Decorate for Baby

Kids Alyssa

do my kids' names fit together?

yesterday, a friend of my MIL told me that she didn't think my kids' names "meshed well together." I mean, i realize she was being rude, but it made me wonder. What do you think?

Isn't every child supposed to be unique? If there supposed to be, shouldn't there names be different and fit them more then sounding great when said together by your friend?

I was just wondering this. And by the way, I like the names.

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New POTTERY BARN Kids ALYSSA FLOWER Garden BUMPER Green    US $49.99

New POTTERY BARN Kids ALYSSA FLOWER GARDEN Quilt CRIB    US $85.00

Pottery Barn Kids ALYSSA CRIB Fitted SHEET Butterfly    US $36.00

Pottery Barn Kids Alyssa Butterfly Fitted Crib Sheet    US $22.36

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Street Elmo

Why is Elmo the most ubiquitous Sesame Street character?

Elmo is everywhere! Why is he the most popular character on Sesame Street? The other characters are not seen on licensed clothing and sippy cups and toys nearly as much as Elmo. The favorite Muppet in our house is Oscar and you can't find him on any clothing at all. And The Count? Forget about it! What makes Elmo the Prince of Muppets all of a sudden? When I was little, Grover ruled.

Elmo has been big since the "tickle me Elmo" was such a huge hit a few years ago. Big Bird has had his share of the spotlight. Bert and Ernie were popular until some rumour about Bert being gay and died of AIDS (which he didn't) was started.

Seasame Street has been on TV since the 1960s, so my guess is that the producers are simply trying to keep a "fresh" muppet as being the face of the show.

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Handmade SESAME STREET Baby TODDLER Bib ELMO Big Bird    US $5.99

