Today’s post was going to be all about making kites, and how we followed this great tutorial from maya made showing how to make your own kite. Not just any kite, mind you, but the best damn kite ever!
I’m planning a similar activity for my MOMS Club, so I thought I would take the girls over to the playground for a “test run”. The girls and I were having a fabulous time, and the kites flew really well.
Then something weird happened. Two moms and their kids walked over to the playground from the apartment complex near my house. I thought it would be nice to see if they would like to join us. After all, it is a beautiful day, perfect for flying kites, and I had plenty of materials for all of us. So I walk over to them, smile and say hello, and asked if they would like to build some kites with us. No response, and get this — they both completely looked the other way!!! What is up with that????
Now that I’m officially a victim of complete playground rejection, I just don’t understand it. I mean, what is the point? I always felt that being a stay-at-home mom meant that we were all in this together, and should try to support one another as best we can. I know a lot of us complain that it is difficult to meet other moms, or have a social life, in general. But when someone takes the time to be friendly and approach you, do you react this way? No!
I hoping maybe, just maybe, this was all some stupid misunderstanding. Like maybe when I asked if they would like to build kites, they heard, “Would you like a steaming hot bowl of herpes?”. Or perhaps, as my friend Jenny Henny suggested, they don’t speak English. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but I have to say, this was a bit of a blow.
Now, about the kites. Let me tell you, they are super-easy to make, and they fly very well — even with just a slight breeze! Emily liked running back and forth with hers in the field.
Here’s how to make your own kite: First, fold your paper in half, like this…..
Next, fold the flaps over on an angle, like this…..
Then, add a bamboo skewer to the back like this. Attach with tape.
Punch a hole in the kite, along the fold, to attach the string.
Fly, and enjoy!
I can guarantee the kite will fly. However, no guarantees that it will make you any new friends…. sorry!
I can guarantee the kite will fly. However, no guarantees that it will make you any new friends…. sorry!
That is very weird. Do you think they thought you were trying to sell them something? They should have at least acknowledged your existence.
Well, at least the kites look cool. 🙂
Thanks for your comment on my blog last week! I’ve been poking around your blog and really enjoying it, especially some of the picture layouts. Sorry you were dissed at the park. Who can resist kite flying??!!
You put a good enough spin on it that I giggled out loud for a few seconds reading your story. lol… but honestly, I have dealt with that too. And it sucks. I’m sorry. I hope the rest of your day went better!
Your kites look wonderful! I love that your daughter was able to make it fly. We have a large playfield about two blocks from our house that we fly kites in and this would be a great one to try!
Val
Maybe they thought you were telling them to “go fly a kite”. 😀 Sorry for your snub, but thanks for sharing a fun idea. It’s pretty windy around here lately, so we may give it a try.
Unbelievable! How rude! I just don’t understand people at all!
Hi Ivy! I didn’t think about that! I’m really not sure why they acted so strangely. They both kind of looked at each other and turned their backs to me… it was so weird.
@ katydid6 –Thanks so much for stopping by! Seriously, the girls and I had a blast and making your own kites is a lot of fun. I know I couldn’t resist!
@ Val in the Rose Garden — Thankfully, yes, the rest of the day went much better with a play date we had with my neighbor and her kids. Seriously, it could only go up from there, right?
@ Infant Bibliophile — That is so funny!
@ Sherry — I KNOW, right????
Thanks for your support everyone! 🙂
Ouch! that makes no sense to me. If you would have asked me I’d be like “heck yeah!”.
Thanks, Julie! Wish you lived closer!! 🙂
Sorry you were snubbed by the mothers at the park, I just have no idea why they’d not acknowledge you let alone not want to make kites.
We took sunnyboy to fly a kite for the first time recently and I had as much fun as him 🙂 Kites are great! His dad bought a fancy stunt kite but I’d like to have a go at making kites with him too.
aww snobs at the playground always bite you the wrong way. The kites are cool and I am super happy to try it with my son this weekend. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing about the kites – that looks nice and easy! Sorry about the friends thing. I’d just say they didn’t speak English and move on… 🙂
@ sunnymama — Oh, and fancy stunt kite sounds super-cool! We had lots of fun making and flying these. Emily liked decorating hers too!
Hi Heather, Thanks for stopping by, and please let us know if you try them and how your son likes them!
MoziEsme, you’re very welcome! And thank you for the condolences. Ah well, maybe we will meet someone NICE at the park some other day!
Someone once asked me if I would like a steaming bowl of herpes and I at least had the decency to smile and say, “No thanks.”
But seriously, what an odd reaction. I’m sure there is more to their story and that it had nothing to do with you.
Love the kites! xo
Chrissie, that is so funny! And I’m glad to see _someone_ understands proper playground etiquette! 🙂
This is cool! I was trying to think of how to make kites last week with my kids. I used to make them in Girl Scouts and couldn’t remember. Then I watched the last part of Mary Poppins to examine the kids. haha. I wish I saw this last week!
Cool and easy kite! My kids love them but the ones we buy always are broken after one or two uses. Sorry to hear about the playground snub. That is crazy~
@ jennwa — Thanks for stopping by and for hosting the Friday Showcase! I think you’re right, some people are just weird… their loss though! We had a ton of fun with this!
@ Bobbi — I remember making kites when I was a kid, and it was one of my favorite things to do for Spring! I bet the kids had a great time!
@ Sarah — Thanks so much! The nice thing about this kite design is that if some part of it breaks, it is soooo simple (and inexpensive) to fix! A pack of 100 bamboo skewers only cost about $1, and you can’t beat that.
I would like to think they couldn’t speak English, people who can’t really do shy away like that. They get embarassed.
I love these kites! We made the same ones a month or so ago… I found them on ordinary life magic. The bamboo skewer really does the trick. The girls are still flying them. They like to run too 🙂
Your mom’s group will love them, even if the playground moms didn’t ;)!!! Have a great day!
I was reading your post and the comments while having my breakfast… big mistake! I laughed so hard food flew right on to my computer screen! Even if they didn't speak English, they could have communicated that to you. Their behavior was just rude, and very un-mom like. Oh well, it was most certainly their loss. Great kites, I hope to try them with my boys!