Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas 2011 is in the books
...and it was a fine, lovely, enchanting Christmas it was. There's something about watching a toddler at Christmas that brings some of the wonder back into the season for adults. I don't think C really understood that he'd be receiving gifts today. Everything is wonderful and fascinating and exciting to him these days that the gifts were no more or less exciting than looking at lights or dancing to Christmas songs or helping to bake cookies, and that awesome little boy was so delighted by it all. As for the gifts, he loved the first one - a wooden truck full of boxes of produce - so much that I thought we'd never convince him to look in his stocking or open his other gifts. He did eventually get around to the others, and was nearly equally pleased with the other things, even a plate, bowl, and cup set that I thought he'd toss aside was exciting to him. I hope I can always remember his beautiful, honest reaction...especially when he grows into a harder to please teen.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Las Vegas Air Show
Last weekend was the Aviation Nation airshow at Nellis AFB. BB hadn't been to an airshow before and C loves airplanes, so we packed up and went to the show on Sunday. I've never felt part of this community, but at least for an afternoon I sort of did.
ps. We saw a couple of Thunderbirds pilots. They are so young. Young and beautiful and lovely, with everything in front of them. It reminded me of just how much our young servicemen and women are sacrificing for us. Also of how pathetic it is that this country has turned Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran's Day into reasons for sales and time off work, rather than times of thankfulness and reflection.
ps. We saw a couple of Thunderbirds pilots. They are so young. Young and beautiful and lovely, with everything in front of them. It reminded me of just how much our young servicemen and women are sacrificing for us. Also of how pathetic it is that this country has turned Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran's Day into reasons for sales and time off work, rather than times of thankfulness and reflection.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Airplane Tray Cover for Toddlers
Having flown many times now with my child, I can tell you that two of my biggest worries are 1. the germs he will encounter/suck in/consume, and 2. that he'll get bored/anxious/restless and freak out. To combat both problems, I threw together a little solution. Not long ago I pinned a brilliant idea I found at Serving Pink Lemonade to create an airplane tray table cover that includes activities to entertain babies (another version is sold here). Fantastic, but my kid is 20 months old and needs more entertaining, so I sort of combined that idea with a number of ideas I'd pinned for a quiet book. Here's the final product:
I strayed from the originals by using elastic on the sides so that hopefully it'll fit any width of tray table, and I made my cover double sided. Thus, twice the entertainment.
Side 1 has:
-Counting activity - I knotted embroidery floss strung with either 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 buttons on it so you can slide each button up and down. I used tractor, tiger, flower, fish, and ladybug buttons.
-A zipper pouch - this was the worst part. I read up on how to sew a zipper in, but I couldn't iron the fabric I used (a remnant from JoAnn that instantly scorched when I tried. I don't know what the fabric is, but it feels like a coated heavy-duty canvas) and it turned out pretty ugly. I'll put either small books in there or small surprises to be determined.
-Two doors hiding animals - I velcroed a wooden tiger behind the grass (made of felt) and a wooden whale behind the felt water. Both animals can be removed since they're just velcroed on. I sewed small buttons on the front of each door and added embroidery floss to create a "lockable" door by winding the floss around the button. This part is important since the cover is double sided and I didn't want the doors hanging open when flipped upside down.
Side 2 has:
-A felt roadway
-Two vehicle iron-on patches that are secured with velcro and can be removed
-A garage for a toy car that velcros shut
-A felt doghouse that holds a dog keychain I found at Michaels that lights up and softly barks when you push a button. If it's annoying, I can remove it.
-Next to the doghouse are food and water bowls made of felt and glued on. C is really into "feeding" his stuffed animals, and I thought he might like to do the same with the toy dog.
So now we've gone on one flight where I used the tray cover. It was on Southwest, and my cover was wider than the tray, which was fine. If it's too big for the tray on another type of airplane or airline I'll consider either removing or shortening the elastic on the sides for a snug fit. Anyway, the flight was supposed to be 2 1/2 hours, but ended up being about 3 1/2 gate to gate because of a delay in take off and a 1/2 hour of circling the destination airport. We needed extra entertainment. C loved the cars, the road, and the dog (although he wanted the dog off of the chain and I promptly lost the chain). The counting beads were trouble. C wanted to pull them and I ended up flipping it over to the car side right away since C was getting frustrated about not being able to remove the beads. Maybe he'll appreciate it when he's older. I think the cover bought us about 45 minutes of peace and quiet.
