Ugears @UkrainianBridges Review

I love toys like Ugears! 

Why do I like them? 

1. They make my kids think before, during and after they create. 


2. They are toys for older kids. Mica still likes getting fun things, but he's growing out of many toys on the market. The sets we got from Ugears actually are for ages 14 and up.


3. Their models help push STEM learning: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Except I like to add in STEAM: A = Art. Their models have it all. 


4. It was a bonding experience between Dad and the boys when they were built. 

Sets:

Ugears were so kind to send us 2 kits to review.

1. Ugears Dynamometer $19.90 | 48 Pieces | Level Easy


2. Ugears Tractor $29.90 | 97 Pieces | Level Intermediate

Wood:

The parts are all in sheets of a high tech wood. They really do not waist on packaging. I love that these models are not plastic!

The sheets look like this:

You want to pop the pieces out evenly to prevent them from breaking. We had to correct Isaak.

Here's one of the gears in the process of being put together:

Travis loved helping the boys put these together. He's like, "I could see making sculptures like this!" 

We did have some hiccups. Like how Mica thought he needed no help. He also thought he could get by without measuring things. Umm...no! I think he learned how important it is to measure with his model. He also learned that not all instructions are just like Lego. The instructions for Ugears are all pictorial. 

Isaak relies on help much of the time, since he's 9 almost 10. He just learned to pop the pieces out evenly. 

Instructions:

The instructions had no words. I think the boys wished they had some words. It's nice for the company because their models are sold in other spots around the world besides the US. Their pictures are really detailed. 

I Almost Want to Keep the Left Overs: 

Ugears Dynamometer: 

This really turned out to be fun! Isaak did need help putting together the 48 piece set. It reminded me of something that would be in the movie Hugo.

Ugears Tractor:

The rubber band still could be added. Otherwise it's finished. Mica needed assistance with this 97 piece model.

Here They Are Together:

Excuse Isaak's, "The sun's in my eyes!" look, even though the sun was on the other side of the house. Ha!

Check Out Our Video:

Which Ugear model do you like the most? The Tractor or the Dynamometer? What could you seeing them add to their collection? They have 35 or so models on their website.

Disclaimer: I got both Ugears Models to review. Ugears did not tell me what to write, or think of their products. I choose to write about products that fit this site.

Random Tid Bits

1. Marketing flaw: Not having kid's jean shorts out before Easter. Every year I want to buy some jean shorts for my boys, but they are never out at this time. They go with everything. 


2. I've come to a plateau with the "freelance" job search. There's 3 different ones, but nothing is promised. 


3. My nephew Emerson had scans done this week. He has fractures on his spine. :( The poor boy can't communicate what's wrong. I feel for him!


4. My student that attempted her life, attempted again. This is the same one that thinks I don't like her, when I do. :(


5. Isaak's been off for a few days. He's snotty, headachy, doesn't want to eat, and is just lagging. He felt slightly warm, but didn't have a fever. I'm not sure if it's sickness, or allergies. Today (Thursday) he has NeSA testing, and school pictures. :( I sent him to school, but gave him an allergy pill first. 

WW: MyHeritageDNA {Linky}

My parents got me a DNA test kit for Christmas.

I was alway curious as to what I am. I knew where many of my relatives came from, except my Grandpa on my Mom's side. He swears he's English, but he has dark skin, and a wide nose. I thought for sure he had Native American or African in him. 

Here were my results:

I guess I'll never know what my Grandpa is. He's 91 and still kicking, but would have no desire to do a DNA test. Maybe I get my 1.1% Middle Eastern from him.

It didn't really matter to me where I came from other than the fact that I was curious. I kind of wanted to figure my Grandpa out through my test. Ha!

Do you know where your relatives come from? Would you take a DNA test? Does it matter to you where you come from?

Random Tid Bits

1. I think it's odd that there's "Stationery" like a mailing package, and "Stationary" like someone is holding still. I noticed it's used wrong on graphic design websites all the time.
   
   There's 2 acceptable ways to spell, "Doughnut" and "Donut".
   
   "Wind" like your hair is blowing in the wind, and "Wind" like you wind your clock is the same spelling. The English language is so confusing. 


2. I'm pretty sure Isaak doesn't believe in the Easter Bunny. He's playing his card well. I asked the boys, "So do you guys want to visit the Easter Bunny in a store?" Of course they didn't want to because they are too old. A Reese's Pieces carrot shaped bag fell down onto the ground downstairs. Isaak said, "This fell." I said, "That's too bad!" He said, "We'll have to leave it out for the Easter Bunny." At this point I'm about to tell him, "Isaak that bunny isn't real." I'm ready for, "I know Mom." 




