FlashMaster is an electronic flash card device that helps kids practice math facts, and it covers addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division tables.  Instead of accumulating stacks of math flash cards, FlashMaster consolidates all into one hand held device.  It’s very convenient and many kids find the device much more appealing than using traditional flash cards.  However, one drawback is the price as it is $49.95.  After using this device for about 4 months, I believe it is worth the price.

I read many reviews before purchasing this device and one comment that consistently came up was:  “My kids love this and have been asking me to use it everyday.  Math is no longer a drudgery.”  I was secretly hoping that this would be the case with my boy, but after the initial wonder of the new “toy” the novelty wore off.  We were back to, “Come on, let’s practice your math facts and let’s get to it. . . . NOW!”   I was initially disappointed by my boy’s lack of interest, however, not disappointed in the device itself.  Since I spent $50 for this device I was determined to make it work for our family.  I have finally discovered the key to making it work for us, and now I’m wondering why I haven’t thought of it sooner.  The key is to come up with a plan and a schedule to work on the math facts.  I created a spreadsheet that outlines all the different math activities my student has to perform each given day, except Sundays.  So far I have him do four different activities each day and then have him record his scores and percentage for each activity.  If he gets 90% or above for all four different activities, he gets a sticker and a choice of a small treat.  I evaluate his spreadsheet weekly and if there’s a weak area he needs to work on more, the same activity is repeated in the following week.  This plan works wonders!  My boy loves a challenge and he’s now very eager to work on his FlashMaster.

Another plus to the FlashMaster is that I can send my student with his spreadsheet to work on his own in a different room.  He knows exactly what to do so he doesn’t need my supervision.

Add me to the list of happy customers!

Daddy made two marshmallow guns for the boys out of PVC pipes and joints.

Andrew posing with the marshmallow gun:

Daddy helping Andrew to shoot the marshmallow out:

Simultaneous shooting:

The boys love their new toy that Daddy made for them.  What fun!  Matthew officially declared that Saturdays and Sundays are his favorite days of the week because Daddy doesn’t have to go to work.

… to the question, “Boy or girl?”

Here’s a clue.

The below ultrasound video was recorded onto DVD for us yesterday when all the children went with me and Lois to the clinic for a check-up and to discover the sex of the baby. Anyone wanna guess what we found out?

Once again, our t-shirt making tradition includes one for the kids’ grandpa.

The finished product:

One happy grandpa proudly wearing the t-shirt:

The kids and I made another t-shirt for Father’s Day. Instead of decorating the shirt free hand like last year’s t-shirt, I learned a new technique and I’m quite pleased with the result. I used the freezer paper t-shirt technique. In short, the directions are:

1. Design and draw a picture or words on the paper side of the freezer paper.
2. Use an X-acto knife to cut out the picture.
3. Iron the pattern onto the shirt.
4. Use fabric paint to stencil the pattern.
5. After it’s dried, peel off the freezer paper.

For those who are interested in designing your own shirt, here is a great freezer paper tutorial.

Matthew stenciling the shirt:

The finished product:

Here’s one proud daddy wearing the shirt. He’s indeed a Super Dad!

In addition, Matthew wrote a note to his beloved daddy all on his own without me prompting him. He sure loves his daddy.

Matthew participated in the Barnes and Noble Summer Reader Program again this year. Today, we went together as a family to redeem his free book. We’re so proud of him for reading the eight Boxcar Children books in just two weeks. He read approximately one book a day during his daily quiet time. I just love how much he loves reading.

Brother and sisters joining Matthew in his accomplishment: