Fun with Pipes: Pinned it and Did it!

It's already starting to get hot here, and by hot I mean in the 80s and 90s.  In looking for some fun ideas, I remembered this Pin from Pinterest on making a Kid/Carwash:

Source: cometogetherkids.com via Carrie on Pinterest

When I coupled that Pin with a convo from one of my super-creative friends and a trip to Home Depot with the hubs, we now have the coolest water and life-size tinker toy set ever!

Yesterday's Waterpark Construction Project!

Here is what we have learned:

1. We used 3/4" pipes.  These are sturdy enough and yet the kids can still help manipulate them.

2. Make sure you get the right attachment to connect the hose to the pipes.   We got the wrong connecting piece to connect the hose to the pipe.  You need a piece that has no threading on one side and then the threaded "female" end on the other side.

3. Buy the "Contractor Packs."  We only bought a few pieces on Sunday to try out the pipe toy and see if we liked it.  I went back for more parts on Monday and found "Contractor Packs" of straight, "T", and elbow connectors.  These are packs of 10 and you basically get a connector or two for free when you buy these packs.

4. Cut the majority of the pipes a standard size. We decided to cut the pipes to 2' long sections.  By having the majority of the set of basically the same size, it is easier to construct different contraptions.   We have a few pieces that we just use at the end of pipes to provide stability and they are random short lengths.  We also left  the "carwash" pipe 4' long as it goes over their heads and we didn't want it to be able to break to easily above them.

5. Don't forget the end caps.  We forgot end caps the first day and had to rely on duct tape to close off the ends of the pipes.  (Duct tape totally worked, but it is so much easier with the end caps)

6. Don't glue them together.  The pipes stayed together well enough that we didn't have to glue anything together, which is awesome since now we can create something new tomorrow.

7. Spray-painting the pipes.  I painted the pipes that have holes in them so it would be easier to pull them out of the box as we create.  The paint on the ends of the pipes makes it just a bit harder to get the connectors off at the end of playtime, but otherwise has added some fun to our set.

My kids are 3 and almost 5 and have played with these pipes for two days in a row.  Although they cannot connect the pipes by themselves yet, I know its not going to take long before they are creating their own waterparks.   It has probably taken us about 10 minutes to set up the waterpark and then they have played with it for at least an hour each time.  We already had three pipes, and then spent about $20 on all of the connectors and another pipe.  Pipes are about $1.50 each, and we have a lot more connectors than we can use at one time.  Its good to have options, right?

A special thank you to ComeTogetherKids for sharing this great idea I found on Pinterest.  I have just spent some time poking around her blog and she has some other super fun ideas that I know we will need to try out!  Please swing by her blog or Facebook page.  

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What do Playgrounds and Legislative Session have in common?

Today, being the first Tuesday, after the first Monday in March, marks the beginning of Legislative Session for us in Florida. A time when legislators, lobbyists, and citizens invade our capital city for a period of approximately sixty days to set a state budget and make, break, and change our state laws.

For our family, this time means the hubs is going to be even busier than normal for the next sixty days. Before becoming a full-time stay at home mom of two kids, I was also involved in the fun and chaos known as a legislative session.

Feeling a little nostalgic, I felt I should counteract thoughts of wanting to be back in the craziness by having fun with the kids. We took a trip to the playground and I was struck by the similarities of the two activities.

A few ways being at a playground is just like

being a part of legislative session

1. There are a bunch of people running around acting like two- and three-year olds.

2. Someone is always doing things the hard way, like climbing up the slide.

3. At any moment, someone will probably want to pack up their toys and go home.

4. There are plenty of ups and downs, just like the seesaw.

5. One kid (probably a future lobbyist) is trying to get other kids to think playing their game is a good idea.

6. Sometimes you need some help to get your swing to move.

7. You may have to deal with someone throwing a fit.

8. When Mom counts to three, sometimes kids come back, sometimes they run away (ahem, Wisconsin).

9. There could be name-calling and clique formation.

10. Someone’s always trying to climb higher on the monkey bars than everyone else.

11. Someone may start crying.

12. After playtime, the kids gather around a table for juice and goldfish.

Can you add to this list? Comment below.

Cheers to our friends and family who are have begun the count-down to Sine Die! May you all use your powers for good and make it back to your families soon.

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A few little bits of info:

* Florida is the only state in the nation with a legislative session beginning on the first Tuesday, after the first Monday in March. It is in our state constitution (Article III, Section 3(b)).

* The only other state starting session in March is Alabama. For a calendar of legislature dates, check out this site, BallotPedia.

* The majority of states begin their sessions in January.

* Louisiana, a state that is typically the exception to most political commonalities in our nation, is the only state to begin session after Florida.

* Adjournment Sine Die- A motion to adjourn sine die concludes a legislative session. Sine die is the Latin term for "without day."

* Do you want to teach your kid about Florida Legislative Session? Check out Online Sunshine for Kids

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Florida Constitution Language:

Article III, Section 3(b), of the FLorida Constitution provides that

REGULAR SESSIONS. A regular session of the legislature shall convene on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each odd-numbered year, and on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March, or such other date as may be fixed by law, of each even-numbered year.

Real Language:

From the FAQ on VisitFlorida: How long does legislative session last?

The regular Legislative session runs for 60 consecutive days. Regular session begins on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March in odd numbered years. In even numbered years, regular session can begin earlier at the request of the Legislature. The Legislature will start session early when re-apportionment is needed. Special sessions, which can last up to a maximum of 20 days, occur at the order of the Governor or joint proclamation by the Speaker of the House and Senate President.