3. Mica thinks the Easter Bunny is like Santa. He starts to ask for things. I'm like, "The Easter Bunny doesn't work that way!" 


4. The Director came into my office earlier this week to say, "I can't tell you anyone's name, or the situation, but a student thinks you don't like her."
   
   What in the heck am I supposed to do with that? It was one of three students. Two girls leave a lot. I started calling them out on it, to show I noticed. The one girl who I know it is went through a lot of depression the first part of the semester was all sad last Friday and left suddenly, which isn't like her. The last student I mentioned is the one.
   
   She was all happy and laughing last Friday morning. Then in the afternoon she was all down in the dumps. She turned no work in to me in the morning. Then slapped it all down on the table with missing components. I said, "You're missing this..." Then I asked if she was alright? She said, "Ya." and left. I told Travis when I got home from work, "I really don't know what I said. I was all excited because we were talking about Children's Books." He said, "Don't blame yourself if she tries something. It's not your fault." A different girl came up and said, "So did the Director talk to you about (insert name)?" So that's how I know who it is. Drama! Students in this field have to have a thick skin. I have no idea what I said, or how I offended anyone that day. I can't even ask because I'm not supposed to know it's her. 


5. Finally taxes are in. With Travis adding that teaching gig, which is done now, me looking for "freelance jobs", and work we just got behind more than normal. They kind of looked cross-eyed at Travis when he turned them in. So much medical stuff this year! But I told him to tell them, "It's all calculated!" I hate doing taxes! I'm going to hate it even more next year when I can't deduct the kid's camps, medical, and dentist. 

Hurtz Donuts {Linky}

We stopped by a donut shop tin Lincoln, Nebraska. They have all kinds of crazy decorated donuts.

I picked a Reese's Peanut Butter Donut.

Travis picked a Snickers Donut.

Isaak picked a Thin Mint Donut.

Mica picked a German Chocolate Donut.

Which donut would you pick? Do you spell out donut, or doughnut? I think it's odd we spell it both ways here in the US.

An Art History Craft

What is Great About This Craft:

• It's inexpensive 
• This is a fun craft for older elementary and middle school boys or girls
• You can research Egyptian history

What You Will Need For This Craft:

1. A medium to larger disposable water or juice bottle
2. Glue or Modge-Podge - Learn how to make your own Glue: 1 cup flour, 1 1/2 cup water, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vinegar  
3. Newspaper 
4. 5 to 7 Colors of Acrylic Paints: White or Gesso, Bronze or Gold, and a few other colors
5. A container for glue and water
6. A medium and small paint brush
7. A small piece of cardboard
8. A pencil
9. Gauze or toilet paper

Here's How We Started This Craft:

Step 1: Have a disposable water bottle handy. Have an adult cut off the top.

Step 2: Cut strips of newspaper. Mix the strips in water downed glue.

Step 3: Wet the strips in the watered down glue. Then take a strip and run it through your fingers over the glue mixture. That way the glue is all over the strip + the excess was off of it.

I handed each strip off to Isaak to start to applying it to the water bottle.

Leave the glue handy. You may need more. It's a good idea to have the strips overlapping.

This is what the inside of the bottle looked like:

Step 4: Let it dry!

I usually let the project be overnight, or work on in the morning and come back to work on it some more in the evening. 

Paint it with white paint, or Gesso.

Step 5: Start an Art History lesson.

I showed Isaak images of Egyptian art. I had him draw a character on paper, then look at it to draw on his paper mache water bottle.

Step 6: Choose your colors to start to paint.

Isaak tried to color his drawing with gel pens. That wasn't successful. It's good to try different methods of working. We moved onto paint. We used the quickest drying paint: Acrylics. Tempera would would as well. We love the bronze, and gold that can be added - only those come in acrylic. 

Here's the colors Isaak chose:

Isaak got a little hesitant when it came to painting details. I helped him at times. Parent help really could very with each kid. I often paint with Isaak watching, then let him paint. He was much more confident towards the middle of the painting process. 

Use a brush that's the same size as the area you are painting. Try to not get paint in the metal part of the brush. That isn't always easy for kids.

Step 7: Parent - cut the bottle in 1/2 length wise. 

Step 8: Make the Mummy.

We used cardboard, a pencil taped to the back to keep it still. Then we wrapped it in gauze and toilet paper. 

 Step 9: Open your bottle and add the Mummy.

What's your favorite time in history?