Arts & Crafts

Lately, the Turtle has seemed a little... underwhelmed with what we have to offer. He's still learning and happy, but just... meh.

So, yesterday, we packed up and headed off to Michael's, to implement a new plan. I decided it was time to start Arts & Crafts! Wheeeee!

DH was slightly resistant to my idea. He felt Turtle might not be ready. However, I pointed out that Turtle already loved coloring and his magna doodle, and he holds a crayon really well. I went out to say it would be interactive and ongoing, and would give him a new way to focus his attention.

I found a blog with some craft ideas. And I apologize profusely, because I cannot RE-find it to give it due credit. Since it's fall, I decided we would do something "autumn-y."

This particular craft required that I trace Turtle's arm and hand on a piece of brown construction paper. Then, while he was otherwise occupied, cut out that, and cut grass out of some green construction paper. Then glue both to a piece of paper. Amazingly, I was able to do this.

WARNING: construction paper is NOT what it was. It's flimsy and doesn't smell the same. My verdict is that I no likey. Also, glue comes in weird, funky bottles. Also, these changes make me fear for the fate of rubber cement. And those black markers in the silver casings. You know the ones.

But I digress.

First, I prepped. I taped a garbage bag to the kitchen table as a tarp, and popped Turtle into a gray youth t-shirt as a smock. Then, I gave him a brush.

Clearly, the coolest thing ever.



And it tastes good, too!



Now, Turtle is going to dot the page with yellow, orange and red paint "leaves."



Please. Be hopeful. It's going to work. I promise.



Checking out his workspace. After all, artists need everything just right.



Is that my hand? Really? Weird.



Mommy, I love brushes.



Please note the perfectly placed yellow paint spot on his little chin.



Placing leaves.



Check out the focus.






I forgot a pallette, and I was out of paper plates, so I poured the tempera into the caps of the paint bottles. He was so ridiculously careful, dipping his brush and asking for more. I was really astounded at how contemplatively he treated this activity.



And then he realized... why have one brush? When you can have TWO???!!!!



Totally in love with the brush.



The finished product.



He had a lot more "leaves" on the grass than on the tree branches, but I'd dub this a success. :) I can't wait til tomorrow's project.