TOS Review: Games for Competitors Tri-Cross

Created by a family and based out of Atlanta, Tri-Cross, a Classic Game of Strategy for the 21st Century, is like nothing else (we totally agree there!) It is challenging and gets increasingly harder as desired for more challenging play. The creator describes Tri-Cross as a mix between Stratego, Chess and Checkers.

Because Farm Boy loves chess and checkers so much, I felt he would love Tri-Cross too. It was a bit challenging though as it is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Earning several awards, I think Tri-Cross is destined to a household favorite - it is here!!

TOS Review: Wise Alec Civilize This!

We are total history buffs in this house. We also love a good game. So when I saw Wise Alec™ Civilize This! by Griddly Games in the TOS Homeschool Crew cue, I was totally excited. I headed over to check it out and got even more excited!! I just knew this would make a great Fun Friday activity in our house.

Tips for Camping with Kids from a Camping Rookie

My major in college was Outdoor Recreation and I totally scoffed at the thought of car camping, much less a camper. I loved backpacking and the whole "pack it in, pack it out" philosophy. However, having kids, especially one with special needs, has changed my thoughts drastically. We had access to a camper this past weekend and jumped at the chance to get out of town. So we embarked on our first real camping trip away from home. On a holiday weekend. With two days to prepare.

And it was awesome. And we also learned a lot.

Tips for Camping with Kids from a Camping Rookie

1. Pack everything the night before. If you have to make a stop or two in route, you may end up with cranky kids and that's no way to start a vacation.

2. You don't need as many clothes as you think you do. Everybody recycles clothes and nobody is really truly clean in the woods. Even with a kid who changes clothes often at home due to messiness is fine with dirty clothes while camping.  

3. Take lots of yard games. Our boys brought a soft nerd-like bat and ball and a soccer ball. Not great for a crowded campground. The Saturn ball was a great boredom distractor though, as was Uno and Checkers.  

4. Take some friends with you! Camping is a great family activity but it is even better when you have someone to share the memories with. If you plan ahead, sites can be reserved next to each other. You could even spring for an additional campsite between the two families once the kids get old enough to stay in a tent alone.  

5. If the college kids next to you party all night, do not hesitaite to contact the appropriate authorities. You paid for your campsite and deserve a good night's sleep.  

6. Get up early one morning to watch the sunrise over the lake, beach or other body of water. I watch it almost every day at home but it is worth getting up to see it over the water.  

7. If you go to another state, find out the laws before you go. Think boating, life jackets, car seats, bike helmets etc. If you plan on fishing, find out the those requirements and laws too.  

8. Try to get recommendations on a campground before you go. Find out if it is family friendly or more of a fish camp. It is also helpful to know if the No Alcohol rule or Quiet Time hours are actually enforced.  

9. Don't go out on a holiday weekend on your first real camping trip. We did and there was a reason for it. We went in to the weekend knowing it was going to be crowded and it was fine for us. however, I would not recommend it for a typical rookie. :)  

10. Be flexible. Kinda goes without saying if you have kids but for a planner like me, a reminder is sometimes necessary!

So there you have it - ten tips I wish I had known before we left home on Friday. You'll hear more about the trip in the coming weeks. We can't wait to go again!

Do you camp with kids? What is your best camping with kids tip?

The Start of Summer Boy Brunch

 

Several years ago the Mother's Day Out program Farm Boy was attending held a tea party for the moms around Mother's Day. Music Man was in school at the time and of course did not attend. That got him to thinking though and he really wanted to have a tea party. Well, we couldn't have a TEA PARTY since I had BOYS. So I had to come up with something else.

School was nearing the end and after hearing them talk and talk about tea parties for a few weeks, I came up with an End-of-School Boy Brunch. We had it on the Saturday after school was out.

The first year we had monkey bread and milk. I served them on glass plates with fancy (dollar store) stemware with a straw. There were fancy napkins and candles - nothing matched but they didn't care! It was a celebration. And summer began.

The next year we were still settling into our new life in Georgia and though we had it, I didn't take pictures. Our third annual Boy Brunch was held after Sports Camp last year and I again forgot to take pictures. I remember we ate cake though. I had just completed a cake decorating class at Micheal's.

We realized last year that it could no longer be and End-of-School Boy Brunch since now we homeschool and school year round. We aren't as formal in the summer, and usually most of take June off. But we work on math three days a week and read everyday throughout the summer.

This year's Boy Brunch was held June 1, 2011. We had doughnuts this year since I forgot to put the cinnamon rolls together before I went to bed. Insomnia does have its merits since I woke at 3:45AM and remembered I hadn't made the cinnamon rolls.

This is what happens when you are tired, double the amount of butter for a recipe and end up having to double the whole recipe in order to not throw out a whole stick of butter.

This is what happens when you are laughing so hard you have to take a picture for your blog, run to your computer to load the pics and don't remove the overflowing dough when you first see it.

And these are the happy boys enjoying the slightly yeast-y doughnuts for our4th Annual Start of Summer Boy Brunch.

Do you do something special for the end of school or the start of summer? How do you celebrate?

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Oh and we have a winner! (You thought I forgot didn't you?)

Laura, please email me with your address and I will send your book out later today. Thanks again to Moe at Squeaky Gourmet for my first giveaway and to all who entered!