Toy Review: 4M Doodling Robot

*Note: Post contains affiliate links*
Baby Girl got some really cool birthday presents this year.  Her daddy got her a real stethoscope.  I bought her a piece of "real" jewelry.  She got the Insect Lore Butterfly Garden (stay tuned for that review!). She also got several other cool things.  One of my favorites was the 4M Doodling Robot. 

I love putting things together.  This kit was fun and easy.  The product is recommended for 8 and up, but my new 7 year old was able to do most of the assembly without help.  There were a few tricky screws that she needed help with, but for the most part she just needed someone to hold the pieces in place while she screwed them together.

The instructions weren't the clearest, so even a 8-10 year old might need an adult's help to clarify what the instructions are telling them to do.  Even with needing to study the instructions and taking pictures, I want to say the total time from opening the box to a working robot was less than 45 minutes. Not a super long time commitment, but a fun project to do in an afternoon.

It does work very well.  It made lots of fun different patterns when we played around with it.  The legs move in all directions so there are a bunch of configurations to make it do different things.  It does not stay on a single sheet of 8.5"x11" paper.  My suggestion would be to use a roll of butcher paper on the floor to let it really go wild. We used it on smaller pieces of paper on our table top and it just kinda went all over the place. They do provide some ticky tack so you can create a border, but the kids weren't patient enough for me to set it up.

Here is what came in the box:

And here are the pieces all laid out:

Putting it all together.

All finished.

It works!

What it made:

A fun quote from the box:

Pros:
Quick to put together
Parts fit snugly and easily together
Works as advertised
Exciting to watch

Cons:
Instructions weren't as clear as I might like
It doodles everywhere - it is not a respecter of paper

I hope you all liked this review!  If you get a chance to play with the 4M Doodling Robot I would recommend it.  Stay Messy Friends!

4M Doodling Robot

 

• Fun to put together
• Fun to play with
• Fun to watch

       

• Small Parts - Potential to get lost
• Leaves the paper easily
• Once put together is very solid

Family Pictures are Stressful - but Worth It

Family Picture from 2014

I have freaking adorable kids.  I am always snapping pictures of them as they play.  Or sleep.  Or eat.  But I, as I have mentioned before, am a terrible photographer.   

So annually I try to get pictures of my kids taken, usually around their birthdays.   This is always a little chaotic.  The baths, making sure they eat enough beforehand, choosing my favorite outfits, etc.  Then there is my kids "stranger danger" complex - which apparently makes them incapable of smiling for the photographer (at least from anywhere beyond behind me) for the first 20 minutes of the session.  And then they don't sit still.  And want to pose themselves (sometimes with good results, but usually not). 

But overall, I end up happy with the results. 

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Exhibit C:

But then, there is the family photo session. You probably don't know this about me, but lets be real here.  I am overweight.  Kind of a lot.  And for the first several years of motherhood I made it a point to be behind the camera but never in front of it.  But I don't have very many (read exactly 2) pictures of myself and my mother and I wish I had more.  So I have convinced myself to be in pictures with my kids.  And so far, I have liked the results.  Our past two family sessions have yielded some good pictures of us as a family.

But the road to get there is long.

And the process almost makes me wish we lived in a time without photography.

So, I bought myself this dress.  It is a beautiful maxi dress that makes me feel confident and sexy and good in my own skin.  The only problem with it, is that none of the rest of the family's clothes matched it in any way shape nor manner.

This is a problem.  

Family pictures were scheduled for Thursday.

On Wednesday I decided to take the kids to Target.  For clothes.  All three of them.

And it went about as well as you might imagine.

I think we only knocked a half dozen items on the floor.  Buds only took off his shirt to try something on twice, and Baby Girl only had one meltdown about the shoes I was absolutely not buying her.  

But after almost 3 (THREE!) hours in Target we emerged with two dresses for Baby Girl (along with two pairs of shoes, a shirt, a pair of shoes, and jeans for Buds, and an outfit, two pairs of shoes, and a shirt for Bubba.  And we all coordinate.

