#school age

[ethan-bo-bethan]

We're back in engineering mode! Mom had to move things around. Stuff just wasn't quite easy to use and clean just yet. Looking better!

We have a craft zone and an engineering zone now, I'm taking full advantage of the space!

I made a marble maze with corral to keep them from from rolling into the trash (for mom to fish out, oops!)

They work for eyeball ping pong balls too! Only design flaw was the tape on the bottom tube being too tight, making it squished so the balls couldn't fit. Loosened it up by bringing it closer and it worked great.

Also made a homemade ukulele!

[mlcltoys]

Underwater Paradise

Collection: Juvenile Puzzles (rose) Catalog code number: #JP006

Artist: Howard Robinson Manufacturer: Ravensburger UPC: 4005556100095 Manufacturer item #s: No. 10 009 5

150 pieces ; approx. 14 x 19 inches. Ages 7+

[toloveawarlord]

A Pair of Jacks “Confession”

You can find my masterlist in my bio!

Day 2 of the Celebration of the Jacks!

Not my original intention for the second day but it’s been fun doing a little flashback of Edgar and Luka in school together! I was unsure of how many years that they would have attending the boarding school together, so for this stories purpose, it’s a 3 year school.

Tagging my partner is all crimes: @plumpblueberry

The final year of their time in school had begun. The young Bright having no intentions to attend all his lessons as he had not the prior years. The curriculum dull and nearly put him to sleep. No, he’d found a more entertaining way to spend parts of his days, a most cherished friend, beloved, even.

His previous day having ended on a peculiar note. Tucked away inside his school bag, a letter nestled between two textbooks. The scribbled handwriting all too familiar. Words carefully chosen, likely written many times over to perfect exactly what had to be conveyed.

Having received many a letter containing similar contents, none had brought a genuine smile to his lips, nor kept him awake most of the night committing those words to his memory. Little sleep did he get, yet the boy felt no tiredness at all. In fact, one might say he felt invigorated.

Edgar slipped through the halls, feet carrying him down the path that had been traversed many times before, etched into his very core. He could say that he’d always been more than eager to meet his companion, but today, the thrill coursing through his being felt like no other day.

The cool autumn breeze greeted the boy. Summer waning away, taking its unbearable heat, replaced by the comfortable breeze of chilled air in the turning of fall. Weather impeccable for the two to meet under these delightful circumstances.

His step faltered, jade eyes sweeping across the open rooftop unable to locate the one he’d come to meet. Peculiar. There had been no signs of him within the school. The only logical place for him to be would be here, waiting for Edgar to arrive-

“There you are,” Edgar called, relief washing over him. It would have been quite disappointing for the other boy to have not shown up. “Why are you hiding over there, Luka?” He could guess but chose not to.

The other boy only shrunk inward at the sound of his name being called. Luka sat with his knees pulled up to his chest, forehead resting against them, as if wishing to make himself disappear from sight.

Silent steps carried the young Bright to him, and Edgar took a seat beside him, gazing curiously at his behavior. “If I didn’t know better, I’d assume that you didn’t want to see me.”

“Did you... get the letter?” Luka’s muffled voice cracked, shoulders tense with anticipation of the other’s answer. The tips of his ears brightly red.

“I did.”

Luka gave a soft groan, tightening his arms around his legs. Under all that tousled hair covering the view of his face, Edgar could imagine the blush spread across his porcelain skin, almost as if perfectly painted by an expert doll maker. The very thought brought a grin to his lips.

“Luka, will you look at me?” Edgar asked, shifting his position on the ground to match the words that would soon follow. His hand against his chest, his heart pounded harder than ever before, elated to release his declaration. An experience incredibly new. 

Amber eyes peeked out, intent on only catching a glimpse before hiding away. Only, they widened, and Luka raised his head entirely. “Ed-”

“Luka Clemence, will you marry me?” Edgar rested on one knee, presenting a rose gold band in a velvet red box.

“Wha-” Luka’s lips parted with only half the word able to tumble out. The red across his cheeks deepened.

Chuckling from pure bliss of the expression across the other’s features, Edgar gave a cheeky wink. “In a year or so, of course.” Letting those words only further confuse the recipient, he cleared his throat. “You stole my line, Luka. I read your letter all night long, soaking in every tender word. Your heart spread across the page for my eyes only. You love me?”

The pause brought about a silence only interrupted by the wind whisking around them.

“That’s incredibly bold of you to write such heartfelt words about me, and though I hardly see myself in that light, I can surely understand that sentiment. For, my own thoughts are plagued by you, all of you. Every time you present me with a new food that you’ve cooked, that smile that lights up all the way to those mesmerizing amber eyes nearly stops my heart from beating.”

Edgar hadn’t prepared this at all, wanting only to convey the emotions that overtook him when faced with the boy that could bring the sunshine to him on the rainiest of days. None of it logical, his speech or his adoration of the young Clemence. Yet, he’d never been so sure. 

