Primary Colors

Between the funky weather and the ridiculous plague of mosquitoes  we've been experiencing,  we've been forced to get creative inside.  Painting is an old standy-by and I usually have to be pretty desperate to do it - but some days, it's completely worth it. This was one of those days.

And here's her version of Painting with a Twist...

If you haven't seen this Sesame Street clip of Primary Colors, it's worth the watch:

Mass Appeal

As a mother of a 3 year old, often the longest hour of my week is during Mass on Sunday. These last few months I've been church-hopping a bit just to change things up a bit in order to keep Gianna's attention.  It's worked fairly well and she really has improved tremendously.

I noticed she beginning to play church fairly often and always wanted me to stand in line for communion (or commillion - as she calls it.)  Not long after that a friend on Facebook posted about a children's mass kit that Wee Believers puts out. 

It's cute as can be but costs SEVENTY BUCKS!  How riduculous is that?  I suggested that she could probably make one of her own with things she already had. (Don't you hate when people suggest those things.)  Well, I started thinking about it and thought I would compile a few things to make our own mass kit.

I'm not quite done but I've had fun with my little project.

I used mostly plastic or melamine pieces that I spraypainted with brown Krylon spraypaint for plastic. I used an unbreakable bathroom cup that wasn't spraypainted becasue I  knew she'd have her mouth on it.

I found those little battery powered votive lights. I had an extra liturgy of the hours that I had packed away - but any old book would do since she doesn't read.  I had some white felt that I doubled up, cut into circles and glued together to make them a little sturdier. 

Well, I gave it to her today and she immediately got into Liturgy mode.  I was surprised at how much she was able to re-enact. Of course, there was a fair amount of Gianna's creative flair added, but all in all, it was sweet for a three year old.

Although the priesthood is out of reach for her, she may very well have a future in some sort of liturgical ministry and I'm excited to have this teaching tool so early in her little life.

Old School Crafts

Our friend and babysitter bought Gianna a set of Disney Princesses on her recent trip to the magic kingdom.  Gianna has been playing with them non-stop, so we thought the princesses needed a home of some sort.  I took a shoe box and some scrapbook paper and made an old-fashioned diorama/castle.  Gianna got quite a kick out of the process.....and the result. 

Fingerpainting Fun

They were chomping at the bit to get to the sun porch where the paint was...

John Paul was the perfect finger-painter...even though he sported a fake, temporary head wound.

 Sophia painted longer than anyone else, and made strides in actually getting paint ON her fingers....

 Therese decided blue paint dipped in crayon was a fabulous creation...

 Elise didn't get a drop of paint on her...

 And her sweet baby brother was great inspiration for their art...

And then there's Gianna...

I shouldn't even have to tell you what her experience was like. (Or MINE for that matter!)

I'm sure her painting is still not dry -- even three days later. 

 Thanks, Kate, for lunch, and for hosting this brave little art party.

Mommy and Me Carpentry & Craft

Our local library had a Summer Kick Off event last Wednesday with loads of activities, projects and entertainment for all the kids.  There was a wood craft area that Home Depot sponsored and kids were making bird feeders, toys and planters.  I thought the planter would be cute, but didn't want to attempt it during the mayhem - so they gave me one to take home.

One day while I was trying to kill some time before Daddy got home, I present the idea to Gianna.  She was excited and I wasn't quite sure just how long it would hold her attention - but I figured the paint would lure her in - and it did.

She thought it was a puzzle at first, and it really sort of was.

She participated in each step. (Check out her first tattoo!)

 Painting is always a favorite.

The legs had to be hammered onto the base.  I think it was fairly brave of me to give her the hammer, but I have to say, she was amazingly precise. I was very impressed with her carpentry skills. Her PePaw is going to be so proud.

Mommy helped finish the paint job.

I was so impressed with the result.  Can't wait to add a little plant for her to take care of.

"Hey Mommy, let's do a projeck!"

Anyone else finding it increasingly difficult to keep their munchkins entertained and busy without turning on the TV?  Sheesh.  If I don't have something planned - and the phone rings or something or someone else needs my attention - all sorts mayhem could errupt.

Now I will say that within the last month or two, Thanks to my mom, who drops everything to play with her for HOURS when she comes here are we go there...Gianna has learned to pretend with all of her little dolls and figures. Gianna immagination has SKYROCKETED and she can entertain herself for very long stretches of time. 

