Building a house

As Imentioned yesterday, art supplies are hard to find, so I've been collecting "junk" in hopes it'll all inspire me to come up with some projects for the boys. Yes, despite the fact there is still 3/4 of a bag of perfectly good pasta in the cabinet! So, today I told them they could make a house. They were happy of course, knowing that it involved paint, and cutting. First they painted some cardboard I had held onto, making it green for the grass. We started using brushes, but when it became clear that method would take us till dinner, I cut up a sponge and watered down the paint.

They LOVED that. Too much maybe.

While the grass was drying they started on the houses - which was a cereal box cut in half - one half for each of them.

We cut a door in the front, and flattened it, to make it easier for them to paint, and they went to it with the sponges.

At one point Skip decided his hands were so full of paint that he might as well use THEM to finish, and of course, Harry took his cue from Skip.

This, you see, resulted in their looking likse smurfs. It washes off easilyl, so I didn't care one bit (All I could think was that Kate from Jon & Kate would have been in therapy!). Lastly, the painted the chimneys (toilet paper roll cut in half) and the trees that I drew on cardboard and had them cut out. Harry got carried away with the cutting and nearly cut the tree top off, but we taped and salvaged. Once the trees were painted green, they added red spots for apples. They were covered in paint, as was the plastic table cloth, and there were a just a few smudges on the walls and doors leading to the bathroom. Soap for the kids and a magic eraser I brought this trip, and both boys & house were back to normal. We let it all dry while we finished school and lunch, and then put them together. Not alot to work with for adhesive, so we had to go with tape.

They didn't care, they loved their masterpieces. Harry spent about 30 minutes driving hot wheels cars in and out of the house, until finally, I told him that would have to wait til after rest period.

I've decided I prefer Harry doesn't sleep since he then can't fall asleep at night, but 90 minutes of rest is just as good. They know they don't have to sleep so they don't argue, and I let them put in a "calming" DVD, so they're happy, and I've got some time for me! Guess I can't ask for more!