Window Art

If you haven't played with Window Crayons, you're really missing out on an outstandingly creative and liberating expression of your inner artistic self. There's something deeply satisfying about drawing on a surface that's usually off limits.

I've had these (and Window Markers, which aren't quite as fun) for a long time, but was afraid to give them to the boys for fear that they'd think they could draw on the walls, the floor, the furniture...me. But today was the day for a new experience and out they came. While the results aren't quite Monet or Klimt or Van Gogh or even Warhol, they had a blast!

Actually, I see a bit of Pollock in their scribbles....

  

The finished product. Even Linus was enjoying the view.

Zach wouldn't let me take a picture of the many beautiful colors on his hands, arms and legs
(how did he manage that?!?). He looks like he got in trouble, but I swear he didn't....

That was a lovely 27 minutes of relative peace. It took about an equal amount of time to remove the crayon marks from their various body parts, but it was totally worth it. And I've got free art for a few days, too....

I’m Learning

Today's messy playtime was a breeze for me. It was probably more of a breeze for the boys since they made their mess outside...in the breeze. When the big request to play with the Moon Sand and Moon Dough came, I was ready with the answer: Yes! Not only Yes, but Heck Heah! I'm the cool mom who will let you do anything. I just roll with the punches; fly by the seat of my pants; go like the wind. I set them up outside with a vinyl tablecloth on the patio table and turned them loose.

They chose to wear the art smocks.
I really didn't think the sand and dough would ruin their clothes, but they're nerdy that way.

Zach actually did come into the house once; he needed me to open more Moon Dough for the farm.
Well, alrighty then. Let me get that for you and I'll have you on your way....

As of this moment, they've been out back playing nicely (really...no fighting, no yelling, no crying) for more than an hour. When I finish my bonbons, I'm gonna think about checking up on them. Or maybe I'll just wait until it's time to make dinner. Of course, bathtime probably wouldn't be that late. Oh, wait, as I recall, we were allowed to play outside until the street lights came on....

Arts & Crafts Dropout

I'm trying to be a crafty mom, but I think I might be failing.

I admit it; I'm a messaphobe, which is a fatal flaw when it comes to kids in general, but it's nearly impossible to avoid messes when the craftiness begins to flow. Josh will actually wake me up in the morning and ask if we can "get crafty" (a term he got from Mrs. Debbie, his preschool teacher last year). Zach, on the other hand, never asks, but he's more than happy to pile on, whatever the project.

Last February, I banned Moon Sand from my home.

At least it's allowed outside now....

Today, I wanted to do a handprint flag, so I got out the paints. I've seen it done by a professional, but I've never done it myself. How hard could it be? Harder than you think. To get it to look right and not like a bunch of monkeys stole your paint and went to town, it takes many tries to get it somewhat right.

This is the work in progress. Still needs finishing touches, which I'll probably have done in time for next 4th of July.

Once the paints were out, the floodgates were open. Josh got most of his paint on the paper, but there was probably an equal amount on his paint smock, the tablecloth and his hands. Still, it was better than Zach's attempt. He squirted the red paint from the container onto his paper and Josh's and the table and the floor. Not to be left out, Josh flicked his brush full of blue paint, sending splatters flying onto the floor.

I give myself an 'A' for organization, but an 'F' for execution....

At this point, I was forced to stifle their creativity and cleared away all the supplies, declaring that they couldn't paint again until they were old enough to drive. See, that's really quite brilliant; I'm pretty sure they'd rather fulfill their arts and crafts urges with a far less messy tattoo or seven when they're 16. Problem solved! I may be a messaphobe, but I'm no dummy....