Lab report

It's Groundhog Day again. Five groundhogs (Dunkirk Dave and Saskatoon Evan among them) are predicting that an early spring is on the way, but another eight (including Punxsutawney Phil himself) suggest we're in for another six weeks of winter. Looking out at the snow still sitting in great mounds everywhere, my money's with Phil. I even think he's being a bit optimistic.

The Girl has decided to build a science lab in the basement. This evening she presented the Man with a list of necessities she'd written on the bus. It includes all a young scientist could desire in the way of equipment and chemical compounds (empty yoghurt pots, safety goggles, baking soda and vinegar, of course; but also balloons, ketchup and rice krispies). 'Everything but the kitchen sink...' I remarked over dinner, but as the Man pointed out, 'sink' is in fact on the list too. Luckily there's one of them down there already.

The Boy is very eager to be his sister's assistant, but has been told he'll have to undergo an apprenticeship first.

The Man has been co-opted as the adult supervision (for experiments involving fire).

And I'm attempting to keep well out of it.