Aspire to everything Inspired

The view from over here, No. 01

 
It's entirely possible that we're already planning our next getaway too.  Plots and schemes, my friend, plots and schemes.

You have been warned...

New! "The View from over here... "

Pretend this is a grand re-launch of this oh-so-impressive blog, friends!   Pretend there be Cake!  and Fizzy lemonade!  and, uh, Pretty balloons!  maybe even a photograph and a few words!

... starting with last week's getaway with two of my favorite peeps...

End of summer trip to the D23|expo?...  check!
Bring a pal?...  check! 

I brought two.

The Summer Souvenir Box

Getting set for a summer vacation and I had the most brilliant idea that I just have to share.  Brilliant, I tell you!  (I know, I know, there's just no false modesty when these ideas hit!)

You know those 'photo/video storage boxes' that you're always tripping over at the craft store or the local Target/Walmart/box store?  Well, pick out a plain-jane box for each of your kiddos.  (We're pretending this is just for the kids, but go ahead and get one for you too - you know you want too!).  Call it the Summer Souvenir Box.  Then get set for Adventure and Fun and Out-of-this-World Creativity as each child creates their own box full of summer memories and treasures.  I mean, seriously, what could possibly be cooler?!

The difficult part is restraining yourself from decorating the box for them.  So to make it fun for you... maybe do a little personalization.  A simple sticker-monogram, perhaps? 

Or perhaps pick some pretty papers that match the theme of your summer plans and line the bottom of the box and lid...
 
 

Hand your little Summer Adventurer a few envelopes for storing things like ticket stubs and business cards.  Then keep an eye out for souvenir stickers and stamps they can use to decorate the outside.  Don't worry so much about the contents... Make a few suggestions and then watch the magic at work.  Maps, and museum brochures, favorite photos, and silly bits of this & that will no doubt make their way into the box.  I'm betting a pet rock will make it's appearance by August.

Completely Brilliant, I tell you.  One for Paris, one for London, one for the Grand Canyon...  I'm so excited to share these with my Summer Adventurers and can't wait to see how they decorate them and what they save!  And, um, I might need to stop back by the craft store and pick up another one for me.  Disney World... Bangkok...   What are you going to put in your Summer Souvenir Box? 

the Poetry Recitation

 
Last night, when I should have been doing sensible things, (like paying bills, putting away the dishes, or writing gracious thank you notes), I was telephoning everyone I know between the ages of 12 and 14 1/2.

and without any preamble or greeting whatsoever...

launching into an Official Poetry Recitation.

 
from the wit of A.A. Milne, to be precise.

It was a splendid series of recitations, if I do say so myself.  (only I may have actually read the longer ones).

... because sometimes we just need a bit of poetry to help our perspective.

Both of the recipients of said recitations were quite enthused and jolly about their surprise calls.  Laughter and Merriment ensued.  Indeed, it's possible there was much giggling. 

Who knows.  With that kind of success, you could be next.  Is it safe to answer the phone, do you think?

"James James Morrison Morison Weatherby George Dupree..."

[Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne, of course. With illustrations by the incomparable E.H. Shepard.]

in Situ

In Situ.  In Latin, it means “in the place”.  In an archaeology context, it means to document a discovery where you find it.   Sometimes in situ becomes even more important because you’re documenting a find in an environment that’s about to be changed or even destroyed.  Like the Temple of Abu Simbel in Egypt.  Or, on a much smaller scale, the old pool changing rooms at Gpa & Gma’s house, aka. “The Ancestral Homestead”.

When did these little figures get added to the dressing room doors?  I don’t know.  They’ve been there for years… ages…  Someone probably knows though.  But with the Ancestral Homestead now sold to developers, this old family landmark is on its way out.  So my trusty sidekick and I made a noble effort to save the porcelain figures on the dressing room doors.  Late one evening, after a last family party, I photographed them and then sister K removed them for me (with permission, of course!).  And now they’re taking up residence in my house. 

A new place to establish in situ.

Kid Camp dispatch, No. 14

Place:  Disneyland, CA

We all agreed to give it a try - being those people who camp out, waiting for the fireworks like they've got nothing else to do.  We picked our front-row spot two hours in advance and proceeded to wait for the show...

The photographs aren't the best and don't do it justice at all, but the show was Amazing.  And how did it go over with our Kid Campers after their long wait?

Halfway through the 15-minute show, 7-year old Arthur was jumping up and down, fists in the air, declaring "This is AWESOME!".

He rounded out the evening by declaring that That was his Fourth of July fireworks.  Yep, the show was definitely a Big Hit with our crowd!

Kid Camp dispatch, No. 12

Place:  Disneyland, CA

In local news, the ToonTown police report a mass breakout of inmates from The Pound.  The suspects are recognizable in their prison stripe uniforms (unless they've swiped clothes off of Clarabelle Cow's clothesline, of course) and should be approached with caution...

Kid Camp dispatch, No. 11

Place:  Disneyland, CA

When given the option, three out of four children will choose the Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bar over the Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Sandwich. 
Should mention, of course, that I've only conducted this experiment once.  Additional research may be necessary to establish the scientific validity of our results.

Kid Camp dispatch, No. 10

Place:  Disneyland, CA

High on the list of favorite Disney Park activities is "Collect character autographs".  These lads count, compare, and analyze.  Each autograph is a triumph and a lengthy discussion may ensue about the value of the autograph, the presentation of it, the character's 'rarity', etc.  Who knew there was such a science to Disney character autographs?!  Obviously, these kids.  (Though, of course, it may just be a bit of brotherly competition kicking in too... )

The 9 & 10 year olds weren't really worried about collecting autographs today, but all it took was one signature and they immediately looked around and said "Who are we going to get next??" 

Just like their mother used to do when she was little.

And the 5 year old?

Well, I think he was a little nervous about requesting his first autograph (besides mine, of course).  But then the Queen of Hearts used his head as a table...

and after that, he was all in!

Kid Camp dispatch, No. 9

Place:  Disneyland, CA

Surprise!  Our second Kid Camp destination is a bit farther afield...  nearly 600 miles, in fact.  Yikes!  The Kid Campers enjoyed watching the odometer and counting off the mile markers as we drove across Nevada.  While the Kid Camp Counselors were once again questioning the car thermostat - which read 131 F.  Possible in the Mojave Desert, but... still...  !?!

Before setting off from St. George, Utah, we paused at a local car service station to have the engine coolant checked. 

And Before stopping at the local car service station, we locked the keys in the car.  (A masterfully choreographed set of events preceded That Drama, you may be sure.)  5-year old Glenn was our Hero of The Day by graciously agreeing to be slipped into the wee gap created by the loose back window of the car.  (Thank goodness for those huge minivan windows!)  From there, he unlocked the car and a search soon revealed the missing car keys sitting underneath someone else's stuffed teddy bear.  {ahem}

Hurrah for the Hero of the Day!