More Information:
- The fabric was 21" deep x 17 3/4" wide to start with, unfolded (resulting in a finished product, after hemming all around, of 20 1/2" x 17 1/4" unfolded or 10 1/4" x 17 1/4" as you'd see it on the tray). The elastic bands add an extra 2 1/4" (each peice was cut to about 3") on each side (unstretched). I could've went smaller, judging from our first use. If I were doing it over, I'd probably make it 10" x 16 1/2" (after hemming) with 1 3/4" elastic on each side.
- I glued most of this together, but sewed on the dog house, garage, doors (hiding wooden animals), and obviously the zipper pouch and counting game.
The whole thing cost less than $20, with the most expensive parts being the patches (on the roadway side), the buttons used for the counting activity, and the toy car. It could easily be done for less if you have buttons and velcro on hand and use toys your kids already have. I found the wooden animals and dog keychain on clearance for pocket change at Hobby Lobby and Michael's and had the thread, floss, and glue on hand.
I'm adding this to the Pinterest Challenge sponsored by:
Bower Power and
Young House Love, with guests
Ana White and
House of Earnest
Go see what they did for the Pinterest Challenge, as well as all the fun projects completed by their readers! Also, check out my last Pinterest Challenge project - a DIY car seat cooler - here.
What are your favorite Pinterest finds?
I strayed from the originals by using elastic on the sides so that hopefully it'll fit any width of tray table, and I made my cover double sided. Thus, twice the entertainment.
Side 1 has:
-Counting activity - I knotted embroidery floss strung with either 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 buttons on it so you can slide each button up and down. I used tractor, tiger, flower, fish, and ladybug buttons.
-A zipper pouch - this was the worst part. I read up on how to sew a zipper in, but I couldn't iron the fabric I used (a remnant from JoAnn that instantly scorched when I tried. I don't know what the fabric is, but it feels like a coated heavy-duty canvas) and it turned out pretty ugly. I'll put either small books in there or small surprises to be determined.
-Two doors hiding animals - I velcroed a wooden tiger behind the grass (made of felt) and a wooden whale behind the felt water. Both animals can be removed since they're just velcroed on. I sewed small buttons on the front of each door and added embroidery floss to create a "lockable" door by winding the floss around the button. This part is important since the cover is double sided and I didn't want the doors hanging open when flipped upside down.
Side 2 has:
-A felt roadway
-Two vehicle iron-on patches that are secured with velcro and can be removed
-A garage for a toy car that velcros shut
-A felt doghouse that holds a dog keychain I found at Michaels that lights up and softly barks when you push a button. If it's annoying, I can remove it.
-Next to the doghouse are food and water bowls made of felt and glued on. C is really into "feeding" his stuffed animals, and I thought he might like to do the same with the toy dog.
So now we've gone on one flight where I used the tray cover. It was on Southwest, and my cover was wider than the tray, which was fine. If it's too big for the tray on another type of airplane or airline I'll consider either removing or shortening the elastic on the sides for a snug fit. Anyway, the flight was supposed to be 2 1/2 hours, but ended up being about 3 1/2 gate to gate because of a delay in take off and a 1/2 hour of circling the destination airport. We needed extra entertainment. C loved the cars, the road, and the dog (although he wanted the dog off of the chain and I promptly lost the chain). The counting beads were trouble. C wanted to pull them and I ended up flipping it over to the car side right away since C was getting frustrated about not being able to remove the beads. Maybe he'll appreciate it when he's older. I think the cover bought us about 45 minutes of peace and quiet.
More Information:
- The fabric was 21" deep x 17 3/4" wide to start with, unfolded (resulting in a finished product, after hemming all around, of 20 1/2" x 17 1/4" unfolded or 10 1/4" x 17 1/4" as you'd see it on the tray). The elastic bands add an extra 2 1/4" (each peice was cut to about 3") on each side (unstretched). I could've went smaller, judging from our first use. If I were doing it over, I'd probably make it 10" x 16 1/2" (after hemming) with 1 3/4" elastic on each side.
- I glued most of this together, but sewed on the dog house, garage, doors (hiding wooden animals), and obviously the zipper pouch and counting game.
The whole thing cost less than $20, with the most expensive parts being the patches (on the roadway side), the buttons used for the counting activity, and the toy car. It could easily be done for less if you have buttons and velcro on hand and use toys your kids already have. I found the wooden animals and dog keychain on clearance for pocket change at Hobby Lobby and Michael's and had the thread, floss, and glue on hand.
