My Mother’s Day May 13, 2008

I hope one day you will land on this site and think to yourself, “Self, what a fresh and innovative idea I see before me.” Today, however, is not that day!

For Mother’s Day I requested that we make terrariums. Terrariums are burning up the blogs, a few that inspired me: Angry Chicken, Two Straight Lines & one more that I can’t remember but her husband gave her a hanging round terrarium that was really cool. Anyone?

We started out Sunday by gathering the succulents and putting a sheet out in the yard to make our terrariums.

Oh yeah, before heading to the yard, we all watched this youtube instructional:

I have to say that making them was harder than I imagined. I think our biggest mistake was putting too much of each level; rocks, charcoal, and soil. It was a fun family project though and we made 2 terrariums from thrifted glass vases and had some left over to make a couple of pet plants for the boys to take care of. My oldest has a jade plant, he named Gardner Weaver, that he has taken care of for over a year now. Plants as pets work well for a family with allergies and an aversion to picking up animal poop and cleaning fish tanks!

My husband was thrilled to bust out his latest gadget to open the soil bags! My gift to him was pretending the bags didn’t have a perforated “rip here” strip.

After we finished the terrariums (word count on terrarium thus far, 6) we took a lovely walk in a local bird sanctuary. We saw a tiny turtle, 3 frogs, some red winged black birds, geese, lots of rocks and 16 airplanes! On the way to the sanctuary we happened upon a yard sale, it was magical. Plants, a walk, my boys and a yard sale! I found an old pyrex pot with a lid for 10 cents that will make a perfect t-word! I also scored a bocce ball set and an old yellow bread box and canister set!

I saw three lotus pods in the reeds which I took to be a sign of good luck as lotus is my favorite flower and 3 is my lucky number. I’m much less superstitous than I used to be, really.

A special message written to me in the dirt. It reads, “To the Wow”. You get the idea!

I think this was my favorite Mother’s Day so far. Good fun family time with my 3 guys. I really am a lucky mom. I have 2 healthy, funny, loving boys and a smart partner that is so supportive and makes me laugh at myself.

I love you.  Thanks for a wonderful and windy Mother’s Day!

When 2 Vowels Go Walking… May 11, 2008

We’ve never been a less is more family. So bail now or go get a snack and enjoy this tribute to my MOM (she’s been called a lot of things and shy ain’t one of ’em)!

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That dress, that smile, that little arm that just won’t stay still!

Thank you for having your head in the clouds!

Thanks for all those years of meals ma – your chicken and dumplings are second to none!

Here’s my mom, barefoot and pregnant with me, sitting on the kitchen floor preparing dinner.

Thanks mom for having an open mind and leading us on many adventures.

Here’s my mom respecting the local culture!

These are from our wanted poster passport.

I cannot however thank you for ever cutting my hair like that, I believe it’s called ‘the cheek framer’.

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I can still hear you “suggesting” I shouldn’t leave the house without “putting a little color on my lips”, Thank you for finally giving up. Or at least continuing to say it in your head!

Who packs up their kids, one very moody (well, thank god that’s changed) teenager and a little boy with energy to spare, and drives a camper around the southern island of New Zealand? (Hi Dad!) Thank you for being brave and having faith it will all work out.

Thank you for planning the best birthday parties for me: roller rink, dress like your parents party, invite the whole darn 8th grade class, Holly Hobbie, water park! That’s us below, en route to the slides. Thank you for being a rule breaker in general and specifically for ignoring the no food 30 minutes before jumping in the pool rule!

You have inspired me to try and make my own children’s birthdays special and memorable. Thank you.

And thank you for making the m&m costumes, for letting me wear the peanuts one, for dropping us off at the teen center for the Halloween Dance (where we were the only ones dressed in costume) and for picking us up early from the aforementioned function!

Thank you for being silly and encouraging us to do the same.

Thank you for documenting it all on film and being very generous, sharing the photos with me.

Full disclosure: I AM wearing a little color on my lips in this photo. I went through a heavy make-up phase in the late eighties. All shimmery and golden.

Thank you for being a traveler.

Thank you for being a bang up granny! The boys adore you!

Thank you mom for being fun, creative, supportive, daring, flexible, and loving.

Happy Mother’s Day!

I love you.

Birthday Cape May 9, 2008

We went to a birthday party at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston a few weeks ago. I heard a lion roar for the first time, impressive. This creature was less than impressed with us.