Let me tell you, finding clothes that coordinate, but don't match is incredibly difficult to accomplish at the moment.  Girls fashion is all about neon colors right now, and boys are supposed to be in earth tones.  And my dress?  Jewel tones.  I found a shirt that worked for one kid, and it matched my dress ok, but it clashed with Baby Girl's.  And then there was one that worked with both dresses, but was exactly the same color as my husbands shirt.  And then there was one that looked great with everything as a whole, but gosh darn it if it didn't look like we made one kid wear something that didn't match for pictures of the three kids.  But we figured it out.  There were florals, geometric prints, check, and solids, but it all worked!

And then there was bath time that night.  Hubs spent a good portion of his evening scrubbing each and every one of our children within an inch of their lives.  And I did laundry, because of course the shirt I wanted him to wear was in the dirty laundry. And his jeans needed to be hemmed, because God forbid my husband be a size that they make pants for off the rack. 

And then I forgot that baths had already happened and gave Bubba Mac N' Cheese (no judging please, we have all had a moment when we just needed our kids to eat) for lunch.  And he gave himself an orange mohawk. 

But he got a bath, and the kids got dressed, and off we went, to the park.  

After it had rained for a week.

I had this brilliant idea.  Baby Girl's birthday and Bubba's 18 month pictures both needed to be taken this month.  So lets just do that AND the family photo shoot!  Then we only have to warm up to the photographer once.  Yay!

Boo!  All of that standing around doing nothing while his sibs got their pictures taken did absolutely nothing for Buds' state of being.  Uncooperative would put it kindly.  If we asked him to stand, he sat.  Ok, then sit and give mommy a hug.  No, don't put your feet on her dress.  Oh stay out of that puddle please.  Don't go off into the woods without us.  Here run THIS way.  No, no!  Not over there - that's someone's backyard.  And around we went.

Now, in a normal world, where we aren't taking pictures, that kind of behavior is met with swift and decisive discipline, complete with threats to cut our walk short if he can't shape up.  Which usually causes some version of a meltdown.  

But we are taking pictures don't you know!  All must be happy and un-tear-stained.  So we cajole, and coddle, and reason.  Which if you have ever reasoned with a 4 year old you know is like reasoning with a pint sized dictator.  And no, we don't threaten to go back to the car, because gosh darn it, Mommy wants some good family pictures.  

But finally, after almost a mile of walking, a car ride around to the other end of the park, and a promise of good things in their future, we got some good ones! 

Getting the family pictures might not have been fun, but the memories that are captured, and the moments that I will treasure are worth the muddy shoes.  Don't be afraid to go out and do the messy, sometimes hard work of getting family pictures done.  Because you will love them when your kids are older.  And your kids will love having pictures with you. 

Note:  When I get pictures back I will post one here, so keep an eye out!

How Homeschoolers Socialize or Is This Social Enough For You?

Homeschool families tend to get a lot of questions about the why's and how's of the homeschool way.
Why did you choose to homeschool?
How do you know your kids are learning?
Do your kids really go to school in their pajamas?  (For the record, not usually.)
How does homeschooling actually work?

And the big one: How are your kids getting "socialized"?  

I hate this question. I really do. I tend to roll my eyes when people ask. 

There was once a time when homeschooled children lived in sod houses in the middle of nowhere. And the only socialization they did was with their families. This is not that time.  It is 2015.

We live in an urban environment. Our kids go with us to church, to the store, to the hair salon, to the bookstore, and every other place that my husband and I go. In every single one of those situations, they are being "socialized". Just like every single other child in our country.  My husband is a tech guru, and my children know exactly what Facebook is.

Our family is part of a co-op as well. One hour on every Monday our kids and I go to the co-op for an enrichment class. This semester Baby Girl is taking a science class, and Buds is taking an art class. Bubba is in nursery, which he doesn't HAVE to go to, but I volunteer every other week and it just makes things simple. So my kids get to spend an hour per week with an adult (not Me!), and a classroom full of other kids with shared interests.

