Grant – A New Home Owner
One day last week, after Mama had gone off to work, Dada decided to work on a project. Knowing that Grant loves to ask “who’s home?” and open and close doors, Dada decided to build Grant his own home with a front door on it.
With the high cost of building materials, Dada was limited and had to make due with what he had around the house already – a large cardboard box (otherwise destined for the trash), some duct tape, some masking tape, a pair of scissors and a box cutter.
Dada began by cutting all of the existing tape on the box and opening the box all the way, thus allowing himself to make the structure taller for a young boy who is tall for his age. Then he began the process of taping the structure in such a way that it would not easily topple. Once he had the structure somewhat secure he looked over at Grant to see his reaction. Grant’s look indicated he was either totally disinterested or highly confused.
Dada continued his efforts by cutting out a roughly square shaped opening on one side of the box. Again he looked at his son for a reaction. This time his son walked over to the structure, picked up the portion that had just been cut out and said, “broken”.
After assuring Grant that it was ok that the box was missing a section Dada continued. Dada stood his son next to the tall box and made a mark on the box at head level. Using the box cutter, carefully hidden from his son up until this point, Dada proceeded to slice across the box at the line he had drawn and then down the box to the ground, thus creating a door.
It was at this point that the young boy began to understand what was being created. He walked over to the box and began saying excitedly “Open it! Open it!!”. Dada moved out of the way to allow his son to open and close the door a few times. Realizing that the door was fitting too tightly, Dada decided to cut a little cardboard off the top and side of the door. However, he quickly realized that removing his son from the house for him to make the adjustment to the door was not going to be easy and was going to result in a minor meltdown.
Finally, after convincing Grant that he could go back into the house in just a minute, Dada was able to trim the door with the scissors. While Dada was trimming the door, Grant asked, “what is it? what is it?”. Dada told him that it was a house, which really seemed to be exciting as Grant then began yelling “house” at the top of his lungs.
After trimming the door to the house, Dada moved out of the way to let Grant play with it. Grant began going in and out of the house closing the door behind him. It was at this point that Dada realized that this house was not structurally sound. It was going to need some additional support or else a huff and a puff would blow the house down.
So as Grant played with the house, Dada went out to the garage to get another empty box. Grant didn’t even realize that Dada had left. Dada returned from the garage, broke down the box and placed it underneath the house. Dad had to ask Grant very nicely to stop playing with the house momentarily while Dada did some initial taping. It was then that Dada realized that both his masking tape AND his duct tape had gone missing.
Dada told Grant that he needed the tape in order to fix the house and Grant grinned. Then he disappeared for a few seconds and returned with a roll of tape in each hand. Dada secured the house to the floor and Grant went back to playing.
In the days following the creation of the house, Dada has brought home a couple of other small boxes that he places loosely on the top of the house for a roof or sets up on the floor to create a fenced yard. And days later, Grant still loves it!
Which makes Dada very, very happy.
Was cool to see this house last weekend. Taylor really liked it.
I added a covered front porch and a car port to it tonight. I will have to take more pictures and post an update.
I can tell he really loves it! Great job, dada.