The Cardboard Castle

“You make kingdoms and castles on your own.” - Stephan Jenkins

     With all the leftover cardboard we accumulate, and my ever impressive art degree, did you expect anything else from me? When I see large boxes or pieces or unused cardboard, I see castles and forts, they way some people see shapes in clouds. With a sharp box cutter, and duct tape, I'm on my way. I always wish I could have done more, but an artist is his own worst critic.

     There are some fun posts out there. Visit the Thingamababy blog here to see the amazing fort a dad made for his kids. He did it for a party of 18 kids and has some GREAT ideas for add ons and tips. I also got some inspiration from the blog Playful Factory here, with links to structures you can buy or just gain some ideas from.

     It's all abou the effort. You will be rewarded. As I write this in the morning, I got a text from The Wife saying that she heard our 'Lil Miss wake up, come out of her room, and begin playing in the Cardboard Castle again. My day has been made.

     Happy building.

J. 

You've Got a Friend In Me

You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too

There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you

We stick together and we see it through

You've got a friend in me

- Randy Newman

     I snapped this pic a few days back and realized how good I've got it that my little ones get along so well. While they ARE still young, I hope it's a foundation to build on so that later on in life they don't resort to the exchange of gunfire. My 'Lil Miss is very type A, and can get extremely frustrated when things are not going her way. That seems to pale in comparison to her loving nature. She's always looking out for the underdog, offering help where the shy kid needs it, and comforts her little brother whenever he's upset. My 'Lil Man is the same. He's all boy, for sure, but has a sweet natured side that uses "please" and "thank you" all day long.

     How can we accomplish this? The Wife and I communicate with the kids often. While some items fall under the "because I'm your father" category, explaining things goes over very well. Granted, The Wife has more patience with that than I do, but I'm learning. I think showing love to one another for them to see it important too. Mom and dad showing affection and helping each other. Dad showing that same love and help to each child. They then adopt the behavior to each other.

   Either way, the scene pictured above melted my heart. Let's hope we have a lifetime of them.

J. 

Remembering Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak 1985 - AP File Photo

Maurice Sendak 1928-2012

     I was listening to NPR this morning and heard the news that Maurice Sendak passed away today. I can remember "Where The Wild Things Are" from my childhood, and the monsters within intrigued me then, as they do today. I didn't know Mr. Sendak personally, but I know a part of the message he seemed to portray. Childhood is rough. I try to remember that as I see my 'Lil Miss in her first year of public school. I watch her navigate a room of 25+ kids, make and maintain friendships, etc. Maurice's book themes touch a nerve in the childhood I remembered.
In a conversation with Terry Gross of Fresh Air on NPR, 2003, Maurice  said:

"Do parents sit down and tell their kids everything? I don't know. I don't know. I've convinced myself — I hope I'm right — that children despair of you if you don't tell them the truth."

     As I try my hand at writing and illustrating my own stories, I try to keep in mind that not all stories for children in real life end up with the prince kissing the princess as they ride off into the sunset. My daughter currently thinks that, as she has experienced nothing contrary. My parents divorce at 10 years old taught me otherwise. I think it's important to know that children see a lot, and while they are honest and forthcoming at times, they can also bottle up much of what they experience.
     I enjoyed an interview with Maurice Sendak (below) on the Colbert Report. I giggled when he referred to Stephen Colbert an "idiot". I think I can be an idiot and embrace that as I work out my own stories I try to write and illustrate. There is also a documentary produced by Adam Yauch (recently deceased Beastie Boy) here.
     Stay young, stay real.

J.

Children, Can You Hear Me?

As far as my kids listening to me, they're on the fence.

     It just dawned on me, as I was trying to think of a clever caption for the above picture, why I wrote that. The kids and I love to watch animal videos on YouTube. We watch the loud ones, like gibbons, lions and such.We stumbled across an amazing video of a gorilla pack. It's about 6 minutes long, but the kids were enthralled. I was struck at 5:10, where the silverback wanders off after babysitting the kids and their curiosity in the human. I watched the silverback leave,.....and the offsring instantly followed.

 

     The light bulb went on. No tantrums, no crying, no deals made to stay "just a little bit longer". I looked at my 6 year old 'Lil Miss and asked, "See how the babies listen to their daddy and follow him without arguing? Why can't YOU guys do that?" She smiled with no response, and continued to watch in awe. I think the point was lost. NOT ON ME! I look to better my communication with my kids, so that I get a better response to direction in stores, parking lots, and others that are needed to protect them "out in the wild" We'll probably need to revisit this topic again.

J.

Kid Crafts and Memories

"There's no such thing as a bad kid, just a kid with a bad haircut." - Sam Malone, Cheers

     I'm always surprised at how clean we like to keep our spaces, but how hard it is to discard the things left behind by our little ones. I watched my 'Lil Man placing his hand in water and then on the ground, producing patterns of hand prints. He was so proud of himself, but the images faded as the water evaporated. I took a snapshot so that his little art installation was captured.

