September 23, 2008

A Life Lesson For Henry

Sometimes you're three years old. And sometimes your dad is an architect and you think he is the coolest guy in the world. You want to be just like him. You decide that you will build tall buildings just like your dad does.

But first you need a backer with some financial resources.



Enter your little sister. She's sunk everything she has into Cheerios. Fortunately for you and your project, Cheerios is the only market not affected by the recent "adjustment" on Wall Street. Your financier seems eager to get the project rolling.



So you start to design and build...



...and build some more.



Excellent work. You are within your budget. The design is breathtaking.

Oh no! Structurally unsound! Your building comes tumbling down.



Your client is not pleased.


You are distraught. This will definitely cost you some serious change orders.

But you're only three. You don't know what change orders are. So you throw caution (and a few jam packets) to the wind. You start rebuilding.

The client keeps a close eye on you.

Frank Lloyd Wright would be so proud.

You get side tracked. Just for a minute.



Your client is not amused.



But you soon regain your momentum. You finish your work. You take a moment of pause to reflect on your masterpiece.

It's not only visually stunning, but it's functional as well.

The client is very pleased.


But, her financial backing has fallen through because her money is all tied up in a legal trust. Also, she never obtained to proper permits for the site. Besides the zoning ordinance states that you can't build a structure over three stories tall on this property. Your design clearly does not meet this criteria. You put a lien on the property and you're now held up in a legal battle that wages on for years. Your practice is suffering and your business partner ran off with the secretary. Things just aren't panning out. You're left in shambles with only the memories of your jelly-filled skyscraper.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who knew Smuckers made building material?
Love this post!

Anonymous said...

I love it! Especially the gleam in the architect's eyes in the "You start rebuilding" photo.

HeatherPride said...

Reese is so clearly impressed with her brother's mad architectural skillz!

Really I'm just jealous that you can take 2 kids to a diner and keep them both entertained with towers of jelly! Maybe you should teach a class on that!

for a different kind of girl said...

I hope he didn't build on any sacred ground!

We built with creamer packages. The structures were beautiful, but never afforded much room to really stretch out.

The Stiletto Mom said...

That Reese looks like a tough cookie to work for. Tell Henry I have some extra fruit loops I'm willing to give him for backing in exchange for an equity position.
Your babies are so adorable!!!

Captain Dumbass said...

Those are tough lessons for a three year old, but they'll make him a stronger person.

I want to eat the financial backer's cheeks.

Cameron said...

If legalities hadn't gotten him, mother nature (ie. knee hitting and shaking the table) probably would have ripped through his building and knocked it flat. I hope he has good insurance!!!

Mama Dawg said...

This is great.

I never knew that so much was tied up in getting a jelly packet building off the ground. Hmmmm....must remember this next time I'm at Denny's.

Rhea said...

haha That's so creative! My kids built with jam packets, butter packets, litter off the floor, whatever they can find.

Kat said...

One day he will thank you for all this sound advise. When he is a famous architect he will definitely screen his partners carefully and watch out for floozy secretaries.

Anonymous said...

I second Heather. You have two adorably cooperative children.

Also, those damn building permits will getcha everytime.

David Ebright said...

I've been building tall buildings for years - Never thought of using Smuckers - No wonder the budgets & profits have been way off.

Suggestion - You would like writer Rebecca Ramsey's blog - Wonders Never Cease - I recommend it very highly & I'm sure she would enjoy yours as well. Not a paid commercial by the way.

Have a great day.

beth said...

I can name three real life adults facing similiar situations right now. If only they could remember to enjoy the passion for their work your 3 year old had for his creation and every once and awhile, stop and taste 'the jelly', they might be better off.

Anonymous said...

haha...he's so talented! The little sis seems less than amused!

Carolyn...Online said...

Isn't that always the way? And you never get paid in full for those damn change orders.

Lovely tower by the way.

Anonymous said...

Building on the Smuckers foundation will put you in a JAM every time.
Ba dum bum ching!!

Anndi said...

Could have been worse. He could have had to deal with the OSHA inspectors who would have wanted to see some sampling done to avoid overexposure to the sweet stuff...

Captain Dumbass said...

Hmm, it's been awhile since I left a long rambling comment in here. And... nine hours since the last one. And oh, would you look at that. My three year old just PEED ON MY KITCHEN FLOOR THAT I WASHED YESTERDAY!!!

Anonymous said...

My 4yo plays with the sugar packets. Spreads em out aaallll over the table. And then deals.

You have a little architect.

And I have a blackjack dealer.

Unknown said...

This is hilarious. I have a feeling that your children will have no trouble reliving their childhood through pictures.

DeeMarie said...

I love the leaning tower of jam! My nephew can spend hours building out of jelly, butter packets, etc. He once tried to build a house out of sugar/sweetner packets. Unfortunately, they just don't hold up well. Your kids are too cute!

Anonymous said...

I would definitely hire him! My money is invested in Polar Bear Burgers so I’m sure my finances will withstand the turmoil in the market.

PS oh so cute! :o)

Unknown said...

doh! I knew I should have invested in jams. Nobody is going to build me a skyscraper from Apple stalk. Oh well.
You have quite the architect and financier there. It's too bad about the partner running off with the secretary though. Legal actions and bankruptcies expire over time, but lost business partners are gone forever.

Gucci Mama said...

This just made my day. So cute and funny. We don't so much "build" things in this family, we pretty much just find "building materials" to "throw" at our "puppy". Of course, my son is just shy of two, and I hear that great maturity comes with the age of three, so there's hope yet.

Ms. PH said...

Very funny! In my house, the story would have ended with my three year old daughter crying because my 21 month old son took a wrecking ball . . . um . . . I mean . . . fist and knocked down her tower. For the fifth time that morning.

My three year old's latest fave toys? A measuring tape and a deck of cards.

Seriously. I don't know why I buy toys.

Captain Dumbass said...

Hey, just stopped by to say hi, how was work, yadda yadda yadda. Look at you Miss 25 comments! And I'll be 26. I got married when I was 26. Seems like sooooooooooooooooooooooooo long ago. But I digress. I digress from nothing really since I didn't actually start with anything but to digress from my digressive digression I think you should go check Reesie's diaper. Something smells.

Ringleader said...

I don't know why diners even bother with the crayons and coloring pages- the crayons just break in half and roll on the floor- but jam packets, creamers and sugars... there's your recipe for a good time!