted to milk as ever and likes to have 'BIG drinks', not little ones. One little quirk he has that makes us smile every time is the way he points with one eye squeezed shut. I'll have to post a picture of that sometime.

Next is Curly.Curly gets cuter every day. When the above picture was taken, I told her to smile, so she signed it. She has learned a lot of sign language and uses it to help us understand what she wants - which is usually 'milk' or some kind of food. She has recently started talking quite a bit and will repeat everything I say to her throughout the day. She is all girl but is happy to play with whatever Hubba is playing with - especially if he doesn't want her to. She is always asking to hold Baby O - who she refers to as "my baby boy".

And last but not least - Baby O.
Look at those eyes. Look at those cheeks. Look at the little button nose. Check out the cute teeny chin poking out from below those chunky cheeks. He is full of smiles and so patient with his youngest older siblings. He is beginning to master the floor-scoot which generally precedes the soldier-crawl. Oh, how I love this baby.




(By the way, all pictures are by Jason at Backroads Photography. Have you checked out his website yet? No time is better than the present.)

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

We're through.

I have finally been able to see you for what you really are and I've come to this conclusion: We're not good for each other.

The only reason I've kept you around for so long was for sentimental reasons. We've had some great times together, and you've been there for me through some of my worst times, too.

But enough is enough.

Don't try to change my mind - I'm moving on to bigger and better donuts, and you can't stop me.

I'm only going to say this once and then it's over... you make my teeth feel like they are wearing a sweater. I'm sorry, but it's true.

So long, waxy friend.

Thanks for the memories.