And lastly, there is the All American Play Date. It doesn't happen as often as I might like, but when it does, it is gloriously chaotic and messy. But it is so much fun for our kids and for us moms! 

A few weeks ago there were a total of 18 children at my house.  The youngest was 4 months, the oldest was 6.  All of the kids played both inside and outside, with only a few minor disagreements. There aren't very many toys upstairs at the moment, and no one asked for any. Play mates and some basic babies and sand toys were all that were required for a fun time. 

Buds is in the bike helmet (his favorite accessory at the moment) and then four friends are with him.

Baby Girl (R) and one of her friends playing in her room.

Two of our friends playing with our somewhat over stimulated puppy, Rosie

All of those kids. You can't tell me that isn't social. 

Interesting side note: Every single mom that was here, including myself was homeschooled as a child. Most of us were not friends as children, we just happened upon each other as adults.  I would say that we are all pretty social. 

My point is this: Socialization doesn't only happen in a static social setting like a classroom. Socialization actually happens more in the real world. The children that invaded came to my house  were learning how to be social. They solved their own problems, created their own games, and made their own fun. Together. They had to work with the limitations of the smallest kiddos, but still had to appeal to the oldest. And they had to ask adults (some of whom they had never met before) to meet their needs or help solve problems. This is how the world works. And this is how homeschoolers socialize their kids. 

Please know that homeschoolers DO care about the socialization of their children. But please don't be offended when we roll our eyes when you ask. Because, we are probably a lot more social than you think.

Book Review: Vachtor Finds a Home

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Vachtor Finds a Home is the debut work of new author SC Hallen.  It is illustrated by talented artist Sharron Henderson.  Vachtor is a German Short-haired Pointer puppy with great personality and some big problems.  This story chronicles his journey from scared abandoned puppy, to beloved pet, and Guardian of the Heart.

The story is fun and engaging, told from the point of view of an energetic and loveable puppy.  He is silly and sweet, and has big ideas for the little dog that he is.  I don't want to spoil the ending for you, so you will just have to get it for yourself (and your little ones of course!). I promise the ending is a happy one!

Now the illustrations are works of art.  Sharron Henderson is truly talented at her craft and did a wonderful job capturing Vachtor and his friends.  The bright colors and fun characters are brought to life on the pages.

The fun and poignant story and beautiful illustrations are reason enough to get this book.  But what if I told you I happen to know the author?  And I know that there is a whole series of these books in the works?  SC Hallen is a great friend of mine.  And I know her adorable Vachtor personally.  So this book?  Yeah, its based on a real dog. You can even look on her bio and find pictures of the real Vachtor! Check out her website here.  Even better there is a whole series of books coming soon!  I will link to those later on as they become available.

My favorite part of the series (and yes, I have read several of them) is that they deal with issues today's kids will deal with in their lives. These books will help them validate their emotions through the loveable characters.  There are precious few of these types of books available, so a whole series dealing with real life issues, like going to the doctor, is a great way to help children deal with new situations and emotions.  So pick up your copy today!

Available on Amazon in eBook and print forms here.
Available on Barnes and Noble on Nook here.
Available on Kobo here.

Happy reading everyone!

*Update: Book 2 of the Vachtor Series is up in the Kindle Store!  Check it out below.*

Happy Birthday Baby Girl! And How To Throw a Goldfish Birthday Party

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Baby Girl turned 7 this week. For 7 years I have loved her, cherished her, nurtured her, and laughed with her. It doesn't seem like it has been that long, but here she is.

And birthdays mean birthday parties.

I love planning birthday parties. 

Every birthday I let my kids pick a theme for their birthday. Baby Girl has had:

Rubber Ducks

Farm

Butterflies

Tea Party

Cupcake

Nature Walk

This is a pretty great list. This year she picked well once again: Goldfish. 

