Thursday, August 23, 2007
Holding Hands
OK, if you're not a parent, you may want to skip this entry. Its probably overly sentimental.
Still with me? Good.
Yesterday I took Pierce to school. This was my first trip to the grade school with him and I asked him if he'd let me walk to his classroom (Nora has started dropping him off at the front entrance). He said "yes".
We got into the school just as the bell rang letting the students know that they were allowed to head back to their classrooms. Walnut Grove is your standard K-6 Elementary school, so there were lots of kids of varying sizes with a few parents in the mix.
I expected Pierce to be a little self-conscious about having me with him (I know I was a little embarrassed to be one of the few parents walking with their kid to class -and probably the only Dad). Instead, Pierce grabbed my hand and escorted me through the school, indicating points of interest as we went (e.g. "Dad, on the left is the library. We could cut through there to get to my classroom, but it takes longer.").
Once we got to his class, Pierce showed me where he hangs his book bag and puts his lunchbox, as well as pointing out his personal mailbox. Then he was off to his desk and never looked back. I'm not a particularly emotional individual, but it just made me feel so good when he took my hand. It seemed to say, "this is my Dad, and I love him". He was completely unself-conscious about the whole thing.
-Eric (Dad)
Still with me? Good.
Yesterday I took Pierce to school. This was my first trip to the grade school with him and I asked him if he'd let me walk to his classroom (Nora has started dropping him off at the front entrance). He said "yes".
We got into the school just as the bell rang letting the students know that they were allowed to head back to their classrooms. Walnut Grove is your standard K-6 Elementary school, so there were lots of kids of varying sizes with a few parents in the mix.
I expected Pierce to be a little self-conscious about having me with him (I know I was a little embarrassed to be one of the few parents walking with their kid to class -and probably the only Dad). Instead, Pierce grabbed my hand and escorted me through the school, indicating points of interest as we went (e.g. "Dad, on the left is the library. We could cut through there to get to my classroom, but it takes longer.").
Once we got to his class, Pierce showed me where he hangs his book bag and puts his lunchbox, as well as pointing out his personal mailbox. Then he was off to his desk and never looked back. I'm not a particularly emotional individual, but it just made me feel so good when he took my hand. It seemed to say, "this is my Dad, and I love him". He was completely unself-conscious about the whole thing.
-Eric (Dad)
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Dollhouse Pictures
Anna's dollhouse construction continues.
I got most of the shingles on Anna's dollhouse last night. I still need to add a little more detail across the top of the roof, but the majority of it is done. I thought now would be a good time to post some pics. Its a mixed bag, they're displayed in chronological sequence with the oldest ones first.
Click on any of the pictures to view a larger version.
Enjoy.
The kitchen table is an "Eric Creation" consisting of cut scrap plywood and 4 dowels. The stove, microwave and cabinets are printed from a web page and cut-&-pasted into shape. Notice the detail work Nora put in, outlets and switches on the walls and a nice wall clock (which is correct twice a day).
The house's sole bedroom is much like the Whitehouse's Lincoln bedroom, it offers overnight stays to many famous and illustrious guests. So far its been occupied by Superman (always the gentleman, he never took off his cape), Wonderwoman and Green Lantern. There are plans in the works to make this a four poster bed using chopsticks as the posts. Notice the Dora the Explorer backpack against the back wall (near the window). The bed's docorative blanket was hand crafted by Cinthy, a very nice woman that I work with, specifically for Anna's doll house.
I got most of the shingles on Anna's dollhouse last night. I still need to add a little more detail across the top of the roof, but the majority of it is done. I thought now would be a good time to post some pics. Its a mixed bag, they're displayed in chronological sequence with the oldest ones first.
Click on any of the pictures to view a larger version.
Enjoy.
No roof or brickwork, but the rooms are all wallpapered and the divider walls and door have been added. Must be Saturday, Anna's still in her pajamas. The house with no roof is about 3 feet tall. Anna's resting on her knees in this picture.
