Hope and Beans: 2009

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

She's Crafty: Part 2

Superhero Day came and went. Ahh, memories. Maddie was super excited to get her Lavagirl clothes on this morning. I stayed up late last night to finish, so she didn't see the final result until she woke up.

For those that forgot what Lavagirl from the movies looks like:

As soon as I get out of the shower, we put on THE Lavagirl outfit, pink hair included:

There's one catch: the wig is too itchy. After all the fuss about the pink hair, Maddie elects to go sans pink hair:

So folks, there it is! Lavagirl is ready to make her appearance at school.

When we get to Maddie's school, I drop her off in the classroom and I'm thinking, "I really hope she likes her costume and has fun today...."

As I leave the building, guess who comes walking up the path? Shark Boy, a boy from Maddie's class named Aidan, was on his way to Superhero Day! Sure enough, when it was time for Maddie to come home, I find Lavagirl and Shark Boy out on the playground, wrapped up in a daring mission to save humankind (good luck, guys!).

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

She's Crafty: Part 1

I want to thank Maddie's teacher for thinking up this bright idea: Superhero Day at school. Just what I need, a costume day at school in the middle of spring, months away from Halloween and no costumes in sight.

It turns out that Maddie absolutely MUST be "Hot Lava Girl" for Superhero Day. Great. I think she is making this character up, but think again:

Who thinks up these movies?!?

When I picked up Maddie from school, I see an image of the infamous Lavagirl for the first time via my iPhone:

She likes to wear pink. At least, I think to myself, Maddie has a pink shirt at home. It's a start. Next item needed: pink pants.

Off to the Bayshore Mall in Eureka:

I think Sears is going bankrupt. Everything in Sears was on sale. This is good for Hot Lava Girl because Maddie and I find a pair of pink pants in her size for $3! Score.

As we're perusing the illustrious Bayshore Mall, I bring up the subject of Lavagirl's pink hair.

"Now Maddie," I say, "You shouldn't expect to have pink hair tomorrow. You'll just have to pretend your hair is pink." I look at her expecting some heartbreak but, overall, compliance.

"No. Lavagirl has pink hair."

"Uh huh. Your hair is brown, Maddie, and I don't know how we can make it pink for Superhero Day."

"Lavagirl has pink hair. We have to find pink hair or else I won't be Lavagirl."

Just great. Well, good thing Maddie's stepmommy has the shopping skillz, inherited from a long line of incredible shoppers. I pull out my phone and call the vintage store in Arcata. A nice lady asks the phone and assures me that they have pink and purple wigs in stock. However, they cost around $30. I'm about to thank her for the help and turn off the phone, but then she pipes up about one, single, lonely pink wig on sale for $9. She puts the wig on hold and Maddie and I scoot up to Arcata to grab the goods:

Niiiice. Let me just say one thing: the wig doesn't actually make you look like Twiggy when you wear it.

After gathering some more supplies, I put the Lavagirl picture on my computer screen at home and get to work:

That was my starting point.

Using some scissors, ribbon, packing tape (don't ask me), and fabric tape, I was able to create something that should adequately transform Maddie into a bona fide Lavagirl. When Superhero Day is over, the "lava" should come right off, which means that Maddie can still wear these clothes for non-Superhero days.

Here is what I created for Superhero Day tomorrow: