Pop(sicle) Art

CUTESY: For several months running now, the kids and I have helped decorate the monthly calendar of events at a local transitional housing program for women. 

This month we wanted to do something with a summery theme. We struck upon Popsicles as our inspiration. We were just going to cut them out of flat foam or paper, using our Cricut machine, but I did a little Googling and found a tutorial about how to make some cute and easy ones out of dollar store pool noodles, and that's just what we did.

We cut the 'noodles' into 6-inch sections. Then, we sliced two sides off each noodle. 

Next, one end of each segment was rounded (we used an Exacto knife), and then the two parts were hot glued together to form the frozen treat. 

Add a couple of wooden sticks, and presto, Popsicle!

Overall a quick, easy, inexpensive way to make some summery decorations with real "pop."

SYNONYMS: A week or so ago, the kids and I scored a brand new, used Password game. They'd never heard of it, but I explained it was based on a fun old (like older than ME!) game show, and that it's all about synonyms and word relationships. (Password first aired on Oct. 2, 1961, hosted by Allen Ludden.)

Per Wikipedia, "in the game, two teams, each composed of a celebrity player and a contestant, attempt to convey mystery words to each other using only single-word clues, in order to win cash prizes."

We play for pride here at MPA. ;)

There are several versions of the tabletop game on the market. The one we found is the one pictured below.

We've mixed up teams and have (mostly) had fun playing. One session CJ kind of groaned a little bit about being compelled to play. I reminded him that this was his language arts class/education for the day, and if he'd rather do some worksheets or whatever, I'm sure I could find some. He came around remarkably quickly. ;)

Thanks to YouTube, you can watch 56 (or so) year-old Password episodes. Like this one. ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFcLLrFC3HA


COLORFUL: Just in time for the pyrotechnics tomorrow (America's Independence Day), Skunk Bear  of National Public Radio shares a video about how fireworks get their colors.
https://youtu.be/dW5OBrB4MRM