The kitchen table is an "Eric Creation" consisting of cut scrap plywood and 4 dowels. The stove, microwave and cabinets are printed from a web page and cut-&-pasted into shape. Notice the detail work Nora put in, outlets and switches on the walls and a nice wall clock (which is correct twice a day).
Anna's girlfriends, Wonderwoman and Supergirl are relaxing in the living room (and I think babysitting the little girl dressed in the chicken outfit). Nora and I handmade the sofa -its modeled after our own living room set. The area carpet is a crocheted dollie Nora found at the Dollar store.
A Transformer, Optimus Prime, has come to visit the unnamed Barbie in the upstairs bedroom. The Barbie appears to be watching herself in the mirror while the chicken girl has escaped Wonderwoman and Supergirl to converse with the Optimus Prime. Furniture in this room seems to be from the Barbie furniture of bright and colorful line. Notice the ventilation vent near the ceiling and the custom-made picture frame (courtesy of Nora).
The house's sole bedroom is much like the Whitehouse's Lincoln bedroom, it offers overnight stays to many famous and illustrious guests. So far its been occupied by Superman (always the gentleman, he never took off his cape), Wonderwoman and Green Lantern. There are plans in the works to make this a four poster bed using chopsticks as the posts. Notice the Dora the Explorer backpack against the back wall (near the window). The bed's docorative blanket was hand crafted by Cinthy, a very nice woman that I work with, specifically for Anna's doll house.
Based on the way I'm dressed, I'm guessing I've been in the backyard either mowing the lawn or building the house's roof/attic. I believe Anna's comment after this picture was "Dad, you sure are sweating". Notice the pink dog house sitting on top of the dollhouse.
We have roof! Anna spent a lot of time with me outside as I built it. She says she can't wait till she's "big" so she can have her own tools. The attic area was immediately designated as the horses' room. I'm not quite sure how they made it up there, since the house has no visible stairs or elevator. Pierce enjoys playing with Anna and the dollhouse. Usually they're either playing hide-&-seek through the windows in the back, or pretending the house is the Hall of Justice (from the Superfriends).
Shingles and bricks have been added. The brickwork is printed paper (off the web) and glued to the sides of the bookcase/house. The shingles are handcut from the cardboard box the bookshelf originally came in. Nora and I are debating whether to paint the roof black. I suspect we'll leave it brown. You can't see it in the pictures, but the flat part of the roof is actually terraced, so action figures and Barbies can hang out on the roof-deck in complete safety. I'm trying to figure out how to put up a wrought-iron railing around the edge. Anybody got any ideas? Obviously the horses like their new room, but I think all that (apparent) kissing they're doing is a little inappropriate. I need to attach a back to the attic, then Nora's interior decorating will turn to that area. Woodpaneling anyone?
The next major task (for me) will be to build a hinged front, complete with windows and a front door. I have no idea how I'm going to accomplish that.
-Eric (Dad)
Labels: dollhouse bookshelf Wonderwoman Supergirl shingles brick Anna
Monday, August 20, 2007
Weekends and Projects
The week before last I was in New Jersey. It was a good bu sines trip but, of course, I missed all the good stuff the family does when I'm home to see it. Getting home at the end of the week proved to be a challenge. My flight got canceled and, due to two prior days of poor weather and flight cancellations, I wasn't able to get home until Saturday in the evening. The basic course of events: flight canceled Friday -missed Nora's birthday; Saturday flight had mechanical difficulties and was delayed -missed Nora's birthday dinner with her extended family; got home but the airline lost my luggage. Sunday morning I rushed out and bought Nora both flowers and jewelry.
But time passes and we're back on an even keel. Friday evening we went to the library after dinner and found a "made-for-tv" Herbie the Lovebug movie. We haven't finished watching it yet, but I'm pretty sure its the dumbest Herbie movie ever made. It also has supplanted all other Herbie movies as Pierce and Anna's all-time favorite (it features an evil, intelligent black VW bug as Herbie's archenemy).
