Boredom Buster: Treasure Hunt

Portland, Maine – I don’t know if you’ve been following our weather lately. But like a faithful metronome, we oscillate between windchill 28 below and 46 above. Either it’s unsafe to leave the house or it’s raining so hard that huge chunks of ice floating by also make it tricky to play outside with my … Continue reading

‘B’ is for Boats. Really BIG BOATS

Portland, Maine – From the working fishing wharves of Old Port where lobster are sold fresh every day to the island ferry boat rides to the shipping channel for cargo and crude oil, our port is a busy one. It’s one HUGE adventure to small boys… and mom… and dad. But the first time my … Continue reading

The Pay-Off!

When I look around our Adventure Room (formerly the bonus room), I have to admit, I get a little bit teary. Look at where we started…. And here we are today! And I have to say, that having all of you along for the ride, has made this experience even better. So, thank you! Today, … Continue reading

A DIY Ocean to Play In!

After weeks of oppressive heat, the rain is here. Great for our pitiful looking flowers. Bad for dispensing of a certain 3-year-old’s energy. It’s time to distract and engage him. At least I can wear out that active little brain! So, we are going to make a very cool ocean sensory bin. This “sensory bin” … Continue reading

Piratey Sails for our Ship

A great looking pirate ship needs great looking sails. And by great looking sails, I mean worn, torn and a little haggard… proof that they have, indeed, sailed the seven seas! TO THE LINEN CLOSET! I don’t know about you, but while we have a king size bed, we do not have king size pillows … Continue reading

Part 2: Building a Pirate Ship!

Hey all! It’s Mike again (Anna’s husband)… I see the Pirate Ship blog yesterday was popular. Something about Pirates. I’ll explain the masts and rigging in a minute. Much easier than I thought it would be. But first I have to tell you a quick ditty about the time I was on a secret archeological … Continue reading

A Manly Swashbuckler Needs a Feathered Hat

It seemed like such a simple plan. Cut two pirate hat shapes out of craft foam. Glue together. Decorate. Wear. All went beautifully until we got to the ‘wear’ part. It ripped. Immediately. The satisfaction of Crowley stenciling the Jolly Roger on the front of that hat was gone. Ugh. Ugh. And ugh. So it … Continue reading

Are You Hooked?

Your little pirate has an eye patch and a spyglass, now we need a hook for the hand! Here’s an easy way to make one in about 15 minutes! You Need: Red solo cup Red duct tape Aluminum foil Instructions: STEP ONE: – ADULT ONLY – using sharp end of scizzors cut a hole in … Continue reading

A Quick Pirate Eye Patch

We call my dad, Jerrypedia… because his name is Jerry and he’s like Wikipedia but more accurate. He’s a walking, talking encyclopedia. At all times, we are ONE phone call away from anything we need to know. Lost on a highway? No problem. See a bird and want to know which type it is? No … Continue reading

I Spy an Enemy Ship on the Horizon…

In our garage is what’s shaping up to be the most amazing pirate ship ever built… out of cardboard. Seriously, you are going to love it! At Camp Mommy, our week days have been filled with ocean exploration from crafts to science to reading, baking, and more. But on the weekends, it’s time for father-son … Continue reading

PIRATES! …Arrgh! Let’s Eat Them!

Let’s just face the facts. Since becoming a mom… the days of a perfectly straight house, ironed guest sheets, project started and completed, laundry done, gourmet dinner cooking (as soon as I get back from my manicure)… they are OVER! At least for now in this very, very heavenly/demanding/depleting/stuff dreams-are-made-of infant/toddler phase. And let me … Continue reading