The first event we had been anticipating for quite some time. Way back in September a school friend emailed me information about a holiday lecture that a chemistry professor at UW Madison gives every year that is hugely popular with kids. My first thought: Lecture? Fun? Hmm. . . But, I sent away for the FREE tickets and tucked them away when receiving them in October.
The day arrived to see the show entitled, "Once Upon a Christmas Cheery, In the Lab of Shakishiri." (pronounced-- Shack-i-sheer-e) We bundled the boys and headed to downtown Madison to the University. We arrived in perfect time to find our seats in their traditional Chemistry lab transformed into a holiday demonstration room.
My kids had varying thoughts before the show. Evan was bewildered, puzzling over where his parents had taken him now. Brendan was entertained. I showed him how to maneuver the desks that appeared for students to write on in front of the seats. Andrew was panicked! We had told him there would probably be explosions, and he was near-tears, prattling about how he was not going to like this show.
The professor appeared to begin the show and immediately began popping these balloons with a blowtorch, sending plumes of flames towards to ceiling and broadcasting loud BOOMs; all of which further exacerbated Andrew's fear. However, the show began to relax him as the professor showed how dry ice can be a catalyst for changing colors and creating steam. He showed how a hair dryer could keep a balloon, a ping pong ball, and another ball in the air -- all at once! He showed how a chemical and a magnet could make a reaction continuously change colors.
Special guest appearances were also made by Bucky Badger and Santa Claus! I am not sure who the boys were more thrilled to see. Bucky has become an icon in our house, especially with Brendan and Evan. However, all three boys delighted in Santa's appearance. Brendan was disappointed after the show that Santa had left before he could see the reindeer fly away. I am cried it was so sweet!
The show was truly remarkable! It was fun, and it was free!
This morning the high school that I teach at sponsored at Breakfast with Santa breakfast. Having a few students in the sponsoring club, I felt an obligation to go and support a good cause, so we all trooped there before church. It was wonderful!
The students were serving food, all dressed alike in their blue Hero Club shirts. The boys were able to enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, and donuts. It was as if they had truly discovered their own heaven. Andrew ate pancakes until "he just couldn't finish anymore." Brendan just kept eating donuts until mom and dad cut him off. I enjoyed a morning off from breakfast-making!
On our way out, I tried to talk the boys into going to see Santa. I thought Evan may be intrigued: he was petrified. Interestingly, Andrew said he would go see Santa if I came with him. So, Andrew and I trudged up to see Santa. This should come as no surprise, but Andrew and Santa talked for about two minutes about sports. Yes, sports! They were discussing the Packers. (Brendan later asked if I thought Santa was a Packer fan!) He was the only boy who would talk to Santa. Honestly, I think he was interested in the free candy cane!
So, this ended another great holiday weekend!
2 comments:
You are one of the most creative "free stuff" people I've ever met. Sounds like lots of fun!
That sounds like an exciting weekend! And you got to love the price! Matthew would have reacted the same way Andrew did about the science event - overthinkers! Must be those first born boys.
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