I'm adding this to the Pinterest Challenge sponsored by:
Bower Power and
Young House Love, with guests
Ana White and
House of Earnest
Go see what they did for the Pinterest Challenge, as well as all the fun projects completed by their readers! Also, check out my last Pinterest Challenge project - a DIY car seat cooler - here.
What are your favorite Pinterest finds?
Monday, October 31, 2011
6 rolls of gauze + 1 t-shirt + 1 pair grey pants = Superman??
Everyone knows someone who waits to do or finish their Christmas shopping until Christmas Eve. Friends, I am not one of those people. I started Christmas shopping a couple of weeks ago, and although I'll likely be shopping well into December, the head start makes for a more relaxed, enjoyable holiday season. Halloween, it would appear, is a different matter. We decided to dress C as a mummy, in a costume I'd make. No problem, right? It's just a little gauze and thread. I started on Saturday night. Last night at 11p I had yet to start the pants, and I gave up. As luck would have it, my work load was light today, so I took some time off, hit NINE stores (2 Targets, Babies R Us, 2 party supply stores, Baby Gap, Pottery Barn Kids, 2 Walmarts) and finally settled on a Superman t-shirt at Gap with a velcro on cape. C doesn't even eat candy or understand Halloween, so maybe it shouldn't have mattered so much, but somehow it does. The kid needs every chance to celebrate all of the silly, crazy, fun aspects of childhood. I'd go to a hundred more stores to make sure he does just that. Now I'm just crossing my fingers that he enjoys seeing all of the other kids dressed up (we're going to a safe event at a mall) and doesn't get scared.
Happy Halloween.
 |
| the abandoned mummy top |
 |
| the Gap Superman shirt |
Happy Halloween.
TED inspiration
Everyone's aware of the TED talks, right? Have you heard this one, by Matt Cutts?
Right. Not long ago I set out to do something, learn something, or experience something new every day. That didn't last long. I ran out of ideas or didn't have time to come up with something or just felt uninspired. So here's the deal. Maybe I can come up with just twelve things to try and give each one my attention for one month. November starts tomorrow...first month-long challenge: increase the art/craft activities C and I do at home. He's not terribly interested most days, so I'd like to pique his interest without forcing anything on him. I'm shooting for 3-4 activities per week (he also has art activities daily at day care). Anyone else up for the challenge? Tell me what you're planning.
Right. Not long ago I set out to do something, learn something, or experience something new every day. That didn't last long. I ran out of ideas or didn't have time to come up with something or just felt uninspired. So here's the deal. Maybe I can come up with just twelve things to try and give each one my attention for one month. November starts tomorrow...first month-long challenge: increase the art/craft activities C and I do at home. He's not terribly interested most days, so I'd like to pique his interest without forcing anything on him. I'm shooting for 3-4 activities per week (he also has art activities daily at day care). Anyone else up for the challenge? Tell me what you're planning.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Las Vegas Park Review #13: Mesa Park
Las Vegas Park Review #13: Mesa Park, 5401 Mesa Park Drive (Summerlin, near Bishop Gorman high school)
Pros:
- Nice, new playground equipment with two specific age group areas
- A lot of green space (generally used for sports - lacrosse when we were there)
- Lovely playing fields, basketball courts, and tennis courts
- Beautiful views of nearby cliffs
- A real feeling of distance from busy streets and activity.
Cons:
- I hesitate to say this, since it's based on just one visit, but there was a group of really snooty moms there that was not interested in playing with, watching, or disciplining their children. One little kid probably 3 years old or so somehow made it across the large, depressed lacrosse field and up the other side and was about to run into the road before her mom came barrelling over to get her.
- Noise from construction on nearby houses (but yay for construction resuming!!!)
- No splash pad
All-in-all, this was a good park. C had more fun exploring the greenspace than playing on the playground equipment, which was great since the "parents" were lounging there while their kids took over. We felt completely safe here (at about 2:30 on a weekday afternoon). I didn't see any security.
There were restrooms, but we didn't venture inside. Seemed like a nice building, though.
Pros:
- Nice, new playground equipment with two specific age group areas
- A lot of green space (generally used for sports - lacrosse when we were there)
- Lovely playing fields, basketball courts, and tennis courts
- Beautiful views of nearby cliffs
- A real feeling of distance from busy streets and activity.