Saturday morning we went to the annual butterfly festival at Powell Gardens (our local Botanical Garden). We met our long-time friends, the Deavers, there and spent the morning together. Fortunately, we got a break from the heat and had a very nice morning. Aside from the butterfly displays, we also walked the gardens and visited the glass-sided chapel where the Deavers got married. En route, the kids found a caterpillar. Let's just say that the story ends badly; they all wanted to hold the caterpillar, then freaked out when it wiggled and would either drop it or flip through the air. It some how ended up under Anna's shoe just as she was putting down her foot. Her comment? That sure is a lot of caterpillar poop (no hon, those are guts).
We spent Saturday afternoon at the pool with Nora's brother and his family then had them over for Costco pizza. They're always a lot of fun to spend time with and we were sorry the evening ended so quickly. The pool was interesting in that Anna has created a new game: save Dad. I sink under the water and she swims out to me and brings me back to the wall. She insists we play this game in the deep end. I wore goggles while we played, and I could watch her smile underwater as she swam out to me. With each successive save I would swim out farther from the wall before sinking. Towards the end, Anna was swimming all the way across the diving well and swimming with me in tow all the way back. Amazing.
Sunday was a "Project" day. I fixed a number of Pierce's broken train engines and even jury-rigged coupling hooks on several that needed them. Nora spent a late Saturday evening and Sunday decorating the interior of Anna's dollhouse. It now has clocks, tissue boxes, electrical outlets, and light switches. After finishing up Pierce's trains, I turned my attention to building a attic/roof for the house. I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. It just needs to be shingled (a project for tonight). Anna has already made the attic the bedroom for all four of her Barbie houses. Nora's been taking pictures of the dollhouse as we've been working on it -I'll try and post some pictures soon.
-Eric (Dad)
But time passes and we're back on an even keel. Friday evening we went to the library after dinner and found a "made-for-tv" Herbie the Lovebug movie. We haven't finished watching it yet, but I'm pretty sure its the dumbest Herbie movie ever made. It also has supplanted all other Herbie movies as Pierce and Anna's all-time favorite (it features an evil, intelligent black VW bug as Herbie's archenemy).
Saturday morning we went to the annual butterfly festival at Powell Gardens (our local Botanical Garden). We met our long-time friends, the Deavers, there and spent the morning together. Fortunately, we got a break from the heat and had a very nice morning. Aside from the butterfly displays, we also walked the gardens and visited the glass-sided chapel where the Deavers got married. En route, the kids found a caterpillar. Let's just say that the story ends badly; they all wanted to hold the caterpillar, then freaked out when it wiggled and would either drop it or flip through the air. It some how ended up under Anna's shoe just as she was putting down her foot. Her comment? That sure is a lot of caterpillar poop (no hon, those are guts).
We spent Saturday afternoon at the pool with Nora's brother and his family then had them over for Costco pizza. They're always a lot of fun to spend time with and we were sorry the evening ended so quickly. The pool was interesting in that Anna has created a new game: save Dad. I sink under the water and she swims out to me and brings me back to the wall. She insists we play this game in the deep end. I wore goggles while we played, and I could watch her smile underwater as she swam out to me. With each successive save I would swim out farther from the wall before sinking. Towards the end, Anna was swimming all the way across the diving well and swimming with me in tow all the way back. Amazing.
Sunday was a "Project" day. I fixed a number of Pierce's broken train engines and even jury-rigged coupling hooks on several that needed them. Nora spent a late Saturday evening and Sunday decorating the interior of Anna's dollhouse. It now has clocks, tissue boxes, electrical outlets, and light switches. After finishing up Pierce's trains, I turned my attention to building a attic/roof for the house. I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. It just needs to be shingled (a project for tonight). Anna has already made the attic the bedroom for all four of her Barbie houses. Nora's been taking pictures of the dollhouse as we've been working on it -I'll try and post some pictures soon.
