Thursday, January 31, 2013

son of m0nk3yphd

monkey does




Star Hat

DSC_0107 by m0nk3yphd
DSC_0107, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Zachary and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to McDonald Observatory with Sarah. In the background you can see the HET which is "mommys telescope". And just behind the orange fencing is the structure that will hold all her spectrographs.
We toured all three big telescopes at McDonald with a some staff members and later with the tourist guide. Both were great, we got to ride on the HET as it spun around and learnt about the history of the site. It also snowed, Zachary was very excited, although it didn't settle. But there was a few small patches left from the last big snow. He made a snow angel and had lots of fun throwing it around, mainly at small signposts. Because it was a little to gritty and icy for a really snowball fight. In other exciting weather, we got a texas duststorm and 60+ mph winds. Bit chilly, so during the star gazing party at the visitors center, Z fell asleep all bundled up during short lecture. But I was impressed with the number of questions he answered without a pause before curling up in the seat next to me. Including, if you can't see Jupiters red eye where is it? "on the other side", and what's the next planet out from Jupiter? "Saturn"... no prompting from me, and quick than anyone else in the room! A trip to remember for sure. His highlight, listening (for the first time) to Harry Potter and the philosophers stone audiobook on the eight hour drive out and back to austin.

snow angel

DSC_0014 by m0nk3yphd
DSC_0014, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Dangers of a hipster 'hood

Dangers of a hipster 'hood by m0nk3yphd
Dangers of a hipster 'hood, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

aviators and a nerf pistol, ready for anything. Now, I'm tempted to teach him "the name's Collins, Zachary Collins"

Friday, January 25, 2013

Thursday, January 24, 2013

LGBT Texas cookie made by Z

LGBT Texas cookie made by Z by m0nk3yphd
LGBT Texas cookie made by Z, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

with some help from Grandma. Zachary mixed the three primary color food coloring to get a spectacular (and tasty) rainbow icing.

Zacharys Crystallization Experiment

IMAG0409 by m0nk3yphd
IMAG0409, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Reaping the rewards of growing sugar crystal, after two weeks he gets to eat them. Also check out his new glasses.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Snow Day

townlake ymca snow day by m0nk3yphd
townlake ymca snow day, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

The grand reopening of the Y here in Austin, had a few tons of "snow" dumped on the playing fields out front. All the kids had a great time in the muddy snow, while it was 65F and warm in the sun. There was also a snow slide.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Easel Painting

flowers and sky by m0nk3yphd
flowers and sky, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Zachary is getting to do lots of big upright painting. His teacher told us that it helps the kids develop the arm muscles they need for learning to write in school next year. All those big up and down stokes on the easel also make for beautiful art (read as soppy parent).

monkey on

Last weekend we stopped at a playground in Georgetown to enjoy the sunshine. Zachary made several friends while playing and showed us he can do this.....