Egyptian Hieroglyphic Blocks - $49.95
Are ABC blocks too easy for your lil' genius? Worried that your tot is falling behind in Egyptology? Well, the NeatoShop to the rescue!
The Egyptian Hieroglyphic Blocks are a set of 28 carved wood blocks that will teach your kids ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic phonograms and the names of the Pharaos.
Perfect for your budding Egyptologist and regular toddlers who love to stack then knock things down: Link | More Alphabet Blocks | More fun Toy and Games
Killing ants is hard and dangerous work for wasps, so they've developed a rather clever method of getting rid of the pesky insect: they airdrop 'em. Julien Grangier of the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand discovered the strange behavior:
"The first surprise was to see that despite being 200 times smaller, the ants are able to hold their own by rushing at the wasps, spraying them with acid and biting them," Grangier said. "But the most amazing was to observe that wasps, apparently frustrated by having to compete with ants, will pick them up in their mandibles, fly off and drop them away from the food."
The researchers saw the involuntary ant flights 62 times at 20 different bait stations. The wasps didn't bother to take the ants far, usually dropping them only a few centimeters from the tuna. But that was enough. About 47 percent of the time, the discombobulated ants never made it back to the tuna. Even when the ants did make it back, the wasps beat them there 75 percent of the time.
Looking for a new fridge? Your search is over as we've found the most perfect fridge ever manufactured by man. Behold, the Royal Wedding Fridge (they even got the right Prince):
The royal fridge and freezer, which is sold by GDHA, a U.K. distributor of GE appliances, features the more casual of the two official engagement pictures taken by photographer Mario Testino. The refrigerator is 5'9", which means you'd almost be looking at life-size versions of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Link - via J-Walk Blog
Remember Nick Pitera, the guy who sang the A Whole New World duet from Disney's Aladdin all by himself? Well, he's back with this: a one-man chorus singing a medley paying homage to a few of his Disney favorite films. And this time, he's got costumes!
Hit play or go to Link [YouTube]
Move over, Tiger Mothers, there's a new parental authority figure who offers a different idea of child-rearing than chaining your kids to the piano. Meet Alan Paul, who called himself Panda Dad:
During our first weeks in Beijing, we attended a talent show at our children’s British school and watched Chinese students ascend the stage and play Chopin etudes and Beethoven symphonies, while their Western counterparts ambled up and proudly played the ABCs under their flapping arms. It was enough to make anyone pause and ponder the way we are raising our kids.
But time in China also taught me that while some here view a Chinese education as the gold standard, many there are questioning the system, noting that it stifles creativity and innovation, two things the nation sorely needs. Further, having seen it in action, I have a strong aversion to hard-driving “Tiger” parenting, certain that is not a superior method if your goals are my goals: to raise independent, competent, confident adults.
Call me the Panda Dad; I am happy to parent with cuddliness, but not afraid to show some claw.
Link (Photo: George Lange)
Previously on Neatorama: Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior
Not happy with your life? Hang on, the best is yet to come ... if you live long enough, that is.
A new study revealed that the Golden age is when people achieve the peak of happiness:
A study published by the American National Academy of Sciences, based on a survey of 341,000 people, found that enjoyment of life dwindled throughout early adulthood but began an upward trend in the late forties, and continued to increase until reaching a peak at 85.
Andrew Steptoe, professor of psychology at University College London, said elderly people today benefit from better health and opportunities now than 30 years ago, adding that good health and a secure income were "very important" in old age. [...]
In addition, psychologists believe that in old age we become more selective with how we use our time, focusing more on doing things we enjoy and cutting out parts of life that make us unhappy.
A pivotal moment in the history of Battleship board game was artfully commemorated by Tim Doyle in this limited print of The Sinking of The Milton Bradley: Link - via Popped Culture
Trivia for you: Milton Bradley, yes, the Milton Bradley who started the game company that bears his name today, invented what later became The Game of Life.
Shark Bite Oven Mitt - $13.95
Spring has sprung! That means it's time to clean out those kitchen drawers. Your first order of business should be to toss out that old crusty thing you call an oven mitt and get yourself the new Shark Bite Oven Mitt from the NeatoShop.The skirt is comprised entirely of the illustrations from the books sewn together with metallic gold thread, and the bodice is made from the books' foil spines. Both the bodice and top of the skirt have tape backing for reinforcement.