Photo look familiar? I moved this photo into this post, where it belongs!

The party was for a little boy who loves animals so I made him a disco zebra cape. Oh how I love the birthday cape. It’s relatively cheap, easy to make, and is usually a hit with the little ones.

I slapped it on my own little monkey boy to try and get a good photo of it, instead I highlighted the wonkiest bit. I’ve had more success using a thinner velvet for the tie but I am a sucker for orange.

My favorite thing was the packaging. I’m not big on wrapping paper. I used a french bread bag from the night before. I’d like to say it stems from an environmental perspective (and I’m all for repurposing, yeah earth!) but mostly it originates from being disgusted at the price of wrapping paper and gift bags.

Recognize that bow Melissa?

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I made a cape for my eldest son for his first birthday. My measuring failure has turned out to be a good thing because A.) This has been the best flying-out-behind-you-as-you-run-down-the-hall cape (sorry downstairs neighbors!) and B.) because he still uses it today and he’s almost 6!

Then:

Now:

Someone wants their own cape! Coming soon little one…

Celebrity Sightings Play Along May 8, 2008

I was just inspired over at Yvestown Blog to play along with the celebrity sighting game. I’m just coming off a 2 year addiction to Oh No They Didn’t (poppyspiral – that was me!) so this is dangerous territory for me but I’m going to risk a relapse.

My Celebrity Walk Bys:

After shopping for biker boots in George Town I saw Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest walking down the street. I was so excited. I ran back to the shoe shop and told everybody he was outside. Caused a mini stampede.

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I was at a music show in Boston ( I don’t remember what band but you can bet your ass it wasn’t Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch) and Marky Mark himself walked by. I was never a Marky Mark girl (honest) but my best girlfriend was super stoked.

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When I was a senior in high school (International School Bangkok – whoot Panthers!) they were filming Good Morning Vietnam in Thailand. Lots of boys from my class were extras in it (crew cuts for prom that year). The film crew from GMV and some other movie had a softball game at my high school. My mom was the Activities Director and she arranged for our car to pick up Robin Williams and Willem Dafoe. Kind of exciting at the time. Robin Williams (whom I’m kinda allergic to – too much, that man) performed a comedy show for the senior class, it was wildly inappropriate. I usually enjoy his ACTING but it’s the man as HIMSELF that I find unbearable.

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I also saw the 2 guys from A-ha walking on the beach in Thailand when I was in high school. I have to admit that was a highlight for me. Take on ME!

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My most recent sighting was seeing Natalie Portman at Pinocchio’s Pizza in Harvard Square. Oh boy is she BEAUTIFUL. I tried not to stare but was highly unsuccessful.

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And on a sorta related topic, did anyone see Survivor tonight? BAHAHAAHHAHAHA, Cerie is the PUPPET MASTER!

Hot Tips, Get Cha Hot Tips Here! May 7, 2008

I actually won an online giveaway!!! I left a comment at This Handmade Life (check out her thoughtfully written blog and her etsy shop) and received this bundle of beautiful cards with a spring theme. I took the photo from her site as my cards have all been mailed out!

Edit: And how could I have forgotten the cool fabric stash from Mellisa at Yummy Goods? who will forever live in my memory as my FIRST win. I also plan for her current give away to be my THIRD win, I’m just sayin’!

Pondering Ponteuf is one of my favorite Etsy sellers. Are these not the perfect pants for a fairy birthday party??? (hint hint K.) I got a similar pair of her board shorts for my little one and I’ve been racking up the compliments. I only wish I could say that I made them myself! Dropping Etsy into conversations with new people is my new litmus test ok, it’s the sad way I try to make myself feel more hip. If you use the word hip, it’s a done deal you are not.

And if you are looking for the perfect Mother’s Day Card A Favortie Design has made it:

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of this fabric from MJ Kido’s etsy shop. I heard about her over at True Up which is a dangerous site if you have a fabric addiction (and I’m sure many of you do).

My friend Megin has a new blog, Labels are for Jars, that is worth a read. Here’s an excerpt from one of her posts talking about her son, aged 5, “He’s of a different ilk, this boy. He walks to the beat of his own drummer. He sees the world through different eyes. I think he’s very free, in many ways. He chooses what he likes freely, he follows his passions freely. And luckily he’s found a way to develop these passions free (or in spite of) many of the societal norms thrust (HARD) upon boys.”

