Microbiology

Today we attended Liam's second to last elementary school fair.  Twice a year, at the end of each semester, from pre-school to grade 6, the parents are invited in so that the children can share with us what they have studied.

Over the years he has studied Humming Birds (his first fair when he was 4), bio-luminescent sea creatures when he was 6, the human body at 7 and the mysteries of Oak Island at 11

This year, at the ripe old age of 12 he studied microbiology.  I learned more in their 30 minute presentation then I did from a whole year of Grade 11 Biology class.  We learned about atoms and cell parts, what a macrophage was, the difference between bacteria and a viruses and the history of the microscope and how they work.

For one of their experiments they created an environment for penicillin to grow in and wrote up their findings.

Luckily they used really strong bags because Liam had left his experiment in his tray of work that Hilary and I went through on parent-teach night, 2 weeks after the experiment had ended.

Liam explained drug resistant bacteria to everyone.

I can't wait to see what he learns next!

Twenty-One

Today Hilary and I celebrate 21 years together! I can't wait to see what the next 21 bring.

Kim Chi Soondubu Jjigae

Hilary decided to try Korean cooking this week.  

Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae is a hot and sour soup with beef, shrimp, tofu and of course Kim Chi.  Kim Chi is a spicy fermented vegetable dish made with cabbage.  When we bought some at the Korean market for this dish, the shop owner wanted to make sure we knew what we were buying as we were buying the strongest kind they sold.  She didn't have many Canadian customers buying that version.

The soup was wonderful.  The soft tofu added at the end gave it a nice creamy texture.  This dish qualifies as one of the spiciest that Hilary has made.  I think we may serve it over rice tonight to cut down a bit on the spice and to help flesh it out more.

Lest We Forget

Today Liam took part in his first ever Remembrance Day event as a Cadet.

He marched three blocks, following an Army band and then stood for an hour during the ceremony.

Cadets is everything he dreamed of and loves every minute of it.

Cadet Drouin

Liam was very excited to finally get his uniform last night!

Now he can practice polishing his boots, and learn to tie a tie.  He'll also be gaining some great life skills when he learns how to sew on his badges this week and how to iron a shirt.

This weekend they head off on their first overnight expedition.  This will also be Liam's first time truly roughing it in the woods.  Hopefully hurricane Gonzalo heads out to sea and doesn't hit us.

9 Stripy sweaters

Slightly by coincidence, and slightly by design, Liam wore striped sweaters for his first 3 years of school pictures.  You can check out how little and cute he was here!

After 3 years in a row, it became a tradition that even a 12 year old boy who has no interest in clothes wants to participate in now.

The proofs came home today for this year's pictures and we have a slight smile and a non smile to choose between.

Which one do you prefer?

Ignore the bad colour - we don't have a scanner, so I took pictures with my phone.

Once we get our order back and we have this year's art card, I will have to update my Facebook header.  It will be a sad day as this is the last year that he will make art cards at school.  But then again, I'm going to need a taller chair just to be able to fit one more into the montage!

Changes

Liam got his hair cut today in preparation of joining the Cadets.  After more than 2 years with shoulder length hair, it's going to take us all a while to get used to it, but I think he looks pretty handsome.