Sunday, March 23, 2014

A new swing set and a conversation


Little Buddy's swing set is all set up and ready to go.  It is tiny, just his size.
 
 
He loves the swing, but sure does not like the steering wheel inside the little platform area. 
It makes a clicking sound we just are not sure about yet.


The most fascinating thing for him was crawling around in the grass with my shoes on his feet.  He also loves to do that in the house.  Most kids his age love to walk around in their parents shoes, since he is not walking, crawling is his way to do it and also be age appropriate.  Notice the little photo bomber (another bomb term I do not like) in the picture above.  How about photo surpriser.


Through the grass, on the pavers, round and round we go.
 

Max sure had a great time being outside with all of us.  Max and Little Buddy were very tired after this little excursion outside. 

Yesterday after Little Buddy's afternoon nap, when the swing set was ready, and we took him outside to see it together as a family, this is the conversation that followed.

Teenager: "What is that in the tree?"

Me: "I decorated our tree with yarn, it is called a yarn bombing, it's cool and happens everywhere."

Teenager: Huge eye roll.  "Everywhere?"

Husband; "Seriously?  Does it hurt the tree?"

Me: "Are you serious????"

Teenager: "It happens everywhere?  I have never heard of it."  Continue eye roll, with a bit of disgust on his face.

Me: "Google it and you will see it, and realize I am very cool."

Insert smirks from both husband and son.

Me:  "It is nice to know my self-esteem is high enough that I really don't care what you two think!"

Do you see what I am working with here?  I am worried that my neighbor's think I am batty and quirky when all along it is my family.  I am surrounded by males who just don't get it.  At least I still have Max, he loves to be outside with me and does not care a flip if I am decorating the tree.  Little Buddy is too young to do the eye roll, but I know it will be coming when he gets older.  I bet my older two teach it to him as soon as they can.

54 comments:

Bridget said...

First of all, if Little Buddy gets any cuter, I'm gonna scream.

I love the conversation about the yarn bombs! I'm glad Max understands (even if it's just 'cause he doesn't care).

:-)

moonstruckcreations said...

The new swing set arrangement looks brilliant, Little Buddy will have the time of his life with it!

I have 4 males in our house, DH and the 3 sons, so me and my daughter are really up against it, but somehow we manage to hold our own ;)

Helenxx

Joy said...

I love Little Buddy's swing set Meredith - how gorgeous is that!
I wouldn't give a second thought to the attitude of your (older) 'square' male members of the family, they just don't want to acknowledge that they are far from being trendy!
Of course dear Max is above all that - he just knows you can do no wrong and is always 'with you'!
Have a lovely week my friend,
Big hugs, Joy xo

Anonymous said...

The only answer is to indoctrinate little buddy as soon as you can. Have him HELP decorate the trees.

He will see it as HIS artwork and then you will have one on your side (along with a whole lotta other COOL knitters!)

kristieinbc said...

That Little Buddy is such a sweetheart! The swing set is terrific, and I love how it is right by your decorated tree. I hope your husband and son did some Googling when they got back inside the house. :-)

Deb said...

I love the swing set! Buddy will have many happy hours on it. :) Oh, I do understand the eye roll thing. I have 5 daughters and they all do it to me! I am just to old to care any more! And yes, the older ones will teach the younger ones. Just ignore it!

cockney blonde said...

The swing apparatus looks absolutely fab and I'm sure little Buddy will get hours of fun from it. Kids everywhere, boys and girls, walking or not, love to play in grown up shoes, brill, x

Balisha said...

I came here from Claudia's blog. I have really enjoyed reading about little Buddy. He's a doll..
When you mention decorating your tree, it brings me back several years when our big old elm had a large spot free of bark. I am a painter and decided to paint flowers on it. Our deck was built around the tree...so this floral painting decorated the deck too. I also painted the top half of our bathroom like the sky...with clouds and birds. I guess people have always thought that I march to a different drummer..still do.
Balisha

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hey Meredith. Your yarn bombing is "Beautiful" it adds color and surprise to the backyard and it looks like Buddie and Max is great pals and Max looks happy again. Hugs Judy

Shirley said...

Your little Buddy is having such a good time in his new swing. He will probably get use to the steering wheel in time. I like how you decorated your tree. I have seen where people decorated lamp post that way. I have been missing a little so I am trying to catch up with my friends this morning. I am sending you hugs and prayers this morning. We all need them at times and with what I read I feel you do. Have a wonderful day. Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend.

Jennifer Hays said...

I personally think it's nice to how far yarn-bombing has come. Only a year ago I shared some photos of a local yarn-bombing on my blog and readers seemed dubious in response. I think Yarndale probably opened a lot of people's eyes to yarn-bombing but it was by no means the first time it was ever done. I think yours looks great, so never mind the nay-sayers. The swingset looks like so much fun. My kids both used that same swing and it was good for both of them for YEARS. We bought ours second-hand, and it was one of the best investments we ever made as parents. :)

Ann said...

Raising boys is a trip and one not for the faint of heart. But it's oh so worth it! I had a wonderful relationship with our oldest son who passed away this past June; and I have a close and growing relationship with our youngest son who has moved back home for a while. He is a joy to have around and such a blessing to us. If you can make it through the teen years with your sanity and your relationship with them intact, you will be blessed for many years to come.

Pammy Sue said...

Looks like you're getting into the swing of things with the little one. He should enjoy that set for years. Teenagers!

Diane said...

Meredith, it is me, Kris from Simplify. I am at Mom's and have her laptop, didn't want to change her settings...so I am Diane today. Don't you worry about those Testerone laced fellows you live with. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the yarn (bomb/decorating) and have been dying to do it at my house! Little one is oh so darling in his swing. Boy are the angels shining on him!! Such love!!
xo Kris

Lynne said...

He is going to have so much fun on that swing set! Before you know it he'll be all grown up and rolling his eyes at you too!

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Meredith, What a cool swing set and a "cool mom" you are!!!! "Boys will be boys and men will be boys", all the same. Love the yarn tree, I haven't made one yet but it's so tempting!!! Little Buddy is so adorable, I'm so happy you have each other in your lives. Love to you all, xoRobin

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh LB is so adorable. He is gonna have a blast on that swing set!

Sorry about the eye roll stuff, I get it, too...they just don't understand our love of yarn.

((hugs))

Ana BC said...

It is a "guy" thing. Most of them don't get yarn. But you have us girls to share the joy of knitting and crochet ;-)

Mrs. C said...

What a cute swing set! :)

linda said...

Oh that little swing set is so tiny and cute and you can see little buddy just loves it. As for the men folk well what can I say they haven't got a clue, but hey do we care. I will be doing some yarn bombing in my garden again once the good weather is here, the crochet roses have bloomed all through the winter and added some much needed colour to the garden. :) xx

Linda said...

Little buddy having so much fun with your shoes, reminds me how my two children had imaginative play when they were little. I recall a time when they used a whole ball of yarn and strung it through the dining room. Over and under all the furniture like a maze. They had hours of fun climbing under and over their yarny creation.

Handmade and off-centered said...

Love the swing set. I cant wait to get one for my kiddos. You made me smile with this post. My older two are still at the stage where their mom is cool and they believe the things that I tell them, but that doesnt exclude me from the eye rolling. Apparently we have that in common, along with a little corky-ness but thats just a nice character trait if you ask me :)

Glad you had a good weekend.
Birgitta

Caffeine Girl said...

Thanks for sharing that conversation. LOL! It reminded me of my own kids. Now that they are in their mid-20s, they rarely roll their eyes. However, they still don't realize how cool their knitting mom is!

I am just awed by the way you've taken Little Buddy into your family. You are amazing!

My Garden Diaries said...

I was cracking up over the conversation between you and the boys! HA! That sounds like me! You did good with that tree! Makes life fun!! And how great is that swing set! It is so cute to see how much Little Buddy just loves it!! A wonderful week to you! Nicole xo

Betsy said...

That is one fantastic swingset for your Little Buddy. I just know there are going to be hours and hours of fun ahead for all of you with it. He sure looks like he's enjoying every minute on the swing and just crawling around all over his yard. I also cracked up at your conversation. My Hubby doesn't get it either. When I want to decorate with my yarny projects, especially when I suggested wrapping a table leg outside he just shook his head.
Max looks happier and much more relaxed these days. :-)
Blessings,
Betsy

Teresa Kasner said...

Dear Meredith.. I am loving this fun family stuff going on at your house. That is such a cute swing set!! Perfect for LB! He looks like he's in heaven on that swing! I'm kind of glad that the eye roll didn't really hit the big-time until after my kids were all teens. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Gracie Saylor said...

It is exciting watching little ones explore, isn't it Meredith. Little Buddy is delightful :)

In spite of the eye rolling you are getting from some of the males in your household, I join with your other blog friends to affirm that your fiber fashions are fab!

You are much loved by many, Meredith! xx

Pradeepa said...

That's a great swing set. Little buddy is going to have a lot of fun with that swing. He will definitely get used to the steering wheel. I absolutely loved your conversation.
Thankfully my kid hasn't reached the eye-rolling age yet. He loves what I do with yarn, he gives me ideas and offers to help me picking colors, winding yarns and such, so I am going to hate it when he starts rolling his eyes on my projects.

CJ said...

The swing set is wonderful, your Little Buddy will make many happy memories in your beautiful garden I am sure, it all looks blissful. Re the teenager and the husband, don't worry, they will catch up eventually. One day they will be walking down some cool, smart street and they will see some amazing yarn decorations and suddenly they will realise, actually you are hip and cool and ahead of the curve. Of course they will never admit this, but they will know it, and that will be enough. Hope you and yours have a lovely week. CJ xx

Amy at love made my home said...

Well we like to see the yarn bombing and the photo bombing, even if the bombing word isn't your favourite! Hope that you all have lots of fun with the new playset, it looks like a good one! x

Tanna said...

But, WE know you are super cool, Meredith!! LOL! blessings ~ tanna

Elizabeth said...

Buddy will enjoy that swing set!

Suzan said...

GUYS!! What do they know!!
Awesome new swing set!! Your little Buddy is really getting around -- with both pairs of shoes. What wonderful eye - hand coordination movement for Little Buddy!

kathy b said...

snicker snicker…they just don't know how COOL you are!!!

Love Little buddy in his SHOES crawling…how smart he is!

Hi Max, always non judgenemental!

Annie Cholewa said...

I'm with Dee ... get Little Buddy in on the yarn bombing business now and all will be well. He'll be helping when he's older with not an eye roll in sight!

Judy S. said...

That looks like a perfect swing set!
I'll bet he loves it.

Mrs. Micawber said...

I noticed the yarn bomb right away ... poor guys, they are so hopelessly out of the loop. (Yarn pun!) :)

Little Buddy is so adorable in his cool little glasses! Happy swinging to you both.

EMMA said...

Very cool swing set! I too am surrounded by males who have yet to develop an appreciation for my yarn efforts (I'm currently making some crochet flower bunting and all my husband can say is 'why').

millefeuilles said...

Dear Meredith,

Little Buddy is going to have so much fun with you guys. He is a fortunate, ADORABLE, little boy... But you need to get him on your side EARLY in sofar as yarn bombing is concerned. You might need him to fight your wonderfully quirky corner of the world some day :-)

Stephanie

yarn and pencil said...

Hi Meredith,
I love your post and especially the happy face of Little Buddy on the swing. I have some thoughts about the clicking sound but these would best be conveyed in an email if you wish for that.
Much love, Tracey xx

Mindy said...

Hahahaaaa!!! I'm cracking up over that conversation. ;-)

Needles and Wool said...

Buddy looks like he is really enjoying the swing in the photo! your conversation was funny, we understand you anyways! it looks pretty :) Have a great day!
Lisa

Lulu said...

he is just so adorable..love the dogie also..
glad Buddy loves the swing set, its a great yard for him to enjoy..
Men!!! :-):-)

Deb said...

love the new swing set & if your little guy's big smile is any indication, so does he!

Unknown said...

Hello dear Meredith, I'm so behind with my favourite blog reads, but I'm here now! I love the swing set! LB will have a blast with it for years to come! He is just gorgeous! And sorry you have to live with eye-rolling boys...you know karma will reward them - and you - with lots of little girls, your granddaughters will beg you to teach them to knit, then they'll yarn bomb daddy's and grandpa's chairs... ;-) Chrissie x

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

:) Well, just for the record, I thin you are very cool! And so is that swing set. Hugs, Tammy

Gillian Roe said...

You ARE cool Meredith, very cool indeed. You need to get in there quick with Buddy and teach him the wonders of yarn before his big brothers teach him the eye roll. (I get a lot of eye rolling from my hubby, I ignore him of course...) x

Babajeza said...

The yarn bombing is so lovely! Don't listen to THEM. :-) Hugs to you! Regula

Rose Red said...

What a great swing set. Not to mention a great backyard for Little Buddy to explore. I love that he's wearing your shoes on his hands.

Susanne Tyree said...

My grandson likes to wear his mom's shoes too. No telling where they will be found when he gets a hold of them. (((HUGS))) Susanne :)

Toni said...

Silly boys!

Liz said...

Who cares what the men think? They just don't get it...poor guys. The world would be so boring without us girls. My girl is used to my weirdness, poor Michael is learning. Don't worry, you are cool😊

Sue Pinner said...

Hi Meredith....Buddy and Fluffy sure do lead a full and active life together...such fun to see them
Hugs x

RedSetter said...

This just looks so wonderful and Little Buddy is going to flourish with you and the slightly sceptical(!) family.