“How you puzzle my emotions, Luka, I’ll never know. A day without you is nearly unbearable to me. My heart could possibly burst from my chest when I’m with you, and this fluttering in my stomach is quite new to me. Nothing is ever normal when I spend my days with you.”

His own overflowing affection mirrored in the amber irises trained on his jade ones, enthralled with every fiber of his being.

“I am in love with you, Luka Clemence.”

The moment drew out, both boys having confided their feelings in the other, the fear of rejection and the fear of being loved evident in their respective declarations.

Luka chewed on his bottom lip, as he did when overthinking. The blush had begun to leave his cheeks. With his feelings returned with as much affection, he’d begun to relax. “You... amaze me, Ed.”

“I thoroughly commit to large gestures.”

The soft angelic laugh of the Clemence sounded sweeter than any symphony could play. “Yes, I know. But... we haven’t been on a single date.” Not that their schedules allowed for such an outing, but he could dream of it.

“That’s not quite true. I find our daily meetings to be very simulate. We have eaten many meals together, shared countless memories and enjoyed the other’s company. Very much like a date.” At least, in his eyes, it had been that way. 

Luka mulled over those words carefully. “I can see that.”

A mischievous glint flickered in those jade irises. The ring placed against the floor for a moment. He’d need both hands. “I’d say the only thing we’re missing is a proper kiss.”

Pouncing like the predator capturing its prey, Edgar cupped Luka’s cheeks gently, pressing his lips to the other’s. The stun wore off and the kiss reciprocated with equal passion. Awkward, unsure. Their noses bumping as they worked to find the perfect fit. The sloppy motions began to turn fluid, exploring each other’s taste.

As they parted, both were short of breath, chests heaving and their hot breath mingling. Neither pulled fully away, only a quick break. Luka’s hands tugged at the lapels of Edgar’s jacket, closing the distance to steal another taste of his lips. Another and another. The boys unable to stop their need to convey how much they cared.

“Ed.” Luka fought to steady his breathing, head still spinning from their myriad of kisses.

“Hmm?” Edgar hovered over Luka. He’d been just about to continue, already missing the soft lips of the other.

Amber eyes slid away, red creeping back up onto his cheeks. Lashes fluttered. “I... do want to marry you... some day.”

A sly smirk spread across Edgar’s features. “Is that a yes, then?” The box with the ring laid somewhere around where they’d ended up. Delicately swiping his fingers through Luka’s bangs, he eagerly awaited the answer.

“Yes.”

*****

Edgar caught the mug slipping from the sleeping child’s hands, setting it aside on the coffee table. Evie had dozed off during the story, a content smile on her face, her head rested against Luka. He’d continued solely speaking to his husband.

“I still can’t believe you proposed to me that day,” Luka whispered, brushing his fingers through Evie’s raven locks softly.

“I meant it. Every word.” He would never wish to change a single thing about that day. A perfect autumn day etched into his memory. He reached out to caress Luka’s cheek tenderly. “You and Evie are the best things that ever happened to me. I love you even more than I did back then, and every day it only grows stronger.”

Luka turned his head just enough to press a kiss into Edgar’s palm. “I feel the exact same way.”

The fire crackled, illuminating the shared kiss between them. Careful not to wake their child, the same passion shared on that fateful day upon their school rooftop spilled over that very night.

  One day very soon, Luka’s letter will be revealed! ^_^ I hope you enjoyed their little story of when they confessed their feelings!

[successfulblackparenting]

The Reading Quilt: Alesia: The Life Of A Girl In A Wheelchair

The Reading Quilt: Alesia: The Life Of A Girl In A Wheelchair

FEATURED BOOK (Age 9+) Alesia

Each month “The Reading Quilt” provides a short review of a book that a homeschool parent may use to spark conversations about culture and race, along with a learning activity that may help a young learner understand human behavior. Using the acronym Q.U.I.L.T., Dr. Slaughter offers readers information about the author’s background along with the Quality…

[k12academics]

Volunteer at Supporting Kidds

Volunteers are the cornerstone of the support we offer grieving children and families and are integral to the success of our mission and vision. We value the time, talent, knowledge, and compassion contributed by each and every volunteer. All of our volunteers make a difference in the lives of children and families in a permanent and meaningful way!

Volunteer Group Facilitators Volunteer Facilitators play a crucial role in ensuring access to our bereavement support programs and services. They offer skilled support of children, teens, and adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. Under the supervision of Supporting Kidds staff, Volunteer Facilitators create the safe space for children and families to cultivate community through our bereavement support group programs.

Requirements:

Completion of a volunteer application with references

Participation in a pre-training interview

Attending 4-week Volunteer Support Group Facilitator training

Provision of a criminal record check with child abuse history clearance

Agreement to Supporting Kidds confidentiality policy

Additional Volunteer Opportunities In addition to Volunteer Facilitators, we wholeheartedly welcome event specific and office/facilities maintenance volunteers on an ongoing basis.

To get started, visit our website: www.supportingkidds.org, and complete the Volunteer Interest Form today!