I enjoy discussing education and mothering with Megin and I look forward reading more of her chronicles. Click the link. She’s out to change the world, one post at a time!

What are some of your new finds?

Stuff Overload May 5, 2008

The other day my blog stats spiked and I couldn’t tell why. I think I figured it out. I swung by Charlie and Pat’s today (the best thrift store on the planet if you haven’t been playing along) and I saw Charlie hand a folded slip of paper to another customer. Turns out along with a purchase, Charlie is handing out my blog address. Charlie introduced me to the recipient of the blog address handoff, a local firefighter! Another woman in the shop patted my little guy’s head and then my arm and told me she had seen my blog. Thanks for tooting my horn Charlie and a big hello and howdy to all my peeps from the shop! Not who I imagined my target readership to be (hi mom!) but totally and completely perfect. It’s moments like this, that can’t be photographed and cropped, that make my town “beautiful”. This nomad just might be home.

And now on to the good stuff. Some of this is from C&P’s shop and other bits are from a rummage sale I recently hit.

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Who can’t use a little waxed linen lacing cord and a oven thermometer?

I think this is a vintage handmade knitting bag. The fabric has a nice heft to it and I particularly like the color of the lining. I will be putting this up in my shop, when I have a shop!

This fabric caught my eye. I usually like to work with linen or cotton and this one is neither but I couldn’t pass up the colors and the circles.

This fabric is super wrinkly and much cuter in person. It’s a grey silk with little flowers and pears. 2 yards – $2.

Orange and pink? Every time. I googled Metsovaara and think I got a score.

I bought this mostly because it’s orange but also because it’s “all-powerful”. Another for the shop-to-be.

Ahhhh, can you see those price stickers? On the right are 5 buttery cloth napkins with a beautiful linen one below it. The ones of the left are pillow cases.

Random toys and craft supplies.

These are possibly my favorite of the rummage sale. I bought a large Weis wooden file box and when I got home to inspect my stuff I found these tucked in the box. They are printed by Signal Press in Evanston Illinois, no date. Anyone know what they were originally for? Book marks? They’re seem a little big though…?

I also got some beautiful old books.

This was hidden inside one of the books published by the H.K. Fly Company in 1919. It’s a homemade card/book mark that has sandpaper in the belly of the cat. My favorite part is how stained the book is, looks like this little guy has lived in this book for a long time.

And lastly (phew!) this little illustration is for my brother who was born to sport a fancy walrus moustache.

Crafty, I said Crafty, Right? May 4, 2008

I’m getting ready for my little one’s 2nd birthday and I’m in a reflective mood. Mostly about him but also about our family of four and even a little bit about just me.

After I had my first son my world became much smaller in many ways and my heart much bigger. I say the latter bit because a. it’s true and b. it makes me feel less guilty for saying the former. I didn’t make much of anything craft-wise the first year or at least what I previously considered craft. After being inspired by Get Crafty and many amazing craft bloggers, I started to look around my cozy little world and realized that there was so much creating happening in our house (just a tiny part of it mine).

I’m hoping Paper Dolls for Boys is a place where I can expand my world/community a bit and hold high the art of being a crafty mom. And here’s the ugly truth bit, I’m hoping it will inspire me to do more with my second son. As we live by the schedule of my first born, now in school, I’m finding it challenging to find time to create art and fun projects with my little guy.

Since I claim to be crafty in my tagline but have produced little to no evidence, I dug up these kid/mommy projects from the past.

This puppet theater was a big hit with the playdaters. My eldest and I painted the wardrobe box (freecycle) and sewed the Thai silk curtain. My big guy (who was then my little guy), operated the pedal. My favorite thing about this puppet theater was the unbreakable mirror I glued to the inside at little eye level so he could see the puppets and himself as the puppet master. I think I finally cut this up and put it out to recycle a few months ago. It was a little hard but I kept telling myself it’s to make room for new projects.

Dinosaurs in space? Yup, we got ’em. We made the helmet out of a milk jug and tin foil. We cut a piece of the red webbing that holds the tangerines in the crate for the mask. We also crafted a control panel from a shoe box and scraps and an air tank from water bottles. The dino part was super fun, just cut a straight line up the back of a thrifted shirt and cut and stuffed spikes from an old t-shirt. Last step is just sew the shirt back up with the spikes in the middle. How that’s for a tutorial? I’m going to try it with a hoodie next.

At the Science Museum, all geared out.

