A Dabble in Chemistry
Greetings to everyone.
One of the gifts Xavier got for Christmas was a small chemistry set. It took a while, but Xavier wanted to "open it up."
The reason it took so long is that the set got "lost" in a pile of other items. Once we found it again, Xavier was anxious to get his chem on.
With mom out of town, a warm, lazy, sunny Sunday and nothing else productive to do, Xavier gathered up his chemistry set and we went outside to experiment.
The set came with a little mat having a place for all his lab supplies (not unlike a garage pegboard with Sharpie marker used to outline the shape of tools).
The kit has a plastic beaker and Erlenmeyer flask, stirring sticks, scoops and containers, and the chemicals necessary for the experiments outlined in the accompanying booklet.
The focus of this set is color. The chemicals: sodium bicarbonate and citric acid along with three colors of powder: red, blue and yellow.
The booklet outlining the experiments started out with an explanation of the Scientific Method, then explained how to set up the lab and prepare the chemicals for the experiments.
Xavier read the booklet to set up his lab, mix the chemicals and perform the experiments.
He had to predict what color would be produced when he mixed two or three of the colors. He then had to write his prediction in the book, do the experiment, write the results and explain if his prediction was correct or incorrect.
The chemicals, all powders, Xavier mixed in a tray and squirted with water. The powders bubbled and he mixed them together with one of the supplied stirring sticks to fully see the color of the combined powders.
He had a lot of fun. He correctly guessed the outcome of two experiments and incorrectly guessed the outcome of two. He learned some things about chemistry and color.
One of the experiments in the book he did not get to was the color volcano. That one ought to be fun when we get to it.
Harlem Globetrotters
Greetings to all.
February 29th. How better to celebrate an extra day in the year than taking your boy to see the Harlem Globetrotters for the first time?
That is what we did. We got all the Saturday chores out of the way, then left for the train.
The train dropped us off at the Pepsi Center. We stood in line for a $25 tub of popcorn, then found our seats.
For the most part the entertainment held Xavier's attention through the first two periods. He really had no idea what to expect when he was asked if he wanted to go see the Harlem Globetrotters.
All the theatrics and basketball-themed WWF-like scripted story lines did grow thin with him near the end of the second period. Apart from a few of the Globetrotters' famous shenanigans, Xavier did not truly care for that side of the show.
What did hold his attention was the players' tricks with the basketball, and interestingly, when they played actual basketball on the court.
We did not leave with a commemorative ball or any other memorabilia, Xavier did not ask for any. By the end of the forth period he was asking to head back to the train and head for home.
Slighted
Greetings to everyone.
Today is my birthday.
Yesterday evening, Rebecca and Xavier baked me a cake. Xavier, who has yet to master the art of patience, presented me with his gift: a bell jar with two bees on a flower. It came from an insect taxidermist Rebecca came across when she and Xavier visited family in Washington State and Idaho last month.
Rebecca had planned a surprise outing for just the two of us. She engaged a sitter for Xavier, one who has sat for him many times.
As I drove Xavier to school this morning, Xavier informed me that he was "not allowed to celebrate" my birthday. His tone sounded put out, as if he had been slighted.
I asked him why was he not allowed to celebrate my birthday. I reminded him of the cake he assisted with and the bees. I also mentioned the hand-drawn card he presented to me this morning after breakfast.
His answer was: "Mom won't let me. She hired a babysitter to watch me while you and her go out and celebrate." Again, his tone held an edge of disappointment and and edge of anger. Clearly, he wanted very much to go out with Mom and Dad to celebrate with them.
Wow. Xavier's offense took me by surprise. After all, he is used to Mom and Dad getting a night out once in a while. I suggested to him we could wait until tomorrow to do the cake if that would make him feel included in the celebration. We also discussed how else to make him feel included.
I told this to Rebecca when she came home. The two of them soon surprised me with the cake and candles, and sang Happy Birthday all before the sitter arrived.
My takeaway from this was a stunning insight into the depth and complexity of Xavier's feelings and intentions. I was also impressed by how articulate he made his feelings known during the conversation that brought them into the open.