Sunday, April 3, 2011

Flattery Will Get You ...

... to Casa Fry!

We have a house guest this weekend you may know: Flat Stanley, or in this case, Flat Toryn.

In case you don't know him, Flat Stanley is a character in a children's book who is flattened in his sleep when a bulletin board falls on him. Stanley decides there are advantages to being flat and has many adventures by mailing himself to all sorts of places. The Flat Stanley Project involves young readers in creating their own Flat Stanley paper doll, and either mailing him or packing him in a suitcase to travel with friends and relatives. Then you take photos and keep a journal of activities from Flat Stanley's perspective. In some cases, students create flat likenesses of themselves; hence, Flat Toryn, whom I believe lives in California. I work with Toryn's aunt. My son did Flat Stanley when he was in school, and it was a lot of fun, so I jumped on the chance to bring Flat Toryn home.

Flat Toryn came wearing tennis shoes, which we all know don't cut it around ponies. So I made her cowboy boots and a hat.


Scored a last minute farrier appointment Friday night, so I got photos of her sitting on the pile of used shoes in Jon's trailer. He cleaned one up that I will send back with a couple slivers of hoof.


 
Flat Toryn helped with chores. 

We went for a ride. Flat Toryn was rendered in such a way that I wasn't able to fashion a helmet, so she did not actually accompany us down the road. The real Toryn doesn't need to know that and Flat Toryn won't tell. I included some generic Walkabout photos in the packet to send back. I found an inexpensive nylon horn bag that I had never used, so I put all the items, plus a hand-painted metal ornament in it. If I were the little girl receiving this, I'd be squealing with delight. Hope she likes it.

The plan was to take Flat Toryn to Iron Ridge for play day today, but Heather canceled because of 40 mph winds. Her place is so open, we'd get sandblasted in the arena. Last time I rode in those conditions, I missed a day of work because my allergies went bonkers. Also, Jaz has developed a cough that I need to have checked out. He's had it for at least a week, and whenever we trotted yesterday, he coughed. I don't want to aggravate it by adding dust and sand.

How was your weekend?

15 comments:

Cactus Jack Splash said...

How much fun your visitor had.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

What a wonderful project! I am sure the little girl will be pleased with Flat Taryns loot

Desert Rose said...

what a fun thing to do for a child!!!

Laura said...

What a cool idea! I've never heard of Flat Stanley.

How fun for kids in this age of email and text messages to get real stuff in the mail! It was super nice of you to go to the effort to do that - I'm sure Taryn (the real one) will be pleased!

Cathy said...

As expected, you went the extra mile to give Flat Taryn the time of her life. She's very lucky to have had a chance to visit Casa Fry.

P.S. figures you'd give her a hat and boots ;)

Jeni said...

Sure hope Jaz's cough is nothing...

I'm not a little girl anymore but the little girl in me sure would be squealing with delight at that horsey care package =)

Dreaming said...

As a teacher I LOVED Flat Stanley... and so did the kids! We always had so much fun seeing where Stanley visited.
One of my acquaintances lost his visiting Flat Stanley to the wind - he took him bicycle riding on a windy pass. He stopped to take a picture and Stanley sailed away! Good thing you didn't go to Iron Ridge!

Rising Rainbow said...

What a creative idea that is! I've never heard of Flat Stanley either. How good of you to have Flat Taryn for a visit and do such fun things.

cdncowgirl said...

That is such an awesome idea, and I'm pretty sure Flat Taryn's visit with you will be the one the real Taryn enjoys best. Especially with how creative you were with the souvenirs!

Crystal said...

how cute! I too have never heard of Flat Stanley, but sounds like a fun kids story

Paint Girl said...

What a great idea!!

Unknown said...

It's wonderful to share your horsey time! Taryn is going to be so excited (and hopefully 3d taryn will get to visit too)

When I go on biz trips, I always send my daughter pictures of one of her stuffed animals at various sites...

Rode a bunch this weekend. Miles and miles. Heavenly.

aurora said...

Never heard of the Flat Stanley project, how fun for kids! Great boots & hat, and different shots. Looks like you had fun too.

Hope Jaz feels better.

Leah Fry said...

Oops! Her name is Toryn, not Taryn. Oh well.

I made an appointment for Jaz on Saturday morning. Sure hope whatever it is, it's simple and minor.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

You rock Leah! The photos were so fun. That little girl is going to be squealing so loud with joy, you're going to hear her all the way from California!

I hope you and Jaz are both ok.

~Lisa

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