Invention Contest

In the post about Harrison dancing, I mentioned that last week we had an Invention Contest. This was a project Amana worked on all by herself. In fact, it was not a part of school or anything. I was quite impressed with all the planning and preparation she put into it. But I will also say this, it was a hoot! This post is kind of long, but I hope you'll find it worth it! :)

I'm embarressed to say I didn't take any pictures of this experience, so I have no visuals to add to your entertainment. My clever and witty writing will have to suffice!

First, I'll give you a run down of the event. Amana placed three inventions on the piano. She had an old spice jar, inside of which she had slips of paper. Each slip held one of our names. She introduced herself and welcomed us to the competition. Then she identified and demonstrated each of her three "inventions". I use the term "invention" because that is the word she used. Really, the "inventions" were more closely "repurposed things recycled and found laying around the house", but I digress...

Once the inventions were explained, she shook her spice jar and pulled out the slips of paper and handed them to each of us. We were asked to write the number of our favorite invention on the back and turn the slip back in. We did. Then she pulled each name out one at a time and declared which invention we chose. Would you believe we all chose invention number one?! So now that you're wondering about the inventions...

I'll start with Number Three. It was a musical instrument. Amana had found 2 empty pop cans and a stick. She stuck each pop can onto opposite sides of the stick. While holding the stick in the middle, you hit the cans with another stick, also included.

Number Two: Also an instrument. A maracca made from an empty Bacon Bits container, a craft popsicle stick, a nail and a paper clip. (Isaac, if he would have had a vote, would have chosen this one. But "he was too little to play"!)

And finally, Number One: I'm gonna try to "sell" this one, so here goes my spiel:

***Ever try to read, but there's just too much noise to focus? Ever wish you could just plug your ears to drown out all the distracting noise? Pesky siblings playing too loudly for you to concentrate on your schoolwork? Then Amana has just the thing for you. The Read-o-matic is what you're looking for. For just 17 easy payments of $19.99, you will receive a cardboard box. Not just any cardboard box. The Read-o-matic comes in an old iPod-docking radio box. Simply open the top flap to reveal the secret to your silence. Attached to the box by a relatively short ribbon are a set of protective earphones. All you have to do is scrunch yourself up cozy to the box and slip on the earphones. Loud noises are instantly muted, leaving you with the silence you need to focus on reading. Order your's today!***

They say invention is often born out of necessity. I have a pretty good feeling that is true for Amana! Like I mentioned earlier, we all chose the Read-o-matic, which meant we all had to share it. However, Lige is the only one who's put it to good use so far. Well, let's say he used an enhanced and updated version of the Read-o-matic. Saturday I found Lige in the toy room, surrounded by kids. He was sitting at the desk working. How was he able to work while in the playroom with four wild kids? He had his iPod in his ears, with the Read-o-matic earphones over them!