Whimsical Wednesday Update

All right, the thing is, we’ve been doing stuff for Whimsical Wednesdays. . . really.  But, as I anticipated, documenting it was difficult.  Well, the pictures have been taken, but posting hasn’t happened.

I have been updating that list of good crafty, foodie, science-y ideas with *new* stuff I want to do with Abby as the summer has gone on.  We now have enough projects to last until she’s 18.  But, now she knows about the list.  Now when she says, “Mama, what can we doooooo?” in that sing-songy, almost whiny voice, I can no longer respond with , “I don’t know” because she tells me to “get on the computer list.”

But, I think the most amazing projects have come out of her “boredom” and a huge pile of crafty supplies that have been in her room all summer.  When faced with “nothing to do”, kids inevitably come up with something to do, and it usually engages them for much longer than a planned activity and is usually much more creative than a planned activity.  So,  I’ll start with pictures of the spontaneous, and then some pictures of the planned projects.

Abby's been writing songs. These are the lyrics she sang (and made me write out) to go with the picture she drew.

The local library gave a grab bag of artsy supplies as a prize for their summer reading program. This is what Abby made (all by herself) out of the loot.

Completely self-designed birthday gift made by Abby for her little buddy Reid. I was told how to lash the frame together.

Dictated by Abby.

This is a portrait of Abby and Reid swimming in the pool. Reid is wearing Abby's flower headband.

Maraca designed and built completely by Abby. Toilet paper roll, tape, construction paper and pony beads.

One morning, Abby tried to wake me up too early. So I told her to look at the clock and find 7:00am. I then told her not to come back until that time. She made this clock (complete with separate hands) while she waited until I was willing to get up.

Inspired by this (http://blissfullydomestic.com/blissful-kids/watercolor-initials/), we made water color initials. I used old masking tape that ended up tearing the paper.

Making raspberry freezer jam.

Natural "paints" from the backyard.

Raspberry, dandelion, and (on the far left) hydrangea. Inspired by the beet juice painting project I saw here: http://fimby.tougas.net/Beet_Juice_Painting.

So, yeah, we’ve been keeping busy.  There are lots of things I’d like to do with Abby before summer is over, but she does pretty well on her own, without my intervention.  Something tells me the list will come in handy during those long, dark days of winter.