How to make your own gas pump

As promised, here is how I put together Travis' gas pump. I thought this would be a pretty popular item, but surprisingly, I only found one online reference to a homemade gas pump, so I used it for the basic idea, but embellished my own to create a truly unique homemade gift.

First, I wrapped two boxes in wrapping paper, with the design to the inside. One box was wider than the other. I basically eyeballed how the pump would look, so I don't actually know the dimensions of the boxes I used. Then I hot glued the boxes together.

I used scrapbook paper that I taped onto the boxes with painter's tape. I only had a small rectangle of the green (on the bottom), so I cut down a second design (the cars) to fill the rest of the box.

Scrapbook paper and painter's tape

Using coordinated scrapbook paper to create the various screens, message center, and credit card opening, I cut out different shapes and glued them to cardstock. Then I used electrical tape to tape them onto the top box.

Message Center

I glued another piece of scrapbook paper to the side of the top box (where the nozzle goes).

Spray bottle nozzle and scrapbook paper on side

I cut two holes:

            1) in the bottom of the top box where it meets the bottom box, and

            2) in the rectangle of paper on the side of the top box.

I had a neighbor cut the bottom off the spray bottle. Turns out he just used a bread knife, which left a fairly clean edge.

I then hot glued a piece of rope to the bottom hole, and the other end I hot glued inside the spray bottle. The spray bottle nozzle fits into the hole on the side of the top box.

Final Product!

And now Travis has his very own gas pump!

Sophia filling up the tank while Travis watches

Travis pulling up to the gas pump

Happy Birthday, Little T

One week old!

One year ago today, my life was irrevocably changed in ways I never could have imagined: I had a little boy. I never really thought of myself as a mom; I wanted to be cool Aunt Krista, but I'm finding motherhood is so much better and so much more rewarding than just being a cool aunt. It hasn't all been sunshine and roses (please, he's a baby, not a cabbage patch doll), and I've spent a lot of time obsessing over what was "normal" and the "right" way to do things, but I've learned that you just gotta do things the best that you can, and hope that your kids forgive you for any mistakes you make. Because you will make them.

As I reflect on this past year, I'm still amazed at how fast it went, and I find myself agreeing with the advice that I continually got from random strangers: hug and kiss them now because it doesn't last long!

So, happy birthday, little T-Rav. It's been a great year (cuddling, cooing, smiling, laughing, cuddling, talking, walking, cuddling...); I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did (other than the diaper changing, and the crying, and the uncertainty, and the fall from the shopping cart, and the crying).

Remember this hair? (3 weeks)

I hope the next year is twice the fun with half the angst! Let's meet back next year to reflect on year two!

At daycare--Merry Christmas! (4 mos)

A day outside (6 mos)

Swinging and laughing (6 mos)

Camera Lover (9 mos)

I survived the first year! (12 mos)

Little Red Wagon First Birthday Party

After years of totally lame parties, we finally scored a fun, clever first birthday party--it sure helps that Travis is happy and cute!

The Theme

I didn't like the traditional party accessories that I kept running across; I wanted something a little bit different, something simple and classic, so I did a lot of research. It took awhile, but then I found two things that helped solidify the theme.

1. Trav's birthday gift from Pappaw
2. Several other mom's blog posts who had done parties with related themes, and encouraged me that it was possible to do it myself.

Our theme centered around the classic little red wagon. I created banners using scrapbook paper of sky, sand, grass, pebbles, denim, and wooden fences to create an outdoorsy feel.  I made cupcake toppers using the same design as the banners, but smaller and glued onto toothpicks.

Cupcakes

Then I decided on decorating cupcakes. Taking several cupcake decorating classes was very helpful, but I knew I wanted something simple. Using just a couple of colors and a few different decorating tips, I created green grass and white peaks sprinkled with red sugar and sparkly fairy dust. For Travis' special cupcake, I made a jumbo red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting. I thought it was appropriate since I discovered and fell in love with red velvet cake while I was pregnant with Travis (because he didn't like chocolate!).

He had such a fun time tearing apart the cupcake and making a huge mess.

Gifts

By now, I'm sure you're wondering about that gift from Pappaw! It was  a little red Radio Flyer sports coupe. Absolutely adorable. Travis LOVES it! The other kids took turns driving him around the house in it.

As I was trying to think of a birthday gift from Ken and I, I thought how fun it would be to have a little gas pump to go along with the car. But I didn't want to spend much money, so Ken suggested I go online to get a little inspiration on how to make one. Surprisingly, I only found one reference to a homemade gas pump, so I used it for the basic idea, but embellished the idea for a truly unique homemade gift. I'll tell you how I did it in a separate blog post, but for now, here's some teaser photos.

Several months ago, I began a project that took such a long time to complete that it became Travis' second birthday gift. Using a robot theme and coordinating scrapbook paper, I made a matching game.

I took 12 pieces of ready-made craft wood, and decoupaged  rectangles of paper on both sides. One side is all the same design, while the other side has 2 each of 6 designs. I then embroidered a robot onto a little pouch that holds all of the wooden rectangles. It is a little old for him yet, but he'll be able to play before we know it.

We had such a fun time celebrating our little man's first birthday with family and close friends. I'd like to thank our amazing friend, Ashley Terry, for capturing the day with such amazing photos. 

Birthday Preparations

I have been busy preparing for Travis' first birthday, which has involved many hours "researching" on the web, window-shopping at various craft stores and tapping into my creative brain. Finally, using the gift from his Pappaw  gave me some inspiration.

Here's a sneak peek.

Luckily, I baked and decorated a trial run cake before deciding that cupcakes really would be easier. Interestingly, Ken LOVED the cake--I mean, like LOVED. This from the guy who left weddings and birthday parties early so that he wouldn't have to choke down the cake. I, on the other hand, would hang out for hours at weddings for people I barely knew just to sample the cake. His mom would make him a pie on his birthday every year instead of a cake, and his family has carried on the tradition. So that may give you some idea of my shock when I noticed large chunks were missing that I hadn't eaten. He's been eating on it for days now, and when I suggested he take it to work, he said no. He gave me some excuse about how difficult riding the Rackspace shuttle with cake would be, but I knew better. He didn't want to share it. So, yeah, feeling a little bit smug. My husband likes my cake.

My mom flies in Friday and will help me setup for the party, and we've secured our favorite family photographer to capture the fun moments. I am excited to share this momentous occasion with our family and close friends. Turning from 0 to 1 is a big deal! Not that I think Travis will care one way or the other, but I will, and that makes all the difference.