3 Kids/3 Paintings

When I read this lovely post over at Karlyn's place the other day, I was reminded to post a little afternoon activity we indulged in recently.

Caleb and Jemima each chose a colour and planned a self portrait, and away we went. I couldn't resist joining in, and having baby Eve in the family was the perfect excuse. She was asleep anyways. You snooze, you lose.

Caleb's picture cracks me up. The blood shot eye, the earrings, the crazed expression, and the tiny top hat resting jauntily on his head. lolz.

Jemima is a fairy of course (she tells me that she is the *only fairy* in the world.) She also has earrings in her self portrait, but (like Caleb) she doesn't really. She would love them, but knows it hurts, so she is not really insisting. I was 20 years old when I got earrings, so there is yet time for her!

The paintings are not proudly displayed in the older kids' shared room. We are all quite happy with the result.

A very pink cake

One of the items on my to do list yesterday what "Do something fun with Jems." It's a bit sad that I needed to list it, but sometimes I get so caught up in what-needs-to-get-done that I just leave her to her own devices, or drag her along with me to the shops or what-not.

I asked her what activity she would like to do, and she wanted to make a cake, which boiled down to "decorate a cake and eat it" with further questioning. So we bought a sponge from the supermarket and decorated when we got home. A bit of a cheat, but she still got to lick the spoon so she was happy.

By the way, I have changed my header to a photograph taken by my sister a month ago or so. I have more to share over time but this is one of my favourites. It really captures Caleb. Can't wait to get this one on one of the (still bare) walls at home.

Grass Heads

Caleb and Jemima went to a party a couple of months ago and the fixings of these little fellows was their take home loot bag. I'm sure we have all seen/done this in some form or another, but I thought I'd share it here because I thought it was a great idea to be reminded of! (Especially if you have a party coming up yourself.)

In the bag was a bit of pantyhose, grass seeds, eyes and a bag of dirt. All we had to do was spoon the dirt in, pop the grass seeds on top and tie it up. Then the kids stuck the eyes on and we watered and waited. When the hair was long enough, the kids gave them haircuts, which was a highlight of the project for sure.

I think they are great- and it was nice not to get more lollies at the end of the day!

Cardboard Days

We had a self imposed quiet day at home today. Caleb has a fairly mild cold, but started to sound wheezy yesterday, so off to the doctor we went. He is now the proud (yes, he really is) owner of his very own puffer and spacer. He is much better today, but I just felt like the 3 of us needed a break.

The best thing about these long days kicking about at home is the kids always come up with some creative pursuit or another. (The worst things are the peeling screams of Miss Jemima when things aren't going her way.)

Pictured above is a bow and arrow (and "bag" for the arrow made lovingly by me from a toilet roll), and Caleb independently constructed the phone and foot-man-with-feet. We had a good laugh about that one.

Caleb makes a doll

It's my sister's birthday, and the confetti cookies are in the oven. I have bought her a gift from Lark online, but I only ordered it this week, so I will be offering the cookies as an IOU at birthday dinner tonight.

Caleb has been wanting to make a snow man out of a sock ever since he saw a particular episode on playschool a little while ago. I got some free socks from a work fundraiser last term, so we put one of the pair to good use. It morphed into something of a self portrait. I did the sewing, but Caleb did the stuffing, the drawing and the choosing of the scarf and button. This mini Caleb will be gifted to Aunty Sarah this evening, because in his words, "Aunty Sarah really really loves me doesn't she." Well, of course little monkey.

Mail Swap!

Collecting the mail from the letter box is something of a ritual. Jemima, Caleb and I race to the letterbox and Caleb always gets there first. Then, he is always so disappointed that mum and dad seem to get ALL the mail (really awesome stuff like bank statements and bills, usually). It was very timely and cool, therefore, that Christie has organised a kid's mail swap for all those little sweeties who get a bit blue when the postie has nothing for them. 

Caleb got to work this afternoon on making some cards in his special style. He gives them a thumbs up.

Four, Freestylin, Fashion

Caleb is four.

He makes up his own rules. For fashion. For freestyling craft.

He spent at least an hour making these birds, a concept and design all of his own. The only thing I did was tear off some masking tape when it was requested of me. He made a daddy bird for daddy, a mummy bird for mummy, and a baby bird for Jemima.

I had to consciously decide not to give instruction and just see where the activity went, and asking "what do you think you could do?" when he asked me to solve a crafting quandary. I tend to like to give a little direction, especially when white glue is involved! But we were outside on the yucky outdoor table, so I chillaxed. I'm glad I did, because it was really worthwhile to see what he came up with (cute!) and he is so pleased with the outcome. 

Oh I love craft.

What's brown (and silver) and sticky?

We are sorta fans of Ikea in this household  and the most recent catalogue had a photograph of a bunch of sticks hanging upside down as the Christmas tree, complete with presents underneath. Caleb and I thought it was pretty cool and decided we would do it. I forgot about it, then half remembered and truthfully hoped Caleb might forget, but Caleb never forgets. I spray painted the sticks silver (actually only half sprayed them as my creative director was insisting they only needed to be painted on one side.) Then I tied them together in a bunch (which I could have done better had I known anything at all about knot tying) and hung them from a hook that was already in his room. 

When we made it he declared, "When Daddy gets home, he won't believe his eyes!!"

A posty post

Caleb and I got amakin' the other day. He is really into "writing letters", pops them in envelopes and I find them on my pillow (aw). So we made a post box while the Jems was having a snooze.

Library Day

Every 3 weeks or so Thursday is library day. Since Caleb has just been getting into drawing, I picked up Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Trucks and Trains. It's a little old for him, but if we both draw together I can guide him through. The train track and the colouring in are all his however. 

I have some arty plans of my own. A little painting based on a sketch I did a long time ago. The little girl figure is somewhat inspired by Jemima and her short hair with little curls springing out from behind her ears (aka "flaps" in my family). Also at the time she also had 2 teeth. Now she has 6.5. How time flies.

Good clean fun

Caleb did some painting this afternoon. We wanted to pose with his picture for a photo. I noticed the magnet he used and just though it was a little bit funny.

Yes he did.