Teach the controversy! From the other side this time.

What I need to know is, how do I justify it?

"Science: it works, bitches"?

I dunno--say something about the importance of science education to children? Science education and enthusiasm at a young age can get them on a good career path?

Anyway, those are good, subversive choices.

Although it's sad that in this case, science is subversive. Also, many fundamentalist Christians conflate the Big Bang with the theory of evolution, so there may be some trouble there.

I also got them fossilized dinosaur poop.

I also got them fossilized dinosaur poop.

Best. Auntie. Ever.

Allyson, is it a freak-ass church that denies basic scientific principles? I ask because some don't -- my freak-ass church was pretty science-y, but managed to put it into a biblical framework (which, IMO, can be done pretty easily for many scientific principles -- though not all).

If her church is okay with science in a general way, then you might be good.

I also got them fossilized dinosaur poop.

Isaac is officially jealous.

Given where you work? I think it makes sense for you to be the aunt who gives them science books. Really really cool science books. And dinosaur poop is all win in my book! But we've always been pro educational books as presents.

She still seems to be cool with science. I'm unsure how much creationism is involved, but she's militantly pro-vaxx and has always appreciated the space stuff I've sent.

It might be ok. I'm unsure. She might take it as a dig.

She was most thrilled when I did a Flat Stanley book with pictures of my nephew's flat stanley with the Mars Rover models in the sandbox (thanks, Lori!) and pics of the paper doll around the lab. I think I can shoehorn these books into that concept.

Moreso when Owen and Olivia are using it and the iPhone to have Harry Potter spell duels.

I loved Rafe Fiennes on last night's TDS. Jon Stewart passed on a question from an audience member ("If Voldemort were in a sword duel with Herman Cain, who would win?"), and Rafe answered, "It would depend on the size of the wand." Heh.

And Allyson is the bestest aunt ever. I think my favorite gift to my nephew was the mummy set when he was really into Egyptology at the age of 7--it had a mummy that you prep, complete with organs you remove and put in cenoptic jars, and all the stuff that goes into (and out of) a mummy. Very cool!

Isaac is officially jealous.

It was $15 at Vroman's if you'd like me to pick some up. It's a brick, and it comes with a brush and pick so it can be excavated like an archaeologist.