As of last week, my parents officially live in Richmond. This rocks for several reasons (free babysitting) so we’re excited to have them (as free babysitters) just about 15 minutes down the road (close enough to easily babysit for free). Plus, you’ll probably get some peeks at their new digs as they settle in (between babysitting jobs) and as we help them tackle some projects around their house (perhaps in exchange for all of the free babysitting). And if you follow us on Flickr, you’ve noticed that we wasted no time breaking in their community pool as soon as the moving truck was returned:
Three days after closing on their new house, my parents also celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary (days before my mom had a birthday- May’s a busy month for us celebration-wise). Since 39 years doesn’t have an assigned anniversary gift theme (35th is coral or jade and 40th is ruby), my sisters and I planned something to commemorate the 32 years they spent at their old house (seen below). This was in addition to the painting we gave them last month as moving gift.
My mom has always collected “The Cat’s Meow” keepsakes, which are small wooden blocks cut and painted to represent specific buildings, landmarks, and even people. My mom is particularly fond of the meaningful ones that represent places that are special to her – like the Dolles taffy shop in Rehoboth Beach, DE (our traditional family vacation spot) or the West Virginia State Capitol (her home state). So when I discovered that they accepted custom orders, we jumped at the chance to commission this:
Using the photo above of the house, they created this custom wood block of my parents’ place. It’s a service they call “My World” and it took roughly six weeks and was about $99 for two (we got one for their new Richmond house & one for their beach house). Hundred dollar gifts are kind of the sweet spot for us kids since there are four of us (and we each toss in $25). Oh and do you see that little black cat sitting in the window? That’s in every figurine that they make (it’s their signature) but it acts as the perfect stand-in for our family’s black cat named Duncan (who now lives with my little sister Carrie).
They did a great job with it (though it’s a bit bluer than in real life – it’s actually grey – but maybe our photo is to blame for that). They even let you customize a message for the back. Their standard collection usually includes the name of the place and some historical facts, so I wrote something to sorta summarize the “history” of their house.
In case you don’t feel like squinting – it reads:
This lovely residence in Burke, Virginia became home to Tom and Kathy Petersik in 1979. Their four children, Katie, Emily, John and Carrie, loved growing up here – from playing with the other neighborhood kids in the cul-de-sac to eventually pushing their own children on the swings behind the house. In their 32 years here, [their street number] played host to Christmas mornings on the stairs, Easter eggs hunts in the backyard, and countless family feasts.
(To explain, we had a tradition of making the kids gather on the steps on Christmas morning before running to open presents. We didn’t actually try to open gifts precariously crammed onto the staircase.)
As we hoped, the two wooden replicas of their former home were a big hit with my parents (who opened them this weekend while we were at the beach). I think they’re excited to have this small reminder of their “kid-raising” house to display at their new “grandkid-babysitting” home (my words, not theirs).
Rosemary M. says
Nothing better than having your parents close to home!! Congrats on all of the free babysitting opportunities coming your way!
Christin says
Fantastic gift!! Love it!
Kate says
REALLY!?!?! I might need to get my mom one of those of our first house. I didn’t know they made custom ones! Even though I’m sick and grumpy today, you just made my day!
stacey says
Love sentimental gifts like this!!
Naomi says
What an awesome gift! Our little tradition is that we have designed each of our homes in Legos, outfitted them in miniature Christmas decor, and put them on display as a village of sorts at Christmastime.
Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says
That is a really cute gift! I love that it is personalized and really, not that expensive considering! Thanks so much for sharing and happy anniversary to your mom and dad! Enjoy having free babysitters near by!!
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
What a clever idea! And I love the black cat – I have one of my own!
Betsy says
I move back to my home state, about 15 minutes away from my parents, grandparents and sister and her family. I LOVE the free babysitting and family dinners (Thursday and Sunday nights)! I hope you enjoy having them close!
Laura says
Having family close by is wonderful! Betsy I am happy you moved back, I love that we can talk decorating together, and the free babysitting is nice!
Cait @ Hernando House says
Such a sweet gift! And I love the first paragraph about the free babysitting, that’s what my mom jokes about (even though we don’t have kids yet) since we live 2 blocks away.
Cait @ Hernando House says
Oh and also I second what Betsy said about family dinners!
