Getting our Art On

FUN AND GAMES:  Part of today was spent coming up with some easy/mostly self-directed crafts and activities for kids to do tomorrow at a winter solstice party.

One we decided on is what we're calling "Awkward artist." You have to put a blank paper plate on your head and draw a scene unseen - that is, without looking.

Here were the instructions I gave the kids:

1) Draw a line across the plate from side to side
2) Draw an evergreen tree  growing from the ground
3) Draw a bunny playing under the tree
4) Draw a full moon in the sky
5) Now take a look at your masterpiece!

They each got a kick out of it. Success!

We've also decided to have a "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" station (insert song from Disney's "Frozen" here).

I wanted to keep it super simple, so here are the instructions

• Insert a full pretzel stick through a regular-sized marshmallow
• Stick half pretzel sticks into the marshmallow's sides, for your snowman's arms
• Stick a BIG marshmallow on the bottom
• Stick a regular marshmallow on top for its head
• Paint on a face (with food coloring)
• Admire how adorable it is!!!   

We're also working on stations where kids can build rainbow reindeer, cut out apper snowflakes, watch "Penguin TV" and pin the (carrot) nose on Olaf. You'll probably be treated to photos of those tomorrow. We're sure you can't wait! :)

SNOWY SOUTH: We spent a couple hours this morning (did I mention it was a busy day?) in Kent, with a classroom full of excited third graders. Our mission: Make melting snowman cookies.

These are some I made a few years back. Today, each of the student's in Rick's class got a go at it. Ahead of time, here at home we made the bases (a sugar cookie), the round heads (a Rice Krispies cereal treat), and lots and lots of fondant (white, red, green, and brown). Oh, and we made 40 gum paste noses. We also loaded up a bazillion things the kids could use to accessorize (chocolate chips, round candies in every color you can imagine, Fruit Rollups and more).

I showed the kids a Powerpoint of some of my projects over the years (from my first gingerbread people to my cookies being eaten on the flight deck of two different space shuttles!)

And then, they dived in for some fun. 

This photo is from rather early in the process. 

This class was big on piling (sugar) on. I think their cookies weighed about four pounds apiece by the time they were done!

BOOKING:  The kids are winding down a four-month focus on hunger near and far in their social issues class. As her parting piece, Annabelle wrote a book for young children, letting them know a little bit about the issue, and how they can help combat it. 

Here's the book's cover. When things are less hectic (hey, we can dream), hopefully we can share it in its entirety.