I may have mentioned once or twice the magic that is made at our preschool. Each week the kids learn a new song, and that songs becomes their ‘heading home’ song and it also becomes forever ingrained in their hearts as memories are made like lyrics to paper. These songs are not sung by Raffi or The Wiggles or even the fabulous Laurie Berkner. No these are songs by Bob Marley, Shakira, Michael Franti, The Beatles, Katy Perry and more.
Last week the song, the video, the dance, and the message was Happy by Pharrell Williams. It’s been with us since watching Despicable Me 2 this Summer – and now it’s forever with us.
And who doesn’t want to be happy? And if you need 24 hour of Happy– Pharrell can get that for you too…And I DARE you not to clap along.
But just listening, dancing and singing along wasn’t enough for Astrid.
“Mommy, but I need to look like Pharrell. I need his hat! I can’t do the dance properly without the hat.”
The hat. Oh Astrid, Mommy doesn’t do crafts nor have several gazillion dollars to buy the hat.
“I know you can do it, Mommy.”
Oh the trust of children.
So I summoned up my little bit of craft knowledge – which is basically from watching my mother-in-law play with my kids, because SHE is amazing and creative – but sadly 2000 miles away. And something she loves to do is make paper bag hats. Someday I will write a post about these lovely hats with flowers that are proper enough for an adult tea party. You will be impressed.
So I quickly fashioned a Pharrell Williams via Vivienne Westwood hat out of a grocery bag for Astrid to wear.
The girl has barely taken it off and cannot stop smiling. And I admit I did a quick and shoddy job – but Astrid is four and to her the hat is perfect. And Mommy made it.
A few simple steps – turn a standard grocery bag inside out and trim to height and shape it how you want it. Draw and cut-out a cardboard ring that will fit well around your child’s head. Glue or staple the bag to the ring.
Give to child. They will freak from excitement.
Wear and dance.
And she did…
Now just try NOT to be HAPPY!
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Speaking of last minute crafts – do you have your Valentine’s done yet? I’ve got my easy personal photo Valentines on The Twin Cities Mom Blog. It’s not too late to get those done!