Sesame Street Elmo in a Car with Lights FOR Tiny Hands    US $6.99

Lot of 2 Sesame Street Infant Baby Caps Elmo and Cookie    US $9.99

Lot of 4 Sesame Street Terry Bibs Elmo, Big Bird etc    US $9.99

Lot of 4 Sesame Street Terry Bibs Elmo, Big Bird etc    US $9.99

Lot of 2 Sesame Street Infant Baby Caps Elmo and Cookie    US $9.99

K'Nex Sesame Street Elmo Building Set New Blocks    US $4.97

~ Sesame Street - ELMO CUTLERY SET EASY GRIP    US $14.95

Sesame Street Baby Insulated Bottle Holder Bag Elmo NWT    US $9.99

Sesame Street Travel/Folding Potty Seat - elmo big bird    US $5.00

Elmo Elmo's World Soft Fuzzy Blanket ~ Sesame Street    US $13.00

Lot of 2 Sesame Street Infant Baby Caps Elmo and Cookie    US $9.99

Sesame Street Big Bird,Oscar,Elmo more Wallpaper Mural    US $139.99

~ Sesame Street - ELMO CUTLERY SET EASY GRIP    US $14.95

6pc Away We Go Sesame Street Baby Elmo Bedding Crib Set    US $64.89

Sesame Street Elmo's World Hooded Bath Towel    US $9.99

FISHER PRISE SESAME STREET ELMO TALK & SING LIGHT PIANO    US $7.99

Sesame Street Elmo's World Record n Play Phone BEAUTIFU    US $9.99

SESAME STREET ELMO BLANKET!! CUTE!!    US $5.99

3 Sesame Street Pacifiers Elmo Big Bird Cookie Monster    US $4.99

Fisher Price Sesame Street Potty Elmo B9126 New In Box    US $19.99

Baby BOYS SESAME STREET ELMO BATH TOWEL 8pk WASHCLOTHS    US $5.97

Elmo and Friends Sesame Street Diaper Cake    US $46.00

ELMO DVD's Sesame Street    US $5.99

ELMO DVD's Sesame Street    US $5.99

ELMO DVD's Sesame Street    US $5.99

Large New Handmade Bib ELMO & SESAME STREET    US $2.25

Baby GIRLS ELMO SESAME STREET BATH TOWEL 8pk WASHCLOTHS    US $4.97

SEASAME STREET ELMO & FRIENDS BABY 4- PEICE BEDDING SET    US $16.00

SESAME STREET SOUNDS ELMO MUSIC SOFT PLAY BABY BOOK NEW    US $7.97

Fisher Price Sesame Street See'n Say Elmo's Peek & Seek    US $9.99

Washcloths and Mitten Set Sesame Street Elmo    US $.99

NEW NIB SESAME STREET Musical Baby MOBILE ELMO BIG BIRD    US $19.99

Lot of 4 Sesame Street Terry Bibs Elmo, Big Bird etc    US $9.99

Sesame Street Elmo Tickle Me Hands perfect condition    US $4.00

SESAME STREET ELMO BIG BIRD WALL ART PICTURES! NEW!    US $8.00

NEW Sesame Street Elmo Faucet Spout Tub Cover    US $14.99

Sesame Street Elmo Tummy Pal Teething Ring / Rattle NIP    US $4.99

NEW Sesame Street Elmo Faucet Spout Tub Cover    US $14.99

LOT of 2 Sesame Street Elmo Blue Bibs EUC    US $.99

SESAME STREET ELMO'S PEEK-A-VIEW BACK SEAT MIRROR !    US $.87

GIRLS ELMO SESAME STREET SHIRT & SKIRT 2PCS SETS SZ 0    US $.90

New BOYS ELMO SESAME STREET 2 PC OUTFITS SETS SIZE 00    US $.90

New BOYS ELMO SESAME STREET 2 PC OUTFITS SETS SIZE 0    US $.90

New BOYS ELMO SESAME STREET 2 PC OUTFITS SETS SIZE 00    US $.90

New BOYS ELMO SESAME STREET 2 PC OUTFITS SETS SIZE 0    US $.90

Lot of 2 Sesame Street Infant Baby Caps Elmo and Cookie    US $9.99

ELMO ~ BOOK BLOCK ~ with BOOKENDS Sesame Street    US $.99

Sesame Street Elmo & Friends Diaper bag    US $18.00

Lot of 2 Sesame Street Infant Baby Caps Elmo Big Bird    US $9.99

Lot of 4 Sesame Street Terry Bibs Elmo, Big Bird etc    US $9.99

Sesame Street Elmo 4 Pc Toddler Bedding New!    US $50.00

Fisher Price Sesame Street Sing W/ Elmo's Greatest Hits    US $1.99

ELMO Sesame Street 31 Removeable Wall Decor Stickers    US $12.99

SESAME STREET~Elmo~Cuddle Security Blanket Rattle~BNWT    US $25.58

SEASAME STREET ELMO & FRIENDS BABY 4 PEICE BEDDING SET    US $14.99

Sesame Street Babies Elmo Baby Nursery Bedding Crib Set    US $48.99

SESAME STREET ELMO TIME TO LEARN ABC 123 WALL BORDER    US $12.99

SESAME STREET BEGINNINGS ELMO BABY DIAPER BAG BLACK NEW    US $28.95

Sesame Street Babies Elmo Baby Bedding Crib Set Mobile    US $63.99

New 2010 Sesame Street, Elmo,Big Bird Rem WALL STICKERS    US $29.24

WOW~3pc Infant Gift Set~SESAME STREET~ELMO~0-6mths~BNIB    US $31.98

HANDMADE BABY TODDLER BIB HALLOWEEN SESAME STREET ELMO    US $1.25

NEW SESAME STREET ELMO/COOKIE MONSTER TEETHER BABY TOYS    US $4.95

NEW SESAME STREET Travel SNACK BOWL LOT OF 3 ELMO OSCAR    US $8.99

Sesame Street ELMO COOKIE BIG Baby Girl Boy Blanket NWT    US $9.89

Sesame Street ELMO Insulated Sippy Cup 2 Pack NEW    US $7.99

SESAME STREET ELMO Cutlery Spoon & Fork Set NEW    US $4.56

Baby Boy SM Blanket SESAME STREET BASEBALL ELMO COOKIE    US $5.95

Sesame Street Elmo Spill Proof Cups Sippy    US $8.00

NEW Sesame Street Elmo Diaper Bag and Changing Pad    US $26.99

Sesame Street Elmo & Zoe Feeding Set NEW    US $9.99

NEW Fisher-Price Sesame Street Elmo Peek-a-Boo Bath Fun    US $12.99

45 New SESAME STREET Wall Stickers Elmo Nursery Decals    US $12.99

Sesame Street Elmo Fiber Reactive Pullover Baby Bib !!!    US $5.89

NEW Baby King Sesame Street Elmo Musical Mobile    US $19.99

BABY SESAME STREET BEGINNINGS ELMO BABY BLANKET    US $9.99

Sesame Street Foam Soap - Elmo Cherry UPC# 35303-27230    US $2.85

Sesame Street Elmo Travel Baby Neck Pillow    US $11.95

Sesame Street Elmo Beginnings Away We Go Musical Mobile    US $29.99

Sesame Street Elmo & Friends Plush Toddler Blanket NEW!    US $12.95

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Girls Dora

Birthday gifts for girls are numerous and making a selection might get perplexing. What if the gift you bought didn't really excite the birthday girl? That happens pretty often with most of us! To avoid this embarrassment you need to make sure that the birthday gifts you are giving are actually worthwhile for them. Girls are usually drawn towards stuff like dolls, doll houses, etc. If you present them such gifts, there won't be a chance of not liking it. On the other hand, it is better to avoid making a gift too specific. Try giving them gift baskets so that they get a couple of things together which would excite them and make them happier.

Try these gift baskets the next time you are going to shop for birthday gifts for girls:

Dora the Explorer Gift basket: Girls under the age of 8 adore Dora the Explorer. It is one of the most famous cartoon characters of today. Girls love to watch it and collect books and accessories related to it. Giving a gift basket of Dora the Explorer would never let you face the embarrassment of your gift not being liked. Even if, the birthday girl doesn't totally fall in love with it, she will still like the idea. Currently it is one of the best birthday gifts for girls. There are different types of Dora the Explorer baskets. You should select the one with color books and puzzles to make it a bit education for the child.

Disney Princess Gift baskets: There we go! Nothing can amuse girls more than gifts related to Disney princesses! A basket that contain bags, purses, books, crayons, and having images of Disney princess can prove to be an exciting gift for the birthday girl. Such birthday gifts for girls are educational and would make them proud in their friends circle for having a bag or a book of their favorite Disney princess.

Hannah Montana Gift basket: Hannah Montana gift baskets are again great birthday gifts for girls that can make them all jollied up! Hannah Montana is the latest character that girls look up to. Girls under the age of 8 or 12 would really love it if you give them a basket of Hannah Montana. There are different types of Hannah Montana gift baskets available such as Hannah Montana musical kit, Hannah Montana School supplies, and the like. Whatever you give, make sure you wrap it up nicely for the perfect surprise!

You can even prepare a gift basket at home if you are not getting the perfect combination of things at shops. Get some coloring books, crayons, color pencils and a small Hannah Montana or a Dora the Explorer bag and stuff it in a basket. Tie a ribbon around the basket and there you go! You have created an amazing gift basket! Don't stroll around in the markets looking for birthday gifts for girls instead use some creative ideas and make the perfect one yourself.

This article is to help shoppers find gifts for children, Fay K. providing shopping tips and explain how to benefit from personalized gift for kids. Sponsored by Birthday gifts for girls and Birthday Party favors for Kids

where can i find the video that makes fun of dora the explorer?

i remember a while ago i watched this video and they were making fun of dora the explorer. they had another little animated girl doing things like dora and it was just so funny. i cant find it anywhere can you help?
one of the things she says is "don't question it just do it"

That was on Saturday Night Live. Check NBC's website.

