Reduce-Reuse...Reusement....Reusement Park!

It's Friday, and way back when I started this blog (almost a year ago now--wow!), Daughter #1, CJ, took this day to blog on my blog. (Although I keep trying to encourage her to start her own blog, she insists that it's better to be on Mom's blog, and to read Mom's blog on Mom's computer. Hmm....About the only time I have much clout. Only kidding, CJ!)

Anyhow, I promised CJ that I would blog about her new adventures in recycling. A great recycler, she has been a big encourager of the practice at her school. Now, she's become a great re-user. We have cardboard boxes full of...well, cardboard boxes and plastic stuff, from which she creates lots of interesting new things.

After Christmas, with the arrival of RJ2's Polly Pocket dolls, CJ decided to create a house and furniture for the dolls. But, really, she contemplated something bigger. Something for the Pollies to visit. Disneyland? Dollywood? An amusement park, yes. But not just any amusement park--The Reusement Park!

Here is the front gate ticket booth (a macaroni box), complete with map of the attractions and eateries.



The Flying Tea Cups (built on a cherry tomato container).



The A-Maze-ing Maze (the innards of a beer box, cut to create secret passageways).



The Hall of Heads, with our President between Hannah Montana and an unknown man [strangely profound].



The Giant Slide! What Reusement Park would be without the giant slide made of cinnamon french toast boxes? (Companion piece to the Red Racer Rollercoaster, top photo, with waffle box cars)



The Swingy Ding. (It's like one of those astronaut simulators.) Those old cardboard spools of ribbon have never looked so loved.



The Stage (Just like the small stage in which Hugh Grant performed in the 80s music-/Wham U.K.-inspired film, Music and Lyrics. Very cute chick flick, by the way.)



And, the Go-Kart track (More spools. Mom must be sewing!)

CJ enjoyed her creation for several weeks. For CJ, the real joy is in the creation, not so much in the use. To hatch an idea into reality gets her jazzed. Naming the creations takes an extremely close second place. (She takes a lot after Adam; yes, that Adam!)

But, at some point, I step in and insist that the Reusement Park has seen its best days (as the Giant Slide hampers my weekly trek to the hamper!).

So, with continued good intent, the Reusement Park returns to its earlier state of recycled goods, and finds its way to the Recycling Center.

"(tch!) Awwwww....."

The story is not over, so don't boo the villain yet. (I'm far from the hero, but I do a good deed here.) CJ's enthusiasm for reusing is not reduced to shreds. Weeks later, she worked with Dad and Mom (I taught her how to use the hot glue gun; those taped seams just had to go!). She constructed a project for RJ2's teacher--a castle for the class' Irish-themed golf hole at her school's putt-putt fundraiser.

(Guess someone eats a lot of waffles!)