We settled on an Orange and Teal color scheme, with all of the plates and cup and whatnot in those colors. 

And then there are favors. Now, I know "favors" are one of those hotly contested parenting issues, but let me put it to you this way: Thank You notes from the birthday girl are just not going to happen. I'm sorry. I wish I could do that, but it never makes it high enough on my priority list to make it happen. 

That said: I promise to thank your child for coming, and for any gifts brought by sending them home with a favor. But not a "bag of dollar store junk and mini candy bars" favor. I hate those kind of favors.

I try to get favors that will actually get used and enjoyed.

The obvious choice for this particular theme was real honest to goodness carnival style goldfish. But I have ethical reasons for never gifting live animals, no matter how small. And foisting a live animal on unsuspecting parents isn't friendly. So, I had a friend make me these:

These adorable soaps can be found at The Virtuous Wife

Little bitty goldfish in a bag SOAPS! Super cute, and non offensive. The kids can splish and splash in the bath with their new friend, and I am not on anyone's naughty list. Win-win. 

Now for decor. I had so much fun with these. There are a ton of ideas on Pinterest, but I settled on these two pins: here and here. 

This first one is super simple.  I think I whipped up a dozen of them in less than 30 minutes.  You just cut a wedge shhaped piece out of a paper plate and glue it to the opposite side.  Add an eye and you are done. Of course you can add googly eyes (didn't have any) or draw on fins etc if you want.  But I am all about minimum effort for maximum impact.  And I think in the chaos of the party the "little details" tend to go unappreciated. 

The next project is significantly more involved.  These adorable fishy lanterns are still on the easy end of the spectrum, but a lot more steps.  So here we go.

Step one:  Purchase Orange Lanterns, Orange Construction Paper, and a Big Fat Black Sharpie.  I also used an orange magic marker.

Step two: Assemble Lanterns thusly.

 

Step three: Draw fin and tail shapes in orange marker on the orange paper.  Do leave a flat section that you can fold over to attach to the lantern.   Cut Out.

 

Step four: Draw a mouth and eyes on white paper.  I just colored it in with the sharpie rather than dealing with yet another color of paper.  Cut these out as well.  You should then have something that looks like this:

Step Five:  Assembly.  Now, I just didn't have enough hands to take pictures while I did this.  But, the tail goes in the back, fins on the sides, and then make a cute smiley face on the front. Do make sure that you have the lantern right side up when you put the pieces on.  You don't want your fish to go "belly up" when you hang it!

Step six:  Hang them up!  I used some blue yarn that I had hanging around, but you could use fishing line or whatever you happen to have.  These aren't super heavy, so it doesn't need more than a staple or two to keep in in the ceiling. 

Now the rest of Baby Girl's Decorations were crepe paper streamers and her birthday banner (each of my kids has a birthday banner that gets put up every year).   Our house looked like a fun fishy paradise! I set the table with a blue table cloth and orange and blue plates, cups and utensils.  I set out the bowl of soaps and a bowl of goldfish crackers.

 

And then, I made this rather awesome cake.   This was actually pretty easy.  I just layered and frosted a regular two layer cake.  I stacked Kit Kats around the outside and then tied a ribbon around so that they would stay put.  Then I filled in the top of the "barrel" with more frosting (I wish it would have been more blue, but we have artificial dye allergies, and the natural dyes just aren't as vibrant) and textured it with my spatula.  Then I stuck goldfish crackers in the top.  Viola!  Fish in a Barrel Cake.  Baby Girl loved it.  The party was a great success!

 

Fishy Lantern Party Decoration:

Cherish the Quiet, but be Thankful for the Loud

There is nothing more beautiful than a sleeping baby. 

See?

I could just stare at him, or either of my other children (even though they aren't babies anymore) while they sleep. They are just so peaceful. And angelic. And QUIET! 

I have come to cherish the quiet moments in my life. Heaven knows I need to. Because the loud moments are very loud. 