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DORA THE EXPLORER REVERSIBLE BABY GIRL BLANKET PINK EUC    US $3.99

Dora the Explorer Car Seat Cover Baby Girls    US $29.95

I ~ SPY BABY GIRL ~ RAG QUILT SIZE 30X36 DORA, POOH    US $32.95

Dora the Explorer girls plate 3 tumblers spoon set    US $.99

DORA & BOOTS~LEOPARD~Baby Girl Diaper Bag~HANDMADE    US $19.95

8 DORA THE EXPLORER KIDS GIRLS DRESSER DRAWER KNOBS    US $18.99

Dora the Explorer Boots Kids Bath Area Rug Girls Pink    US $14.95

GIRLS PAMPERS/DIAPERS DORA ADVANCED JUMBO 3T - 4T +    US $8.99

Handmade baby bib Girls Purple Dora the Explorer Boots    US $4.00

Dora The Explorer Star Soap Dish for Girls    US $9.95

Dora the Explorer Girls Kids Throw Fleece Blanket NWT    US $12.95

Dora the explorer Nightlight kids girls room NEW light    US $4.99

Handmade baby bib Dora the Explorer Girls Boots Unicorn    US $4.00

New PINK Girl DORA THE EXPLORER Potty Training Seat    US $16.99

NEW Dora POTTY SEAT & STOOL Toilet Training Girls Chair    US $21.88

Baby Girl SMALL Blanket DORA THE EXPLORER BOOTS RAINBOW    US $5.95

Dora the Explorer Nursery Musical Mobile Girls NEW!    US $24.98

NEW Dora & Boots Rainbow Wall Border Girls Room Decals    US $11.98

girls DORA THE EXPLORER summer DENIM dress size 2 NEW    US $13.70

NEW 84"VALANCE NURSERY GIRL BABY DORA THE EXPLORER PINK    US $15.98

NWT Dora The Explorer 2pc Set Baby Girl 6/ 9 Months    US $13.00

2 Dora the Explorer Terry Cloth Burp Cloths Baby Girl    US $10.00

PAMPERS EASY UPS GIRLS DORA TRAINING PANTS SIZE 6 - 19    US $11.11

NEW Dora & Boots Rainbow Wall Border Girls Room Decals    US $11.98

Girls Pink Fleece DORA Hoodie SZ 18 months    US $1.99

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Barn Kid

Custom Made For Kids review

Personalized children's books make your child the star! As seen in the Wall Street Journal and on the Early Show and Fox Business, our award-winning personalized children's books make perfect keepsake baby gifts, baptism gifts, birthday gifts, or holiday gifts for newborns and young children. 

With its 32 pages of bright, whimsical full-color illustrations and its rhyming text � you and your child will fall in love with this hardcover, keepsake personalized children's book. The First Adventures of Incredible You has been described by one reviewer as  huge leap over any other personalized book  seen� and by another as  total home run in the world of personalized books. For boys or girls, our award-winning custom children books are personalized with your child favorite people and places and follow your child from the day he or she arrived on Earth through the exciting first adventures in life. The First Adventures of Incredible You is proud to be an iParenting Media Award Winner for Outstanding Product in the Gift category. Please take the Virtual Book Tour below to see what a perfect new baby, birthday, holiday or baptism gift this personalized children's storybook makes!

Read what we're up to and make comments at the new Custom Made For Kids Blog!!

Our personalized children's books are perfect for every child:

• Boys and Girls
• Biological or Adopted
• Any Race or Nationality
• Ages 0 - 8
• Traditional & Non-Traditional Family Structures

The First Adventures of Incredible You becomes a completely personalized storybook with just a little input from you regarding the people and places that are special to the child. Also, our personalized children's books include a dedication page so the child never forgets that this unique keepsake storybook came from you! In addition to the child's name and birth date, some meaningful things you can include in these custom children's books are the child's/family's: 

• Favorite Sports Team
• Neighborhood Street
• Nearby Park

• Favorite Food
• Vacation Spot
• Nearby Zoo

• Siblings/Friends
• Grandparents
• Pet

• If you do not know how the child's family would fill in the above personalized information, there are easy standard options available for you or you may order a book gift certificate so that the recipient family may fill in the information themselves!

We are thrilled to announce our new partnership offering our custom books at Pottery Barn Kids. Our award winning books are the perfect compliment to the fun and function that is the beauty of Pottery Barn Kids. We are also excited to announce that our personalized children's books are now being carried by Garnet Hill catalog. Our keepsake children's books make a great addition to Garnet Hill's catalog, known for its high-quality merchandise with distinctive design. 

We are certain that our personalized children's book, The First Adventures of Incredible You, will become a treasured family keepsake and that the special child in your life will want to read this book again and again!