     Now, I keep EVERYTHING that my little ones make. I learned a long time ago with pictures, that you can always delete, but that you cannot create them from nothing. So I keep everything, and then thin the pile at the end of the year. With free online programs like pixlr, photo editing is easy. So my idea is to digitally capture most of the good stuff, and then actually keep the best and most significant pieces. Once I get to the end of a year, I can take all my images, collages, etc. that are digitally captured or created, and put them into a book. Either print and put them into clear sheets in a binder, or publish them in an awesome book like from My Publisher. I've used them before and the books look amazing.

     I'm not encouraging us all to be pack rats or hoarders. I'm more hoping we can not regret how little we have from our children's past for us and them to look back on. I love that I have my first story book that I stitched together with cardboard and twine. Email me for ideas, or just try them out on your own. Have fun!

J.

Summer Approaches

“If you saw a heat wave, would you wave back?” - Stephen Wright

     Oh it's so true. As summer approaches, all the familiar sights and sounds are here. Shoes stay off and sun dresses come out. The ice cream truck swings by more often, causing a riot within the house that rivals the Black Friday rush. Ceiling fans are installed where there once was a simple light, and calls for popsicles from the garage freezer come loud and often.

     So where are you with summer around the corner? Gearing up for the next summer blockbuster? Planning the week trip to the beach house? Fearing the all night slumber parties for your youngster? Oh, it's on mom and dad, and you'd better have your game face on. You get points for waking up, feeding the little ones and making sure they don't hurt themselves. Bonus points come with trips to the pool, splash pad, lake, or even putting on the sprinklers with a Slip 'n Slide. Double points for the larger water parks, including a movie night with snacks, including friends, or any other additional act that goes above and beyond.

Keep your own scores and we'll tally at the end of summer. Winner gets bragging rights, and I might even fashion a lame trophy.

Good luck!

J.

Chubby Toes

Don't you see, don't you knows?

I'm cannot stop loving your cute chubby toes.

My love for those toes consitantly grows,

while those wiggly toes tend to move to and fro.

In cute little shoes you secretly stow,

cute little piggies that remind me of dough.

As you sit there and rest, you put on a show,

my face starts to beam and my face starts to glow.

To your mother I'll credit, and will always owe,

for giving such sweet toes to you, but although,

I think it is fair and I think that it shows,

you're part of us both, with those cute chubby toes.

Daddy - 2012

Activities For Your Kids

"Boy, n.: a noise with dirt on it." - Not Your Average Dictionary

     So I was getting my old bike ready for a quick ride with my 'Lil Man and he asks if he can help. I remember wanted to help my old man with stuff as a kid. I never really got my hands dirty with tinkering. Either dad wasn't interested at the time, or I wasn't when he offered. I've made a little promise to myself, that of all the activities for kids out there, teaching mine to use tools would be one of them.
     There is a cool tool kit for girls at Target here that 'Lil Miss has been begging for.Currently 6 years old, and she wants her own hand tools. Interesting. As for 'Lil Man, he grabs the cordless drill and hits anything he can! I'm trying to encourage it, 'cuz I'm still nervous around anything with more than four parts. The thing is to get them to try stuff, get dirty, learn how things work, etc.

Good luck, and keep the soap handy.

J.

A Loving Big Sister

"Is solace anywhere more comforting than in the arms of a sister." - Alice Walker

   I glanced over the other evening to see 'Lil Miss  with her arm around her little brother. Pride and love welled up inside for the love that she shows him. I think of the rivalry that existed between me and my three brothers (yup,...there were four boys), and the lack of lessons learned without a sister in the family. Our 'Lil Miss has already shown us she has the right stuff to be a great big sister.
   I can't tell if our little chats about sharing, loving, protecting and so forth are sinking in. They may have a small part, but I really feel that it's in her true nature to be that way. Hearing her kindergarten teacher say that she's been looking out for the boy who lovingly torments her daily confirmed it. She looks out for the underdog, thinks a lot of others (as well as herself, let's be real!), and so forth.
   It was just a treat to see. Let's hope it lasts.

J.

Baking Cookies With 'Lil Miss

"Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate." ~Sandra Boynton

   So it's been awhile since a good post, so I thought I owed a good one. 'Lil Miss has begun to inquire about baking, and we've been including her in said past time. Recent to this post I came across an AWESOME song by Hudson, called "Against The Grain". A short film of my gal making chocolate chip cookies came to mind and I had the whole thing scripted out in my head in no time. The result is the above short film. We followed the recipe for the traditional chocolate chip cookies from Nestle Tollhouse. When we finished, 'Lil Miss asked, "Can we take them around to our friends?" I love her enthusiasm for new things, and I love her thoughtfulness for others. Try baking with your kids. You'll love the results,...all of them.