Smash Party

Overheating, blitzing lights, and finally no micro-waves performing their dirty deeds.

We had a death in the family.

I asked Erik to make preparations for its going-to-the-dump burial.

He said, "Mom, can I throw it over the side of the steps?"

I shuddered and immediately said shouted, "NO!" in a are-you-crazy-sarcastic-kind-of-way.

What kind of example would that set for the younger kids? 

Throwing stuff around disrespectfully. What else would they try?

The possibility of shattering glass, inevitably finding their way into little feet?

And then the revelation.  

WHY NOT? WHY ever-for-the-love-of-pete NOT?

Hoping to be the "cool home school mom," I planned an impromptu "Smash Party," a.k.a. the fun science experiment where learning occurs without trying.

I called a meeting in the driveway. 

Late March and we are desperate for spring.

Investigating the specimen, checking for glass parts and loose pieces.

To my astonishment only metal and plastic. Cheap old thing.

After announcing the plan/objective of the experiment, 

I sent the team scrambling for tools of torture.

The objective: Get inside the microwave to see what we could find. 

Poor thing. It is about to be totally violated.

When you are the youngest, your pick of the tools is diminished.

At some point, Micah decided he needed a life jacket in order to effectively perform his duty. Perhaps, the plastic sand shovel sparked the idea.

 No worries. He got his turn with the bat.

His determination will serve him well. 

Clamoring for a turn among seven older siblings is no small feat.

"Yes, sweet pea, this is the crazy family who chose you."

"No dear, not an average day in America."

 Then we get serious.

 And the big boy puts the hammer down.

 'Cause fifteen-year-olds just wanna have fun.

 Making some dent progress. 

Teacher then asks the class, "What else can we try?"

 Several students came up with the idea of tossing...

 ...and impact.

 Yeah, baby!

 First part off! So proud ! Now what?

 The three musketeers come up with their very own plan!

 Seems like a good one.

 Can we say Yes-For-Success? Innards exposed.

Joshua, with protective headgear. claimed the control panel. 

Note the mittened hand and winter jacket, contrasting the bare feet.

 More throwing.

 Do you see a theme here? Big boy is wanting a piece.

He got it.

I'm thinking that this blog post is getting a little boring but for pete's sake, it IS a lab report. You are supposed to write down everything you tried. Thank me later for leaving out the other 100+ pictures. 

 What else can we do? 

Working together is always good.

Let me introduce you to the team. The boys provided the lift using a lever or is this considered a pulley,  little did they know it was a simple machine...

 Meet our lovely counter balance.

 The hoist is complete.

 The suspense is real.

 

 Crash! 

Isn't science fun?

 Way too fun. This method had multiple attempts.

 Cool! Most of them had no idea what a circuit board looked like.

Objective has been met.

Microwave exposed.

 Wait a minute, the biggest boy/Marine Poolee just showed up.

 After very little sibling peer pressure, he had a go.

And got his part.

'Cause he IS the best and coolest big brother ever!

 As the longest blog post ever draws to an end, I assure you

 that when Daddy came home and asked what we learned today...

There was plenty to tell.

THE END