About the Author

Did you ever crawl underneath a real big red barn when you were a kid? ahaha?

No but we crawled under Miss Carney's house to smoke !

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Pottery Barn Kids surf Splash sea animal bath pool toys    US $9.99

Pottery Barn Kids Farmyard Friends Musical Crib Mobile    US $7.95

Potter Barn Kids crib bumper NIP - New In Package    US $20.00

Pottery Barn Kids Ultimate Changing Table Antique White    US $200.00

Pottery Barn Kids Sleigh Crib Antique White w/Mattress!    US $250.00

NIP POTTERY BARN KIDS ISABELLE STRIPE CRIB SKIRT PRETTY    US $19.99

13 pc POTTERY BARN KIDS RED GINGHAM NURSERY/CRIB SET    US $24.99

Pottery Barn Kids Harper Diaper Tote/Navy & Green    US $29.99

Pottery Barn Kids Winter Wonderland Crib Quilt 6pc Set    US $89.95

Pottery Barn Kids Crib Bumper Pad with Matching Quilt    US $29.00

NIP POTTERY BARN KIDS ELIZA STRIPE CRIB BEDSKIRT YELLOW    US $14.99

NIP POTTERY BARN KIDS ELIZA STRIPE CRIB BEDSKIRT BLUE    US $14.99

Pottery Barn Kids LAVENDER gingham Nursery Crib Bumpers    US $22.99

Pottery Barn Kids Coco Dot Crib/Toddler Quilt    US $44.99

Set of Pottery Barn Kids Crib Sheets    US $7.99

Pottery Barn Kids Chamois Lambie Lamb Valances-set of 3    US $30.00

3pc Pottery Barn Kids LINDSEY SET sham sheet skirt crib    US $88.00

Pottery Barn Kids Blue Patchwork Star Crib Bedding EUC    US $41.79

Pottery Barn Kids Baby Boats Crib Bedding    US $115.00

Pottery Barn Kids Pink Hearts Crib Quilt Bumper Set EUC    US $49.99

Pottery Barn Kids Floral Toddler Crib Duvet Cover set    US $24.99

Pottery Barn Kids Grace Crib Bumper    US $5.95

POTTERY BARN KIDS BABY HOODED DUCK TOWEL BOYS GIRLS NIP    US $29.99

Pottery Barn Kids Bumper/Bedding Set    US $10.00

Pottery Barn Kids Eliza Blue Crib Bumper EUC    US $15.00

Pottery Barn Kids JUNGLE FRIENDS CRIB SKIRT NEW    US $29.99

Pottery Barn Kids PINK CHAMOIS Changing Pad Cover EUC!    US $4.25

Pottery Barn Kids Cars&Trucks Quilt - bumper pad, skirt    US $16.66

Pottery Barn Kids Circus Valance NEW    US $19.00

Pottery Barn Kids Circus Crib Skirt NEW    US $29.99

Pottery Barn Kids Circus Valance NEW    US $19.00

Pottery Barn Kids Lavender Butterfly Crib Mobile NEW    US $19.00

Pottery Barn Kids Kasey Pink Toddler Crib Quilt    US $19.00

Pottery Barn Kids Lavender Chamois Changing Pad Cover    US $15.00

Pottery Barn Kids Blue Chamois Changing Cover    US $8.00

Pottery Barn Kids Bright Pink Chamois Crib Sheet NEW    US $19.00

NWT POTTERY BARN KIDS RIC RAC LINER XL BASKET 4PC PINK    US $29.99

Pottery Barn Kids Boy BLUE ISLAND SURF CRIB Set EUC!!!    US $75.00

Pottery Barn Kids Crib Quilt Sham Red White Blue Plaid    US $19.99

HTF 15" Pottery Barn Kids Plush BROWN Teddy BEAR    US $4.99

Pottery Barn Kids Light Blue Changing Pad Cover EUC    US $4.99

POTTERY BARN KIDS Pink Tie Dye NURSERY Crib Set GIRLS    US $89.95

Pottery Barn Kids Blue/Green Plaid Crib Bumper Pad    US $5.00

POTTERY BARN KIDS COUNTING SHEEP CRIB QUILT    US $9.99

