How to Interview your kid(s)

I grew up in a video friendly household where everything from beach trips to holidays were captured on tape. We also did silly skits that may someday come back to haunt me, but I don't think my parents every videotaped one-on-one interviews with us. 

Well, I've decided to start a new birthday tradition after seeing pins on Pinterest. I mean, how hard can it be to interview a three-year-old after a television career of interviewing celebrities, criminals, former Presidents and politicians? I'm not gonna lie, I had butterflies in my stomach anticipating how THIS interview would go.

I was pleasantly surprised! I handed my daughter a lollipop and let her pick a place to interview. She loved it so much, she asked to be interviewed again a few days later!

Tips for Interviewing Children:

1. Have them pick the place to do the interview. When I was a reporter, I would ask kids where they hang out the most because that's where they are comfortable. Usually, you get better interviews if they are familiar with their surroundings. Of course, you may have to adjust lighting if they pick a dark area. 

2. Don't get stressed out if they don't answer correctly. It will be just as fun to watch later in life. Depending on their age, you may have to give them ideas to keep going.

3. Get on their level! You don't want to shoot the interview too high or too low. Make sure the tripod or hand-held camera is at their eye-level. 

4. Print out a list of possible questions (keep a copy on your computer so you can print out every year), but don't be too strict because answers can lead to a different question. Try to ask the questions in a conversational way -- kids do better with having a conversation rather than reading a list of questions off a piece of paper.

5. Don't ask yes or no questions. Instead of asking, "Do you like carrots?" ... ask "What foods do you like?"

6. Ask non-question questions. Sometimes, you don't even need to ask a question. For instance, if your child says, "Mommy and Daddy are my best friends." Instead of asking a question, you could say, "That's nice and sweet. Your Mommy and Daddy love you very much." ... stop talking and pause for a bit. That may result with kids saying more.

7. Make sure your interview area is quiet (turn off cell phones...etc). Interruption could lead to a ruined interview!

8. At the end of the interview, ask them if there is anything to add. You might be surprised!

9. Write down the answers. Once the interview is over, go back and type the answers into a word document. One day, it might be nice to make a photo book for each year with answers and pictures from that birthday! Now, wouldn't that be a nice wedding gift? 

Questions:

1. What is your name?
2. How old are you?
3. What is your Mom’s name?
4. What does your Mom do during the day?
5. What is your Dad’s name?
6. What does your Dad do during the day?
7. What is your favorite color?
8. What do you like to eat? (What don’t you like to eat?)
9. Who is your best friend? Why?
10. What is your favorite song?  Can you sing it for me? (Depending on their age, they could even show you a dance or play music ... etc)
11. What is your favorite animal? 

12. What is your favorite place to go?
13. What is your favorite thing to do?
14. What do you like about your Mommy?

15. What do you like about your Daddy?

16. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? 
17. What is your favorite book or toy?
18. What kind of birthday party are you having?

19. What have you learned lately?

20. What do you want to be when you grow up?

21. Is there anything else you want to say about turning (#)?

(And, of course, you could add the question, "Why?" after any of these questions if you want them to explain a little more.)

I had so much fun doing the interview with my daughter. 

Here are some cute highlights from my interview:

*How old are you? She holds up three fingers and says, "Fifteen!"

* What does your Mom do during the day? She does stuff all day, just like me.

* What is your favorite place to go? To houses. This one and that one (she pointed out the window to houses in the neighborhood). 

* What do you want to be when you grow up? Um, probably that piggy we rode on that train. (she was talking about the famous Pink Pig in Atlanta).

* Who is your best friend? Mommy and Daddy. I said, "Awe, you're my best friend and I love you!" She added, "Awe." I said, "I love you so much." and she said, "I love you too!" 

At some point, maybe as a high school graduation gift, I will edit the answers to each question from year to year to show how much she's grown and how her personality has changed!

Enjoy!

Feel free to pin!

Kathryn

One Day Dresser Re-do!

First and foremost, let me get my true feelings out there ...

I "HEART" ANNIE SLOAN (chalk paint)!

Okay, now that it's out there, let me tell you more. My love affair all started with Pinterest. I found before pictures of old yucky furniture and after pictures of pieces you could find in a magazine. I quickly found the common thread -- all painted with Annie Sloan chalk paint. 

I fell in love at first sight and HAD to have the Duck Egg paint! 

Here's what I found about A.S. chalk paint:

1. The paint and wax is a bit pricey. The Duck Egg 32 fl. ounces cost $38.00 and each wax cost $28.00, but I still have paint and wax leftover for other projects. At this point, it was a need ... not a want! I couldn't get it out of my mind!

2. Depending on where you live, it might be difficult to find (I googled it and found a nearby antique store with a fairly good selection of colors.)

3. Last, but not least -- you don't have to prime or sand before painting. Yes, you heard me right! All I did was clean off the cob webs and dirt and paint.

4. You can seriously get a dresser done in ONE day!

 

I already had a free dresser from my sister.

It was a yucky mustard yellow piece (see below) from my grandparent's condo in Florida.  

This dresser survived Hurricane Ivan and years in my niece's bedroom, so I felt it could also survive my first dresser re-do! 

And it worked ... see below!

Here's what I did:

1. Cleaned off the cob webs and dirt with a wet rag.

2. Took out the drawers and all the knobs/handles. 

3. I taped off the top of the dresser because I wanted to keep it white.

4. Started painting with the chalk paint.

5. After it dried (it didn't take long), I took an old t-shirt and dipped it into the Annie Sloan dark wax. I rubbed the wax on corners and places where it makes it look antique.