Cons:
- I hesitate to say this, since it's based on just one visit, but there was a group of really snooty moms there that was not interested in playing with, watching, or disciplining their children. One little kid probably 3 years old or so somehow made it across the large, depressed lacrosse field and up the other side and was about to run into the road before her mom came barrelling over to get her.
- Noise from construction on nearby houses (but yay for construction resuming!!!)
- No splash pad
All-in-all, this was a good park. C had more fun exploring the greenspace than playing on the playground equipment, which was great since the "parents" were lounging there while their kids took over. We felt completely safe here (at about 2:30 on a weekday afternoon). I didn't see any security.
There were restrooms, but we didn't venture inside. Seemed like a nice building, though.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Pumpkin Patch, Las Vegas Style
Last weekend, BB, C, and I met one of C's classmates and her parents for some fun at the "pumpkin patch." As always, Las Vegas does things in its own way. In eastern Nebraska, when you mention a "pumpkin patch," this is what comes to mind:
These pictures are from Vala's Pumpkin Patch, probably the most widely-known - and biggest - pumpkin patch in the area, but there are dozens of similar pumpkin patches around Nebraska (smaller versions of Vala's). They have corn mazes, hay rack rides, haunted houses, food of all kinds, games, rides, campfires, flowers, produce, pumpkins galore, etc, etc. It really can be an lengthy event, and so much fun. Here, it's different. It was 95 degrees, for starters (I bet those overpriced pumpkins are all cooking inside). Anyway, I'm not saying the Vegas pumpkin patch isn't fun, but it shouldn't be considered a pumpkin patch. However, it was pretty great for entertaining an under 2 year old for an hour. We went to Stu Miller's patch at the corner of Rainbow and Warm Springs. They were very very nice there. C and his buddy enjoyed the petting zoo (the parents loved the free hand sanitizer for afterwards!), and played a pumpkin game, but mostly just ran around and had fun. There are a few rides and bouncy things for older kids (one looked like so much fun - it had a climbing wall and slides), but the parents were too old and the kids too young). Anyway, once I shed my idyllic notion of a pumpkin patch, I had a great time. Besides, it's kind of nice to not have to worry about mud, bugs, or bundling up the kids. So go to the "pumpkin patch," eat cotton candy, pet goats, jump on a bouncy, and enjoy autumn, however it comes.
 |
| All photos from valaspumpkinpatch.com |
These pictures are from Vala's Pumpkin Patch, probably the most widely-known - and biggest - pumpkin patch in the area, but there are dozens of similar pumpkin patches around Nebraska (smaller versions of Vala's). They have corn mazes, hay rack rides, haunted houses, food of all kinds, games, rides, campfires, flowers, produce, pumpkins galore, etc, etc. It really can be an lengthy event, and so much fun. Here, it's different. It was 95 degrees, for starters (I bet those overpriced pumpkins are all cooking inside). Anyway, I'm not saying the Vegas pumpkin patch isn't fun, but it shouldn't be considered a pumpkin patch. However, it was pretty great for entertaining an under 2 year old for an hour. We went to Stu Miller's patch at the corner of Rainbow and Warm Springs. They were very very nice there. C and his buddy enjoyed the petting zoo (the parents loved the free hand sanitizer for afterwards!), and played a pumpkin game, but mostly just ran around and had fun. There are a few rides and bouncy things for older kids (one looked like so much fun - it had a climbing wall and slides), but the parents were too old and the kids too young). Anyway, once I shed my idyllic notion of a pumpkin patch, I had a great time. Besides, it's kind of nice to not have to worry about mud, bugs, or bundling up the kids. So go to the "pumpkin patch," eat cotton candy, pet goats, jump on a bouncy, and enjoy autumn, however it comes.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Bite of Las Vegas 2011 Schedule
Main Stage
10:30 a - 100 Monkeys
12:00 p - Colbie Caillat
1:30 p - Imagine Dragons
3:00 p - The Cab
4:30 p - Michelle Branch
6:15 p - Mat Kearney
8:00 p - OAR
Restaurant List
Develop your plan of attack people!!
10:30 a - 100 Monkeys
12:00 p - Colbie Caillat
1:30 p - Imagine Dragons
3:00 p - The Cab
4:30 p - Michelle Branch
6:15 p - Mat Kearney
8:00 p - OAR
Restaurant List
Develop your plan of attack people!!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
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