President's Day

One night, when we were all in the car driving home from a dinner at Grandma's, Trevor had the kids captivated with stories from his childhood. They were particularly interested in his mad paper mâché skills. They didn't even know what paper mâché was. They needed to know more. He told them how he started out making a small piggy bank in school, but then progressed to a very detailed Star Wars Sand Man mask that he actually wore for Halloween. He explained the process, the materials, the mess. And before we pulled into our driveway, it was decided. President's day was coming up, and we were going to honor the Presidents by making ourselves some paper mâché!

We looked forward with great anticipation to Paper Mâché Presidents Day.

Here he is the Master of Mâché.

He took his position very seriously. He bought all the supplies, he invited guests.

He may have even practiced, I'm not really sure.

We tore and taped.

We dipped.

And dipped.

And dipped some more.

We followed the Master's instructions exactly.

We were told they needed 24 hours to dry.

For us, they took 4 days (maybe it was all that dipping!).

Some of us took a risk and branched off with an attempt at a vintage Sand Man mask.

And then after reconvening we painted.

And painted.

And attached special eyes to our mask.

Before our creations were even dry from the paint they started to sink and shrivel. The pigs looked like they had been kicked in the snout or the side by an angry farmer. I didn't even take a picture of the final products. It was too depressing. All that taping and dipping and drying and waiting and painting for nothing.

I'm blaming the Master.