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Sunday, May 4, 2008

Salmon Run


The salmon are ready for the Charter School's spring production Salmon Run. Different age groups represent various stages of the salmon life cycle, so I have a smolt and a spawning salmon. We didn't have patterns to sew by, so I made mine up. Lindsey hates it. She says her costume isn't fishy enough and reminded me that fish don't walk on their tail fins. I told her to imagine she was a fish trying to swim up a waterfall. I also gave her the option of making her own costume and, miraculously, the one I made for her is suddenly okay.

Especially with the collapse of the pacific salmon harvest this year, many folks in the northwest are really concerned about the health of the species. I like how the charter school is very environmentally aware, but my kids just really want to catch a real fish and eat it.

Yesterday we went to the Renaissance Festival. It was wonderful to get out and enjoy spring which had finally arrived. The festival itself wasn't quite what I expected. There were a musical groups, llamas to pet, and live hawks and owls to see for free. But the coolest attraction was the bungee jump and climbing wall that was fairly expensive. The kids were disappointed that I didn't shell out the money, but they got over it.

Other than those few things, the whole event seemed like a glorified craft fair with booth after booth of things to buy and overpriced carnival style food. After recovering from sticker shock, we came home and made funnel cakes ourselves which were absolutely fantastic.

I did get a few fun ideas though. Lindsey wants to make a windchime out of odd utensils and metal trivets like some we saw that sold for a mere $40. I told her we could probably make it for less than $5 so that's what we're going to do. But I did see a coat rack out of old utensils that I thought was really cute. When we get settled into our new living quarters, I'll probably copy it.

3 comments:

Sirpa said...

I KNEW these costumes would be impressive!! And I wasn't disappointed ''). You are just so AMAZING!! These will be the finest salmon in Moscow area! Lindsay is funny. I wonder if she could be put on a cafeteria cart (one that they bring the kids breakfast on, or they have for the kids to put their trays on) and be rolled out on the stage, so she can be horizontal... '') hahaha!! I'm glad to hear she found appreciation for her costume though. I'm sure she will hear how great it is - from EVERYONE. Good job! And thanks for posting these.

Kim said...

Sweet salmon! You did a great job! I think that the coat rack in the picture is adorable. If anyone can make it, you can. Wasn't the Renaissance Fair...odd? I did like the crochet hats for kids, though, with the crocheted berries and leaves on top. But for that much money? Wow.

Nicole said...

Jen, this is amazing! You are truly talented. I don't think I would have ANY idea how to make a salmon costume that looked anything like a real fish!