The Family Project

Jonathan had a project due on the Jumano Indians.  He was supposed to make an artifact from the tribe.  Since I help Jonathan stay on track with book reports and most other projects, I asked Fred to assist him with this one.  Jonathan really had his heart set on making one of their weapons.  After doing research, that was quickly ruled out.  The boys decided to make a replica of their house.

Fred and Jonathan went to the library to get information on the types of houses that the tribe lived in.  I bet that was interesting.  I don't think Fred has been in a library since he was in college.  After that information was obtained, the three of us set out for Hobby Lobby.  I think it took us a good hour to decide on the tools and materials necessary to build the house.

Fred and Jonathan decided clay would be their best bet.  There was only one problem.  They didn't know how to work with clay.  Fred found a nice size plastic box to use as their form.  They placed the clay all around the form and then put it out on the back porch to harden.  Oh my, it was certainly an ugly time at our house when they opened the back door to check on their project.  As the clay dried, it also cracked.  It took two solid days to piece the house back together.

Being the man that he is, Fred went to Lowes and bought all sorts of man stuff to fix the clay house.  He bought liquid nails and spray foam.  He reattached the house with liquid nails and then sprayed the inside with the foam.  I am thankful that Jonathan's teacher didn't flip the house over and look inside it.

The project was due on Tuesday.  All three of us proudly took the house in to the school.  I drove and Fred carefully held their masterpiece.  Jonathan got a 90 on the project.  I was interested to see what she counted off 10 points for.  He had to write a paragraph about his artifact on a note card.  She deducted 10 points, because it wasn't neatly written. 

Jonathan brought his artifact home today.  He was excited and said that everyone liked his house.  He said that Mrs. Blackwell even asked him if they could display it in the library.  He told her that I would prefer that he bring it home.  Just for the record, I would prefer that it stay in the library for as long as they want it.  There is no room in our little house to display such a project.  We took lots of pictures of it tonight, so that we can take it back to the library to be displayed. 

Here he is being silly.  He is acting like he's a giant attacking their village.  Only a boy would think that is funny.