February 20, 2021

ENZO

I had alluded to the fact that I was making something for my grandson, Enzo's, fourth birthday besides his  dinosaur Birthday Card. While his (playable) gifts were delivered to his house in a bag and we watched him open them via FaceTime, I'd wanted to wait until we could see him in person to open this part of his gift.


Thursday night, Enzo's mom (our daughter) had to work late, which she does once a month, so his grandpa and I had to go and pick him up from daycare, which is at our local YMCA. 

I thought this might be the perfect opportunity to give it to him. All the grown ups are masked and socially distanced, and there would be a table where he could quickly unwrap it. And I could take photos of the unwrapping. (Just a note here: During the Pandemic, I literally go NOWHERE. While picking him up from daycare once a month is a real stretch to my "safe" feeling, I feel I need to grasp this opportunity to see him in person in a pretty OK environment. I feel like this integral personal connection with my little Enzo is worth the small risk now and then.)

Anyway, back to the great unveiling. It was much less spectacular (satisfying) than I'd imagined. I can be quite naive at times. I guess he thought it was going to actually be something FUN! Imagine a four-year-old boy's thoughts when he opened something TO HANG ON HIS WALL. I got the impression that he just couldn't believe it wasn't something he could play with, and started to pick at the dinosaur on the "e". 

We put a stop to that while I tried to explain that it said his name and that it was supposed to be hung on the wall of his bedroom.

Completely unimpressed.



A close-up of the letters sans frame:


When I first had the brainstorm to create this, I was sure I was going to sand and repaint the frame, paint the letters in complementary colors, etc. 

But when I laid everything out, I really liked the way the raw wood, the finished wood and the accompanying colors played off each other. 

The wooden letter all had loops at the top as part of the letters. To make them a part of the composition, I simply inserted brads in colors that matched the dinosaur that was gracing each particular letter.

The cute prehistoric looking leaves that I used for the background was also a piece in the pack of dinosaur DSP.

Even if Enzo's not all that crazy about it, I am completely satisfied with how it turned out.


Enzo at his daycare after opening his unexciting gift:


Have you ever spent loads of time making a gift for someone only to have it fall flat completely upon opening? Sniff.

Dino
Smiles.













13 comments:

  1. I love how that turned out. I am sure he will appreciate it so much more when he gets older.

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    1. I hope he doesn't have all the dinosaurs removed before he can appreciate it! I'm glad you like it! Thanks!

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  2. I love it. Who cares what anyone else thinks, it's a superior creation!

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  3. Children love anything with their name on it. I'm sure Enzo will love it once he grows up a little. Such a thoughtful gift.
    Thank you for sharing with us at Meraki Link Party.
    Much Love
    Naush

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    1. Thanks, Naush. Actually, since I presented it to him, he proudly chose the spot in his bedroom where it was to hang. So, I guess he does like it. I think he was just disappointed to open a cool package that contained nothing he could play with!

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  4. Oh it's adorable! I know he'll end up loving it! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen

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    1. Oh, thanks so much, Kathleen! I saw it hanging in his room while we FaceTimed tonight!

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  5. The gift is precious and I am sure he will appreciate it more when he is older. I have been there and it is a let down because non-crafty people just don't understand the work involved or the commitment. But that is okay too. Thanks for sharing your project and the story. #HomeMattersParty

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    1. Thank you, Donna, for your kind words. Actually, we were FaceTiming with him last night and he "brought" me into his room to show me all of his books, and it was hanging proudly on his wall. His mom told me he chose the spot. Made me feel good to see it.

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  6. He may not have been excited now but as he gets older, I've no doubt he will treasure this. I absolutely love it and am featuring it when my party opens. Hugs!

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