The Binker Files

The case of the missing tooth

On Sunday afternoon, as we were preparing to return a little yellow spotted salamander to its home in the woods, I took this picture of Silas:

About an hour later, as we were about to set off into the woods, Silas smiled at me and looked like this:

I was shocked to see a tooth missing from Si's mouth and asked him where it went.  He was apparently  just as surprised by the missing tooth and burst into tears.  Neither of us realized that tooth was even loose!  He must have swallowed it while eating pizza on the drive to Robinson Woods.  He still is adjusting to the loss and is currently in denial, he claims that he hasn't lost a tooth and it is just my imagination.

We went to the library today and checked out a book about losing baby teeth, which hopefully while help him come to appreciate this milestone.

Beach fun with friends

Another warm day at the beach in November.  Such mild weather this late in the season doesn't feel quite right, but we are making the most of it.

Sophia.

 

Coco.

Levi's beach art, he calls this A Tent for Bears.

Schools kill creativity...

This is a very interesting talk. 

Just yesterday, as Silas was attempting to make some sort of trap, he became very upset because he kept "failing".  But as Ken Robinson points out, if you're afraid to fail, you'll never do anything original.

Paper Mache Day

Actually, it is day two of paper mache day, with no end in sight, there are unfinished projects drying all over the house.   Here are three new creations:

Silas' puffer fish in a slightly puffed condition.

Levi's Planet Earth.

Our sea turtle.

A note to Cole - you should definitely make a birthday pinata!  We made a octopus pinata for Silas' birthday, here is a picture:

The octopus was a little challenging because of all the legs, but it was fun to make.  When you make your birthday pinata, just don't make it too beautiful, or you might not want to smash it open.  That is what happened to Silas when he first made this puffer fish, he could not bring himself to destroy it, so he had to make an octopus pinata, too.

We made the fish with strips of tissue paper, which looks fantastic and no painting is necessary.  The tissue paper is so thin that you need to use a paint brush to put on the paste, otherwise it will tear. 

Have fun making your pinata, Cole!  We'll be anxious to see your creation.

Basement band

Now appearing nightly on Spring Street:   

Sunset at the beach

Today was such a beautiful day, we went to the beach right after lunch and stayed until after the sun went down.  Granted, the sun does set at 4:30pm now, but still, a long afternoon at the beach in November in Maine and without winter clothing was a very nice treat.

Thriller

Drawn by Silas Oliver Shutty.