Senior Solutions Season

This was a teambuilding game where the kids had to transport themselves w/o falling off the wood.

We are well into our third year of FLL competitions. The kids are pretty well and knowing what to do nowadays, however we needed a little more focus on our projects. I asked some parents to help me run team building sessions and now they are helping to organize the solution to our project problem.

Big build day. It's always the most exciting day aside from tournaments.

The kids thought of a great idea during our visit to a local nursing home. We were finding all sorts of things we didn't know about getting old. It was so informative how the kids learned about Alzheimer's disease and we were able to meet a number of residents at varying levels of the disease. They were very kind to stop and talk to us. My favorite part was going into the room of a couple who had been married for over 50 years. Due to heart issues, the husband was not allowed to go home after his stint in the hospital. He refused to go to the assisted living facility unless his wife came. Of course she came along too. Their minds were sharp as a tack so it was quite fun listening to them talk to one another.

Happy 80th Birthday LEGO!

It's a terrific milestone. Just for the occasion LEGO created this video that the kids will enjoy. Talk about overcoming adversity. We could learn a few lessons from this family.

Summer Camps 2012 Highlight Photos of the Season

Teaching is one of my passions. Another is photography. I combine both during my LEGO camps. During camp, you'll see me with this camera, a gigantic flash and now a Lightbender that follows you around camp. The kids all complain about the flash, but it's nice when parents get a chance to see what's going on. I love capturing the moments! This is just a sampling of my favorite photos from this summer. I take a couple hundred each session and even at that, I have to spare the families from most of the photos.

What's more fun than watching ant wars with LEGOs?

A day at the races.

LEGOs aren't just limited to boys, but overwhelmingly, the boys are the ones who sign up for the camps. Here are a few brave girls who have taken on the challenge of building.

WOW! Look what it just did!

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Yes, there are winners and losers in my camps. There are lots of races and other competitions. Here's the reaction of someone who won as he holds his car up for show.

Check out the yellow rubber band. This child was trying to give it the all wheel drive effect. Only in the state of Colorado do you need a 4 wheel drive LEGO car.

"I'm just this close to getting the robot to work!"

Thanks for a wonderful Summer 2012 Season. The kids were a joy to have and watching their smiles & excitement, their minds & imagination working, their passion for LEGOs building upon their curiosity for the world around them makes it all worthwhile!