I’m not the first to make a tangerine crate bunkbed and I wish I could remember the blogger that inspired me 5 years ago to make this one. It’s still getting much love in the playroom and has held up surprisingly well. If I got a tattoo of a glue gun would you promise to get one too?

As I was making felt doggy ears for the party, I realized that I haven’t really made anything that wasn’t birthday related (either for my own kids’ parties or as presents) for a long time. Too long. I feel a quilt coming on, not the baby clothes quilt I’ve squirreled away pieces for and not a quilt for the boys to snuggle but a quilt for our bed. I’m thinking greens.

This week I’m going to challenge myself, even with crazy birthday prep, to engage my little one in 2 1 fun projects this week. Suggestions welcome.

Free Time?

Jessica from How About Orange never disappoints. I’m just crawling out of the most fun time-sucking site ever. Click it, if you dare.

I’m going back in, send help if I don’t come out for supper!

Town Day Round-Up May 3, 2008

Things I learned this week:

1.) I live in a pretty little town. I didn’t really appreciate the beauty of the town before and it’s starting to feel like home. Too bad quaint comes with a sticker price that will knock you (us) on your (our) a$$.

2.) I don’t really enjoy the structure/restriction of a focus week. One year when I was teaching 1st grade, we had a discussion on the first day of the year about how to be a community that respects learning and each other. One little boy suggested we raise our hands before sharing in circle (revolutionary isn’t it?). This same little boy continued to talk throughout the whole meeting, adding his ideas with no filter or hand raising in sight. Another little boy, who I will call Greek Chorus, raised his hand and said to the first boy, “You made up that rule and you can’t even FOLLOW it!”

3.) I really enjoyed the interactive aspect of this week. Seeing other folks take on their towns and reading your comments and emails was my favorite part. Thank you! Tonya from Happy Dash emailed an idea to do a Town day, maybe on Tuesday, instead of a whole week. I like that approach. Maybe after a breather we can start that up. Do you have any themed days on your sites?

Things I did not learn this week (just a small sampling):

1.) How to format on WordPress like I want it.

2.) The source of the funky smell in the kitchen.

edit: Hidden bag of unrefrigerated parmesan cheese. Funk banished, case closed.

3.) How to make a paper yo-yo that really really works.

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I’m off to rummage, wish me luck!

Town Take 4 May 1, 2008

I always appreciate folks who extend the edge of the photo and blog about the less than perfect parts of life. I fancied myself that kind of blogger before I blogged but it’s a little harder than I thought (sweet bloggness I’ll try not to drop the word blog again in this post).

I don’t really want you to see my kitchen with it’s avocado stove and dirtier than dirt floor. I don’t really want you to know that a part of me feels more at ease because if the little one rolls off our bed he’ll land on a pillowy pile of clothes – some dirty, some clean. I don’t really want you to see my basement which is selfishly taking up all the storage space and thumbing it’s nose at our lovely downstairs neighbors and while I am thrilled with all these new connections with amazing folks, I don’t really want you to see me.

So maybe that’s a theme for another week, Stuff’s Underbelly (I’m a little over themes this week but maybe one day…)

Lately I’m not sure if my compulsion to document our daily experiences makes me more connected to what I’m doing or less. I’m enjoying learning more about photography but I feel like I’m also learning a little bit about me. How the images I pick paint a partial picture of who I am or maybe who I want to be. Funny, all these photos of a “beautiful” town are making me feel a little fraudulent. So today, do I post photos of the colorful graffiti, the rusted fridge I saw on the path around the park, the balloon floating up and away from little fingers and big tears, the kick to the back of a revered big brother from a little brother struggling to find his voice or the snapshot of me being less than supportive when my big guy couldn’t find the courage to join in his first soccer practice?

As my husband reminds me, what you choose to share doesn’t have to be your dirty underwear to be real. Hmm, private truth verses public truth. I’m kind of a blurter.

I think it’s becoming jarring to post photos of things so finished and pretty when I feel like I’m trying to find my footing as a mom of two, as the quasi-spiritual leader of the household, as the co-creator of a ‘nest’ for the family to feel nurtured and safe in, and the overall holder downer of the fort.

Here’s my image today from my walk around the park. My challenge/goal- to appreciate the busted and the beautiful, the seen and the unspoken, to value the process over product.

Usually I read and worry and edit what I write but I think I’m going to let this one sit. I’m going to go watch Lost.