Control Panels

ROBOT PICNIC PARTY | CRAFT TIME
Spud's upcoming party planning is coming together. We are hoping that each wee bot guest will want to craft up their own robot control panel. We'll provide a canvas, of sorts, and a bunch of colourful and shiny things to adorn it with. Each little bot can wear it on their front and perhaps game of Simon Says will break out? Or Robot says?

Here is Hubs' prototype:


And here's our collection of all sorts of bits and bobs ... like these white ones ...


and these black ones ...


and some metallic gold and silver disks ...


and some yellow, blue and green ...


and some reds ...


and my favourites ... so shiny ... mmmm ...


Can't wait to see all the creations.

Robot Party Planning

ROBOT LINKINESS
Well, I've been scouring the web for Robot themed ideas ... most of which I don't have the time, and in many cases the talent, to pursue but it's fun imagining! Here is a list of links I've been using during my armchair party planning time.

Cookie has a fantastic robot cake as well as costume and activity ideas.

[image source: cookiemag.com]

For more robot games and activities check out amazing moms, kaboose, and boardman.

There are fun robot printables at blue mountain.

[image source: bluemountain.com]

There's a cute flying saucer craft idea at birthdayinabox.

And aren't these robot plates just too adorable!? I found them on hostess with the mostess.



For some sweet party food ideas and table settings see wee wonderfuls and kim vallee.

And Parents has a sweet cupcake idea.


[image source: parents.com]

Check out this fantastic Wall-e themed bento.


[image source: from link above]

Even the garbage cubes look delicious. And check out this nutritious snack.


[image source: from link above]

Beautiful!

Party Cups

ROBOT PICNIC PARTY


Just chipping away at the do to list for next week's birthday party. Here are the little robot cups for the robot juice. With each one being unique, perhaps guests will lose their cups less often. The materials we used are just the scraps of this and that, that we are using for party craft, Robot Control Panels.





All packed up and ready for transport.

Kid Camera

Spud's aunties gave him this swishy digital camera for Christmas and we are all still having so much fun with it.



It's very well designed. It's symmetrical and meant to be held with two kid-sized grips. Good idea. And the view finder is for two eyes. There's no need to expect a little one to squint one eye while looking through the other. It also comes with some games and is surprisingly easy for him to navigate, without any help from us.

Here are some of his arty shots ...


A self portrait ...


Another self portrait ... of sorts


At the playground ...


And a shot between his pj'd knees while watching The Incredibles on movie night ...

Robot Picnic Party

So far Spud has had a cowboy party, train party, jungle party, and a paint splatter party. Well, we have his 5th birthday party theme established. Finally. And now it's planning time! My favourite! First the invite...



Stay tuned for posts of robot party links and other updates.

Snow Day

ONE OF SPUD'S FAVOURITE OUTDOOR THINGS TO DO | VANCOUVER
Well, there were other things we probably should have been doing but with such a beautiful sunny day and so few snow days left, we decided to drive to one of our local mountains today, Cypress.

First we went for an hour long snowshoe. What a treat. We've been waiting for Spud to grow up enough to snowshoe. It's been a long time since he fit in a carrier on daddy's back.



He really did a great job and seemed to like it too.



Needless to say, there was a fair amount of rest time along the way.



And then rewarded with some tobagganing ...



And icicle hunting ...



All in all, a smashing day.

Photo Friday #9

FESTIVAL DU BOIS | NEAR VANCOUVER, CANADA

Spud enjoying some, fresh off the snow, maple syrup candy. Makes my teeth ache a little just looking at it.



For other travel pics, check out my favourite family travel site Delicious Baby. Or go there to share your travel photos on Fridays too.

Height Predictor

Ever wonder how tall your kids will grow up to be? Well, I thought this was cute ... child height predictor ... until it told me Spud is going to 6'6" at 17 years old!



Wow. Too bad he's not showing any b-ball skills. The boy is really quite tall for his age but I have to say, I'm a bit skeptical at the prediction.

So then I tested it on myself because I can remember my height and weight when I was 11 years old [for some reason] ... and it was bang on! It says that I would grow up to be 5'8" [I think I'm 5'8 1/2"!].

This might lead to another blog ... the term "wee" seems a little erroneous right now
...
wink.

Festival du Bois

Spud's Favourite Annual Events: FESTIVAL DU BOIS | NEAR VANCOUVER

In Maillardville in fact, the only identifiable French settlement west of the Rockies, they say. This wee community, inside the city of Coquitlam [near Vancouver], hosts the "Flaunt your Frenchness" festival annually and we hate to miss it. The weather is hit or miss. Usually miss. Today it even snowed, which was a first for us. But it didn't stop us from really enjoying both the kid and grown up entertainment from around the world.





In addition, spending some quality time in the poutine line up is an essential part of every visit. That's right, when else can you eat french fries smothered with gravy and topped with cheese curds and feel ok about it?!



And for dessert you ask? Well, there's sugar pie and crepes of course but we always check out the sugar shack for some maple syrup candy which includes lively musical entertainment.

More Water Colour Pencils

OK, this is what I've been doing instead of posts. And I can't stop. Which is what's compelling me to put these up I think.





I'm also procrastinating party planning. It's robot themed. At least that's been decided. Perhaps that should be my next project. A robot water colour. Since I don't even have an invite done yet. Sheesh.

Pop-Up

So, on the weekend we had a birthday party for one of Spud's little preschool friends. I grabbed some of the UNICEF cards that I try to always have on hand and Spud chose this one.



He insisted he would only like it, though, if it had pop-up inside. What a cool idea, I thought!



First we made a little present [to match the front of the card, somewhat], then a little bunny [to match the present which was a bunny-shaped box with a puzzle in it] and then a robot [ummm ... well ... because Spud loves robots].



Then Hubs started some of the architecture. Thin card stock strips plus glue stick did the trick.



Then we glued the cutouts onto each platform so that when you open the card they ... pop up!





In the end it would have been nice to have more drawing or colouring from Spud but he just wasn't in the mood today. C'est la vie.

Water Colour Pencils

Haven't been able to get Spud into these much yet ...


But in the meantime, I'm having fun ...