Skye had to build a “float” about Arizona for a school project. At first she wrapped boxes with brown paper, made a banner out of paper and drinking straws, and affixed onto all that a plastic lettuce leaf. I couldn’t watch her flail and fail; she needed help, and I was glad to give it.

We talked about the requirements (flag, banner, six to ten items) and design. She did a lot of research on Arizona and the things that makes it unique and special. She made a list of possible items and revised it several times after I explained why certain items were neither unique nor special (e.g. high pollution).

She also learned to design on paper before construction. We went to the craft store to purchase Styrofoam and the hardware store for spray paint. She helped me select pictures online and then cut out the prints before laminating. Kirsten sewed the banner out of one of my old t-shirts and Skye wrote “ARIZONA” on each side. We all helped attach floral wire to each item. Skye placed the items on the float according to their importance.

We ordered the flag online. Skye picked it up from my mailbox on the way home from school last week.

The items:

• John McCain
• Wyatt Earp
• Observatory/dark skies
• Meteor Crater
• Petrified wood
• Cactus wren
• Copper
• Grand Canyon mules

It was a great opportunity for us to bond. Skye learned, I hope, to have a larger vision and to do everything with excellence. I think she’ll be able to use some of the techniques she learned in future projects. She was quite proud of the results, which makes me happy.

The back side of Arizona

Great Seal of the State of Arizona - 1912

Copper, a meteor, and John

Senator John McCain (R)

I drove Skye and her float to school