ok, Those wondering about Eljin. He died the day after he was born and I was to upset to announce it. Poor Ben probably though I was crazy crying after little E when we only had him a day. Ben even promised to 'get me another Eljin' to make me happy. We didn't get a replacement buckling and I know those things happen, but not my little guys! and my very first baby goat. Now that this new guy is here there are HUGE differences between him and E.
Mrs. Velasco, My name is Tabitha Clarke. I am the new Senior Service Hydrologist here at the National Weather Service in Little Rock and would be glad to help you.
First of all, I think it's great that your son is asking questions at his age and very technical questions at that! Water is such an interesting thing. It is so vital for life and in the same instant...it can harm life. This is why we take such a great interest in it. We do look at stream flow, which is where I think his question stems. Streamflow is generated by all sorts of complicated equations, but it basically takes into consideration things like gravity and stream gradient.
Now, I took this question to mean 2 different things. I'm thinking there's a chance he may be referring to movement while he's in the water compared to watching it from the bank? The best way I could think to describe this is if he's in an airplane looking at another airplane traveling at the same speed it would not look like it was moving. Just like if you're floating in the water...the water does not seem to be moving if you turn and look directly at it, because it's moving with you. But, if your standing still on the bank you can plainly see the water moving. It's all relative to your perspective.
But as far as water movement, water is moving at differing speeds all through the column. Generally, it is slower near the banks and along the bottom due to friction and fastest somewhere between mid depth and the surface. Then, there are swirls, eddies, ect. These are generated partly by whatever object is underneath the water. All-in-all, it's a simple question without a real simple answer.
On another interesting note...and something that might interest a boy, is that dirt is a key factor in all of this! If there were no particles in the rivers/streams (such as sand, silt, pollutants), we would not be able to see the current.
Well, I hope I've been of 'some' help. I am a new parent and am excited for my son to get to the questioning stage. I think it's wonderful that you take such an interest in following up his questions. Best of luck to Cody!
Tabitha Clarke
-Senior Service Hydrologist-
PS If he continues to show an interest in rivers, you can direct him to our rivers/lakes page. From our website, http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/ click on rivers/lakes on the left hand side. You can then click on any of those points along the rivers to see a hydrograph. Lots of fun information there!
Abigail will be the Cheshire Cat~ with this cute headband and tail. Then I'll make a stripped tutu to go with it and some light pink tights underneath. I'll either make her some legwarmers out of pink stripped socks or just buy the stripped legwarmers (see below) Im not sure about her top, maybe a leotard... then top it off with a pair of converse high tops.
Matthew is going to be the White Rabbit~ I'm going to get this hat and maybe the clock.. he can probably make the clock himself. we'll see. Then make him a funky vest, bow tie and pick up a jacket from the thrift store and add to it, then make some pants.
Seasonal Ficklets
Kaitlen in the car in the Walmart parking lot waiting for her Zofran Rx.
Her party ran over the 1/2 hour it was suppose to be so I left her there and went to cody's class for his. 
After Cody's was over I went back and got sister. By the time we got home she was not walking again :( outings are officially a no-no while she has this. 
you can click on the belly pic to see the spots
She's not asking for any pain medicine right now which is good because I don't think she could hold it down. It's been 8 hours since her last dose? :( I feel so bad for her. We were going to take her to her party at school on Friday and during her last throwing up episode she said she doesn't want to go to her party. I just hope she's feeling better soon.
Kaitlen has Henoch-Schonlein Purpura she was sick last week and missed tues-fri from school so it really helps explain it. Her autoimmune system has freaked out a tad bit. At the Drs her right leg had only a couple small spots and now its just like the left leg. she is getting small spots on her bum now. i wonder what tomorrow will look like??
L to R- Me, Lisa, Misty, Veronica, Julie, Gina, Patty, and Tina
