As the final step in our canyon rehabilitation, a hydroseeding company sprayed California native bushes and wildflower seeds on the slopes. When the crew arrived, they realized they needed more manpower, so John Michael and I were drafted.
A bit late, but we spent Thanksgiving riding our bikes at Lake Hodges. John Michael had a pretty bad crash in the first mile, but soldiered on and had a ball.
It ended up a 12 mile ride, but he probably rode an additional 1/2 mile criss-crossing puddles.
Today, John Michael and I went to the Apple Store for his participation in the Hour of Code event there.
The staff was terrific, the other children were all focussed and motivated. He had a great time and so did I.
kc had been in D.C. for two weeks, straight, so when she needed to be there for a third, John Michael and I flew to visit her!
We had some time together and John Michael and I visited some museums on days when she had to work.
The conversation of the week (in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum downtown):
“John Michael, would you like to be an astronaut?”
“No.”
“Would you like to build a Saturn V rocket?”
“Yes.”
John Michael finished grade 1 of the Splash Math app and earned this mobile crane. He built this himself, in three days. Here are some photos at various stages of build and some videos of him explaining the function.
Describing the drive gears in an early build stage
https://vimeo.com/181344890/04f051741f
Describing the rack and pinion steering
https://vimeo.com/181344895/0edbc68cf5
Describing the stabilizer operation
https://vimeo.com/181344892/27dcf75ae6
Describing the boom operation
https://vimeo.com/181344891/5015bc462c
Describing the hook operation
https://vimeo.com/181344894/d027a469d2
From the mind of John Michael
https://vimeo.com/181344893/1d307456cc
Some more, even amazing builds coming soon.
I lost the site due to a hack, so I will rebuild it from here. I’ve been meaning to take a new panorama of the canyon, anyway!