Mini Hovercraft

We recently made a couple of simple, small hovercrafts. The supplies we used were an old CD, the cap from a shampoo bottle, a glue gun, a balloon, a paper cup, scissors, and a rubber band.

What we did....
We glued the shampoo bottle cap onto the center of the CD. We cut the bottom off of the paper cup so that the cup was about two inches tall. It is now ready.

Putting the balloon stem onto the bottle cap

To use the hovercraft, blow up the balloon and twist the stem so the air stays in. Put the balloon stem through the cup and open it onto the shampoo cap. We used a rubber band to hold the balloon stem in place, but it wasn't always necessary.

Place the hovercraft on a clean, flat surface and un-twist the balloon to release air. Give the craft a little push and it will glide easily across the surface. We pushed it back and forth to each other a few times before the air ran out. Here is a short video of the action :)

Coming soon (hopefully)....a bigger, life-sized hovercraft that we will ride!

Bakery Bliss

This summer we were able to tour a bakery!

The bakery entrance

Not just any bakery, no, this bakery provides bread for some of the top restaurants in the country. We also had a chance to taste some of the amazing food they produce. When we have eaten there - everything we have had has been mouth-watering and delicious. We'd love to be closer! I really should have tried the chocolate pudding while I was there....

 

 

 

 

These baguettes will go in the oven soon

Buns!

The bakery was very busy as we were walking through. People were constantly in motion working to produce the yummy food. We really had to be on our toes and make sure we were not in anyone's way. We saw bread baking, bread rising, bread being shaped, cakes and cookies being made and frosted, and more. Delivery drivers also came in to collect the daily orders and distribute the fresh-baked bread. Thank you for the tour Columbia City Bakery!

Cool Critters

We have been privileged to be in the presence of some very cool insects and animals this summer. Here are a few...

Sweet hummingbird

By-the-wind-sailor washed up on the beach

Katydid on the trampoline

Beautiful and impressive pelican

Achemon sphinx moth caterpillar on the grapevine trunk