Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Best Christmas gift EVER

Travis always has to have a project to work on.  Not only does he enjoy his projects, he also has a major aversion to paying someone to do something he can figure out how to do himself for a fraction of the price.  Given the fact that he's dress-shirt-and-slacks-wearing-lap-top-toting-cubicle-sitting-technology guy with no formal training in construction, carpentry, upholstery, or the like, the things he's been able to create have been pretty incredible!  When we decided to adopt a baby, he and his dad (Hi Papa!) rolled up their sleeves and finished our basement to make more space for our growing family.  And we've discussed other projects he's taken on including building a baby gate and adapting our treadmill so that Josie can do treadmill therapy at home.
 
When we decided to turn our former office into a hot-air-balloon-themed playroom, he made adorable hot air balloons to hang on the wall.  It was at this point that he became known as "Crafty Dad".  Recently he's taken on a few more projects including upholstering a new headboard for our bed and building a riser for my desk....
 
...but his coolest project to date was a Christmas gift for the girls:
 
Yes, we now have our very own Chuck-E-Cheese in our basement!  It's every little kid's dream come true!
 

In addition to the sheer fun factor, the ball pit provides an opportunity to hone all sorts of gross motor skills including climbing, sliding, and swimming in thousands of brightly colored balls!
 

Merryn is a big fan!  Her sense of adventure and athleticism have always exceeded what would be prudent for a baby of her age and size.  When she was barely a year old, I have video footage of me imploring her not to go down the slide at the park on her belly.  Lil Bit is fearless!  Besides, no one could possibly be expected to demonstrate caution and restraint with such a fun attraction beckoning!

Unless you've got a severe gross motor allergy like Josie does. In that case, the ball pit provides an opportunity for adults to lift you up to the top tier where you can remain stationary until an adult drags you down the slide while you yell "No - please - no!" the whole way down.
Or you could have a splendid time working on color recognition from the safety of the ground; Josie's foremost preference indeed!
No matter how you slice it, you'll have a ball!
 
Thanks, Dad!  You are the BEST!

26 comments:

  1. LOVE the ball pit! SUPER COOL! GO DAD!

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  2. Best Dad Ever! This is so cool :)

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  3. Wow!! The hubs is fantastic. You should rent him out to others to finish their projects! :)

    I can't show Owen that slide/ball pit because I know what he'll be thinking--why can't I have THAT??

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  4. That is AWESOME!!! Now I'd really like some "plans" for that thing so we can build one.

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  5. I think Crafty Dad needs to do a tutorial one Friday a month listing all the supplies one needs for the project. That way the crafty, talented, industrial, ambitious people can go to Home Depot or Lowe's bright and early on Saturday morning, buy the supplies and get cracking on their Saturday project.

    The rest of us will try to attract a crafty, talented, industrial, ambitious mate, friend, relative, or group of elves.* Like how did he make those hot air balloon wall decorations? Can we have a more close-up picture?

    "The ones at the North Pole must be available for outsourcing now that Christmas is over.

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  6. Awesome! I agree with Lena about Crafty Dad once a month tutorial!

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  7. My kids LOVE ball pits but I despise them because of the yucky germ factor of public places. Having one at home fixes that problem!! Way to go Travis. Cool Dad of the year!

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  8. Busted. Out. Laughing. At the 'no, please, no'!! Josie and Coop would be Bff's, butts firmly planted on the floor thankyouverymuch. ;) And, best husband ever award! That thing is awesome. :)

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  9. I love the ball pit! I wish I had a basement and a crafty husband. ;)

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  10. Way to go Travis! That ball pit looks like a blast.

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  11. That all is awesome! I thought the hot air balloon baskets were going to be used for holding crayons or markers or scissors or other crafty items that need to be out of reach for when parents aren't around. That would be cool, too! Of course, I would need him to build them for me. haha

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  12. I love Josie's reaction to the slide! Our son has been the same way with slides.

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  13. Yup. He's a keeper! Wish I had room for a ball pit! It's awesome.

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  14. Grace asked when she can come over.

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  15. That is awesome! What a lucky family to have a handy and caring Dad. Do you hire him out? lol

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  16. That is just too cool!! Way to go Dad!!!

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  17. That is just too cool!! Way to go, Dad!!

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  18. Oh my goodness, I think when I scrolled to the picture of the ball pit I actually heard angels singing! How fun! I thought I was doing good by getting my two munchkins a mini trampoline. Ha!

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  19. Awesome!!! Best Daddy EVERRRRRR!!!

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  20. What did you use for top area and climbing pad? I would love to make one of these!

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  21. Do you happen to have plans for this?

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  22. I am just now seeing this years later but wow this amazing! Did your husband have a layout for this? And what did he use for the top of the climbing area and the climbing pad going up?

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