Yesterday Gavin and I read a little more about atoms.  We learned that the parts to an atom, electrons, protons and neutrons, all have electrical charges.  To test this, we rubbed a balloon against different surfaces then placed it on the wall to see if it would stick to the wall.  If the balloon stuck, it was because electrons had passed from the object to the balloon, giving it a negative charge, allowing it to stick to the wall.  Without this charge, the balloon just falls to the floor.  We rubbed the balloon on silk, cotton, fleece, wool, leather and wood to see what would happen.  Gavin made a hypothesis before each one and recorded his results in his science journal.

Gavin thought the balloon sticking to the wall was neat.

And, we got just over 12 inches of snow yesterday!  The nice thing is that Austin hasn't had to go to school yesterday or today, so Gavin got his work done earlier than usual.  He played outside for several hours yesterday even though we didn't make it above freezing.  He's outside playing right now too!

Steven got the day off from work too.  For some reason he duct taped grocery bags over Austin's snow boots and then Austin refused to go outside.  He was not amused (Austin that is, Steven was very amused).

Gavin kept sticking his face in the snow.  I think it was because Austin and Adelaide (watching from inside) would laugh every time he would do it.  At seven, he needs no encouragement to be silly.

Today we read these books about pioneers and explorers.

We also read a book about Jim Bridger but I can't find a picture of it and I'm too lazy to take a picture and download it to my computer.

Since we have had two whole days in which we haven't had to leave the house, we had time to finish Gavin's Science Fair Project!  He did an amazing job and I think it looks great.  He is very proud of his display.  He had finished the research paper earlier this week and flew his airplanes on Wednesday.  Today he typed most of what is on the board.  I made the graphs, one I did in color, the other I made him color in himself.  Here is his display board.