Little Monets

Lately we have been spending quite a bit more time inside. We sure miss the freedom of running in and out all day. Now, even when we have a random nice day, I find it hard to gather up enough energy to round everyone up for shoes, coats, and anything else that needs to be brought outside. Anyhow, we've been using our indoor time to expand our creativity with all kinds of art. The kids love to spend time coloring, creating, and using their imaginations.

A lot of our mornings have been spent with a nice, long coloring session after breakfast. Once we got over the hurdle of who gets to use the big crayons (nothing a little run to Walmart can't fix), it became quite an enjoyable (peaceful) way to start the day.

I've spent time searching for fun and easy projects that both kids can do. This one turned out to be more fun for Daddy than anyone else. Leah lost interest in about 5 minutes. I know, shocking, isn't it?!? But Daddy and Caleb worked for quite awhile on their candy corn mosaic.

And of course, there's the annual pumpkin carving night. The kids had a blast getting their hands dirty, picking out their pumpkin faces, and watching Daddy and Grandpa do the carving.

We've also come across (thanks to a little boy that likes to search through the bathroom closet) a few fun bathtime art supplies. The bath paints and crayons were presents the kids got awhile ago....possibly even as far back as last Christmas! Anyhow, they were discovered and then talked about in great detail enough times that we finally made it a point to take them out and use them! Both the paint and crayons were really fun to use and even washed off really easily from the walls. We still get asked just about everyday if they can be used again, but we're going to try to make it more of a weekly event than an every-single-night-ritual.

I couldn't leave out this shot....yes, they'll resent me one day for it, but it's just too cute not to share!