Play Dates? Not at the Wessel House

Another  one of my "bad mother" admissions is that I've never been a big fan of the "play date". The reason, sadly a selfish one, is that when the kid were younger it seemed that I always ended up being the one having to do the entertaining of the kids invited. Emily and Matt loved the idea of a play date but after 10 minutes they would have no idea what to do anymore leaving the task of entertaining my job. This being the case, when young, play dates were very few.

As the kids have gotten older, play dates or as Emily likes to say "get togethers" are more palatable because the kids are more independent and able to think of things to keep their guests occupied.

One thing is for sure though, if planned accordingly, a "play date" usually doesn't occur. Why? because 9 times out of 10 it turns into a craft date. 

One of Emily's friends, who is also a neighbor, loves to craft. So, last week we made the plan that she would come over for a "craft date". The kids (including Matt) were able to choose paint, paper and embellishments to "create" a notebook clipboard and picture frame. The kids were excellent at taking direction on how to cut and modge podge the papers on to the frame and clipboard. Of course, the most fun was when they styled the items with the embellishments they found in my bins of supplies in the craft room. 

Matt chose a patterned paper that resembles a sheriff's badge star and embellished his frame with fireman stickers.

Emily and Gianna chose the same paper for their clipboards. Emily's frame has cupcake paper and sweets embellishments. Gianna's paper is a colorful zebra stripe embellished with jewels.

At the end of the day, everyone was very happy with their creations.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Tokens

For the past day and a half, I've been tormented by a migraine. Yesterday, it kicked in around 1 p.m. When I picked the kids up from school, I explained that I needed to go straight to my room and lay down. I left Emily in charge (we didn't tell Matt as he would have been upset that he couldn't be in charge). While I was resting, they both did their homework, set the table for dinner and cleaned their rooms, which included dusting. What wonderful surprises! After a quick dinner of pancakes, I went back to relaxing.  

I woke this morning feeling better but still felt in in my eyes, so I knew there was a possibility that the day may turn into another "bad" day and it did. After finishing the winter bulletin board at church, I came home to rest but sadly it did not take the pain away. I did the same thing today as yesterday in that once I got the kids I came home to rest. Today, my special surprise was get well cards from the kids. 

Matt's was simple but so him. That is him and me on both the front and inside the card. You have to love that he put his full name on the front of the card. Like I might not know who Matthew is. Then there is his simple message of "Feel Well!" He made me another card that looks the same inside saying "Get Well" but the front shows the sun, a cloud and a mountain. Apparently they are all items in a little song he knows. He also did come up at one time gave me an ice pack, sang "Silent Night" and gave me his two stuffed snakes to guard me while I rested....he so wanted to take care of me.

Emily also made a card. The cover saying "Feel Better Mom" and then "Read me" on the bottom. Hearts and stars were her decorative motif.

Inside was the real gem! She cut out a heart that she place in the middle. On it she wrote, "My Mom by Emily - You always warm my heart. I love you like a cute bunny. You're beautiful princess. You shine like a morning glory. Feel better." What was even more precious is that in the midst of comforting me, she still put in her request for a pet. In the bottom right corner, she drew a bunny and said "P.S. I want a bunny and name it Mistletoe".

It is these little mementos that make my "job" as a mom totally worthwhile. Seeing how much they want to care for me knows that we are raising these two kids right.  

Prepping for the Thanksgiving Weekend

Yesterday the kids had the day off school - their first official day of Thanksgiving break. Because it is a 5 day break and I prefer them not watching television, playing computer and Wii all day long I took them to the craft store to get a few "projects" to do. Okay, I personally wanted to go to the store to check out Cricut cartridges on sale, so it was a win win in my book.

Emily got a Shrinky Dinks fashion boutique, not a surprise. She wanted to get a garden kit but I told her that its probably not the ideal kit for winter time. Matt chose a metallic tattoo kit. This should be interesting! Oh, and he wanted the cross so he could paint it and put it in his room.

When we first walked into the store the kids spotted the Gingerbread kits. They insisted on getting one to do for when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit before Christmas (they remembered doing ones in years past). They did go for the multiple small house kit instead of one big house, so get ready to be "creative" when you come to visit Grandma & Grandpa. 

A Mini Me Crafter

Today, because I knew I was going to be busy with my crafting jobs, I gave the kids a job to do as well. Each was given a Swiffer duster and told to take all the items off the flat surfaces in their rooms (dressers, desks, etc.), dust the surface, then put the items back in place. Of course, I did have to clarify that they didn't not have to remove any items that are plugged into an outlet. These kids think of everything!!

Of course, Matt did his and was done.  Emily on the other hand became "inspired". She had made this flower in school this past year and wanted to display it.  So, she asked me if I had a vase she could use.  Of course, I did!!  She wanted to decorate the vase so we headed up to my craft room for some "supplies".  Emily took some gems and adhered them with glue dots on the vase. She did also ask for the pebbles to hold the flower in place.  

It would appear that Emily has her mother's crafting gene.  What do you think?  

Our Little Artist

Yesterday Emily came home with a grouping of the art she has been doing at school.

I was shocked when I saw this tree picture. It is so good with great detail. It appears that they did it first in pencil and then went over it with pen.

Emily loves doing her "flowerscapes". I asked her if here at home she would take the time to finish coloring the flowers so that we can frame it and put it up.

Art is definitely an area we need to focus on with her.