Max

Max

Originally uploaded by mymaushaus

Here’s me with a Max hand puppet. This is a puppet made by Good Folk Puppets. I made the wolf suit he is wearing.

Boat

Boat

Originally uploaded by mymaushaus

I performed “Where the Wild Things Are” for Eliott’s 3rd birthday party. I recruited friends and family to play the part of the wild things. Here’s Max in his boat.

Welcome

Welcome to My Maus Haus! The name of my blog is inspired by a toy “mouse house” created by my friend and mentor, Monica Leo. Once I had children of my own, Monica gave me the mouse house. It continues to be a source of inspiration, imagination, and creativity for myself and my children.

I am a grad-school-mama of a four-year-old, Eliott, and a soon to be two-year old, Thisbe. In September 2009, I left my job as Outreach Coordinator for The University of Iowa International Programs, to be home with my kids, to finish a MA in Art Education, and to try to live a more creative and fulfilling life.

I am curious about intersections between art and culture, and have dabbled in attempts in language and culture learning through puppetry. Here’s a clip from last summer’s Bunraku Japanese Puppet Camp:

I consider myself an amatuer puppeteer, and have started a tradition of staging a puppet show for one of my kids’ birthday parties. Hansel and Gretel is up this Saturday.

Questions I am grappling with: Now what? Where will this puppet stuff take me? Am I crazy?