30 May 2008

For my son's birthday last year, I made him a train table.



I designed it after looking through a Pottery Barn catalog and then went out and bought the wood. Aaron and I created it together, although I did at least one part of each step myself. I'm not 100% comfortable with power tools, so I'd have him start and show me how to do it with his tool, and then I'd finish.

This year for Nate and Sammi's birthday, I have designed two carts to go under that train table with locks so that they can't get into them unless I open them. They will hold their Little People toys and their train toys.

I have also designed an easel that is adjustable to their height, with two sides so they can play simultaneously, and two double-sized boards. Board one will be a white board and chalk board. Board two will be a felt board and magnet board. On top with be a roll of paper that can go down either side (but only one side at a time). The boards will be interchangeable as well. I can also add more boards - I've thought of one side for a board, but not the other. I'd like to glue a bunch of pieces of fabric to a board and then have zippers, buttons, fish eye clasps, ribbons, etc to practice braiding, tying, buttoning, zipping.

My sister had the brilliant idea of trying to find some magnetic clips so that the magnet board can be turned into a way to hold on to the paper on the roll. I asked my mom to make the kids for their birthday a castle or fantasy-themed felt set to play with on their new easel.

I just finished drawing out the plans, so soon I'll have to go purchase the wood and try it out. I'm shaking in my boots.

Labels: mommy blogging, random