Kids Were Here: May Edition

While I was taking Molly Flanagan's Visual Storytelling class, we started discussing the Kids Were Here blog circle some of our favorite photographers were participating in.

And then we decided to create our own (with their blessing.)

And so, at the end of each month I'll post a few images from the previous weeks of the little things my boys do to remind me that they're here. I'll link to their blog and ours, so you can see evidence that kids are really just everywhere, and we should embrace it.

"Stained Glass" Bunting

Somewhere, I saw this tutorial - crayon shavings + wax paper = bunting.

So one night, while watching Downton Abbey, I started sharpening crayons into a muffin tin.

 The next rainy day, when we stayed in our pajamas, I pulled out the ironing board and the wax paper. 

Baz did the sprinkling.

Walter hung out, mostly happily, while we crafted the afternoon away.

I hung the post-ironing, pre-cutting sheets in the window to cool. 

Cutting triangles...

Some bakers twine and washi tape later, and we've got  super cute bunting in our play area. I really need to get a better shot, but it's...challenging. I'll post one when I get one. 

I've got at least a dozen triangles hanging out...more bunting? Pennants? The possibilities, while not endless, are certainly inspiring :-) 

Sharpie Mug Pinterest Win!

A little bit of searching on pinterest will stumble you across ceramic mugs (some of them "from the dollar store!") having been decorated with sharpies. The ink is sealed to the mug in the oven, and everyone has adorable mugs.

A bit more searching - for detailed instructions - will inform you that this is BUBKUS. The general instructions: color, bake at 350, wash. The result: washed off sharpie.

I forged ahead.

Well, Baz did.

Then I lined a cookie sheet with parchment.

Here's what I did that's key: I put the mugs in the oven and THEN I  turned it on. I baked them at 400 for 30 minutes and then I turned it down to 325 for 15 more and then I turned the oven off and let them cool in the oven.

The colors faded, but they're still there.

So there you go. Go forth and sharpie your mugs!

Oh, and these are the mugs I used. They are awesome.

Daddy Coffee

I have spent the past month taking Molly Flanagan's Visual Storytelling workshop through The Define School.  Four lessons that culminate with my being able to be as articulate with my images as I like to think I am with my prose. 

I should let you read my prose some time.

If you've spent any amount of time with me, then you know that we love our coffee and that we are big fans of letting Baz have his way in the kitchen. For the first twenty-ish months, Baz's sign for Steve was "Daddy Coffee"  - they've been making morning coffee together since Baz was born and now it's about a 60/40 split...favoring Baz, of course.

This past week, Steve worked from home a few days while we battled the plague in various forms. Afternoon coffee happened.

Walter hangs out happily in that thing for (maybe) five minutes. 

Long enough for me to  document a daily occurrence that I normally (blissfully) sleep through.

(Yes, it's so good we have it shipped. Buy your own here.) 

Good times.

If you're feeling like you need to improve your story telling game, contact Molly. Stalk her blog, take her class. She is sheer genius and I feel imbued with a bit of it. It has been a privilege.

PS: anyone have any Save For Web advice? I think I shrink too much, but I don't feel like I'm shrinking that much....?