6. I used another old t-shirt and rubbed the clear wax all over the dresser.

7. I put the original knobs back on and took off the tape ... DONE!

My original plan was to take out the top drawers and add cute baskets, but the original knobs looked so much better with a different color behind them. I ended up keeping all the drawers in! 

My obsession with Annie Sloan paint doesn't end here though. I started stalking my house for more things to paint because it's so easy!

Here's a clock I got for free from my mom's house. 

Instead of adding wax, I sanded some of the chalk paint away to give it a distressed look.

And, this is a picture frame I got at consignment for $3.00.

Again, sanded some paint away for a distressed look.

If my husband didn't stop me, our whole house would be full of Duck Egg pieces!

TOTAL COST = around $100.00 

(the cost of paint and wax because the dresser was free!)

Now, my sister wants the dresser back --- no way!

Feel free to pin on Pinterest!

Enjoy!

Kathryn

Elf on the Shelf --- Quick and Painless Ideas

If you have kids, then you may have heard a thing or two about Elf on the Shelf. It's the latest holiday craze that may drive you crazy. 

But, all the work is well worth it when you see that big smile or hear a tiny giggle as your girl or boy gets up every morning to search for the elf. (And, in my case, it speeds up the process of getting dressed in the morning so she can go on the scavenger hunt).

This is the first year we got our elf. The special  guest from the North Pole is named Snowflake (my daughter decided that with the help of her Grandma Dea Dea). Our elf is a girl through and through ... she's got earrings and a couture skirt. She also came with the Elf on the Shelf book and DVD movie.

So, here is a look at what Snowflake has gotten into this year. Some elves can be mischievous, but our little gal doesn't get into too much trouble -- thank goodness!

Here's a glimpse ...

DAY 1: 

Snowflake arrives with a message for my girl.

DAY 2:

Snowflake decided to hitch a ride with Elmo and the polar bears.

DAY 3:

This one was special because Snowflake helped put up the train and the tree while my little girl was sleeping! Such a good helper!

The picture above comes with a funny story. The train came off the tracks and my daughter kept yelling, "Something is wrong with the Elf!" She repeated this over and over, but I thought she was talking about the train derailment. I finally looked and a real bug was crawling on Snowflake! Poor elf couldn't tell us!

 Now, for all those who don't know the story behind the elf ... if you touch her, her magic will go away! I had to carefully, with toddler eyes watching every move, put a napkin against Snowflake's collar and the bug eventually crawled onto the napkin. No elves or bugs were harmed in this process ... I let the bug go free outside where it belongs!

DAY 4:

Snowflake is tired and opted for some relaxing TV!

(She found a television frame and a small remote that wasn't needed during the day).

DAY 5:

When my daughter saw the elf with the cooking utensils she yelled, "The Elf is baking!"

DAY 6:

Our elf likes fishing in a mason jar with a pencil and toy fish. 

She colored the water with food coloring and also left some goldfish snacks (in a snack cup -- not in the water) for my daughter.

DAY 7:

Snowflake is checking out the Christmas decorations!

DAY 8:

Weeeeeeee ... our adventurous elf is zip lining to the Christmas tree! 

DAY 9:

The elf is potty training with Elmo's potty. I think she used a little too much TP! 

She looks guilty in the pictures!

DAY 10:

Snowflake wanted to be the star or angel on our tree for the day.

DAY 11:

Every gal likes getting "dolled" up once in a while! 

DAY 12:

It's been twelve days of the Elf ... time for some much needed rest in the guest bedroom (with a pillow case used as a blanket). She even left a message!

DAY 13:

Snowflake isn't afraid of heights ... for sure! 

This time she was in the chandelier.

DAY 14:

It looks like Snowflake tried to do a snow angel in the sugar, but gave up.

DAY 15:

Yee-haw! She was found wearing cowboy boots and even had a twine lasso! Next time, I think she should invite the Toy Story folks (Woody, Jessie and Bullseye).

DAY 16:

And the Emmy goes to .... Snowflake! She left behind a quick speech too! 

(If you don't have an Emmy around the house, maybe the elf can make an award.)

DAY 17:

Even elves have to do some work sometimes. 

Santa's train broke down, so she grabbed the toy tools and got to work. She's so handy around the house!

DAY 18:


This elf got a little thirsty from trips to and from the North Pole. Look -- she turned the milk green with food coloring! Snowflake didn't mind the cold temps in the fridge, but my little girl didn't want anything to do with green milk! Oh well! 

DAY 19:

 I wish I had this kind of help all year long! Snowflake grabbed some toy scissors and helped cut coupons! Wouldn't that be great if she could do this every night!

DAY 20:

Snowflake loves to eat too! We found her in the toy deli grabbing a bite to eat. She chose pizza, cake and lemonade and paid with a credit card -- I'm guessing she'll expense these purchases with Santa. 

I hope she used the coupons she cut too -- times are tough!

DAY 21:

Our goofy elf decided to have a little fun on day 21. She got into the foam stickers! What a mess!

DAY 22:

Weeeeeeeeee!

DAY 23:

The next one was fun! Snowflake put signs around the house pointing to the car. She was strapped in for a ride to a Christmas party! She was, of course, hanging in a place where little hands couldn't touch her during the ride.

DAY 24:

Snowflake got creative. She hopped in the toy wagon with Santa Elmo and a bag full of toys. Rudolph is, of course, leading the way back to the North Pole!

I think we did alright for our first year with an Elf on the Shelf. I'm not gonna lie, I kinda miss our little red dressed magical gal. 

I hope this blog gives you some quick and easy options -- especially for those nights where you are exhausted after eating cookies and drinking a little egg nog!

Feel free to pin my pix for inspiration on Pinterest!

Enjoy!

Kathryn