February 17, 2012

Who Are We Today

 We pretend here, we pretend a lot. So I knew that our one 'fancy dress', tutu skirt, and couple of hats for dress up wouldn't get us far. Back in October I started collecting items on my thrifting trips. Bigger sized fancy dresses (one sailor outfit - ahem, cute!), colorful scarves, clip on ties, and various hats. It took me about two months to collect enough things to be a true dress up set. In addition, I sewed a few pieces. Two crowns, two capes, and a waitress apron.


Years ago, while searching the internet for clothing storage ideas for Piper's itty bitty closet-less room I came across the cutest hanging branch clothes rack. I didn't end up using it then. Recently, I came across the idea again. I thought it was the perfect solution to storing the dress up set. Fit the bill for something compact and accessible. Moving to a bigger house hasn't really left us with loads of empty space, we're still eking out 'extra' space where we can. Dress up would be sharing space with the book nook.

My sister brought the littles this stick. The thought of her getting on and off the bus toting this stick still makes me giggle. To use as a walking stick. It's really the perfect size for a pint size walking stick. Unfortunately, many fights ensued over its use. Along with things and people getting accidentally clobbered with it, led me to retire it from its use as a walking stick. When planning out our dress up installation I thought of searching the yard for a good stick. Then remembered the perfect stick.

We hung it from the ceiling with eye hooks and twine, for a natural look. I slipped on a set of curtain clips before we hung it to hang the hats, scarves, crowns, etc.


What gets used most is the 'fancy dresses' and crowns by Piper. Calder likes to go the farmer hat route. Quite the pair. Piper is usually the instigator in Calder's part in playing dress up. I'm sure he'll be at it full bore soon enough. For now, Piper helps him unclip his hat from the rack. Then they dance in the mirror.


Piper's other favorite is the waitress outfit. I made an apron with pockets from a cloth napkin, some fabric scraps (recognize the vintage sheet?) and some trims. Looks more like the cafe waitress apron, after all the kitchen is her cafe.


To go with it I ordered some guest check pads from the internet. Piper loves them! Real waitress pads! And she's such an attentive waitress. Always asks for drink, meal and dessert. Then off she goes to make it up in her kitchen. Bringing back exactly what you ordered. The best part is when she gets this scrunched up sad face and tells you, 'oh, we don't have that today.'

We've had it up for over two months now and it's getting plenty of use. That makes me happy.

February 08, 2012

On the Hunt


I had hoped that while the littles where on a scavenger hunt for matching socks and clean undies in the unfolded laundry basket, I'd find they had folded as they went. Not the case, instead I discovered one half dressed and both snacking midst a pile of clean clothes now on the floor. That was fun!

February 06, 2012

Our Super Bowl

Our Super Bowl went a little like this...


...with a little of this...


While Zac and two friends watched the game in the basement, the littles and I camped out in the living room. They played I Can Do That! (it has become a fast favorite with them both) and I knit a dishcloth, start to finish. Not as planned, but sometimes that turns out alright.

February 03, 2012

{this moment}


{this moment} - A single photo - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. via

February 01, 2012

Cranky Spot

A long while ago Piper and I discussed creating her a space to 'retreat' to. A small space for big emotions, if you will. Piper has personality. That's my gentle way of saying what it really is, crabbiness. I'm convinced its genetic. I have my bouts of it still, as a kid I drove many of my family to the brink. Not to say that she's always like that. In fact, usually, quite the opposite. She's bright, caring and happy. However, on occasion I'm frustrated and without answer. 

The other morning it was coming on, Piper turns to me and says, 'I need a crabby room. You said we'd make me a crabby room in my closet.' We abandoned our other activities for the morning and put together a cranky spot. Somewhere she can go to on her own, or prompted, when she needs a bit of time alone. Comfortable and small where she can mellow out and emerge happy. 

Luckily her closet is decent sized and had some empty space to be made. We moved all the clothes to one side and removed the hanging rod. One of the many tension rods I have stashed away came in handy for hanging a remnant of vintage sheet to close off her new space.


Borrowed a couple cushions from the family room to make a soft spot to sit. Pulled out a pillow that went with the crib bedding. Another that my mom made. It's contents is my blanket from childhood. Worn and tattered - and given back to me when I got married, just as I was promised when it was taken from me.


A shelf left with the house was added to hold a stack of books to read while hidden away. Piper added a fairy statue from her stored for winter fairy garden - to have something pretty to look at. I put together a calming jar, a massive amount of glitter in a water and glycerin mixture, for the shelf. She can shake the dickens out of it to match her feelings then calm herself as the glitter falls.


For a bit of cheer we moved the tissue paper pom-poms from over her bed. The tape holding them over the bed wasn't holding well anyway. Just the bit of brightness needed for a closet cranky space.


To battle the dark that comes along with being part of a closet, we put up two of those LED push on/off lights. Zac's brilliant idea! It doesn't make it very light, in my opinion, but Piper claims it works for her.

She's used it once or twice, for the intended purpose. It worked. Her and Calder (who calls it 'new home') go in to hang out. Feeling like it will get some good use, intended or otherwise.