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).
Alyson says
Wow. That’s a great idea. My parents are about to leave the family manse—my dad built it with his own two hands 55 years ago, and no one else has ever lived there. This would be a fantastic commemoration. Thanks for posting about it!
Kelly says
love the pool shot of clara– hysterical!
Melody says
what a cool idea for an anniversary gift!
Lizz says
What an awesome gift! And that picture of Clara in the pool is HILARIOUS! Love!
bethany says
oh my gosh, my mom LOVES the cat’s meow… her kitchen is lined with them! what a great gift idea- thanks for sharing.
Blair says
What a great idea for a gift! I might have to do this for my parents!
~Blair
Erin C says
I laughed out loud at Panera reading that first paragraph. Classic! I love it! Ha ha ha ha!
Cara says
What a sweet gift! My grandmother just moved from her home of more than 40 years and I know she misses it. I was going to get her a canvas print of it but I may like this better. Thanks!
Krysta @ Domestic for Dummies says
I grew up in Burke and now live in Florida. My family is still there and I miss them so much. Thanks for sharing such a great gift idea!
myhonestanswer says
Parents close to home: according to my readers it’s a double edged sword! http://www.myhonestanswer.com/2011/04/05/should-i-have-negotiated-more-than-toys-and-clothes-in-return-for-grandchildren/
But I’m excited for you for all the free babysitting!
Lindsey says
Boy oh boy, I thought I recognized these!!!! My folks have a few (I went to Cherry Run after all), and we still live in Burke. Well, the hubs and I now do, my parents relocated to Rehoboth (they actually live on the outskirts of Lewes, where I swear those ceramic driveway dogs are real every time). We have one of Cherry Run and Lake Braddock… what a sweet idea to remember a house. Thank you!
You’ll find lots of Burke Farmer’s market photos on the blog, since we live steps in front of it! http://theadventuresofculinarylin.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/fruit-cheese-chips/
YoungHouseLove says
So funny – it’s like our parents live parallel lives. We were a Terra Centre/Robinson family so I should see if they’ve got Cat’s Meow for those. Thanks for the idea!
-John
Kelly says
We just moved in 5 minutes from my parents’ house…and believe me, we call it the “grankid-babysitting” home too! AND we don’t even have kids yet :)
Bluenoser says
I love this gift idea! I checked out the website but couldn’t see anything about international orders. Do you know if they ship to Canada? Thanks so much for sharing this!
YoungHouseLove says
Not sure- maybe try calling them? Good luck!
xo,
s
Meg says
If you click on the order form, it says there is a $10 surcharge for outside the continental US. So, I’d say that they will, indeed, ship to Canada (or Australia, or even Japan where I am).
Jenn says
My family totally had the “wait at the top of the stairs on Christmas morning” tradition, with accompanying photo taken annually. In the younger years, we’re a little blurrier due to vibrating from the whole excitement.
My parents now have a one story house, and my mom is wondering what will sub in for the stairs for the grandkids pictures. Did this question come up for you?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s funny, it hasn’t come up yet! Maybe everyone will have to wait in the frame hallway.
xo,
s
Clarissa says
If that’s the case, you can call it your “Christmas Hall of FrAME” photo. Happy Friday!
Sarah says
I’m so excited they create custom Cat’s Meow houses – my Mom collects the meaningful ones as well. Such a great idea! And my family has 4 kids and we all had to line up on the stairs in order on Christmas too – so funny!
Thanks for the gift idea! btw everytime I read your blog I always think you guys are the Weepies (a husband & wife band) of the blog world. If you don’t know them I suggest you give them a listen!
rebecca says
Our dad always made us gather on the stairs for a picture before running to the presents. We hated it but now I do it to our kids. We hang the pictures on our tree in little frame ornaments.
Nik says
Let me guess…you wouldn’t by chance be looking forward to free babysitting would you?
I know how you feel. Both mine and my husband’s families live 90 and 60 miles away respectively. Can’t wait till we can moove to a more central location for free (and convienent) babysitting.
Amy @ Triangle Honeymoon says
You are such a great gifter! That is so sweet, just as sweet as the painting and your turtle necklace to Sherry during your move.
Gaidig says
Wow, I thought my boyfriend’s parents were the only ones who did the “Christmas on the stairs” thing. I can understand for little kids, but I still think it’s kind of obnoxious when everyone is in their ’20s and ’30s.
lauryn says
I love this! Such a sweet gift. Also, I have a black cat named Duncan. I read that and my mouth dropped open. Haha, never met another cat named Duncan! Does yours have as much attitude as mine?!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! He’s sassy.
-John
Michelle says
What an awesome gift!
We have a similar tradition at my parents house for Christmas. My brother and I sat at the top of the stairs after we woke up on Christmas morning, until our parents had finished getting the house ready (lighting a fire, putting on special music, putting the cinnamon rolls into the oven), and then we could come downstairs and open our stockings, have breakfast and then attack the tree. This follows our Christmas Eve tradition–going to church, hanging up our stockings and my Dad reading The Polar Express.
Julia @ Hooked on Houses says
What a perfect gift idea! I love this. I commissioned an artist to paint my childhood home as a Mother’s Day gift one year and liked it so much I got one for myself, too. I’m thinking this “block” idea would be perfect for my mother-in-law. She’d flip over this.
That’s great that you have your parents living so close now. I love having mine nearby. Thanks to them, we’ve never had to hire a babysitter, and it’s been pretty wonderful for my kids to have their grandparents in their daily lives.
Diane says
Nice call, John – you totally scored some babysitting points with the folks on getting that gift.
Note to self: this would make a great Christmas gift this year…..
Elaine says
That is so sweet! I might have teared up a bit….
