Day 92... Lego Fun at Discover Mills

Today we went to the Lego Store at Discover Mills for their mini build giveaway. I have never been to this Lego store or done one of their giveaways so I was not sure what to expect.

First I have to say how shocked I was to see a huge line. We had arrived at 4:15 for the 5:00 build. I thought we would walk around and kill 45 minutes in the mall. Wrong we needed to get in the line if we were going to have any chance at getting a Lego guy. Luckily we were behind a very nice man who filled us in on how the monthly build works.

A worker comes out a little before 5:00 and starts giving Lego passes to all the kids. They have a total of 250 per store. Then the doors open at 5:00 and the line starts moving. Believe it or not once the line was moving we made it in the store within a half hour.

Now here is the best part. I have to tell you how impressed I was with their organization, kindness, patience and cheerful attitudes!! They had tables set up inside the store, a guide to take you to your specific work table, and then a person at the table to help you if you were having problems.

Out of my four two are builders and two have never built Legos. Our helpers name was Adam. He was the best. He helped Maddie and Carson. He never rushed them, assisted without doing the work etc. Just so kind, helpful and patient. He told them how important it was to read the directions, not get discouraged and just take their time. Really so wonderful to see someone be so helpful in a store filled with kids and parents.

When we were done Jack had some birthday money to spend so he purchased a Lego set. During checkout the man running the register was also friendly and so customer service oriented.

The Lego mini build gets two thumbs up as a FREE FUN ACTIVITY. The kids all agreed it was worth waiting in line for. The LEGO STORE also gets two thumbs way,way.way up for some of the best customer service this mom has seen in a very, very long time.

The Mini Lego monthly build is the first Tuesday of every month. Next months character is Dracula!!


Excited to have gotten their golden scarecrow tickets.
Makenna with her kit. Ready to build!
Maddie and Carson working on their kit.
Jack was the first of the team to complete the project!!
Good job team on completing the project!!

Day 91... DRAWING

A few years ago we received a boxed set of Draw Write Now Books for the kids as a Christmas gift from my sister. We have used them so much and love how they help guide you step by step to draw something other than a stick figure. Tonight we used them for family fun.

With this series of books you can take your drawings further than you normally would. Typically if I am asked do draw a butterfly I would draw two back to back letter B's and call it a day. With these books I was able to make something that sort of resembled a monarch. I love that they get the kids thinking past just a single item to draw. They start thinking of the whole picture.

When we first got them I had the kids draw something weekly. I could see huge improvements by the end of the year. I think I will start doing that again. Put on a little music, get out your pencils, paper and crayons and enjoy the evening. I believe the boxed set was around $60 for 8 books. They can also be bought individually.

Day 90..... Jump Rope

Earlier this week in co/op the gym teacher was playing jump rope with the younger kids and they loved it. I thought we would give it a try for today's family fun activity.

Normally when I think of jump rope I think of doing it by yourself as opposed to two people turning the rope for you. We played it this way with the five kids and they all couldn't wait for their next turn.

They each went from barely being able to jump once to getting 4, 5, 9, and even 14 jumps in a row!! The little guy Camden had a great time jumping over the two snakes that we wiggled on the ground for him.

Jackson was our jumping king with 14 times!! I think even he was surprised!! Lots of fun, great exercise and a free activity.

Day 89.... Perler Beads

Today we had so much fun with Perler Beads. We made Pirate Ships, Dolphins, parrots, and Pirates... ARRGG. I think we did beads for 4 hours or more because the kids just loved it.

A kit makes 36 crafts and is $12 at Michaels. Use a 40% off coupon and you pay around $8 Such a deal. I use a mini glue gun to add magnets to the back. I love using them as fridge decor. The magnets also help to strengthen the beads. This is age appropriate for 4 and up,although Camden who just turned 3 liked helping me look for the colors.

Day 88.... Water Balloon Fight

Tonight we had a water balloon fight. I think the kids had as much fun planning the WAR as they did throwing the balloons. They all loved watching the balloons get filled up. They also were very excited about their matching head band colors.

I recommend this activity for ages 5 and up!! Camden the little guy didn't want his balloons popped and he definitely did not want people throwing balloons at him. He sat on the steps and watched the war take place. Cute!! He loved the head band and fell asleep with it on!


For easy clean up I gave each person a specific color of balloon. This way when they are all popped and the cleaning part comes they have to clean up their specific color. I made 30 balloons per person. I think 50 each would have been better and lasted longer.

Day 87.... Self Portraits and Interviews

Tonight we took a couple ideas that I have seen and turned them into one. The kids did a self portrait and answered interview questions while working on the picture. It was fun to interview them while they were working. It made the time at the table go by very quickly.

I cut the interview questions into strips and glued them onto the portrait. I love this idea. I wish I had these for all the kids all the way back to when they were 3 or 4 and could draw their first figure. I do have some self portraits but I think having the interview questions tells so much about their personality. While I was interviewing the kids and cutting the strips big Daddy made a self portrait too!!

Most of the time, like tonight, I plan the fun activity 20-30 minutes before we do it. If I could redo tonight and plan a little better I would have had Black large paper for the final back page. I think the questions would pop better. The other thing I would do is type in their answer verses write it on the paper with pen. It would have looked neater and nicer. Next year when we do this again I will be really ready. Live and learn. A great craft and a really nice family keepsake. FUN!!

Interview Questions I used: A food I don't like is, My favorite movie is, My favorite subject in school is, My favorite treat is, If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd go to, My favorite food is, My favorite color is, My best vacation ever was, My favorite sport is, I love the book, My favorite song is, My favorite snack is, I am, I love to, My name is, 3 words that describe me are, My favorite thing about camping is, When I grow up I am going to be, My favorite show is, My favorite season is, If I could be________I would_________.


The crew with their self portraits!
If I could be a spy I would save the world. I love to read. I am diligent, helpful, and talented. My favorite color is purple.
If I could build a time machine I would. I love Pokemon. I am cool, smart, and funny. When I was little I used to fight dragons.
If I could go anywhere in the world I would go to Paris. I love Lucky. My favorite song is Dream On. I am good looking, cocky, and athletic. My favorite food is Panda Express!
I am adventurous, smart and sweet. My favorite song is Flat on the Floor. If I could be a famous singer I would sing about God. I love my Webkinz.

Follow up to the RV post

WARNING: Taking your child to see RV'S can cause her to think a little crazy!! :) This is how we found Maddie this morning. She was sleeping on top of a fold up table. When I asked her what she was doing she said " I was practicing sleeping in a bunk bed just like in the RV!" Hysterical!!


They have $1.68 so far !!