Amy says
Love the gift that is so creative and thoughtful.
However, I love the picture of Clara more! =)
A
Renee says
That is adorable!!
Clara in the pool and the house!
I hope they ship to/do custom orders to australia – as I would love to do this for my nan, who still misses the house her parents purchased for her, which raised her 6 children and her 4 nephews and 2 grandchilden that she raised on top of the 6 kiddies, plus holds fun memories for all 40odd grandchildren and grand nephews/neices!
Off to investigate :)
Erica says
What a thoughtful and creative gift idea! My mom’s been a collector of the Cat’s Meow collection for years, so she would jump up and down about a gift like this. So glad that your parents loved it!
Nancy Shirley says
I am so happy your parents will be living near you to help share in Clara’s growing up years! I am surprised you didn’t mention “free babysitting”! lol As a grandma who lives “close enough to babysit” I can appreciate what a blessing it is. Just remember to say “thank you” to them and not take them for granted!
Kayla says
aww love the pic of Clara in the pool. We live 15 minutes from my parents and they have an awesome pool… we’re expecting our first (a girl!) in Oct. and cant wait till next summer to take her for her first swim in Gmom and Gpops pool! love the sweet gift of the wooden house replica. And I’m so happy for you guys that they live so close by now!!
Nancy says
What a sweet gift! You guys have the best gift ideas!
Colleen says
FUN!
And I’m from Springfield (but now relocated in Central VA). But a small high five to the “703”. :). It is a fabulous area to grow up in.
Alisha says
This is definitely one of the coolest, most thoughtful gift ideas I’ve seen!!! Awesome!!
SingleMama says
The picture of Clara in the pool is priceless :)
Kerry says
Totally awesome gift! What a great idea!
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
I love this, and not just because I am a crazy cat lady and the title won me over :) It’s adorable and I kinda want one of my house now!!
Cait @ Hernando House says
I know, I kinda want one of mine, too!
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
I wonder if I could change the black cat to a black and white cat so it looks like Macky? :)
YoungHouseLove says
I bet with a fine pointed brush and some white craft paint you could do it after it arrives!
xo,
s
egt729 says
that’s awesome! and if your mom is as sentimental as mine, she bawled her eyes out when she opened it.
very sweet of you guys to think of that!
Manda says
Aww my mom used to collect those also. Such a thoughtful gift!
Lesley says
That is so sweet! My parents just celebrated their 40th. My 2 sisters and I ( and 3 son in laws) got to split up the cost also. We surprised them with a night away at a historic hotel in a nearby city and we enlarged their wedding photos and put them to music on a CD.( something they didn’t have back in 1971). I love this idea for them for Christmas. Have a great weekend!
Rachel Tatem says
That’s so great! Too cute
crib tales says
That’s one of the coolest gift ideas I’ve seen in a long while – just bookmarked it. Thank you for sharing and congrats on the babysitting ;-)
Gina @ Runningtothekitchen says
What a thoughtful gift.
That picture of Clara is hysterical!
Betsy says
I love the picture of Clara! I think the funny faces are my favorites.
Carolyn says
That is an awesome gift! How special!
KR says
That is a really thoughtful and sweet gift.. I wish I had thought of something like that when my parents moved last year. Great idea!
Lauren says
So awesome that your parents now live so close! That sounds like the perfect arrangement, I hope that my parents are that close to me when I have kids! Also that figurine is beautiful, what a fabulous idea for a present.
laxsupermom says
What an incredibly thoughtful gift! Love it! My parents gave the house we grew up in to my little brother. He’s done a ton to it, but I’ll have to dig up an old pic and have a little wooden block house made for my parents. Incidentally, there’s 4 of us, too. 3 girls, then little bro. Thanks for sharing.
Barb says
What a sweet gift for your parents. I am sure they were surprised and thrilled at the same time. I know for a fact….it sure is nice to be remembered by your children. AT our house…we call it “paybacks.” (You see, I have kids your age and it makes me smile the way you are close to both of your families. ) It is so nice and so very important.
FAMILY IS FIRST AND FOREMOST!!
Have a great weekend.
Great posts this week.
B.
