“So, which is it going to be? Jesus or Mickey Mouse?”
Do you ever have those moments when you realize you just said something you thought you would never say?
That was that moment for me.
About a month ago I realized we were about to go into another phase. And I mean IN to another special interest phase.
As soon as I walked into the house, or into the room Declan was sitting, the same question filled the air:
“Will you watch this video with me? It’s a project.”
I claimed I was busy on multiple occasions. I did not want to get into another project. Declan’s projects (like this one, this one, and this one) make me lose my mind. The videos are five minutes, but the work takes hours.
I did eventually succumb to the video, although I did not need to. It was on ALL.THE.TIME. On the big TV, on my computer, on his phone, on his tablet. The video aired as soon as Declan woke up and played until he went to bed at night.
And then you know what happend.
“Hey, Mom!”
“Hey, Mom!”
“Hey, Mom!”
“Hey, Mom!”
What was the video? The new project? The new special interest that has consumed Declan’s mind?
Puppet making.
So, the puppet making began.
We started small using felt and old fuzzy socks. It was enough to start his own puppet shows.
But it wasn’t EXACTLY like the one the guy made in the video. Turns out, of course, we had to make one JUST LIKE the one the guy made in the video.
Declan was very adamant we complete the video puppet the exact way the video guy directed. Which led Declan to be very involved. (Maybe soon he will be able to do these all by himself!)
The guy has a whole other video about eyes and arms, and for this puppet, only ping pong balls would do. Since we were in quarantine, we had to wait for Amazon to deliver some ping pong balls. And really, a good puppeteer will have rods to make the arms move.
“Cranky Pete” was finally complete.
And joins the rest of the puppets Declan has created or already had.
In the process, I have learned to not get freaked out when a strange orange hand appears in my peripheral vision and taps me on the shoulder. It’s just Cranky Pete who would like a chat.
Of course, the puppet phase has not come to a close. Every time I’ve sat at my computer I have found that Declan has done another puppet search.
He has saved his money from holidays and was trying to decide which puppet he will purchase and add to his collection.
His final two choices?
Jesus and Mickey Mouse.
After careful consideration, Declan decided to go with Mickey Mouse. His reasoning?
“I think I can do his voice better.”
And off he went in his Mickey Mouse voice, laughing and inviting us to his clubhouse.
“Life is like a box of chocolates,” Forrest Gump said. “You never know what you are going to get.”
That is what I think every morning that I wake up and see Declan doing a search on my computer or his phone. He’s lightly dropped the idea about marionettes which I gave a hard “no” to. But, as always in our house, time will tell!
Hahaha I have had that moment when I actually thought to myself, “Well. That’s something I never thought I would say.” It was when my dog, Tippy, was little and we went walking in the cow pasture. I had to keep telling her. “Don’t eat the poop!” LOL
Declan did a really good job on Cranky Pete. Just think of all the things you are learning to do!
You really are a great mom!
Haha! That is a funny thing to say that you never thought you would! 🙂
Thank you! He definitely has perseverance (and a strong ability to not let his ideas go without doing them 🙂 ).
That can be a good thing.
This sounds like such a fun phase for Declan as much as I can imagine how maddening it is for you!
He did a great job with Cranky Pete and I had to laugh out loud at the Jesus puppet. It seems almost blasphemous. I wonder what his Jesus voice would’ve sounded like?
Look forward to hearing more updates about his puppetry!
Today’s struggle is that Mickey Mouse is supposed to be delivered today. Declan’s only focus is out the front window to see if the truck is here yet or checking my computer to get any delivery updates. I imagine we are going to hear a lot of Mickey Mouse voices tonight! 🙂
I hope Mickey came through. And enjoy!
God, think of the fun your older kids could have with a Jesus puppet. Oh wait, that’s *my* house.
Oh, I think we would have some fun too. I know I would like to have it peer around the corner and whisper to my older kids, “I’m watching you…”
They’re very good puppets!
Thank you!
I often wonder what neighbors hear when we’re in the yard or windows are open…and I imagine it sounds a lot like “Mickey Mouse, or Jesus?” Thank you for making me laugh today. Glad he’s enjoying the puppets!
Haha! Great! Thanks!
Perfectly sound reasoning for choosing Mickey Mouse over Jesus!
The mouse arrived last evening. I have to say, he does a pretty good Mickey Mouse impression! 🙂
EXACTLY the same🙄🤦🏼♀️ I wonder when he’ll want to head out to Home Depot for some wood to build a good puppet stage? How much will he charge the neighborhood kids to watch his shows? 😂😂
It really is fun, and funny in hindsight. But boy, oh boy! It’s good Jesus Puppet isn’t there to see you throw things, or hear the Angry Words😉
We’re kind of in between right now. Still mostly focused on chalk. (I hope I didn’t just jinx it🤞)
My fingers are crossed for you! That is a very good point about the Jesus puppet 🙂 At first, I was adamant that I was not going to get involved with this project. And bless his little heart, I watched him try to thread a needle, felt awful about myself, cursed a little, and then began sewing. All of them. He’s really happy with all his finished projects so it was worth it. Just nothing that Jesus needed to see! 🙂
Great puppet making, I’m very impressed. ❤️
Thank you, Elaine!
The creepiest thing is that puppets think they have free-will…
Declan is fantastic. I must admit Jesus looked a bit like Young Obi won for me. Only time will tell but it will keep you on your toes.
Thank you!
It’s a good thing you and Declan have some creative skills in your pocket. Great job on Cranky Pete! Mickey Mouse or Jesus? so funny.
Thank you!
This is so amazing. What a great person you are
Thank you!