Like when the bigs are screaming at each other.

Or Bubba isn't getting his way. 

Or he drops dog poop in my lap.

Or the puppy gets herself beat up by the cat. 

The dishwasher has something rhythmically clunking.

The vacuum is going (yay-something productive!)

The washing machine gets off balance.

The trash truck comes.

All of these mom moments are ok. I can discipline the fighting, the tantrums, the pets. I can fix the cleaning appliances, and the trash truck never stays long. I take care of my home with gladness. Because doing it means that I am

living my dream. 

But I still cherish the moments when I can watch my children's still faces. Hear them breathe deeply. Marvel at the wonderful creations they are. And be thankful that God sent them to me. 

Because my Mothers Day gift is them. These beautiful children. They are Abba Father's gift to me. And I am thankful. 

I am thankful for the mess. I am thankful for the chaos. I am thankful for the loud. Because those things mean that my children are healthy. And they are playful. And they are mine. 

Messy Friends, I want to encourage you to enjoy your children this Mother's Day. I hope you get breakfast in bed (after you sleep in), and flowers, and maybe even jewelry. But give yourself the gift of your children's presence. Spend the day playing with them. Spend quality time with them. Really engage. Put the housework, and the in laws, and the dinner at the edge of your mind, and just focus on your little miracles. Because they are your gifts. And this time with them is short. So enjoy them!

Love,

The Messy Homeschool Mom

Museum Review: Exploration Place, Wichita KS

Exploration Place, The Sedgwick County Science and Discovery Center, is an exciting and engaging science museum for children.  Here in The Messy Homeschool Mom's house we have had a membership for 3 years now.  And we have yet to be disappointed when we go. 

Hours: (Info from Website as of 5-2-15)

Monday through Saturday 10am to 5pm

Sundays Noon to 5pm

We usually end up going in the mornings around 11.  This time can be busy, particularly in the spring because of field trips.  During the fall and winter it is usually only moms with smaller children.  This past week we went for a Dome show at 1 and then stayed to play until 4:30.  We essentially had the place to ourselves.  If you have a schedule that will allow you to do this I would definitely try it!

Price: 

Regular Museum Admission (Info from Website as of 5-2-15)

$9.50 for Adults

$8.00 for Seniors

$6.00 for Children 3-11

Free for 2 and Under

Mini Golf is currently included in this price, so make sure you take advantage!

Dome Theater:  You can do the Dome Theater without museum admission, or add it on.

$5 Adults

$4 Seniors

$3 Children

Free 2 and Under

If you choose to add Dome Theater Movies on they are less expensive as well.

Mini Golf is included FREE with all exhibit tickets!  So lots of fun things there!

There are also several levels of membership:

$50 - Single Membership Includes 1 adult and 1 guest of any age

$75 - Family Membership Includes 2 Adults and All children living in their household under 18.

$145 - Premium Membership (What we have) Includes 2 Adults, All children in household, a designated nanny, AND Dome Theater tickets every time we go!  This level is great.  I have my mom on our membership so she can take our kids, and we can do the Dome as much as we would like.  Mini Golf is also included so there are lots of options!

$250 - Traveler Membership Includes everything in Premium, Plus a guest every visit.

$500 - Voyager Membership Includes everything in Premium and Traveler, plus one time tickets for traveling exhibits requiring and extra fee.

Note:  With the basic memberships if there is a traveling exhibit that costs extra you DO have to buy tickets for that.  Examples Include: Inside the Human Body and Star Wars 

Traveling Exhibits:

There have been a lot of cool traveling exhibits since we have been members.  There is currently a Wildlife Rescue exhibit with fun games and activities for the kids to do.  This one is right up Baby Girl's alley so we have spent a good bit of time there.  There was a parasite one earlier this year, there has been a Dinosaur one as well.  Star Wars was also there at one point.  A lot of thought goes into these exhibits and they are usually very well done. 

Permanent Exhibits:

I won't lie.  The permanent exhibits are where we spend the most time.  My kids have their favorites, and they request them often. 