Pottery Barn kids bedding set (vehicle theme)    US $39.00

Pottery Barn Kids Knit Stroller Swaddling Blanket    US $.99

Pottery Barn Kids Bumper Pad crib yellow flowers floral    US $14.99

POTTERY BARN Kids PBK Soft TEA Set Pink Stars Teapot    US $8.99

Pottery Barn Kids Nursery Flannel Bedding Literie    US $30.00

NEW Pottery Barn Kid BEATRIX POTTER Nursery Crib SHEET    US $29.99

NIP Pottery Barn Kids Chambray Percale Crib Sheet    US $3.99

POTTERY BARN KIDS~HALLOWEEN BIB/BURP CLOTHS~PEEK A BOO!    US $5.99

Lot of 2 Pottery Barn Kids Flower Applique Valances    US $5.95

NIP JJCole for Pottery Barn Kids pink Bundle Me ANNA    US $9.99

Pottery Barn Kids Explorer Map Crib Sheet ~ NEW    US $9.99

Pottery Barn Kids Crib Happy Bugs Duvet Sham Sheet Set    US $24.99

Pottery Barn Kids Zoo Animals Quilted Window Valance    US $9.99

Pottery Barn Kids Zoo Animals Quilted Window Valance    US $9.99

NWT Pottery Barn Kids Critter Frog Thumbie Lovie Lovey    US $6.88

POTTERY BARN Kids Crib ALPHABET SOUP Bumper PAD Unisex    US $24.99

NWT Pottery Barn Kids Layla Complete Crib Set SOLD OUT    US $109.00

NWT Pottery Barn Kids Chase Crib Skirt Dust Ruffle    US $7.99

NEW POTTERY BARN KIDS CHAMBRAY HAMPER LINER SMALL SAGE    US $6.99

PoTTery BaRn KiDs SANTA BARBARA Crib QUILT Nursery BABY    US $289.99

POTTERY BARN KIDS Blue Cribskirt, Dust Ruffle Excellent    US $5.00

Pottery Barn Kids Meghan Pink Crib Quilt, Bumper, Sheet    US $9.99

Pottery Barn Kids Penelope small pillow sham    US $11.50

Pottery Barn Kids Nursery Bears Star Crib Mobile NEW    US $24.99

Pottery Barn Kid Moon & Stars Unisex Baby Blanket NWOT    US $19.99

Pottery Barn Kids Island Surf Bumper Pad and Crib Sheet    US $9.99

Pottery Barn Kids Red Chambray Cribskirt Crib Skirt NEW    US $17.99

Pottery Barn Kids Seersucker Sailboat Small Sham NEW    US $12.99

Pottery Barn Kids "Old MacDonald had a farm" cribset!    US $23.95

Pottery Barn Kids "All Aboard" cribset!    US $29.95

Pottery Barn Kids Carrot Bunny Quilt and Crib Bumper    US $12.99

Pottery Barn Kids WINTER WONDERLAND Quilt Bumper Sham    US $99.00

Pottery Barn kids cribskirt! Coordinates with Penelope!    US $5.00

Pottery Barn Kid PETER RABBIT Large EASTER BASKET LINER    US $29.99

Pottery Barn KIDS EUC "SWEET STRAWBERRY" CRIB BEDDING    US $4.25

PoTTery BaRn KiDs SNOWMAN Crib Baby SHEET Christmas NEW    US $24.99

PoTTery BaRn KiDs SNOWMAN Crib Baby SHEET Christmas NEW    US $24.99

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Kids Big

Kid's Playhouse - the Castlefort Story

“It should be about this big…”

My six-year-old son’s voice trailed away as he paced off an area in our back yard about the size of a blimp hangar.

“…and about that tall…”

He pointed to the top of the tallest tree in the neighborhood, but had the Sears Tower been on Bellaire Avenue he would have chosen it instead.

“…And it should be red…”

My two-year old interrupted: “and yellow…”

 “…with a windmill on top, and a rope ladder, and a slide, and a swing, and…can you build it today?”

