The holidays are well underway, and I hope that all your faves are on the menu for Turkey Day. (Bars!) Even if turkey isn't a must have for me, if you deep fry it... i'm all in! All the heavy hitters are cooking this year and they want their dish to be the first one empty.
I can't wait. I would say that the Airhead Gummies will calm my nerves until then, but... they're waaaayyy too expensive.
$43.99 bucks for a bulk pack of 12 + $20.29 for S&H! That's $5.35/pack for a 6oz bag of gummies. WHY?! My candy calculator told me to... run! I'd see if this were the Maldives, but i'll have to pass until I can find a single pack. I grabbed a bag of the Shaqalicious XL Gummies instead. Total win! $3.74 for an 11.8oz bag at Walmart. Love it!
School break is here, and while some parents are stressing, we're like Drake courtside at an NBA game. We remember being younglings and getting that much needed break for fun, and we had a blast. While gaming played it's part in our activities, we can't forget about those other indoor and outdoor activities that kept us busy when we weren't... sleeping in. School breaks are a great time for kids to relax, have fun, and explore new activities. Here are some engaging and enjoyable activities for kids to do during their school break... when they aren't sleeping in (giving you an extended breather). When it comes to this list of suggested activities, may it also assist you in determining the best gifts for your younglings, and if you grab something... call it an early gift. Just FYI... this is NOT the official Wishmas list for Younglings!
Indoor Activities
Arts and Crafts: Encourage creativity with painting, drawing, or making DIY crafts. Projects like creating holiday decorations or making friendship bracelets can be both fun and rewarding.
Reading: Visit the local library or create a cozy reading nook at home. Choose a mix of fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels to keep things interesting. (Ask the librarians if they have any available activities or calendar events as well.)
Cooking and Baking: Get kids involved in the kitchen by making simple recipes together. Baking cookies, pies, making homemade pizza, or preparing a family meal can be a fun and educational experience. Who knows, you could have a future chef on your hands. Amazon Fresh has plenty of deals right now. This is my shopping cart with over a weeks worth of food for about 2 people (including eggs 18 for $4.79):
Board Games and Puzzles: Spend quality time playing board games or working on puzzles. These activities can help develop problem-solving skills and encourage family bonding. Older children may appreciate the challenge of the 3D puzzles.
Science Experiments: Conduct simple science experiments at home. Projects like making a volcano, creating slime, or growing crystals can be both educational and entertaining.
Gaming: While this one of the activities we recommend, limiting game time would allow your children to have a well rounded schedule. Gaming could fall in place where you need it most if you're strategic.
Outdoor Activities
Nature Walks and Hikes: Explore local parks, nature trails, or beaches. Bring along a nature journal to document interesting plants, animals, and insects you encounter.
Sports and Games: Organize a game of soccer, basketball, or frisbee with friends and family. Outdoor sports are a great way to stay active and have fun.
Gardening: Start a small garden or plant flowers in the yard. Gardening can teach kids about responsibility and the importance of caring for the environment.
Lunch at the park: Pack up a delicious lunch and head to a nearby park. Enjoying a meal outdoors can be a refreshing change of pace and a great way to spend time together. Search for parks in your area, there may be some that you're unaware of.
Biking: Go for a bike ride around the neighborhood or on a designated bike trail. It's a fun way to explore and get some exercise.
Visit Family + Friends: Like many plan to do during this break, it doesn't hurt to visit family & friends for some fun. This doesn't cancel out the activities, but you can consider this a nice combo to dial up the fun.
Creative Activities
Music and Dance: Have a dance party at home or learn to play a musical instrument. Music and dance can be a great way to express creativity and burn off energy. Just Dance 2025 is on sale for $29.99.
Theater and Drama: Put on a play or skit with friends or family. Create costumes, write a script, and perform for an audience.
Photography: Give kids a camera or smartphone and let them explore photography. Encourage them to take pictures of interesting subjects and create a photo album or scrapbook.
Educational Activities
Visit Museums and Zoos: Take a trip to a local museum, zoo, or aquarium. These outings can be both fun and educational, providing opportunities to learn about history, science, and wildlife.
Online Learning: Explore educational websites and apps that offer interactive learning experiences like the PBS Kids app. Subjects like math, science, and language arts can be made fun with the right resources also. If you want your kids to learn more of a course that can seriously put them on the road for a career, here are some discounted courses from Udemy (for kids)!
DIY Projects: Work on DIY projects like building a birdhouse, creating a scrapbook, or making homemade gifts. These activities can teach valuable skills and provide a sense of accomplishment. The Dollar Tree has plenty of Arts & Crafts.
By incorporating a mix of indoor, outdoor, creative, and educational activities into the school break schedule with game time, kids can have a well-rounded and enjoyable school break. Here's a free... simple calendar template if needed (from 101 Planners): Image File or PDF File
The wait is finally over. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl has arrived, and it’s everything fans of the franchise have been eagerly anticipating. This post-apocalyptic shooter, developed by GSC Game World, plunges players back into the eerie and dangerous Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, a place teeming with mutants, anomalies, and mercenaries. But what makes this game so special, and why should you invest in high-resolution headphones or a 5.1 surround sound system to fully experience it (according to Blu)? You're in the right place, let's dive in!
The Backstory of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Franchise
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series began with S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl in 2007, a game that quickly became a cult classic. Set in an alternate reality where a second nuclear disaster has created a zone filled with strange phenomena and deadly creatures, the game combined elements of survival horror, first-person shooting, and role-playing. Its unique atmosphere, open-world exploration, and deep lore captivated players.
Following the success of the first game, GSC Game World released two more titles: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat. Each game expanded on the original’s mechanics and story, further immersing players in the haunting world of the Zone. However, after the release of Call of Pripyat in 2009, the series went dark, leaving fans yearning for more.
The Long Road to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
Announced in 2010, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 faced numerous challenges, including financial difficulties and the geopolitical turmoil in Ukraine. Despite these setbacks, GSC Game World persevered, and after more than a decade, the game is finally here. The developers have poured their hearts into creating a game that honors the legacy of its predecessors while leveraging modern technology to deliver an unparalleled experience.
Why High-Resolution Headphones or 5.1 Surround Sound?
To truly appreciate the immersive world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, investing in high-quality audio equipment is essential. Here’s why:
Atmospheric Soundscapes: The Zone is brought to life through its ambient sounds. From the distant growls of mutants to the eerie whispers of anomalies, every sound adds to the tension and immersion. High-resolution headphones or a 5.1 surround sound system can capture these subtle audio cues, making you feel like you’re truly there.
Directional Audio: In a game where danger lurks around every corner, being able to pinpoint the direction of sounds can be a lifesaver. Surround sound systems and high-res headphones provide accurate spatial audio, allowing you to hear enemies approaching from behind or detect the source of a mysterious noise.
Enhanced Experience: The developers have meticulously crafted the audio to enhance the game’s atmosphere. The thunderous roar of gunfire, the crackling of Geiger counters, and the haunting music score all contribute to the overall experience. High-quality audio equipment ensures you don’t miss any of these details.
Recommended Audio Gear
1More Sonoflow HQ51: Known for its excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation, this headset is a great option for gaming.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is more than just a game; it’s a journey into a meticulously crafted world filled with danger and mystery. To fully immerse yourself in this experience, high-resolution headphones or a 5.1 surround sound system are highly recommended. Prepare to lose yourself in the Zone and discover why this long-awaited sequel was worth the wait.
