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Monday, February 23, 2009

Little Boys

I love little boys. Don't get me wrong. I love little girls too. And big boys. I love them all. Just a big old love fest here. BUT, I didn't really expect to love little boys. When I was younger and not wanting children and all that stuff you think you know before you know anything at all, I thought little boys would be hard. And well, the truth is, they are very hard. But hard in a really good way. Like solving a crossword is hard, or playing a game you love against real competition is hard. Fun.

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I get this kid. I do, I do. He's passionate. In a William Wallace sort of intensity. This is a good thing to have on reserve. Yet we obviously try to work on keeping the energy and drive behind that sort of warrior spirit focused in a fashion least likely to cause anyone trauma.

Today, he wanted to be Yoda. Yoda is good. Yoda is wise. I loved the idea of him as Yoda. All the kid needed was a walking stick. He was down about not having the right prop that he was picturing in his mind. He was working through some angst over not having a proper stick, and over bending his favorite magic wand in the process of trying to use it as a walking stick. I was proud of him trying to control his anger. And I get the stick thing. So I went and found this...

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His father's walking stick that my stepson gifted him awhile back. My boy's eyes grew huge. I was officially the world's coolest mom at that moment. Sticks are important. I know these things...

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'Cause see... this is my stick. Not really a walking stick, unless you are Gandalf. But still it is one kick butt stick, no? This is a huge driftwood stick that I found on the beach all waterlogged and weighing a million pounds. I dragged it a mile in the sand. It was pretty much torture. But I had to. Look at it. It is awesome in its perfect stickishness. You know you want this stick. You can't have it. It is mine.

And so is this gorgeous little son and his wild imagination, that keeps me young even as he contributes to my hair turning grey.

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Look! A treasure! The boy then found this little collection of ships that his brother used to collect. They were from a playing card game where you had to snap out the little ship parts and assemble them. Oh, the JOY! The EXCITEMENT! The FUN! Being born into a family with a much older brother must be sort of like hitting the lottery for a little boy. Well, it is for this one.

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His total immersion in his play just fascinates me. I enjoy just watching him and when I join in the fun, he just kicks all that happy puppy energy up ten notches and makes me feel so alive inside. Little boys. Some days, they are the perfect remedy to the winter blahs.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Tiny gears and stuff!

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These make my head explode with happiness. How cute and cool are these little watch parts? I am planning on making mysterious machines that look mad genius-like with them. Just need to figure out what kind of glue to use. Don't want them to fall apart. Wish I were clever enough to rig them to rotate and such, but I don't have the patience, knowledge or eyesight for that sort of venture.

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My latest obsession slowly taking over my craft room/office, much to my daughter's delight.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day!

Mini chocolate box I made for my mom. Spreads joy without the calories. Don't worry. I got her a little real chocolate too. :)

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It is sitting on my date book, for size reference.

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Mmmm... I like to think of the rectangular tan swirled ones as latte flavored chocolate with a chocolate espresso bean on top. Definitely would be my favorite in this group!

My husband and I don't really get into the Valentine's Day hype, but my mom offered to babysit and that is always win/win as the kids adore going to Grandma's house and my guy and I adore going out together. So we wandered around town for awhile and even splurged on dessert at a local shop. Hope your day was filled with love and relaxation!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Mini wizard stuff...

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I've been playing a lot lately and it has been lovely. I haven't felt very show and tellish so I've avoided posting, but I was talking to my mom today and tried to remember a cool little thing the kids did. My first instinct was to check my blog to jog my memory, but silly me - I haven't been blogging. Now I remember why I do, because it all goes by in such a blur, doesn't it? Sometimes blogging feels self-indulgent, but it is also my backup memory card. :) So I just need to scrape the rust off the old blogging muscles and get to it, eh?

So, I've been playing and enjoying so many miniature blogs and sites out there. I haven't done an official gathering of links to share, but I should. Wow, there are some amazing things being made in little tiny sizes. I just love that kind of stuff. It makes me happy all the way to my toes. I also have been messing around on ebay a bit. I got a few great deals on some miniature furniture and it just got me in the mood to start playing again.

Check out my loot...

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If you click the thumbnail then it will take you to a larger pic. The glass shapes are watch crystals. How cool are those? Perfect little plates, platters, windows, etc. I can't wait to start playing with those. Actually, I've used one already. In the above wizard stash I used one as a platter for the tea set. You can see it larger if you click this thumbnail... The 'crystal ball' is a marble, to help judge size perspective.

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Yay, miniatures! They help brighten an otherwise very grey month.