WW: Joy

Last week was a rough week! 

My almost 13 year old was picked on at school. He was called the "N" word over and over again, and shoved around during a no touch football game. I was sad he was sad. When human's are picked on it's not just because of their skin. Sometimes it's for different reasons. I have a long list of artist friends and many of them have gotten picked on because they think differently. Don't they know that artists paint their bland world? It's also not "popular" to be nice. Isaak's both an artist and is nice.

My coworker told me to contact the Division Officer at the school about it. I sent an email, and got back an email from the Division Officer that same day, had not one, but two phone calls from the Principal and Vice Principal at the school to call and talk to me personally about the incident. They are opening up dialog about the issue to all the students, and the boys that caused him to cry are getting in trouble. I don't even want to know how. The boy that stood by Isaak the whole time is now Isaak's bestie. They talked on the phone for an hour last night. Isaak may of been pushed down, but he's being built up. He even put together a desk, for the most part all by himself. 

Then Mica is fully remote, and got this postcard in the mail. Things are starting to turn around. 

WW: Isaak's Beanstalk {Linky}

Isaak brought home from school a bean to grow:

It kept growing, so Travis had him make a trellis out of Legos for it to rest upon:

Take-A-Part Build Toy Review

I'm always on the search for toys that can be built. My boys love toys like that!
 
I recently got Take-A-Part Build Toy to review. 

Mica built the Blue Race Car for this review. I think I'm going to give it to Isaak for his birthday coming up. :)

Each of their sets comes with 2 models to give the toy some variety. I kind of wish there were more things you could build. 

Other Sets:

• Red Plane - I happen to like Red Plane the most. I think it's super cute!
• Yellow Truck

Why Get Toys You Can Build and Take Apart?

• Toys like this helps kids learn how to follow directions. 
• Kids are proud of their toy because they built it.
• It helps with development with hand-coordination, spatial thinking, building patience, and attention.  

Features:

• Non-toxic eco-friendly rubber fiber material, safe to the children 
• Large brightly colored pieces, easy for small hands to maneuver 
• Precision craft, no sharp edges 

Pieces:

• 50 flexible pieces 
• Tools to get the job done
• Directions  

I imagine the thing that would be horrible with a toy like this is if you loose pieces. Then you can't build what you want. If you loose a piece in a block set you can still build something else.

 One of the End Results:

Ages:

For ages 5 and up. For ages 5 and 6 the child may need help from Mom and Dad at first.

Cost: 

$29.99, but on sale for $16.99. All their sets are the same price. 

Disclaimer: I received the product mentioned for free in exchange for an honest review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

He Wanted to Do it Himself

We went to the Lowes Clinic this last weekend.

Isaak had to do everything on his own. I know he's growing up, but I still hold things when Mica pounds the nails in. I thought for sure Isaak would A) hit his little fingers with the hammer, or B) have more than one crooked nail. With Mica I can convince him to do things; let me help him. When Isaak has his mind set on something there's no changing it. Everything ended up being great. Isaak did it on his own.

Isaak doing it on his own.

The boys always walk out of the store with sound effects. This time it was fire truck noises. They drove their fire trucks down every beam they saw.

Old aprons on the front, new aprons on the back as super hero capes.

Fun and Function Laser Pegs Review

Our boys got Laser Pegs from Santa AKA Fun and Function.

They were really excited to get something that can be built and has the ability of being able to light up.

We got two sets to build: DuneBuggy and Tractor. Both have 9 different models you can build in each box.

Both construction sets include:

• Tractor set includes: 29 Laser Pegs
• Dune Buggy set includes: 31 Laser Pegs
• A Triangle Power Base
• Fractoids
• Instruction Manual

Both sets we got are $24.99 and for ages 5 and up.

Mica built the model called Do-Si-Do:

Mica needed very little help. It was the first time he built it, so a few pieces he needed help snapping into place.

Daddy helped Isaak build the Scooter: 

Isaak is only 4 1/2, and these toys are for ages 5 and up. Isaak wouldn't be able to build any of the sets himself. Since Daddy was helping it is possible for a 4 year old to put together the sets.

Both boys love that their constructions light up! We lit it up last night at their New Years Eve dance party.

I love store Fun and Function! 

They had a lot of products on their site for kids with special needs. They have up on their website that their company is, "Where Kids of All Abilities Learn Through Play!"  Since I have a nephew with special needs, I know I'll be going back to look at more of their things.

Here's just some categories out of many that they have on their site:

• Sensory Integration
• Fine Motor 
• Gross Motor
• Oral Motor
• Aromatherapy
• Educational Toys

I know my kids will continue to play with Laser Pegs for a long time!

Like Fun and Function on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and follow them on their blog.

Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out. I did receive a free product to help with this review.

Citi Blocks

Our kids love to build! I've never seen these blocks before. They look really fun! I love that they are wooden to!

A Giveaway Addicted Mommy is hosting a giveaway for these! One winner is going to win a set.
I have my mind on Christmas already!

Building Mania

All day on Saturday Mica was very tuned into putting together his new Lego toys. Daddy mentioned that Mica should wait to put together Lightning McQueen. Mica didn't want to wait. Things were really quit in his room, and he had this much built:

 

We were all pretty impressed with how far he got on his own! :)

 That is until he got close to the end. Daddy noticed that Mica missed some major steps. Mica was sleepy. They had to wreck what Mica had built and started all over again. :(

School Days

I know I've been talking about Mica and kindergarten a lot. It's what is new in our lives.

Today Mica wanted a cold lunch. He went to school and forgot to put his lunch with all the other cold lunches. Instead he put it by his feet at his table. He ate a hot lunch. Then his teacher realized Mica had a cold lunch when they went back into the classroom.

Mica's Lunchbox

When Daddy picked Mica up the teacher wanted to talk to him. She talked about how Mica is so great and is confident with art. Then she said how bad she felt with him missing his cold lunch! She's used to teaching first grade. Kindergarten is new to her as well. Kids and sometimes adults forget more when something is new or out of routine. I think that's pretty normal.

Daddy emailed the teacher Monday night to tell her that he fixed some numbers on Mica's paperwork. She emailed him back saying she was glad we got the paperwork back to the school so fast.

Then she went on to say that the first station they had at school was puzzles and building. We know Mica is strong in that area. He puts puzzles together like it's nothing. We got a defective USA puzzle from Melissa and Doug. They put in two Wyomings instead of a Colorado. It was a present to Cousin Evan. Aunt Terra called the company, and they sent her a free one! We in turn got the defective one. Mica pretty much knows where all the states go. If you ask him his capitols he knows them to. Transformers that I would have a problem putting together, is a breeze to him. According to the teacher, at school he was patiently helping the other kids. I've seen him be this way before. He helped Great Grandma Kent unwrap packages at Christmas last year. She has Alzheimer's disease and forgets a lot of things now. With Isaak, Mica doesn't really help him too much. Maybe it's because Isaak won't let him. Isaak went through the "I do it myself!" stage. Also he is particular about who helps him. I think Mica gave up a little with Isaak.

It sounds like Mica's doing good in school. Now if only we could build up his memory skills {remembering that his gym shoes are in his bag and that he brought a lunch ;)}! I imagine that during winter time, he'll misplace gloves frequently. I better stock up and should get my butt in gear with labeling Mica's stuff.

He still is very grumpy in the evening. It's just from being tired. We put him to bed early! Mica seems excited to go to school! He talks about his day when Daddy picks him up. I'm hoping it's just an adjustment thing that he'll get used to in a week or so.

*Side Note: I'm so happy I figured out how to have no background on my image! It was really easy!