Feeling Crafty

I've been sneaking away every second I can and diving into the internet in search of all sorts of things to make our 2010/2011 school year PERFECT.  (and no one is allowed to comment on that last word ... I am confident that after last year's near disaster, coupled with my determination or bullheadedness, whichever you prefer, this next year is going to be the year to remember ... or not, but at least I'm trying to be optimistic!!)   Part of my searching has been for crafts to do throughout the school year.  I have this link on my homepage and if you haven't clicked it yet, you are missing out.  I absolutely LOVE this craft blog.  It is like the whole craft blogging world in one place!  I could get lost for hours, HOURS I SAY, clicking on one project and then another and then another.  Great stuff is to be found.  Seriously.

Yesterday I came across these little cardboard dolls and then found this great craft on cardboard fractions, which OH SO THRILLED my mathematician's heart ... so this morning I thought, "how about grabbing that empty diaper box out in the garage and making a barn", which led to animals and then a farmer ... and we had fun, but I will admit, dolls would have been easier, quicker and just as entertaining:).  If you know me, you are fully aware of my slight tendency to be extreme in all situations at all times.  It is draining, and I assure you not a personality trait anyone should ever wish to have.  (and if Richard actually reads this, it wouldn't surprise me if he left an affirmative comment!)  But I will admit, my extremism has made for, if nothing less, an interesting life ... one that is full of adventures and as much as I might like to shake my extremism (as Richard would call it) I just can't stop myself most of the time.

I've made a mini playlist for your enjoyment if you wish to make your own diaper box barn.

Old McDonald, Ella Fitzgerald
Farm, Imagination Movers
Pig On Her Head, Laurie Berkner

These songs are sure to have you in a barn making mood in no time!

Enjoy!!

1. Get your diaper box and have your 12yr old put that Swiss Army Knife she got for her birthday to good use.

2. Go get The Animals of Farmer Jones off the bookrack in the nursery.

3. Sit a minute and delight in the illustrations found in great children's books.

4. Have the same 12yr old start making the box into a barn.

5. Find your 8yr old to draw farm animals.

6. Be amazed at the progress of your 12yr old.

7. Assemble the barn.

8. Have your 6 year old start coloring the animals.

9. Wash your 3 year old's hair and then let her color some animals, too.

10. Return to your 12 year old.  Watch her intensity as she cuts out the doors and windows.

11. Take some cute photos of your 3 year old playing with the farmer.

12.  Now take some photos of her playing with the chickens.

13.  And let's not forget to photograph her with the pig!  

(she likes this little activity, can't you tell?!)

14.  Oh, look!  Here comes the 6 year old wanting her photograph taken with a chicken.

15.  And just when things get going, tell your 3 year old it's nap time, and consequently brake her heart. :(

16.  Leave the barn on the table and enjoy trying to guess what you're husband will say when he walks in the front door from work.

Homemade

We live in a planned community made up of three developers.  Before the construction boom, the area of town where we live was considered "the sticks."  This area was really starting to take off before the boom went bust, so it is new and I believe will be up and coming one day, but for now it is still pretty woodsy and beautiful.  To get to our house, you have to drive way back in the community and up and down some pretty big hills.  Our house is on a hill and while our bedroom is on the main floor, we have a basement down below, so it seems like it is on the second level.  Why does this matter?  Well, it is very windy right now and when it is windy or raining, you notice how high up and how tucked away you are.  Other than the sound of C-130's flying overhead at night, it is the most peaceful sound to hear.  And after a crazy busy day of the girls and I cutting, drawing, copying, gluing, stringing, etc., it is all the more welcome a sound.

 Yes, today we finished up our Valentines ... Boot Camp style.  And as usual, nothing we do is ever simple.  I'm not sure how making Valentines go to be such a production, but it was and I'm glad we are finished!  It is always fun to make little treats for others, but I'll be honest, I couldn't wait to get it done and clean it all up.  And by the end, that box of 20 pre-made cards at CVS seemed like a much better choice than homemade.  Yes, another moment where I am hit head on with the realization that what used to be fun with one or two children, is now a WHOLE lot more work (and a lot more stress) with five.  I'm definitely looking forward to a government issued 800 mg Motrin, a long hot shower and curling up in bed to listen to the wind as I fall asleep.

Richard, I can't wait to see you tomorrow night.

Wish you were here to curl up with me.

I love you!

Some of the Valentines for loved ones by the girls ...

Heart crayons and a Valentine for my sweet nephews.  

I absolutely LOVE this paper!!

Patterson's Valentines for her friends.  So super proud of her hard work at just staying the course and finishing all of them.  Definitely an accomplishment for our little 110 with bees in her britches:).

handmade mini envelopes and necklaces (with scripture references on the back) 

by Hanson Ellis

cards by Kate for her MMO class

The Beginning & Shrinky Dinks

 The past year I've been spending an increasing amount of time in the blog world.  Upon yet another suggestion by my husband, I've decided to jump in.  My husband is in the Army, therefore moves are frequent and deployments are often.  It is my hope that this blog will help keep him in the know as well as family that we've left, and friends that are scattered current and connected with our lives (and theirs as well).  It is also my hope that this blog will bring about a little therapy for a homeschooling mother of five who is somewhat continuously either engrossed or just consumed by the goings on in these four walls ... i.e. the trenches.  

To God be the Glory!

mary katharine

shrinky dinks 

Patterson got some Shrinky Dinks for Christmas.  It was another cold and gloomy day, and the two little ones were asleep, so we decided it was time to open up the box and get to work.   A lot of fun, but I will say a little stressful!  Have you ever done these??!!  They twist and curl and shrink and lay back flat all in a matter of 2-3 minutes (which actually seem like 2-3 seconds with all of the intensity and anxiousness in our kitchen!!).  Definitely  a fun activity, but one that flew by and was over before we knew it.  We'll try something that doesn't quite require us to "be on our toes" so much next!