One of the perks of never doing crafts with my kids was that, because they didn’t know how to do crafts, they didn’t make ginormous messes unless I planned on them. But now that they’ve been exposed to more crafting, I can’t keep them out of the scotch tape. Or the paper supply. And since their crafting doesn’t require me, I’m content to let them go. Sort of.
Today they found a book of crafts about ancient Egypt. And I took a nap. This is a recipe for disaster. Here’s what greeted me when I emerged from my bed.
They had taken off their shirts so they could “be Egyptians.” (Notice that Ian still has the stickers on his chest from the heart monitor during his EEG. He won’t let us take them off. I figure they have to fall off at some point, right?) At some point in the afternoon, they wanted me to give them my eye make-up so they could be like a pharaoh. I said no. So they went and rolled around in the dirt outside for reasons unknown. And then they came and curled up on my couch. And left their mark.
They made paper pyramids on a “diorama” of Egypt, complete with the River Nile.
And this was the scene in the living area.
There were scraps of paper, scissors, pieces of tape, crayons, and books all over the floor. I decided to let them keep playing while I made dinner. And they did. Sam’s imagination and creativity ran away with him. Pretty soon he added a pharaoh hat (taped to his head with packing tape because they used all the scotch tape), a scroll of “proverbs,” and a whip (hold me).
His “proverbs” cracked me up. I quote:
Provrbs
obaye God
trust in God
obay Gods word
shar adn char (share and care)
onr your fothr and your muthr (honor your father and mother)
dit sen (don’t sin)
Eventually we put a stop to the crafting (and the use of whips and sticks) and had them pick up the playroom and vacuum the couch.
The mess makes me crazy, but I love watching what their little brains and fingers come up with to do. So, while we’re going to work on picking up a little better in between crafts, we’re going to encourage the creativity. And I’m going to hide the packing tape. Pray for me.
I also let my kids have relatively free reign with the crafts if it buys me some peace. Trash can be picked up pretty easily I think. Or that is what I tell myself.
I spent enough money on tape to have paid the tuition for one kid at the private school we used to attend. Tape is verboten in this house. I have one roll of packing tape that I keep hidden. Even from me most days so I won’t break under duress. No one gets a wrapped gift at b-day/Christmas/baby shower. It is all gift bags. Because if I bring out the tape in sight of these guys, there will be taping of even lint to the wall for who knows what reason.
So they have been recycling the tape they formerly confiscated. I figure that will work until the sticky runs out. And then, I’ll be a tape target. HOLD me.
Yep, that packing tape is TOTALLY going to leave a mark but those Proverbs make it all worth the mess and the skin that will be removed via the tape.
my house always looks like that. I don’t know what you’re complaining about.
You are one calm soul. I love that you can take a nap and let them live. I would be a much less grouchy mom if I could do that. May have to try this…………
Girl, I can tell you about some packing tape. I’m not sure who uses more: cheeky maiden, or Arwen!!! Thankfully, she has yet to tape anything to her head. Girls are cool like that.
Great Proverbs!
Isn’t it the greatest thing?! My kids adore tape! I hid some so I’ll have it when I need it!
I love their creativity, too, just not the mess that often comes along with it! But they are getting good at cleaning it up…
Xander loves tape and has actually unrolled 3/4 or more of a roll before. Bella wouldn’t touch tape whcn she was his age. She didn’t even like band-aids or anything sticky. I guess around 4 she decided that they were acceptable for a short while and now at 6 she doesn’t want me to take them off even if it is hanging by a corner.
That picture of Sam with packing tape on his head made me LOL