Megan says
My mom collects these too. She had a bunch from her home town. What a great idea to have one made. Going to have to seal this. :)
Mike at The Big Stick says
Love the Cat’s Meows. My wife collected them before we got married and got me hooked. They are a great keepsake from trips. We also got one made of our first house that went with us to the new one.
Megan Carlisle says
On a completely unrelated note: can you tell me where you got Clara’s amazing floaty device? (first picture). I need something JUST like that within the next 12 days (so I hope you say you found it at Target or some other easy to get to place!!!). Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, Target! She loves it.
xo,
s
Crystal says
I grew up in Burke also! What a small world/Virginia ;)
YoungHouseLove says
No way! I was a Terra Centre kid. You?
-John
Stephanie says
That’s such a cool gift idea!!! I bet your parents loved it. :-)
I don’t have any kids yet, but my parents live about 15 minutes away as well, and my in-laws live only about a mile from us, and they’re all excited to babysit future grandchildren, we’re excited to not have to pay for day care and we’re also excited our future kids will be able to spend lots of time with their grandparents. My only surviving grandparent lived halfway across the country from me for most of my life, so it’s really important to me that our kids will get to know their grandparents. Clara’s super lucky that she’ll be able to spend lots of time with her grandparents from such a young age!
Elizabeth says
I have two of those in my office. One is of the historic University Auditorium and Century Tower at UF and the other one is of the football stadium at UF (shocking, I know!).
Just looked and they are dated on the back 1993 and 1997 respectively…yikes…I’m old. And the black cat is enjoying himself immensely in both locations.
Katie says
Go Gators!
Elizabeth says
Woo hoo!
Elizabeth says
Just checked out your blog Katie…great stuff! Makes me wish I liked cooking more…lol!
Amanda says
Hey! My in-laws live in Burke! We visit them almost every weekend. Such a lovely community–we love all the trees and trails.
Lindsay @ A Walk in the Closet says
This is a wonderful idea! I love what a personal touch it is.
r8chel says
I’m really impressed with their attention to detail — such as the bench, the house number next to the door, and even the light between the garage doors.
heyruthie says
we live in fairfax (where i grew up), and my parents are now in springfield, so burke is our half-way point. we love to meet at the Terra Center playground (on top of the underground school…such a cool ’70’s throwback!) the playground is nice, and the soccer field is great for flying kites since there are no power lines above. plus, great harvest bread company is always calling my name….
YoungHouseLove says
I’m a Terra Centre alum, actually! And it’s so funny that you said Burke is your halfway point. Since lots of Northern Virginianers seem to have no clue where Burke is, I always found myself describing it as “halfway between Springfield and Fairfax.”
-John
Lindsey says
@heyruthie: I used to bake at Great Harvest in Burke, have the burns on my arm to prove it!
Robin @ our semi organic life says
Funny. I went to Terraset in Reston, VA which was a very similar elementary school – school half underground with grass playground on top! Interesting!
Jen says
My mom collects these too! Thanks for posting this! This will make a great gift for her!
Jessica says
What a great gift idea – I had no idea they made custom Cat’s Meow pieces, but my mom has collected them forever! I will definitely remember that.
Liz says
Great idea! Thanks for sharing…
Jessica@ImpatientlyInspired says
That is a genius idea – I’m definitely doing it for my first house that I just bought!
ErinEvelyn says
Awww… may I please be a Petersik? (What’s another sister, right John?). Based on your stories and traditions, I kinda adore your family. *I* would totally jump at babysitting & pool perks, and and lord knows my math skills could be stronger. :)
You guys are very lucky.
WendyMI says
So cute… what a fabulous gift!
Lisa says
What a clever idea. I’m going to have to remember these for the day that (I am hoping and praying will be soon) my mom decides to *finally* sell her 4BR house and downsize to a 2BR condo… my husband, almost-1-yr-old and I live in 950 sq ft in NYC and she claims that a 1200 sq ft condo with two walk-in closets, which is walking distance from her office and friends (which her house is not), is “too small”…
Christina says
This is such a sweet and wonderful idea! Especially when parents generally have everything they need, something like this is what they will remember!
Katie says
I am SO excited to know about this! My mom also collects these (she also has the Charleston capital building…WV is her home state, too) and I think she’d love one of their house now. Awesome. (We also always had to wait in the stairway on Christmas morning. Love it.)