DIY Kids Project: Accordion Envelope Card

My good friend Sally Shim has done it again. With her latest book Be Mine (published by Chronicle Books), Sally shares 25 simple and very doable paper projects for Valentine's Day or any occasion. I love simple, practical and kid-friendly DIY projects and Sally is just so good at that. Remember the Hand Carved Stamps Lucas and I made? We still make gift wrap with that stamp all the time. See, I love practical!

Today I'm sharing one of the projects Lucas and I worked on together as a little Valentine's Day gift for Nick. We chose to make the Accordion Envelope Card so that Lucas could choose little keepsakes to share with Daddy.

Look at Lucas' kindergarten picture!!!

Also, how cute is Lucas' new t-shirt from Ink + Wit? More to come about these amazing shirts!

Materials
5 paper envelopes (I used size 4-bar)
1 colored metal brad
1 piece of cotton ribbon, 16 inches long (I used bakers twine)

Tools
X-ACTO knife
Ruler
Pencil
Self-healing cutting mat
4 piece of tape adhesive
Paper hole punch

How To

1. Set aside one of the five paper envelopes. With the remaining four envelopes, cut straight across the flap, leaving a 1/4" flap. Make the cuts using the X-ACTO knife, ruler, pencil, and self-healing cutting mat.
    
2. Build the Accordion Envelope Card from the bottom up: Arrange the four envelopes on the work surface, one atop the other in a row, opening-side up, with the openings at the top. Join the envelopes together by taping the shortened flap of one envelope to the bottom back side of another envelope, in this way: First cut a piece of tape that is roughly the length of the envelope flap. Then apply the piece of tape to the flap and the back sides of the envelopes. Repeat until all four envelopes are taped together. Add the fifth envelope to the top of the accordion using the same technique.
    
3. Using the hole punch, punch a hole in the point of the triangular flap of the envelope, 1/4" from the tip of the flap. Insert the brad through the hole so the round piece is on the outside of the flap, then separate the legs of the brad and flatten them against the underside of the flap to the secure the brad to the envelope.
    
4. Fill the envelopes with special messages, mementos, and trinkets.

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Steep Ravine Cabins at Stinson Beach

Right before Memorial Day weekend, Nick took Lucas on a "big boys" trip to the Steep Ravine Cabins, just south of Stinson Beach.  Each bare-bones cabin dates back to the 1940s, and features a wood-burning stove, a dining table, sleeping platforms (apparently very hard so bring a tent mattress) and an outdoor barbeque. Perched high up on the side of a cliff, the expansive ocean views are to die for. I had never heard of these cabins before, but apparently you need to book them months in advance, and be quick -- reservations are available on the first day of the month at 8 a.m. PST, and the entire month books up in minutes. Seriously? Well, we were lucky that my friend Lisa did all the hard work for us and booked it quick style. Her plans fell through, she sent out an email to friends offering up her spot, I forwarded it to Nick thinking it might be a fun Daddy-and-Lucas trip (not realizing it was a hot commodity, duh!), and of course Nick jumped on it. Score!

We do a lot as a family, but I am a huge fan of one-on-one trips with the kids. Remember my Spring Break Trip to Legoland with Lucas? It's fun, easier than traveling with both kids (why did I ever complain when there was just one?), and best of all, Nick and I both get much-needed bonding time with each of the boys. The kids crave it and everyone is in a great mood when we reunite.

Crazy amazing views overlooking the ocean!

This trip coincided with a fun project Lucas' preschool class will be doing throughout the year and beyond:  a small stuffed tiger, named Ella, goes home with each child along with a journal. During her week-long visit with us, we jotted down our adventures in the journal and included photos or drawings of our activities. It was the perfect opportunity to take Ella to the Steep Ravine Cabins! Tucked into the side pocket of Lucas' backpack, Ella got to see the breathtaking views from the cabin, collect driftwood, learn how to eat a hot dog correctly (according to Lucas), sleep in a sleeping bag, and take a dip in the ocean at Stinson Beach.

+ Photos taken by Nick with iPhone 4
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Happy Weekend: Annual Girls Trip

Well friends, I'm off on an annual girls trip this weekend. Every year my college (and two high school) friends go a really nice trip somewhere for a long weekend. For many years we would all chip in and get each other a nice gift. While the gifts are nice, we realized that what was more special was actually spending time with each other. With half of us on the west coast and half on the east coast, this was not easy. So we decided that every year two of us would pair up and plan an entire trip. We have the best stories, memories, and experiences to share - way better than a fancy bag. The first year was Santa Fe, NM (I was about 8.5 months pregnant with Lucas so I couldn't go), then Chicago, IL, then New Orleans, LA, then Sedona, AZ, and this year... drum roooooooooooooll.....Austin, TX! I've never been and I'm really excited and have heard great things. Bummed to see thunderstorms and 88 degree weather (can you say fugly hair?), but it won't matter because I'll be with my dear friends.

This will be the longest time I've ever been away from both kids. I will miss them so much.

I'll miss Nick too!

and this...

not this :)

and this!

I will also be missing my dear mom's 65th birthday this weekend. I will definitely have to make it up to her next when I get back. She is the kindest, most loving, and sweetest person I know and I'm so grateful for each day with her. Also, best Po Po (grandma) ever!

As much as I can't wait to see the big smiles on the boys' faces when I come back, I am so happy to get away. I want it and need it. This is all part of the parenthood juggle, the balance, the challenge. See how I find balance here on Shop Sweet Things and Apartment 34's new collaborative series, The Kind of Woman.

Have a great weekend everyone! What are your weekend plans?

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