Team Playhouse
We're Back!
A few years ago I had the bright idea to channel my recently retired Dad's creative energies away from items for his grandson (my home!). I gave him plans for a playhouse.
What resulted was a months-long project that included our entire family (2.5 year old included) and many friends. Oh, and we created a pretty cute playhouse, too!
It's two years later, and we're back. What will we do this time?
My dad retired a few years ago. He filled his time with many projects, including building a wooden train table and easel for his only (at the time) grandson (my son). They are great, well built and nice looking. However, they aren't small!
To curb the tide of incoming gifts, I had the bright idea to channel my Dad's creative energies toward a playhouse for the Children's Museum's annual Playing Under the Stars auction.
Two years ago, the Museum provided me sample plans and tied them up with ribbon for under the Christmas tree. Fortunately (for me - since I'd promised the Museum a playhouse) he accepted the gift. Even better, he embraced the project.
My dad lives in Portland. His only connection to the Museum is his only grandson - oh and me, I do contract work with the Museum. Yet he took on Project Playhouse wholeheartedly. He and my mom brainstormed house themes. They decided on a fishing shack - see photo.
He watched the kids play, noting that they like little places to crawl through, into and over, things to open, close and move. Plans were drawn up. He built a cardboard model and let his grandson and our little friends 'test' it (through play, of course!). Then there were the countless weekends and afternoons of building.
Last year he and my husband wanted to build another. I protested, seeing that our second child was due in March it seemed a bit too much to tackle in one spring.
This year, I relented. We're all back to build another playhouse. Got any ideas for us?
What resulted was a months-long project that included our entire family (2.5 year old included) and many friends. Oh, and we created a pretty cute playhouse, too!
It's two years later, and we're back. What will we do this time?
My dad retired a few years ago. He filled his time with many projects, including building a wooden train table and easel for his only (at the time) grandson (my son). They are great, well built and nice looking. However, they aren't small!
To curb the tide of incoming gifts, I had the bright idea to channel my Dad's creative energies toward a playhouse for the Children's Museum's annual Playing Under the Stars auction.
Two years ago, the Museum provided me sample plans and tied them up with ribbon for under the Christmas tree. Fortunately (for me - since I'd promised the Museum a playhouse) he accepted the gift. Even better, he embraced the project.
My dad lives in Portland. His only connection to the Museum is his only grandson - oh and me, I do contract work with the Museum. Yet he took on Project Playhouse wholeheartedly. He and my mom brainstormed house themes. They decided on a fishing shack - see photo.
He watched the kids play, noting that they like little places to crawl through, into and over, things to open, close and move. Plans were drawn up. He built a cardboard model and let his grandson and our little friends 'test' it (through play, of course!). Then there were the countless weekends and afternoons of building.
Last year he and my husband wanted to build another. I protested, seeing that our second child was due in March it seemed a bit too much to tackle in one spring.
This year, I relented. We're all back to build another playhouse. Got any ideas for us?