Stephanie says
Aw man, I totally squinted and read the back of the house before going on to the next paragraph, which of course starts with “in case you don’t feel like squinting”!!
Great gift and congrats on the babysitting! It’s so nice to be able to go OVERNIGHT somewhere by YOURSELVES and SLEEP IN knowing that your kiddo is safe and sound with Grandma and Grandpa!
Carol N. says
Love the idea of the house for your folks, genious! And I have to say, Clara has the cutest bathing suits; were those from Target as well? I need to find some for my niece.
YoungHouseLove says
Those were hand me downs from her cousin Elsa (this one was from Gap I think).
xo,
s
Ashley @ DesignBuildLove.co says
that is an AMAZING gift! Definitely tear-worthy if I were the recipient. Sentimental gifts are absolutely the best!
alg says
I love those kinds of customized crafts.
My folks had one of those “ye-old-timey” ceramic cookie jars custom painted/glazed with an image of their house. It’s one of my favorite items at their place, especially b/c I helped build that house.
I know someday my brother & I will be fighting over the cookie jar, but I’m not to worried. I’m older & I can still beat him up ;-)
Maria says
What a wonderful gift! We also had the Christmas stair tradition. We had to line up by age (each it it varied from youngest to oldest to oldest to youngest. We had to sit on the stairs until everyone was there and ready. Oh the crazy traditions families come up with :)
Stephanie says
LOL You’re hilarious. That is such a thoughtful gift. May have to take this idea as my parents are selling there home in which they have lived 30 years…I was going to do a painting like your other gift. You guys give such unique gifts, thankyou for telling us about them as it makes me look better to my parents :)
Angie K says
What a fantastic gift!
How crazy, but I live in Burke VA now…my kids will probably go to the same school as John did! They will be headed to Robinson in a few years (unless John grew up on the side that went to Lake Braddock…) They are at Bonnie Brae now.
What a tiny world!
Jenn says
Too bad you won’t getting any free babysitting from them. ;) Tee hee.
Amazing gift idea! I’m going to have to borrow that idea for my parents. They just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and, although a little late, my sister and I might do that for Christmas. Dang, wish we had two more siblings to make it a cool $25 each…can we borrow 2 of yours? Have a great weekend :)
Jessica G in NN says
#1- woo! Cat’s Meow! My mom & grandma have been collecting them for years and years, so this was exciting. I actually have 2 as well, for my high school that I received as graduation gifts. People always think it’s weird that there’s a black cat. Thanks for making me look (slightly more) sane.
#2- How do you follow someone on Flickr? My friend asked me to follow her the other day and I wasn’t sure how. So, I figured when you said this I could use this potential-stalkerish moment to actually be useful in other ways, haha. Thanks! :)
YoungHouseLove says
I have no idea! I think you can “follow” by clicking a button or something? I’m clueless.
xo,
s
Robin @ our semi organic life says
you have to add them “… as a contact”. After you do (and they accept?) they get listed as a friend. Usually the link is on the top right hand side of their 1st photo in the photostream.
Jamie M says
That is so cool!
And we did the same thing on Christmas morning! We had to line up on the stairs youngest to oldest and wait for our parents to come get us. Awesome memories :)
Corinne says
What a fantastic anniversary gift! Very, very good thinking!
I had no idea The Cat’s Meow did custom orders! This is REALLY good to know as my grandparents have been looking high and low for a lighthouse (I think) they made years ago but can’t find anywhere. I suppose with a good picture I could get this done for them……
Megan says
What a great gift idea! I love it!
Heather @ REOlisticRenovation says
SO JEALOUS my family lives far away and it is so hard! Enjoy having them close by!
linda says
wow, john! are you excited to have FREE BABYSITTING? lol!
what a wonderful gift idea! i had never heard of it and now i’m thinking of getting one made of our home!
lyndsay @ Mr. and Mrs. says
We did that same thing as kids! All crammed onto the top stair to wait for the GO to head downstairs for presents.
Cameron says
“The Cat House”? Your parents ran a brothel??? Dang, that must have been crazy with four kids underfoot….. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself!)
Megan says
That’s just fantastic – kudos on the great idea :)
McKenzie says
With the seven/anniversary/gifts I got into spaghetti brain mode (http://www.amazon.com/Men-Are-Like-Waffles-Women-Spaghetti/dp/0736904867) and ended up thinking you would like these. There aren’t prices which in my book usually means it’s too expensive, but it’s nice to dream/maybe diy it right?
http://www.wirelady.com/berrienwirebarnyardpage.html
http://www.wirelady.com/berrienwirehorsepage.html
YoungHouseLove says
Cool!
xo,
s
Dana says
Cute idea…minus the cat. Yuck, I am not a cat person! Do you know if any other companies do this, minus the cat?
YoungHouseLove says
Anyone know?
xo,
s
carolinaheartstrings says
What a wonderful thoughtful gift. It sounds like you grew up in a great family.
Emily says
I adore all the expressions you capture from Clara! She makes the cutest faces!
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
What a sweet and thoughtful gift! For a second there I thought you were going to mention how you DIY’ed it haha
Melanie says
Lol, can you say FREE or BABYSITTING one more time? Love it.
Must think furiously what I could possibly make a Cat’s Meow Piece from…such a neat idea!
Shari @ Chicago Cuisine Critique says
That’s so awesome that your parents are now close by! Enjoy it!
Pixie says
Excellent gift idea. I also love all the subtle hints about babysitting, oh no wait, free babysitting. I am assuming your parents read your blog, ha ha.
Monica says
OMG! John, you’ve made yet ANOTHER woman happy today!!! Just like all the others, my mom collects Cats Meow…I am SO gonna hafta get a couple. Maybe one of their current house and one of my grandma’s home place…oh! WOW! Anniversay gifts for YEARS to come! LOL!
Thanks John!