BenSpark Family Adventures

Photo-A-Day 2.0 #00974 The other day I took Andy to Michael’s to use some of his gift cards from birthday and Christmas. While we were there he chose to pick up some different colored candy melts so that he could make some cookies. He wanted to dip one half in one color and the other half in another and then drizzle some of the melted candy across the top. We convinced him that maybe dipping both sides might be a bit much and so he could dip one half and then drizzle with the other color. I think we have to work on the consistency of the melted candy to make it actually drizzle because when I tried to drizzle the orange on the cookies it plopped down on the cookie and looked like the bill of a duck. So they came out looking like some crazy duck cookies. We didn’t mind because they tasted really good.

Photo-A-Day 2.0 #00973 Occasionally Funko provides me with some products for free to review. Opinions are my own. There has been a resurgence of interest in He-Man and the Masters of the Universe which also includes She-Ra. The kids and I loved the She-Ra series on Netflix. It was modern and updated and full of fun characters who had more of their backstories explored. When I saw that Funko had a She-Ra and Swift Wind Pop Rides figure coming out I knew I had to review it. This is a solid heavy figure with excellent detail on both She-Ra and Swift Wind. The dynamic posing shows She-Ra and Swift Wind in flight. She-Ra’s cape flowing out behind her under her long flowing hair. Swift Wind’s Battle Armor looks great, too. While I do like the more colorful look of Swift Wind from the remake series and his super funny personality, I do like how this one is quite true to the She-Ra version from the 80’s. This version is reminiscent of the 1985 Power Crystal version that Mattel made down to the...

I am running a giveaway for the book series, The Startup Squad. The prize is being provided by my sponsor and will be sent to the winner. Open to the US only. I just recently learned about The Startup Squad series of books. I think they would have been pretty awesome for my daughter Eva to read when she was a bit younger. They may be perfect for my niece, Kylie and I think I might be getting her a set of them to inspire her girlpreneur-ship. The Startup Squad has a pretty extensive website to help inspire girls of all ages to start businesses. Girls ages 6 to 16 who run their own business can sign up at The Startup Squad website to be featured in the Girls Mean Business Gallery, plus check out resources such as The Ultimate Business Plan for Kids and the Entrepreneurship Activity Kit! What is in the giveaway prize packet? One (1) winner will receive a boxed paperback set of all 3 books in the series, an exclusive Startup Squad tote bag, earrings, bookmark, stickers, and temporary tatto...

Photo-A-Day 2.0 #00972 I got a text today from my Dad. He sent an image of one of his daily journals. He would keep these and write little things in them over the years. He had the page from August 29, 1981. The page said, “ Went to Falmouth – spent 1st night in house at Grand Ave. Fantastic – water view from every bedroom – Kids thought it was great. It’s such a joy to see the enjoyment they feel. ” I love that my dad does this. While most of the things written in the journals have to do with the work he did that day but often there are moments of insight about our lives. This was our 40th Summer at the house. We have been very fortunate to spend so many years at this house. We started it as a Bed & Breakfast and my parents ran it as that in order to afford living there. We started off sleeping in the attic for several years. As the years went on we took in fewer and fewer guests and each kid slept in their own rooms on the second floor. Now we have rooms for ourselves and our own...

Photo-A-Day 2.0 #00971 Eva has been painting today. She is working on this half Sun, half Moon painting. She got the idea from Pinterest and decided to make her own. I am looking forward to seeing her final piece. She is so creative and comes up with something new every day.

Photo-A-Day 2.0 #00970 A few years ago my dad helped me fix a trellis at the house and we noticed that the wisteria had overtaken the top of the trellis. The wisteria has pulled one of the top spires of the trellis off and completely wrapped around it. I thought it would look pretty cool with the sunlight behind it. the middle is a giant screw and it was just yanked off the top of the trellis. I’m sure that the Wisteria has wrapped itself around much more. I’ve got to cut it way back soon.

Photo-A-Day 2.0 #00969 I took Andy to Michael’s today so that he could use some gift cards. He wanted to pick up some Perler beads. He’s been excited about creating something special with the beads and of course, because he is Andy, he’s coming up with everything right out of his head. His tiger turned out nice. He also made the Mr Beast symbol, a YouTuber that he likes. He crossed that with a heart. So half-heart and half-Mr. Beast symbol. He certainly has his YouTube faves. Andy also picked up some vanilla candy melts so that he could make some special cookies next week. We talked it over as we walked through the store together. He’s always got good ideas, just needs to be supervised for much of them.