You are currently browsing the monthly archive for August 2008.
Jek’s summer fan tent was so awesome that we had to make one right away.
Lots of fun to be had.
The pictures are blurry ’cause the fan needed constant watch because of Jayden’s excitement. See the toe anchoring it? Jaylene has plans for another, even better version to be created during Jayden’s nap.
Share the one you make!
This is the big robot project we’ve been working on for the last week or so. Recycled Robots (in a box!)
I’d been thinking of making a DIY robot kit for awhile. My original idea, and it might still come to be, was to use hardware elements, like nuts and bolts, that would fit together to make a robot. However, the logistics of that still eludes me, so plan B was to use recycled objects. Unfortunately, the part that kept us from actually doing so was that I didn’t want to store or display big bulky robots. That’s how Robot Accessories came to be:
We gathered a bunch of robot looking recyclables, spiffed them up and then grabbed some bottles to turn into robots. Any containers would work, these drink bottles were what we had on hand. Then after the fun was over, the accessories were returned to their storage box and the bottles headed back to the recycle bin.
Items we included:
small lids (to create heads)
strips of decorative plastic bags (they tie around to spruce up the robot body)
colored twist ties (to attach arms and other limbs)
craft foam (to make arms, necklaces… whatever)
We also had my collection of colored sharpies and these super fun wax oil-stick crayons. They can write on any surface: plastic, glass, metal.
I think that’s the last of the robot crafts for awhile. Unless we find a way to make a robot that actually does something or moves. But that’s probably beyond me. Do you have any fun robot activities?
Hope you’re loving robots as much as we are! This weeks unplugged challenge is insect, and while we have a project done that we’ll post later, we noticed these robot bugs during our museum visit and Jaylene wanted pictures.
At least she didn’t ask me to buy some!
I’m not a big bug person. Right now we’re waging war on ants. They like to live in cardboard boxes you know. Have you ever opened up a box and found it swarming with ants? Very gross.
Okay, so the metal ones are kinda cool and these ones are kinda cute. But I won’t admit that in public!
We had a little conversation with our guide about how it’s important to encourage girls to maintain an interest in math and science after the age of ten. I suggested that they try to develop a camp with that demographic in mind. He disagreed, mainly because he couldn’t figure out how to encorporate robotics with barbies.
These girls don’t need Barbies to be interested in something! So, please share your favorite Kids Science or Math sites. I recommend Cool Math 4 Kids but I don’t know of any young girl science sites. We get the Science News For Kids enewsletter, but they don’t provide hands on projects. I hope you can lead us in the right direction.
We are in complete robot mania around these parts. Today we met up with some friends and headed up the hill to the world’s first Robot Museum.
It’s a joint venture between the faculty and students at the Technology and Science Institute of Northern Taiwan, just up the road from the Taiwan National Arts University.
We had called ahead (：(02) 2894-3356 ext.168)and an English speaking guide, Dr. Huang, was available to show us all four exhibit rooms. He was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. We weren’t able to compose our own 6-speed lego robots as the materials were in Hsin Chu for a camp, but they should be there the next time we go. And we will go again, it was a lot of fun. And with an admission price of $30NT each, you can’t beat the value.
Where else can you safely egg on a dinosaur that senses where you are and steadily moves toward you?
Here’s an interesting article about the museum. It’s only open 7 days a week during the summer, but only on weekdays during school terms. It’s not a place that Jayden or other younger kids would find terribly interesting. The robot toy center was fun, but even our older kids were pretty tired after a couple of hours.
Awesome star burst paper by the talented Heather T.
The latest Kid’s craft newsletter was all about Printing. In one of the activities, she suggested using various shaped boxes to stamp with. We didn’t have a collection of fun shapes so we made our own by cutting a cereal box into strips and then forming them into different shapes.
Then you dip them in paint and stamp away.
Of course, Jaylene made a robot themed painting. We re-used one of her daycare paintings. It justifies that I never threw them away, and she thinks the background looks cool.
And if you were wondering how to say “robot” in Chinese, it’s “Ji Chi Ren” written as follows:
Do you know offhand how to say “robot” in any other languages?
This week’s unplug your kids’ challenge was “Cylinder”.
The kids’ school has a lovely wooden set of cylinders that you shake and match up. I saw those, and saw how much fun they both were having with them and decided we could make a set at home with those mini m&m containers.
Materials:
* An equal amount of mini m&m tubes in two different colors (I didn’t realize that they have little characters embossed on the tops and just happened to grab one of each, but if you really want your tubes to match, you’ll have to keep an eye out for that)
* Various little things to put inside to make rattling sounds
* Hot glue to glue it shut if you’re letting little ones use them
Step One.
