Fun Fridays: Lego Challenges and Math Games

Fun Fridays is always a "fun" time!  


Lego challenge--Build something that flies

Tenzi

Build a bridge that can support the weight of at least 5 Lego mini-figures.  When you pair the youngest child that is quite younger than his siblings with an only child, they both get quite a lesson in working together.  One reason I love our Fun Fridays time! 

Math Bingo--

Snack time!

Lego secret codes

Fraction Dominoes

We got most of our Lego ideas from these two sites:
Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls 
A Few Shortcuts

Mapping Postcards

As you probably have already heard, Michael and I are studying US Geography this year (and probably next year), using the curriculum, "Cantering the Country".   I thought it would be a great idea for Michael to start a postcard collection from all the 50 states and Washington, DC.  Through my Facebook connections, we've managed to get 35 of the 50 states already!!!! 

As you can see, many of my family and friends have went above and beyond in helping us! 

We decided we would use our pretty fabric map of the USA to mark each postcard and the state represented.  

I found these cute flag pins on Amazon.  Today, Michael and I "mapped" out our postcards.  We divided all the cards by states first.  Counted each stack.  Then, Michael had to find each state on the map. 

Fast facts:

• Most postcards--Tennessee at 7
• Biggest postcard--a tie between--Washington DC and Maryland
• Most unique postcard--A wooden postcard from Washington state
• Postcards with a map of the state--New Jersey, Tennessee, Alabama, Pennsylvania, North Carolina
• Number of postcards with some type of animal/bird/insect/wildlife---22
• Number of total postcards collected so far--66
• Number of states collected--35 and Washington, DC
• Number of different people that have sent cards--26

Three years later--Bedroom Reveal

Over three years ago, JP bought me a bedroom set for our anniversary.  I said I would post pictures when we finished decorating.  Well, we finally got to the point of a reveal today.... THREE YEARS LATER!  

JP bought me the really cool LED string lights for my birthday and we took the opportunity to hang those up.  One thing led to another and I ended up pulling out all the decorations I had bought THREE YEARS AGO.    (There are still a few finishing touches we need to do, like replace the stock photos in the big picture frame...ahem.) 

I love it!!!!  I feel like it's our own little oasis--a little bit of hygge! 

Fun Fridays: Victorian School and Tea Time

Fun Fridays are already the highlight of Michael's school year.  This morning the boys shared their book reports.  Michael did a book report in a box:  8 items that represent things from the book and descriptions.    

Our Bible lessons this month are on contentedness.  So, we read about Jesus feeding the 4000 in the book of Matthew.

The boys made their first cake--a Victorian sponge cake (Tera made our cream ahead of time and we used store bought jam).  My friend set up it so nicely that each of our kids had their own bowls and each made one layer.  She is the stalwart of calm and patience!  Since we planned on having a Victorian tea later, the boys also helped to make cucumber sandwiches. 

While the cakes were cooking and cooling, we talked about what it would have been like to go to school during the Victorian era in England.  Both boys picked out new Victorian era names for themselves.

Meet Meriweather and Frank....

Union Jack flags to color and Thaumatropes...

Our homework in anticipation of Victorian school day was to prepare a performance piece.  "Meriweather"   selected the Shel Silverstein poem, "One Inch Tall"  and  "Frank" performed an original drum selection!  These boys are so talented that neither ended up in the corner wearing the dunce's hat. 

Tea time!  The cake turned out BEAUTIFUL and DELICIOUS!!!   Such a lovely experience!  Now, I need to go find a cute little porcelain teapot and fancy tea cups and saucers for our own home!