 

Baby Girl's favorite exhibit is the giant castle play area.  "Where Kids Rule" is the motto there.  We have literally gone and just done the castle.  There is a dress up area, horses (pretend) to ride, a kitchen, a catapult, an astronomy hallway with blacklights (my fave!), a spiral staircase, music room and more.  They even have closed circuit cameras so adults can sit at the bottom and keep eyes on their kiddos as they roam.  Buds and Baby Girl will wander it together and separately.  Bubba is even starting to enjoy it (which means lots of chasing for me, but that's ok.) I love this area because I can sit with Bubba at the bottom (lots of fun things to do on the ground floor too!) and let the Bigs roam and explore on their own.  They don't need to be guided through the activities and expend lots and lots of energy running and playing.  

Buds' favorite is the Keva Plank room.  He calls it the "bwock woom" (don't ever learn to pronounce those l's buds!  Its too adorable). Keva Planks are just little rectangles of wood that have endless possibilities.  Baby Girl had me help her with a castle, Buds just loves stacking them up, and Bubba spent most of his time climbing the stairs and pushing the big cartons of planks around.  He is way stronger than I give him credit for!  This room has lots of fun building ideas and examples and lots and lots of space to build.  

 

Bubba's favorite (and one of mine too) is the Tot Spot.  This room is for ages 0-3 and it is full of awesome toys!  There is a caterpillar to crawl through, a play house, a sailboat, a pillow pile, blocks, dress up clothes, kitchen toys, books, and more!  When I Bubba needs a break from the big kid exhibits we wander in here.  It is completely enclosed so I don't have to worry about anyone escaping, and there is plenty to do to keep everyone busy.  Not gonna lie - the best part of this room?  I DON'T HAVE TO CLEAN!  If Hubs is with us I can just take Bubba there by myself.  There is a couch for weary mamas, and lots of gross and fine motor toys for littles. Great area!

There is a new exhibit called The Creator Space that I am really excited about.  Each month kids can go in there and make one of two monthly projects.  April 2015 was thermochromatic painting (paints that change color when exposed to heat/cold) and cardboard animatronics.  Baby Girl made a teddy bear with moveable parts doing the cardboard animatronics project.  Very nice space, well lit, good equipment, and NO CLEAN UP!  They even have projects going in their 3D Printer.  This area probably works better for elementary students rather than the real little guys.  Baby Girl loved the creativity, and the fact that she could take the project home. 

Another fun room is the Kansas room.  You can go through a tornado simulation (very breezy), create and erode a river, do plant rubbings, and even study native animals.  My kids love playing in one of the water exhibits there.  There is also a cave and dino dig in this room.

Just outside the Creator Space is the History of Flight exhibit with flight simulators and a very shiny wind wall.  My kids seem a little bit young for this particular exhibit (at least the history/science part) but they love sitting in the planes. I love the giant hair dryer and balloon that explain Branouli's Principle.

And lastly, is the Kansas in Miniature Exhibit, both Hubs and my favorite.  It is a huge diorama of typical Kansas countryside and small town.  There is a drive in theater (that really shows movies), an amusement park (with rides that really work), a working farm, a herd of bison, the Flint Hills, and a train that kids can make go around the whole thing with the push of a button.  The detail and animation of this exhibit are amazing.  They even dress it up around the holidays with a tree farm and Christmas lights!  Such a cool exhibit.  My kids love seeing the trains go around and around too.  Definitely worth a look - even for a minute.

Overall, Exploration Place is one of my very favorite places to take my kids.  It is particularly nice in the winter months when the zoo can be too cold.  If you are ever in the Wichita, KS area I encourage you to stop by!

•  Lots of things to see and explore
• Almost all exhibits are hands on
• A good mix of things to interest all ages

 

•  All exhibits are hands on, but Mom doesn't have to pick up
• The only real mess is just water

Baby Girl and I in the Dome Theater