Halloween isn’t just about candy — it’s about stepping into a story together as a family. The crisp air, the glow of jack-o’-lanterns, and your kids giggling as they knock on doors become even more magical when everyone is dressed in a themed costume.
Tag: fun
Kusudama ~ Folding Art of Paper Blossoms
“The beauty of origami will make you feel like a kid again. To fold the paper is to enjoy life.” — Akira Yoshizawa There’s something profoundly simple and joyful about turning a flat piece of paper into something round, floral, and full of life. Kusudama folding, one of the oldest forms of Japanese paper craft,…
Lamb Rose Dumplings
Some meals leave your belly satisfied, others leave your heart full. This one did both. On March 8th—International Women’s Day—I was surprised with one of the most creative, thoughtful, and downright delicious gifts I’ve ever received: lamb rose dumplings. Dedulya and the boys worked side by side in the kitchen, carefully folding wonton wrappers into…
All Natural Lemon Chiffon Cake
When we were planning our daughter’s baby shower, I knew I wanted something extra special for the dessert table. The theme was “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” and I thought, what better way to celebrate than with a star-shaped cake glowing with sunshine-yellow lemon flavor?
How to Make a Sculpture with White Clay
There’s something majestic about a statue, and something beautiful about capturing a moment in time with your hands—especially when it involves your children. Photographs are wonderful, but creating a sculpture brings an entirely new dimension to preserving their personality and smallness at a certain age. Recently, I set out to make a statue of my son Neil, who was three at the time.
A Magical Birthday in the Forbidden Forest
When I was nine years old, my world shifted forever. My parents gave me a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and I devoured it in a single weekend, sprawled on my bedroom floor with a flashlight long after bedtime. Those pages weren’t just a story—they were a portal. Suddenly, my childhood imagination…
Firethorn (Pyracantha) Shrubs: Growing Tips and Wildlife Benefits
When I was a kid, there was a strange kind of fun plant in the backyard that only children could see. Among the usual grass, trees, and garden beds, there stood a bush full of bright red berries. They looked like tiny ornaments strung up by nature itself. We didn’t know what they were called…
How to Make Tiny Wooden Furniture
(Furniture is 1:24 Scale for a Dollhouse) There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when children, imagination, and a bit of wood glue come together. For us, it began in the backyard when Neil and Leon joined their Grandpa at the picnic table, surrounded by tiny wooden cutouts, a cordless drill, and the promise…
Pumpkin Nights Experience in Austin
If there’s one event in Austin that knows how to capture the magic of fall, it’s Pumpkin Nights. We had the chance to go, and let me just say—this was no ordinary pumpkin patch. From larger-than-life installations to glowing trails filled with music, lights, fog, and the most stunning collection of hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns, the entire…
The DoSeum in San Antonio
If you’re ever in San Antonio and looking for a magical, hands-on place where kids can explore, create, and learn through play, The DoSeum should be at the top of your list. It’s not your average museum—it’s an interactive wonderland where every exhibit invites you to touch, build, play, and imagine. On our recent trip,…
Moonprint Academy 