Sammy Notes

Been a while since I've posted, and I'm afraid this is a random assortment.

 

The week before last was February break for the local schools. (This week of break actually goes back to the energy crisis in the 70s, when the schools decided to trade a week of school in the winter, when it's expensive to heat, for one in June, when it's not.) Somewhere in there I took off an afternoon, picked up six liters of liquid nitrogen from a welding supply store, and ran through some demos I plan to do in Sam's class later this month. Then we all went to the science museum, which has a new exhibit which has only the theme of mathematics. It included some bicycles with square wheels, and a floor of the right shape to allow the bikes to remain level:

 

 

This shot dates back a few weeks to an Aunt Amy visit, during which she played with Lincoln Logs with Josh:

 

 Here are three shots from last Friday's piano lesson. Josh and I found an empty classroom we could play in. What a treat! Josh found plenty to do with the chairs, music stands, and Steinways which filled the room. Also managed to find a good place to hide when I suggested he might need a diaper change:

 I have never thought of using the chalk from the chalkboard to draw on the music stands. Great idea! Worst thing that happens is a little chalk dust on some sheet music, and really, who's going to notice that?  (This is the sort of thing Susan would surely prevent, which is a great example of the rich diversity in parenting styles Josh enjoys.)

 This is the view out one of the tall, fourth-storey window. Yes, there's some snow; yes, there are lots of we-are-really-in-the-city-aren't-we building. But the truly delightful thing is that at 6 pm the sun hasn't set. That's progress.

Here's a photo through the window of Howard Spindler's office, where he is giving Sam his lesson. Howard's a very patient man who has a really knack for encouraging and motivating.

 Recently Sam started playing again with a collectable of his, the "Trash Packs." They are cute little rubbery guys with names like "Awful Pie" and "Rancid Steak." Here they are lined up on the piano:

Susan says: A 3D representation of the keys used in the theme of Star Wars, as plotted with Trash Packs. John Cage would've done something like this, had he had access to Trash Packs.

Okay, that's all I've got. I am sure other things are happening, but it's after 12:34 so they'll have to wait until the next post...