“Well,” I said, and started to explain that before we could even start to build his new tree house, plans had to be drawn; cost estimates had to be calculated, and we hadn’t even picked out a site yet.  It was a pretty big tree house so we might need a structural engineer.  Could I build it myself or would I need to get competitive bids from contractors?   I was just getting to the part about applying for a building permit when he broke in:

“Dad,” he said, “you can do it, you’re an arky-tek.”

(Slight pause as I choked down the lump of pride rising in my throat – how could I say no to that?)

“Okay.  Hand me my credit card, son, we’re off to the lumberyard.”

Like a lot of architectural projects, this one started off with a clash of dreams and reality.  As the “director” of a project, I’m often challenged to sort out the possible from the impossible and simultaneously create something beautiful, useful, and lasting.  And if my client is open to alternatives and willing to explore options to control the cost, then we’ve got a realistic chance of bringing the project in near the budget.

But the budget for the “castlefort”, as my kids had now come to calling it, was only $300.  And even that began to look like a distant dream when we got to the lumberyard.  Yikes!  For a minute, I thought the prices were in Yen.

I just needed utility-grade lumber, not the straightest, smoothest boards on earth; not perfect knot-free specimens lovingly hand-carved from trees that had lived long and happy lives and in the end, had fallen softly into thick beds of pine straw – just plain old 2 x 4’s.

Eventually, I culled out the worst looking boards from the bunch and talked the store manager into a sizeable discount.  We were back on budget.

I’d known early on that the biggest problem we faced in the siting and design of our tree house was the lack of trees, or at least trees that could support a tree house.  But there is always another solution lurking in the background, hidden behind the pile of baggage in my brain that keeps trying to tell me what a tree house should look like.  The solution was really quite simple when I realized that it wasn’t so much that the tree house had to be up in a tree, it just mostly had to be up.  And so we built it on stilts in a simplified version of coastal construction where pilings are sunk into the sand to hold up the floor deck.  With my six-year old supervising, I set four 4 x 4’s into postholes and filled them with concrete.

The rest of the project had many of the elements of a “real” house; framing, siding, roofing, painting, even indoor/outdoor carpeting.  I balked at my son’s request for electricity and cable TV but gave in on the chimney/skylight.

Painting was collaboration between my kids, my wife, and me; the adults handling the outside while the kids tackled the interior décor.  To the relief of our neighbors, the exterior complements the house.  The inside, however, looks like an oven after a particularly bad lasagna explosion.  But the kids love it, and so do I.

Right from the beginning the castlefort was a huge hit with the neighbors and their kids. At every party it’s the first place the kids go and it is the center of activity for almost every game they can think up.  But then a funny thing happened – the neighbor kids started asking their dads when they’d start building their castleforts. For at least one dad, the pressure was too much; his tree house is on schedule for a late spring completion.

One evening my wife and I were sitting on the deck watching the kids play tag around the castlefort.  “Honey”, I said, “I wonder how old the boys will be when they get tired of playing in the castlefort?”

“I don’t know if they ever will,” she said.  “Right now it’s a big toy but eventually it’ll be a secret hideout, or a cabin for summer sleepovers with their friends,” “Why maybe they’ll even invite their girlfriends over to see it someday.”

“Girlfriends?” I said. “Girlfriends?”  We looked at each other for a moment and suddenly the realization of what she’d just said hit her.

“Ten years, babe,” I said.  “Then it’s coming down!”

About the Author

I have over 20 years’ experience in the field of architecture and have designed homes and buildings across the country.

I see my work as much more than just designing homes - I see residential architecture as an expression of a social art; an art with a strong responsibility to culture and environment, expressed in its enrichment of family life and by its contribution to community.

I truly love my work, and look forward to sharing the excitement of the custom design process with you.

Richard Taylor, AIA
President
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
Residential Architects

how to prove to big kids that you are better than them at the skate park?

i usually go to the skate park to ride my scooter and then big kids always come. i think i don't suck on my scooter but im not like pro.... i go down the steep ramp and almost clear the box. when i'm riding they look at me like i suck pig butt... how can i prove to them that im better than them? p.s. they are on bikes all the time when they come.

play skate against them

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