Truth Be Told

So, as I posted previously, the kids and I have been stretching our creative brains lately. But, upon reflection..art/science/craft projects with my kids are tough. At this point in time, anyway! A little summary of my thoughts on crafting with my kids:

• The projects make me crazy. As much as I love the idea...the creativity, the excitement, the finished product (if we get there)...oh my gosh. Someone needs to post a sign in my kitchen that says, "It will not turn out the way you have it pictured in your head. Kids are kids. Just because a mother and her six home-schooled children under the age of seven can do this project together, it doesn't mean that you can do this with your own two children. In fact, that's one of the reasons you love sending your kids to school so much. Because at school the teachers do these fun projects with your kids and make them seem very cute and easy and awesome." :)
• I get the opportunity to clean my house more than I really care to.
• The projects take less time to create than the clean-up afterwards.
• The projects are the gifts that keep on giving. I find paint streaks and play-doh remnants for what seems like days afterwards.
• Walker has several meltdowns per project. Because he can't hold the food coloring or the entire container of paint or color on the chair or throw baking soda on the floor or eat the play-doh.
• Reagan often vomits. She ate a clump of baking soda/vinegar/food coloring (a volcano) yesterday and promptly threw up. No wonder.
• After we've finished, and I've cleaned up everything, I'm a little irrational and I throw EVERYTHING into the washing machine...including bows and rubber bands and diapers. Unintentionally. Anyone ever washed a diaper? It's messy on so many levels!
• These projects are really pulling me out of my comfort zone. Anyone who taught with me knows that I never embraced arts and crafts in my classroom. I avoided water coloring and glitter like the plague. 
• During the experience, my kids make me laugh even when I want to cry.
• My kids need LOTS of help and they are not patient. Yes, I know, they are kids. :)
• I love watching my kids enjoy themselves. Well, when Walker's not crying or throwing a fit or screeching at the top of his lungs.
• Projects show me what a complete control-freak that I am.
• Each crafting experience teaches me something.
• Each crafting experience always show me what my kids are capable of. (Or what they are not yet capable of, haha!)
• The finished product (almost always) makes all the mess worth it! 
• All this mess is good for me. And it's good for the kids. 

And...I'm done! I will continue to find projects and fun stuff to do with my kids because they really, truly do love it. And I do, too. I just need to adjust my expectations and lighten up a bit! :)