[trillgutterbug]

damn google that's rough

[reportwire]

Children's Learning Adventure Announces Summer Camp Theme

Children’s Learning Adventure Announces Summer Camp Theme

Press Release – updated: Mar 6, 2019 Scottsdale, Ariz., March 6, 2019 (Newswire.com) – Children’s Learning Adventure is changing the meaning of “summer breaks” for students across the nation by offering their “Hooray for Hollywood” Summer Camp. The camp will include weekly field trips, specialty classes, and a STEAM-based curriculum with hands-on activities to encourage campers to practice…

[ribbitrrrbitxhs]

A compass my friend and I made of media we have consumed. Feel free to add to it. The rules are that it has to fit this specific genera of weird fantasy or fantastical elements.

Also if you add to it I wanna see plz

[ethan-bo-bethan]

Bottle block dog

Tape blocks together and onto bottle

You made a bottle block thing!

Copycat Marionette

My Kiwi co this month had a really fun puppet theme! I got to make my very own marionette. It comes with interchangeable head pieces and includes a lion, bear, and bunny. It also has 2 mechanical puppets with moving jaws. The marionette was super simple!

MATERIALS

1 piece of cloth

4 medium beads

1 large bead

Foam

Pipecleaners

Popsicle sticks

Double sided tape

Cut a piece of cloth in a rectangle with one long end slightly curved.

On the opposite side of the curve poke a hole in the middle and all 4 corners.

Bend a pipe cleaner a couple inches from the tip. Poke the short end through a corner hole, and slide a medium bead on the end. Put it all through the bead and slide the bead onto the fabric until it's snug.

If you are doing an arm, twist the short end onto the long end to secure thr pipe cleaner and repeat with the second arm. These will attach to handle.

For the feet, take out the pipe cleaner unless the bead is too big to be snug, then leave it and secure it and maybe attach another pipe cleaner to the end of the first one to make it long enough to reach rhe handle.

For the head repeat as with the hands using the large bead, leaving the pipe cleaner attached.

For the handle use double sided foam tape to stick some popsicle sticks together, 2 or 3. Then do a couple across to make a T shape.

Secure the hand pipe cleaners around the ends of the top of the T and if you have feet pipe cleaners as well.

Secure the head to the bottom of the T so the head goes up when the arms/legs go down.

Secure by attaching a piece of foam tape outside each side and putting a piece of foam across, so the pipe cleaners are sandwiched between them.

Give it a cute face with markers or foam shapes!

The mane slides on and stays snug so it can be switched out.

Balloons Over Broadway was a super cute story about a boy who loved puppeteering and grew up to become the man Macy's went to for developing the new floats every year. He developed the float so everyone could see! An inspirational story about how any love or hobby can be followed into adulthood. Work should be play as I always say!

On a serious note- My uncle's brother (by marriage) was killed by coyotes the last of many times he crossed, and I understand from past talks with mom that in some places humans and children are sold as property and hurt or made to work. Mom thought this was a good opportunity for a heart felt discussion.

We love all humans and want to give a voice to those who have none. We talked about how immigration is what this country was founded on, that it's great when done the right way, and how it can impact young (and old) lives if done incorrectly.

We talked about the Catch and Release program and what effect ending it had. I understand that throughout history slavery and trafficking has taken place, and that mom has been called to speak out about this and many other things.

We also talked about the importance of legal voting, which I already understood, but mom expanded that and taught me about current administration decisions to open up the border and reintroduce Catch and Release while allowing illegal immigrants to vote, creating a monopoly on votes for the left. I understood the implications without explanation. A heavy topic sandwiched into a fun book, but important and impactful.

[mlcltoys]

KEVA Structures

Collection: Building (Blue) Catalog code number: #B004

Manufacturer: MindWare UPC: 736970500898 

Ages 5+

[hinaaspanda]

aged up! damianya but theyre both burnt-out gifted kids desperately trying to pass finals, so they help each other study. it’ll be like 2am and anya’s typing 1+1 into her calculator bc she’s losing it, while damian’s on his 7th cup of coffee that night

[modmad]

LAST ONE I SWEAR I JUST

[spaceofbones]

it’s true

[strawberri-draws]

*banging pots and pans* ARGYLE APPRECIATION!!! HE IS THE TRUE RIDE OR DIE FRIEND!! LITERALLY!!!

[someoneimsure]

Can you imagine if Jason actually was in a book club during high school and met a person there who very much remembered him like super fondly? Like he comes back to life thinking no one remembers and then this friend from school randomly recognizes him on the street and greets him like an old friend and tells him exactly where they last met and the books they would talk about and says “Hey, I heard you were kidnapped and everyone thought you were dead. I’m glad you’re doing better” and during their small talk this person suddenly laughs and says “You haven’t changed a bit!” and now suddenly Jason is stalking this person for weeks trying to figure out how to salvage the only friendship he apparently ever had in his entire life and somehow completely forgot about.