Remove the m&m covers and any remaining glue residue
Step Two.
Gather a bunch of materials to put inside. You’ll need to have enough to put inside two tubes, one of each color. We had fun looking for items that were made from different materials such as: wood, plastic, metal, organic and so on.
Step 3.
Fill the tubes with equal amounts of the shaking goodies and then test the sound. You’ll probably want to have a nice variety of sounds, but if you want to make things difficult than you could have slightly different sounds too. Surprisingly we discovered that mini jingle bells didn’t sound nice when enclosed in the plastic, and the quacking sound maker from a toy didn’t work as it needed air flow to make a nice sound. So make sure you test your sounds before you move on to the next step.
Step 4
An adult glues the lids shut with a hot glue gun.
Step 5
Shake! Match! Put them in your mouth (that idea’s from Jayden, I don’t really recommend it)
Well, we ended up traveling into Taipei to attend the Taipei International Robot Show (TIROS). After going all that way, we were more than a little disappointed to discover that only 12 or older could enter the floor. However they had a small kids section on the second floor and we were able to make some friends there.
Jaylene tried to feed her brother to a dinosaur.
My children were introduced to the addiction known as Tickle me Elmo.
And they got to play with a lot of cool robot toys, including Jaylene’s absolute all time favorite robot… WALL-E
So, who’s your favorite robot? I’m kinda partial to R2D2, myself.
We were very thrilled when we discovered authentic Mexican food in Tamshui. It was a little stand in the Old Street Market and we got food from them once before they shut down. Actually they relocated to a larger location with an expanded menu. And expanded prices so we’ve only been to the new place twice. But the food is yummy and the atmosphere rocks and we hope they stick around for a good while. Check out Eddie’s Cantina for details.
These were taken last month before Jayden’s parents banned him from accompanying them to any sort of decent restaurant. He’s been getting second chances though (and third, and fourth and more…) . He found many ways to amuse himself, including using the soccer ball (ahem, football) as a basketball, playing around with the placemats and watching TV from the comfy couch. However, he still managed to run around and keep his parents alternating between eating and chasing.
Jaylene was busily occupied playing with Amanda and Mr. Playdough (his English name is really Clay, but Jaylene found a new nickname for him). She hardly found time to eat, but settled down once the ice cream arrived.
I had to work today, even though it’s Saturday! Jaylene enjoyed her first piano test without me. I’m under the impression it was a “Show up to pass” kind of thing, which is always good. Ahji survived being alone with the kids for most of the day, although there were a few hours where his momma helped him out. No idea what’s on the agenda for tomorrow. What are your plans for the weekend?
Now, if you’ve read my blog for any amount of time, you’ll notice that I don’t usually mention what I receive in the mail. My reasoning is that, when life gets overwhelming (and it often does) my computer time is the first to go. And I’d hate for someone to think I didn’t appreciate what they sent me because I didn’t mention it publically. (I try to always thank privately). However, Cassi from the Crafty Crow sent me my Funny Food prize and it’s amazing.
A printed tote with matching button pin and oodles of great supplies inside. Including freezer paper… now I can do freezer paper stencils! I am super excited about that. If I’ve ever posted a comment of admiration for your freezer stencil artwork that was filled with longing and perhaps a wee bit of whining… I’m sorry, but now look what I have! My own stash! yay. I digress.
The reason why I wanted to publically thank Crafty Crow, was because I promised (several times) to send a pack of asian collage items to donate to the totes. And I forgot (several times). I’m terrible at mailing things out in a timely manner! I’m very sorry, and so if you were a funny food winner and you want a collage pack, leave a comment and I’ll send you one (making sure to do so before Christmas!)
While I’m talking about fun packages, I might as well mention that Sycamore Stirrings sent me these lovely headbands, just in time for my new, too short hairstyle that begs to be worn in a headband!
Oh, and Brenda Marks, amazing Oregon artist extrodinaire, has been destashing and sent me a thoughtful package full of card making goodies.
I know I’ve forgotten something, which is why I don’t usually do these sorts of posts, and it’s reminded me of a whole slew of other things I need to do (like mail Rachael her giveaway prize). I need an assistant, lol!
Oh, oh, there’s still time to sign up for Kiddio’s Kid Stationary/Mail Kit swap. Looks like fun!
We put these gelly dot stickers up on our new windows this summer. Everytime I see them I smile.
Jayden and Jaylene love pushing them because they’re a little squishy. They’re getting a little faded now, but they’re still happiness creators. What makes you smile around your house?
