Junks and Crafts

Last week my friend Kristen took us to the local Scrapbox for the first time.  This is a great and dangerous place for people like me who like to scavenge. I came home with 2 brown paper bags full, one with junk and the other fabric.  Paul saw the two bags sitting at the front door and asked if he should take them out to the trash.  He couldn't help but chuckle when I responded "no, that is new trash - I just bought it".

Peter, age 6 and our biggest junk collector, couldn't wait to get started on today's project.  He decided it might be fun to do it outside so he dumped out the junk bag into a pile in the backyard, but it was hard to get inspired by such a heap.  Even inside and organized on the toddler table I was questioning that bag I filled at the scrapbox.  I was experiencing the same itch I get Christmas morning when all the packaging is everywhere.  The kids could tell I was on edge because they were super careful not to knock down any junks.

September is animal month so this activity was to build an animal.  To take the edge off I suggested we all look at animal books for inspiration and discuss what makes different animals unique.  Maryanna and Clara lack the same scientific interest that the boys share.  In fact the boys are very nervous that their sisters "are behind" so they started drilling them on animal classification right there at the junk table.  With a straight face and all the authority of a wise teacher Peter announced to the girls....."Mammals don't lay eggs, they poop their babies out".  The older boys bit their lips not knowing how to respond but I couldn't help but belt out a genuine belly laugh.  We were all laughing and it was enough for me to give the green light on scissors, glue and serrated knives.

Here's what they made:

Clara's Horse

Peter's Hippo

William's Squid

James' Jelly Fish

      
And Maryanna who was more interested in making a new playground for her Calico Critters made a quick and simple Butterfly

We discussed gilding them with spray paint but the kids were unanimous in their decision to keep them as is.  Now where to put them and how long do we keep them on display?  Maybe we should talk to Cathy about selling them on ebay......... after all she says there is value in everything.  And about that new playground equipment for the Calico Critters.....I give it a good week of lots of play and wear.