Juggling California Oranges fresh from the Tree
We just got home from a trip to visit C's family in San Diego. The trip was all making sure that Mimi has quality time with the grandparents and extended family who are all SD based. If family time was the goal, we truly nailed it.
Mimi got the chance to run free in the backyard, dig up worms with his Papa, sing songs, read stories, and feed the birds with his Nana, and watch his cousins unicycle AND juggle oranges fresh from the tree. What talent! Mimi joined in the fun by "juggling" too (holding two oranges and swinging his arms wildly around). He snuck a few nibbles of his juggling oranges, too.
But truly the highlight of the visit for him was digging in this giant dirt pile in the backyard:
I will say there is nothing quite like two weeks on the in-law's on a pull-out couch to truly humble you. Did I hit my creative and professional stride while on this trip? I'd say no. Did I keep on' truckin' toward the dream, despite the ache in my back? Absolutely!
Small children's media steps I took during this trip included:
- Meeting with my Children's Media Association mentorship match!
I want to get her permission before I share more about our first meeting, but let's just say it's a very exciting match! My mentor comes to children's media from background in research science, peace and justice work, and higher education systems. It will be interesting to see how the threads of our work come together.
- I submitted an application to join the board of the Carousel Theatre for Young People!
I feel drawn to what supporting what CTYP is creating! They focus on inclusive, accessible and imaginative shows that encourage play and emotional intelligence. I feel like in our current media landscape the power of live theatre and performance cannot be underestimated. No AI, just real humans and emotions, connecting with audiences. It wouldn't hurt to join a like-minded community of actors, writers, and makers who are all passionate about making work for young people!
- I wrote an application to teach art and film at my high school!
The film class at my high school changed my life. It's why I'm a filmmaker today. Filmmaking was the first time I felt creative freedom and was empowered to take out a camera and record the world. It challenged and inspired me. Stepping into this role carries a lot of meaning for me! It would be utterly bizarre to be back at my high school, but at the same time, I just know how important this job is and what is at stake.
While I have taught worldbuilding and film quite a bit over the years, I do not have the stereotypical "teacher" educational journey so we shall see if I get an interview. Coincidentally I have been working on a script set at my high school (an Adaptation of "The Daring Game" by Kit Pearson) over the last year, so it does feel a wee bit kismet.
EXCITING UPDATE: I have an interview scheduled for next week! :D
- I wrote and shared a short kids' story with C's family!
I wrote a children's short story about a topic I've been wanting to explore for a while now. While it's not finished or even edited, I shared the work-in-progress story with C's cousin and her kids and got live feedback.
- I got to visit the ever inspiring New San Diego Children's Museum (Let's call this a "field trip")
This place is truly the coolest. We have visited before but this was the first time Mimi was really 'getting it' and interacting with the installations. What I love about this children's museum is that they hire real working artists create installations that kids can interact and play with. It's cool. It's tangible. It's inspiring.
My favourite installation (if I had to pick!) is Whammock! The giant crocheted play structure created by Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam, made almost entirely by hand (!!)
You can take a look at her process on her website – you can see how they create each of the pieces that become the climbable structure!
Als0 – How cool is this Super 8 "Space Net" footage from 1981:
"This includes Super 8 footage from 1981 of Okinawa Memorial National Park just after it opened (the first large installation) as well as later footage after the nets were replaced using nylon 6,6 fibre. It also shows footage of the Rainbow Nets at Showa Memorial National Park on Children’s Day in the 1990s. Although details have changed the concept remains the same; the nets are as popular with kids today as they were then."
Moments of Inspiration:
Tiny vintage sweater sets!
Caitlin's Aunt Mary pulled out all of her childhood Barbies, and we all sat down and played on a long wooden table in the sunshine. In the collection of vintage outfits, Mary showed us some incredible little hand-knit sweater sets and outfits made by her mom (Caitlin's Grandma!)
Even though she's not around anymore, the legacy of creating childhood magic lives on.
It reminds me of how we still play with the Goldilocks and the three bears puppets my Nana Margaret made for us! Mimi is obsessed with them, and I think of her often when we play with them.
Aunt Mary herself is a whimsymaxxer after my own heart... from miniature collections, to a wind-up toy collection, to a postcard wall.. her home is wealth of inspiration:
Jello from Heaven
I know it's crazy to be inspired by jello...but inspiration hits when it hits. The colours. The textures. The California sun shining through... I just could not say no to this jello. If i could wear a suit of this jello's vibe, I would.
A restaurant with stacks on stacks of kids books!
Mimi and I visited a restaurant in Oceanside called Eris Food Co - I was highly impressed by their large collection of children's books! It's not everyday you find a place that wholeheartedly welcomes kids and families, so it's very much appreciated. They also had a rad sandbox!!
What's on our shelf !
The Easter bunny scored this Marla Frazee book, Roller Coaster!
I am obsessed with her work - the details in each illustration are incredible, and always something new to discover in the details.
Her website shares a lot more about her creative process, including her process of creating thumbnail sketches of each page:
One of my favof all time to read with Mimi is All the World (Written by Liz Garton Scanlon) – Marla's illustrations make this book a true classic.
Welcome to Mouseland!
Lea, Caitlin's cousin, is what I would call a children's book connoisseur. I deeply respect her taste in children's books - her taste is flawless!! So many of our best books have been gifted to us from Lea! (KEEP EM' COMIN'! :D )
During this visit, she gifted Mimi this book, Maggie Rudy's City Mouse, Country Mouse:
Maggie makes all of her own Mice and sets! I get a kick out of this photo on her 'about' page on her website:
I am enjoying diving into Maggie's work and creative process creating her Mice world - Maybe you will too!
What's on the playroom floor?!
In between the dirt, the vintage dolls, and the books, the BIGGEST HIT of this week has been rediscovering this vintage BRIO train set.
I thrifted it a few years ago in San Diego in pristine condish (Score!) However, the train has been missing at the grandparents over the last few visits – no one could find a trace of the missing train set! In a stroke of genius, Tommie (C's mom) found it in a hidden cupboard that can only be accessed by ladder! Heroic, really.
We are firmly in our trucks and train era, so it was found just in the nick of time!
Well folks, I think if you've made it this far you deserve some kind of felted mouse- miniature doll sweater grand prize. Please claim in the year 2076!
Thank you for reading!
LOVE,
Paisley
