Thoughts on the Matter

 When you realize that you haven't blogged in such a long time that you don't even remember what the name of your blog is...oops. Well things certainly have changed since the last time I posted. I left my fifth grade science position at Melrose Elementary, which I absolutely loved, to be closer to home and on the same schedule as my boys. It was a big decision, in the process I lost my continuing contract, with no hope to ever have one again. But it was the dream job, STEM teacher at the STEM magnet school, like 5 miles from my house! I was over the moon excited! Such a cool position, such a unique position, and I really enjoyed my role. Never did I think I'd resign, because...dream job. But unfortunately, COVID. Through many tears, like a ton, in late July, early August 2020 I realized the best thing for my family was to resign. My boys would be doing digital school from home and needed to have someone to monitor what was going on. While my husband was working from home, h

I was fortunate to be selected to host a Tryazon party featuring USAopoly's Super Mario Bros. Power Up Card Game. Such a fun game! My boys loved learning how to play (the little one enjoyed watching since he can't read yet).  Our party was held during my sister's Florida/Georgia football party.  We went over the rules before the football game started and then played during half time.  It was so much fun (much more fun than watching that football game... Gators man) Then I brought the game to school so my fifth graders could try it out.  It happened that I had a handful of boys that got finished with their work.  I handed them the game and they were quick to pick it up.   This was such a fun time.  The students really enjoyed playing the game, and I enjoyed playing it with them, especially since I was winning. I highly recommend this game.  A card game that is suitable for most ages.  Reading is required so ages 8 and up, unless your

I had the opportunity to try Rubik's Briks from  Strictly Briks  and  Tryazon . What an amazing opportunity. These products were fun and engaging. They have different level of products for different ages and some were quite challenging. The boys and I had a fun time trying them at home. This was a huge hit. I especially enjoyed putting together the more challenging puzzles and mosaics. I brought these to school to see how some of my fast finishing fifth graders would like them. They were a hit there. Even some of the "easier" puzzles engaged my students. They had a fun time putting them  together.

I was fortunate to be selected as a party host for a SmartGames Tryazon Party.  This has to have been one of my favorite Tryazon parties to have hosted.  These games are AWESOME!  After I opened the package my children swarmed.  They were dying to try them out. My youngest was obsessed (and still is obsessed) with Trucky 3.  Filling the back of dump t rucks with different combinations of blocks.  It is colorful and inviting and great for my four year old. Penguins on Ice was what my 7 year old tried first.  He gave it a good shot, and enjoyed trying it, but I'm fairly certain he was unable to complete the challenge. Quadrillion was probably my favorite.  At first it seemed a bit daunting, trying to figure out how to do the initial set up.  But once I figured it out (I admit, I didn't read the directions on this one) I couldn't get enough.  I love how the game board itself is so versatile that it leads to many different combinations of puzzles to solve.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to host a fantastic Tryazon party featuring products from Pai Technology. Many of my wonderful colleagues stopped by the check out the products. Cubetastic   The Cubetastic was by far the biggest hit.   The product itself is colorful and inviting.  I mean who doesn't love to play with a puzzle cube?  The Cubetastic App was also easy to navigate.  Using the camera feature to scan the cube and then get a step by step play through of how to solve it is pretty awesome. TJ and the Bean Stalk AR Book This product was okay.  The augmented reality was pretty cool.  This wasn't as captivating, perhaps because it was a book and not a cool nifty gadget. Augie Robot Augie was FRUSTRATING . Connecting him to WiFi in order for it to work made me want to pull my hair out.  After several attempts and much wasted time at school I brought him home and was able to connect it to my internet here.  I am thinking that the security bar

I was fortunate to be selected as a host for a Learning with Lauri Tryazon party and it was by far one of the best received Tryazon parties I have had the pleasure of hosting. When I received the box I did a Instagram live unwrapping and was so excited to have these products in my possession.  My children were also so excited about these products.  They couldn't wait for the party and had to try them out. They absolutely LOVED the Action Stackers Building Set.  They totally dug right in and started to create.  They came up with some very cool creations. The day of our actual Tryazon party we doubled dipped on my sister's birthday, I mean there were kids and grown ups there.  Also what a great way to occupy the kids with cool new toys to try.  So my take away  Lauri toys are AWESOME!  I loved the stackers and that the stacker sets can work with each other.  The toys are inviting to the children, they want to play with them.  There are lots of possibili