The Parcel

While we were on our vacation, a parcel arrived from America for CJ. On Monday evening Christo brought it home.

Look at the smile on CJ’s face! He could hardly wait to open it.












It was his first prize for the Apologia Science Question of the Week.

Since the beginning of the year CJ has participated in the Apologia Science Question of the Week. In July, CJ was a Co-winner for the 27th round of this competition. He won a Rocket set, which he had to build from scratch. But since it was winter, with lots of rain and we still have “winter” with even more rain and strong winds - part of our climate for this time of the year - CJ hasen’t sent up his rockets yet!

In October, CJ was a Co-winner again for the 28th round of the competition. For the first time in the history of the Science Problem of the Week contest, the same two people won back-to-back rounds! This time CJ won the Khet Laser Deflection Game – National Competition Winner by MENSA Select.









It's a game that combines lasers with classic strategy. Players alternate turns moving Egyptian-themed pieces having two, one or no mirrored surfaces. All four types of pieces (pharaoh, obelisk, pyramid and djed column) can either move one square forward, back, left, right, or diagonal, or can stay in the same square and rotate by a quarter twist. Each turn ends by firing one of the lasers built into the board. The laser beam bounces from mirror to mirror; if the beam strikes a non-mirrored surface on any piece, it is immediately removed from play. The ultimate goal is to illuminate your opponent's pharaoh, while shielding yours from harm!

With this game you really have to think strategically.

CJ and Josua playing the game. CJ also challenged Christo and Heidi-Mari. I normally love playing these kinds of games with CJ, but I decided to rather keep my dignity (keeping in mind I’m pregnant and losing some brain cells…) and stay on the sideline, watching!