Lately I've been trying new activities with her and she has come to anticipate the "projecks" we do.  I blogged about one here, and plan to document our little experiments here on our blog.

This is a not-so-new project, but one she is finally mature enough to try without getting herself in trouble.

Hooray for Play Dough.

If any of you guys have any good ideas at this age, I sure wish you'd share 'em with us.

Picasso in the Tub

You know how it is:  you're reading blogs or magazine articles and you come across creative ideas that would have never crossed your mind, otherwise.  Well, I was reading about great ideas to use with toddlers and was thrilled to shake up our routine a little bit.  One idea was to strip the kids down to their diaper/undies, put them in the bath, squirt some finger paint on the ledge, and let them have at it. 

The idea was particularly appealing since we've been trying to ready our home to put on the market and I was in need of some uninterrupted time to clean out my bathroom and closet.  

She didn't stop giggling the entire time she painted.

Once she was done painting (actually it was me who was done) then I filled the tub with water and and let her play in the disgusting colored paint soup.  I then drained the tub and let her take a real bath - to actually get clean.  It gave me an hour and a half to do what I needed to do.  That was entirely worth the little bit of mess it made.  I was smart enough to flip the shower curtain over the rod to keep it safe, but didn't account for the fact that my daughter would find such joy in clapping her paint filled hands and watching paint splatter to kingdom come. I still had to wash my shower curtain and Iain evfound paint splatters across the bathroom yesterday.  It still was totally worth it.

The way she mixed the colors, made it look like she was covered in blood.  These photos would be completely disturbing - if she wasn't smiling in them. :)

Christmas Cookies

I promised myself that I would not make myself unnecessarily crazy this Advent and Christmas season.  In order to help honor that promise, I gave myself permission to make Christmas cookies AFTER Christmas day (technically still during the Christmas season though.)

 I may have completely passed over the tradition for this year, but my friend Michelle was adamant about continuing the tradition - especially since she would soon be leaving for THAILAND for a 27 month stint in the Peace Corp.  She and her daughter, Jessie (our beloved babysitter and friend), came and helped 'create' for a few hours.  Gianna couldn't have been more excited about this sweet endeavor.

I'm glad we had cookie time.

I'm just as glad that we waited.

Thanksgiving Project with Auntie

My dear friend, Anita, was my maid of honor at my wedding.

She has been a most precious and faithful friend over the span of over 25 years.

Anita (or Auntie, as Gianna knows her) lives in Houston and came in town for the Thanksgiving holiday.  She called ahead to say that she had a gift for Gianna and a project that the two of them had to finish making together.

Auntie's sachel of goodies mesmerized my little munchkin.

She brought Gianna her first pair of children's scissors (we're going to hold off on thanking her for that one! ha), glittery flowers and nifty set of crayons.

Gianna was SO excited to participate in this crafty endeavor.

"More projeck!" she kept saying.

Anita decided to turn Gianna into a little Indian for Thanksgiving.

Here they are working diligently on her costume. 

And here's the finished "projeck".....

....stylin' little Indian girl, wouldn't you say?

Any guesses as to what she's doing here?

Thanks for teaching her that Indian call, Auntie.

She hasn't stopped yet! :)

(You can expect a lengthy phone message with that special little yell, Auntie!)

We really can't thank you enough for spending time with our little girl, for giving her such a fun experience and for loving her like one of your own nieces.  You have to know that you're on the top of our list of blessings we are thankful for!

If it's not messy...

...it's not fun!!!

Well, that was the theme of our little Toddler Art Project hosted by the brilliant and brave Kaela.

She found an awesome idea on this blog and had all the materials and had everything prepared for almost a dozen little messy monkeys.

Gianna met Anna in the driveway and they became fast friends.

Here's my little Picasso busy at work - before she scoped out the super-awesome backyard of our hosts.

Almost done --- ready to dry.

Kaela had already affixed vinyl letters on the blank cavasses which were later removed to reveal this oh-so-appropriate message...

If it's not messy, it's not fun.

Funny how that theme kept coming up throughout the afternoon.

Only Kaela's cool enough to have blue sand in her water/sand table.

Gianna was diggin' the blue sand.

Stephanie coaching her sweet Anna to take a picture of her.

A cookie and a friend...

...it doesn't get much better than that!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And now for the final masterpiece!!!!

....with a little extra paint and handprints added this morning.

What an awesome little memory for a two year old....and her Mommy.

Thanks Kaela & Erik.

Your creativity and hospitality are appreciated.

Art Appreciation