Making LEGO Landmarks

Sometimes the most meaningful activities are completely spontaneous.  Some activities will be remembered and repeated for a LONG time.   

Making world landmarks with LEGO bricks was just such an activity.

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Being the Mom of a Boy (In Which You See Me on Video)

 

Being the Mother of a Boy is Perhaps One of The Greatest Joys of My Life. 

My little guy brings me so much love and happiness... he brings kisses and winks and all kinds of things that melt my heart.  The background noise of hummed Star Wars music and getting whacked accidentally by light sabers all go with the territory of being his mom!  


Even when the day is over and I sit down... he has left  surprises on my camera phone...

Last week he and I went to "Date Knight", a special evening for mothers and sons from Chick fil-A restaurants.   This was so timely, because we have been studying Medieval history.  We have talked about chivalry and the knight's code of honor.   

My husband spoke to my son before we left about opening the doors for me and being a good date.   It was very cute, I must say.   My date looked so handsome.  

We had a lovely evening.   GMan was famished by the time we got to the restaurant... he ate in about 2 minutes flat and then asked if he could go and play in the play place.  I said to him:  "A sweet boy waits for his date to finish eating."  He replied (ever so sweetly), "I will wait for you.... in the play place."   How could I argue with that logic?   So, off to the play place he went.   I was left to talk with the other moms whose sons had left them.   It was rather humorous.

(Did you happen to read 5 Things I've Learned as a Boy Mom?  It was so timely.... I finished writing this post and stumbled on it a couple of days later.   What an "a-ha" moment for me. ) 

The road to training this little boy will be too short I know... for now I will do the best I can to help him be the person God intends.  

{ And I will always remember fondly his obsession with the Chick fil-A Cow and how we have called him the "Cow Stalker" since he was just able to walk! }

 

I bribed him out of that play place (where tons of little boys were wielding their balloon swords) about 30 minutes later with a brownie Sunday.  We enjoyed a wonderful dessert together.  At least he can be bribed with chocolate.  


Another thing I can always bribe him with is Legos!  He'll always want to sit and build something with his mom, and for that I'm so grateful.   


My friend, Melissa, had the great idea to have a LEGO Friday challenge each week between her son and my son.  Each week they take turns issuing a challenge and then report to each other via a YouTube video.   


This past week the theme was "Mother-Son Time"... featuring something we love to do together.  We also had to build the creation together.   I hope you enjoy the video we created.   Pardon my novice video skills - next time we'll hold the iPhone sideways to get a more full picture.   I'm still learning!  


Making these videos is also a great time for me to talk with my son about speaking in complete sentences, using the word "yes" instead of "yeah", and other speaking skills.  


Oh -- and I'm also a little nervous to actually be on camera for the world (well, at least those that read my blog!) to see... I'd love to try vlogging, so maybe this is getting my feet wet for that.  

   

What are some special things you enjoy doing with your son?   (or daughter, if you don't have a boy!)

The Lesson NO Curriculum Will Teach Your Children

The Lego Discovery Center opened in Atlanta last week. We were given the opportunity to visit the day before the grand opening.   

What fun we had!!

{I have to tell you, however, about some difficulty we had getting there.}   

I woke up that morning (at 5 a.m.) with a horrible headache (one that was still lingering from the day before)... the kind of headache that makes you nauseous.   I dragged myself out of bed, took a shower and got ready (became sick in the process), but kept on going.   

I was fully ready for the day, and I got Miss B up (it was 7 a.m.) - told her the situation and she told me to go and lay down and that she would get her brother ready and make breakfast.  

 I really thought I was going to have to tell the kids there was NO WAY I could drive them into Atlanta for the opening.  

Thirty minutes later my daughter presented herself and her brother, ready for the day.  She had slicked his hair down and helped him put on his Lego watch.She even MADE HIS BED FOR HIM! 

I looked at both of my children, dressed and with smiles on their faces, and was so thankful for them - thankful for their giving spirits, their caring hearts, and their love for me and each other.  I realized that it is in these moments that my children learn about self-sacrifice.  These are the lessons that can't be learned from any curriculum.     

Thank goodness my headache was starting to subside (so thankful for migraine meds) and we hopped in the van at 8:15 to make it to midtown by 9:45. There was actually no traffic and we arrived at our destination by 9 a.m.!    

The Discovery Center is on the third floor of an upscale mall in Midtown Atlanta - Phipps Plaza.  

I think the kids' favorite activity was learning the interlocking brick technique from the resident master builder.   He stood on Miss B's creation to show how strong your design can be by using this technique.  

Building, building, and MORE building.  There were huge vats of Lego bricks everywhere!   

Some of the creations there were amazing.   From left to right:  The Georgia State Capital here in Atlanta, Turner Field (home of the Braves), Merlin (and Miss B), and one of the many mosaics.

Of course this poor mini (big) fig was almost mobbed by all of the children.   I bet the guy inside that suit was GLAD when the day was over!

Of course this just has fueled our Lego obsession even further... I'm thinking of investing in this (through the Homeschool Buyer's Co-Op) for our homeschool.