Of "cwafty things" and a Brave Mama

My parents put together a very clever Christmas gift for the J-Man and the Diva. A container of "cwafty things" as the J-Man calls them. Two huge organizer thingys full of just that - items to be crafty with: pipe cleaners, stickers, glitter glue (ugh), beads, felt, glue, etc....

They LOVE the "cwafty boxes". Before I pull them out of the LOCKED cabinet, I have to read stories about bravery. Think little train engines that could, brave little toasters, and so on. I have to give myself the pep talk. I am sure other moms have given themselves the same pep talk: " I WILL be that kind of Mom. I will be the kind of mom that let's her kids create, experiment (ie MAKE A MESS)." And it is all worth it....but goodness is it scary.

Just in case you were wondering if her dress was dragged through the glitter glue on her paper here: it was. And if you were also wondering if it washed out: it did!

The Dive is especially fond of the glitter glue. Fond enough to glob 3 tubes on one piece of unsuspecting construction paper.

The Tank likes it all. Particularly if she can color it or adhere it to her body. *Sigh*

The J-Man is a "just-so" kind of person. He will fuss and fuss with re-arranging his craft box half the time, and spend the other half gluing things together. Loves those Popsicle sticks.

And because I want my kids to be THOSE kinds of kids that know how to clean up after themselves, we begin the "Cleaning Up from the Crafting Expedition" energetically. And then I realize that really, they have helped clean up enough and I can get it done a lot faster. But I bite my tongue at stick it out to the bitter end, helping them "clean" up after themselves. All of this WILL pay off in the end....that's what I am telling myself anyway.

And because no post is quite complete without a picture of ALL my Precious Little Ones, here is my only kiddo not currently into "cwafty things"....

He sure has the being cute thing down, though!