Things I’m grateful for this week ::

:: laundry on the line



:: simple box of freshly opened crayons put into a basket



:: morning blanket time outside



:: bedside table full of color from fresh flowers



:: my son’s desire to scrape paint off windows





:: harvesting basil



:: some new cooking in the kitchen – pesto, and some other great recipes from Desperation Dinners :: African Chicken Stew – yum!

Have a great weekend!!!

simplest of art supplies ~

A box full of simple art supplies keeps my 3 year old busy busy!! We love open-ended everything around here. You sometimes hear me talk about open-ended toys, toys that aren't so specific to their function; that can be manipulated in several different ways - and great for playing make-believe. Well, I feel the same way about art supplies!!



Elise has been using these simple art supplies everytime she gets inspired, or when her sister decides to make a computer out of markers and construction paper and tape. These few supplies challenge her enough to keep her busy and focused on making what she envisions. {not what another artist envisions in mass produced coloring books!}



These few skills she is learning will help strengthen her small motor skills in her hands, as well as give her confidence, more independence (which three year olds crave) and a longer attention span.





I also love packing up a few of these art supplies for birthday party gifts when I don't have time to sew or knit something. I also love giving the white blank books that I find at school supply stores and a pack of markers for an older child so they can create and write their own stories.