Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Oh, Wook It! I'm Four Months Old!

You've probably noticed that this blog has become, at least for now, really about Alden. Less about the house and how we are living in it as we fix it up. And THAT is tough cookies for anyone who thinks we may be a bit obsessed. C'mon! He is our ultimate project!
I introduced him to the jumping chair which, if you ask me, is one of the oddest contraptions invented. And I'd be lost without it! Alden detested his swing chair and was more than pumped to get set up in this thing... this thing that hangs from the door moulding and resembles something you'd rig your food up in while camping. But. Who am I to question the desires of a baby?
Observe.


Monday, November 9, 2009

And the Insisting Begins...

Dustin and I have always been kids at heart. When we lived in San Diego, we had season passes to Sea World and would go all of the time. We'd cheer and laugh even more than some of the little kids sitting next to us in the Splash Zone at the Shamu Show. It's a wonder what took us so long to get on the kid-havin' train. Anyway. Now that we do have one, it gives us a better excuse to do even more family oriented stuff. We're no longer the creepy kid-less adults laughing maniacally at otters balancing soda cans on their heads or shrieking with delight when a clown hands us a balloon. Now, with Alden in tow, we can go to pumpkin patches with dignity even though our child won't remember any of it and will probably sleep through the entire thing.
Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Oooh, oooh! His eyes are open!

Totally worth it!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Puppets! Git Yer Fresh, Hot Puppets Here!

As a freshman, I remember being extremely disappointed with the options that were offered at a career fair hosted at our high school. As an alternative aspiration, I declared that I wanted to be a puppeteer. Now, sixteen years and several career paths later, I am making personalized puppets for those that like a little flair in their gift giving. I've been making these for close friends and family for 2 years and now I am taking them globally. Help me populate with personalized puppets, please.
  • Do you know someone who would appreciate a personalized puppet of themselves or someone they love?
  • Do you know a child or spouse that could use a personalized puppet to teach them things like how to be brave, how to take a nap, or how to replace the roll of toiler paper?
  • Do you have some bad news to tell someone and don't have the heart to do it yourself?
  • Do you have a friend that has everything and you're stumped on a gift to give them?
Give the gift of puppet. Personalized, of course.

Lookalike Puppet Model: $25 total
The sock puppet will have the following:
  • skin color of choice
  • hair color of choice
  • eye color of choice
  • moving mouth
  • shirt in your preference of color
  • bendable arms (NEWEST FEATURE)



Mirror Image Puppet Model: $35 total
The sock puppet will have the above AND the following:
  • shirt embroidered with an initial or simple design
  • sequined eyes
  • something of interest to hold




Dead Ringer Puppet Model: $55 total
The sock puppet will have the above AND the following:
  • body art (arms only, others depending on complicity)
  • piercings (ears, nose, possibly others)
  • bendable hair (NEWEST FEATURE)


Mini-Them Puppet Model: $7 total



To get the ball rolling, I require:
  1. a picture of the person's face, up close and personal with descriptions of hair and eye color
  2. a brief description of the person's attributes and personality that I am capturing
  3. any pictures of the top notch stuff (tattoos specifically)
Lastly, if you are wanting a puppet that will actually be played with a lot, say by a child, I am limited to using only felt, thread, foam sheet, and glue on the puppet. These styles of puppets are made more durably so that parts and pieces remain affixed to the puppet though they should be examined before and after play time for steadfastness. If the puppet is intended for adult use and care, depending on your person that I am puppeting, I may use felt, paint, beads, foam sheet, embroidery thread, and adhesives. I am not limited to those materials and will discuss new options with you.

If you are interested, leave an inquiry in my email puppetnow@yahoo.com

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Where the Wild Things Went...

Some parents are content letting just their kids dress up for Halloween while they look on adoringly. These particular parents aren't simply satisfied with that concept. We both just sort of shake our heads back and forth in dismay like you would when trying to convey that you don't understand someone's accent. We not only dress up but build a friggin' theme with back story. This year? We were mythical creatures...

Ah, the majestic unicorn and dragon.


A jackalope and his son...


Ignore my Captain Morgan stance and concentrate on the adorable-ness of Baby Dragon's profile. I want to eat him like a cob of corn.


Crouching Jackalope, Snoozing Dragon

Alden was more lulled to sleep than excited over the stroll downtown to Trick or Treat. Once again, this parenting thing seems to be more about us right now.

Inter species cuddling...