Birthday Party Puppet Show: The Paper Bag Princess

This year, we decided to add a performance to our seven-year-old's birthday party. As always, we provided drinks, dessert, and a BBQ feast, which always brings a crowd--this year there was a little 50 people attending. The secret is beer. Granted, that's not what you typically find at a seven-year-old's party, but it brings out entire families instead of the one parent who drew the card to attend a kid's party. Having just as many adults makes it fun for everyone, and people tend to stay longer and let the kids play. Besides, it's not like anyone was doing keg stands.

Anyway, back to this year. I had gotten into puppets lately, especially after seeing the documentary about Wayne White, Beauty is Embarrassing. Add to that last summer's visit to Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts, and we were all hooked. The excuse to make puppets for me was to do a performance, and this year's selection was The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch. Complete with dragon and princess (above) as well as the arrogant prince (below), we were set.




The show was a lot of fun. Fortunately, we simplified the performance with my wife reading the book and my daughter and I acting out the rest with the puppets. If we do this again next year, we'll continue making versatile puppets we can use in different roles, although the dragon might not work for every show.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

My Version of a Kids' Play Structure

The Challenge:
I had a lot of wood I couldn't burn inside (i.e., cedar and pine), and I wasn't able to burn it fast enough in the outdoor fire pits. We also adopted a slide from grandparents and need to put it to use or give it away. I didn't want a monstrosity of a structure dominating the yard, so I came up with my own design with nontraditional materials, I suppose.

The Solution (for now):
I added a second log stack (supported/flanked by 4 t-posts) and connected it to the existing (taller) one with a pre-cut, 3-step staircase. I used standard posts for railing, leftover cedar shingles (from roofing the adjoining hut) for a small shelter on top, and tongue-and-groove cedar for the floor.



To access the slide, I staggered longer logs on the back to serve as climbing steps (above). I also added a climbing wall (below) as a second access point for the covered tower (on top of the taller log stack). I connected climbing holds to signboard (MDO, not to be confused with MDF) with the usual 3/8" t-nuts. The planters in front of the stacks is a nice addition for summer snacking on tomatoes and mint.


Overall, I'm happy with the results. It was a good use of the materials I already had, and the smallest members have given their seal of approval. I am told the tower "is the perfect reading spot" and great for relaxing out of the sun. The biggest challenge was positioning the log stacks so the pre-cut stairs would line up. A little 10th-grade geometry came in handy--thanks Mr. Herder.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad