Perler Beads - My New for New Years Side Activity

So before moving to Oregon (on Wednesday we will have been here 6 months), I had never heard of Perler Beads before.  I played a lot of cars, did a lot of miscellaneous arts and crafts and had a lot of fun (don't worry, I still do those things).  But at school, we started making fun creations by putting little beads on pegboards and then having our teachers melt them with an iron.

My very first Perler bead creation - nothing fancy, just a circle

Since that day at school, Dad calls me a 'Perler machine.'  Amelia and I made perler bead creations for Nana, Papa, Grandma & Grandpa for Thanksgiving, and a couple of times a week at home, I sit for hours and make new creations.  Dad says it is great for my coordination, creativity, focus and fine motor skills.

The Snail from my Snail Trail book about Modern Art (& Henri Matisse) - a self creation

Sometimes, I get inspiration for creations from my favorite things (like the photo above).  Other times I tell Mom and Dad what I would like to make and they look online for a pattern that I can follow. Since we were finding all sort of great ideas online, I asked Dad to post my creations online (he's my webmaster) as a way to give back. 

Over the holidays Dad created a new site for me to house all of my Perler bead creations.  The comments and everything on the site is all mine, I told Dad what I want people to know about each creation and he put the information up there.  More will be coming soon, since I love Perler-ing.

Follow this link to check out my repository - I called the site Perler Party:

 

Peace Out,
Phin

I'm a Waltzing Flower in the Nutcracker!

Last weekend was my big ballet performance.  I led 'the girls' on stage as we flowered, twirled, waltzed and jumped.  Avid readers know that I have been doing ballet for a few months.  I really love it. 

Getting ready backstage

I really enjoyed doing ballet on stage.  The hardest part was that I could not find my Phiny while I was on stage dancing.  It was not until we came back on to curtsy that I saw Dad, Mom and (most importantly) Phin sitting in the 3rd row right in the middle.  Who knew they were so close; it was so bright on stage I could not see anything. 

First one out... being planted as a seed.

With the girls on stage

You can check out all of my performance debut photos here.  Dancing is so much fun, I look forward to starting back in January!
Lots of Love,
Amelia

A Useless Video to Brighten Your Day - A Box That Moves

Like the post says, this video (and post) is merely here to brighten your day - since the video is really random.  Good thing everyone likes really big boxes!  Funny things is, Dad (who you see giving Memoo a bath in the background) and Amelia (who you cannot see because she is in the bath) had no idea what was happening behind them.

Check out the video here

Peace Out,
Phin

Winter Hiking and Waterfalls @ Silver Falls State Park

When Fall and Winter hit, it rains a lot in Portland.  Cold temperatures + rain = more indoor activities (I've been excited to use plus signs lately).  But, a break in the recent heavy rains + lots of layers = an opportunity to explore outside. 

Sunday morning, Mom said "what would you all like to do today."  I replied "Perler beads," since I love creating with perler beads and I am midway through creating a train.  Amelia replied "Breakfast and anything with Phiny."  Dad said, "Waterfalls?" 

So here's what we did Sunday: Ate breakfast (all four of us).  Played perler beads for a little (with Amelia).  Drove south for 1+ hours (also with Amelia).  Hiked and saw waterfalls (still with Amelia).  Played with our neighbors (Amelia was there too).  Dinner (with Amelia) + Shower (Amelia & I took turns) + Bedtime (each in our own beds).

Waterfalls in the winter always seems unusual, because water in the mountains usually freezes in the winter.  But, this fall/winter we have receive a lot of rain (Dad calls it a deluge) and very little snow in the mountains.  So, all of these factors + a reprieve from the rain = a great day for a waterfall hike.

At the top of South Falls at Silver Falls State Park

A long hike later... at the bottom of the falls.  Unfortunately, they closed the path that leads behind the waterfall (yup, you can walk behind that 177 foot waterfall, so cool).

After an exhausting hike, we are recuperating with cookies and hot chocolate

Only in Oregon, does Santa hang out at State Parks, instead of the Mall!

On the way back, we stopped at an Alpaca farm. I got an alpaca kiss!

Additionally, you can check out the video of Dad and Amelia hiking.

Check out all of the pictures from our adventures in waterfall-land!
Peace Out,
Phin

Tough Girl Day - Building a train, Ballet and a trip to the Zoo!

For those that don't know, I am both a tough girl and a delicate flower.  Sure, you've read the blogs about me.  But those posts usually talk about my foofoo (silly) vocabulary.  I'm much more then just a cute face, lovely smile, great hair and tiny tush.  To prove it, I wanted to share a typical rough and tumble day in the life of Memoo (the day was Saturday, Dec 12):

1. Wake-up.  That's right, I start everyday by waking up.  I suggest you do the same.
2. Get my toughness on.  After breakfast (my second favorite meal of the day, only after mid-morning snack), we went to Lowe's and built trains.  Why, I like to hammer.  Plus, it was great practice for helping Dad in the shop.
   
3. Midmorning snack. Midmorning snack is my favorite 'meal' of the day.  After eating until my tummy is full at breakfast, I need additional calories to keep going strong all morning long!
4. Ballet Rehearsal.  I love ballet.  I love dancing, moving and wearing my tutu.  It's just so fun.  Next Saturday is my big show (a version of the Nutcracker).  As you can see in the photo below, I'm a Waltzing Flower (on the left); I am sitting with my team, while one of the other groups was practicing.  Funny rule about ballet: no one wears undies, just tights.  Hehe, so foofoo. 
   (For those wondering, I still take a quiet time, but ballet fell during quiet time, so not today.  No big deal, I'm a tough girl)
   
5.  Night on the town.  After a fun day, nothing completes the day like a night out on the town with your girl friends.  Unfortunately, all of my girl friends have to be in bed at 7pm (I am usually too); so, I went out with Mom, Dad and Phiny.  Zoo Lights in Portland was a fantastic glittery wonderland!  Plus, it is always neat to be outside when it is dark (and not raining).  In the photo below, we are in the longest rainbow tunnel I have ever seen!
   
6. Bedtime.  Whew, what an long day, I was so tired. 

You can check out all of my photos from the day here.

Lots of Love & Until Next Time,
Amelia (aka Memoo)