-Eric (Dad)
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Lindenberg Update
As usual, too much time has elapsed since the last blog entry. So, here’s what’s new:
Nora took Pierce and Anna to Walnut Grove Elementary to register Pierce for 1st grade (he starts Aug 15). Pierce instantly fell in love with the school. The entry area has a high ceiling and some stylized furniture that he was most impressed with. Probably his greatest excitement was when he saw the library. All those books! He met a few of his future school mates as well as one of the first grade teachers too.
Our newest project is a dollhouse for Anna. After building a trainscape for Pierce, I thought it only fair we find a project she and I would enjoy. When I floated the idea past her on Friday night (about 7:00 pm) she asked if we could start making it immediately. After a little research I found three approaches to making a dollhouse: buy a kit, make one from a scratch or a blueprint, or build one out of a bookshelf. Anna liked the idea of using a bookshelf.
With a week under our belts, Anna now has a bookshelf with windows cut out of the back, interior walls (one with a door) created but not yet secured, a custom made couch (Nora and I made it together), and a dining room table I made from scraps left over from the interior wall project. Nora is also part of the house building project, and has taken over the interior design. She’s been working on wallpaper selections with Anna (and took both kids to the store to pick out her preferences). Pierce has drawn several blueprints for both Anna’s house (the interior layout) as well as a house he’d like for himself –to house his cars and superheroes.
We’ve continued to spend a fair amount of time at the pool. Swim lessons are over for the season, but we’ve been able to make it out to the pool once or twice a week. Anna continues to improve and loves to swim underwater. On Saturday she discovered the joy of goggles and spent most of the time looking at things underwater.
Today, Sunday, Pierce and I went with Mike (our neighbor) to a train show. Pierce was in pig heaven. There was a lot to see, and all of it things he loves. On Mike’s advice, we bought a used, but in good shape, engine –Pierce was very excited. He also bought a couple of “classic” cars for himself and a convertible VW beetle for Anna (with his own money). She was very excited when he gave it to her.
I’m in New Jersey for the week, so I doubt I’ll have much family fun stuff to write about for a few days, but as always, add a post or send us an email. We love to hear from you.
-Eric (Dad)
Nora took Pierce and Anna to Walnut Grove Elementary to register Pierce for 1st grade (he starts Aug 15). Pierce instantly fell in love with the school. The entry area has a high ceiling and some stylized furniture that he was most impressed with. Probably his greatest excitement was when he saw the library. All those books! He met a few of his future school mates as well as one of the first grade teachers too.
Our newest project is a dollhouse for Anna. After building a trainscape for Pierce, I thought it only fair we find a project she and I would enjoy. When I floated the idea past her on Friday night (about 7:00 pm) she asked if we could start making it immediately. After a little research I found three approaches to making a dollhouse: buy a kit, make one from a scratch or a blueprint, or build one out of a bookshelf. Anna liked the idea of using a bookshelf.
With a week under our belts, Anna now has a bookshelf with windows cut out of the back, interior walls (one with a door) created but not yet secured, a custom made couch (Nora and I made it together), and a dining room table I made from scraps left over from the interior wall project. Nora is also part of the house building project, and has taken over the interior design. She’s been working on wallpaper selections with Anna (and took both kids to the store to pick out her preferences). Pierce has drawn several blueprints for both Anna’s house (the interior layout) as well as a house he’d like for himself –to house his cars and superheroes.
We’ve continued to spend a fair amount of time at the pool. Swim lessons are over for the season, but we’ve been able to make it out to the pool once or twice a week. Anna continues to improve and loves to swim underwater. On Saturday she discovered the joy of goggles and spent most of the time looking at things underwater.
Today, Sunday, Pierce and I went with Mike (our neighbor) to a train show. Pierce was in pig heaven. There was a lot to see, and all of it things he loves. On Mike’s advice, we bought a used, but in good shape, engine –Pierce was very excited. He also bought a couple of “classic” cars for himself and a convertible VW beetle for Anna (with his own money). She was very excited when he gave it to her.
I’m in New Jersey for the week, so I doubt I’ll have much family fun stuff to write about for a few days, but as always, add a post or send us an email. We love to hear from you.
-Eric (Dad)
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