SCC - Storm Element Mock-up Test

This is a working model of the "head" driven stormwater drainage system to be used at SCC that I setup in my backyard. It allows roof drainage to pour out of a raised fountain-like outfall device and into a stormwater planter. Because the outfall is raised the entire planter can be raised above the adjacent grades which provides flexibility in the planters location and elevation. To prevent freezing of the pipes the water is allowed to slowly drip out of the system using a manually adjusted valve and into a small lower planter. This should occur a short time after every rain event. In this mock-up the de-watering is indicated by lowering a float within the outfall column attached to a rod and a "Papa Smurf" figurine. When the figurine drops so does the water level. When it rises water will soon pour out of the outfall. The final version could change the outfall device and indicator into more of an art element.

Gingerbread Lighthouse

This year Jack suggested we build a Gingerbread Lighthouse so that's what we did.
It only took a double batch of gingerbread (and 8lbs of powdered sugar).

Cora helped as long as I gave her enough gingerbread scraps to keep her happy.

Aunt Jen and cousin Hillary helped do the decorating.

Jack and Aunt Jen

The water is teaming with swedish fish!

Em and Jack start eating it!

Josh and Jack

Happy Halloween!

At the corn maze with scarecrows Jack, Mac, Claudia and Mom peeking out too.

Eli the tiger

Jack the Bat

Amanda, Eli and Mom treat-or-treating

Jack, Elliot and Charlie strike a pose

Elliot and Jack score some candy

Cora and her Dad

Saturday Market - Oct 1st - Kids' Toy Workshop Practice

Here are pictures of the practice Kids Toy Workshop from October 1st. All the kids built rockets.

Cafe au Play - Saturday Market Oct 2nd, 2011

Cora at 6 months

Here are just a few pictures of Cora sitting up and having fun with her big brother from this morning.

4th of July - Dola flies again

Jack took the rebuilt Dola ship out for this year's 4th of July kids parade and it mostly held together.

Backyard Tight Rope Walking

We finally setup the slack line Mom gave us for Christmas in the backyard. We had to set a pretty big (and ugly, Emily pointed out) wood post in concrete for it to work since we don't have enough trees. It's pretty tough unless you cheat with a top rope to hang on to, so that's what we did. Jack and his buddies love it. I'm thinking about adding a zip line to the setup, but hopefully we'll get our yard back periodically.