The Artist

Listen, I don't want to brag I totally want to brag. Because my barely three year old drew THIS:

All by himself.

And AS IF this isn't the most amazing multi-legged alien with three belly buttons and a severe case of uneven appendages that you have ever seen.

Tell me it isn't.

Fostering Art

I am not crafty. 

There is not a single crafty bone in my body. That being said, I like to give my pre-schooler, Zach, the opportunity to explore his creativity from time to time. I feel that art, whether you are good at it or not, is so beneficial to the growth and development of a child. While in Teacher's College we were consistently reminded to include art as often as possible in our classroom, as one art project can include lessons in fine motor skills, imagination, patience, colours, shapes, textures, gross motor skills, creativity, etc.

In order to get started on art projects with your wee one, stock up. I took a trip to the Dollar Store in order to add to a fantastic birthday gift of craft supplies my son received. In our art cupboard we have:

• markers
• crayons
• pencil crayons
• paint
• paint brushes

  

  A smattering of our supplies
• glitter paint
• pipe cleaners
• goggly eyes
• fuzzy balls
• foam shapes
• glue
• white paper
• construction paper
• brown craft paper
• tissue paper
• foam sheets
• clothes pins
• brown paper bags (with handles)
• toilet paper rolls
• paper towel rolls
• egg cartons

Organization: Having a fully stocked art cupboard has been the key to allow for easy, impromptu artistic endeavours. I don't often 'plan' our art- when creativity (or boredom!) strikes, I pull out our tools and create a simple craft or drawing that my 3 year old can accomplish with limited assistance from me (as I'm generally running after the 1 year old, ripping crayons out of him mouth).

The best thing I have in terms of organization, though, is these clear, zip-top holders which hold all our art supplies and completed (flat) projects. I grab a bag out of our cupboard and away we go!

What to Make: To date we have made a plethora of 'animal' crafts including caterpillars (using egg cartons), ladybugs, butterflies (tissue paper and clothespins), a ton of finger print animals and other items such as flower bouquets, 'abstract' paintings, and deliciously creative creatures such as this gem:

Zach has named this his' many-eyed, glittery, four legged buggy bug'. 

The key to art with very young children though, in my very humble opinion, is just to let them have fun, explore, get messy and often learn for themself. YES, I would love to post pictures of stunning canvases that my son had filled with spectacular drawings- but chances are that it would be his dad that did most of the drawing/painting, not Zach. His crafts often look messy. His drawings look nothing like what they're supposed to, his paint colours run into each other and create a brown blob...but he's having fun and he's learning. THAT is the key to fostering an artistic spirit in young children.

This was supposed to be a house. It ended up a multitude of colour and fun- just go with it!

President's Choice Cupcake Kit: A Review

Cupcakes

My son, William, was having his first birthday party and I could not think of a better time to try out President's Choice Cupcake Kit (available at your local Loblaw/Superstore). 

Complete with two different flavours of cake (vanilla and chocolate), this Kit makes fulfilling your cupcake desires a breeze. And was a lifesaver for my family on the eve of my son's first birthday party!

As a general rule, we make our children's birthday cakes. Thus far, it has been easy. My husband is creative and artistic and can envision and execute fantastic cakes. But when our previously laid plans for Will's birthday cake fell flat (i.e.: I was left on my own to make the cake!), the Cupcake Kit was a fantastic (and FAST!) alternative for a necessary birthday treat.

Pros:

• The Kit is fully stocked with two different types of cake mix (vanilla and chocolate), icing mix, cupcake liners, and         sprinkles.  
• It's SIMPLE!! It took me less than 10 minutes to have the cupcake batter whipped up and ready to put in the oven. Even without a stand mixer (yes, I don't have a stand mixer. I am certain I am the last person on earth without one), making these cupcakes is a breeze.
• The Kit makes 24 cupcakes- perfect amount for a party!
• It's a fantastic and fun activity for kids! The limited amount of ingredients and mixing mean that kids can feel helpful while making these cupcakes
• Cost effective- I paid $8.99 at Superstore for my Kit
• They're tasty! HELLO!

24 delicious individual cakes just begging for icing:)

Cons:

• My chocolate cake was a bit dry. The vanilla cake was deliciously moist and fluffy however.
• They are a little small. While not 'mini', the cake liners are not quite as large as an average sized muffin tin thereby causing a bit of spillage.

Overall:

WE LOVED THEM!!!

I added some additional decorations in addition to the provided sprinkles to match our Pirate themed party (smarties to represent jewels, mini pirate ships, skulls, swords and chocolate gold doubloons)

Ahoy! Pirate Cupcakes

Close up! Not bad for a decorating novice and her three year old, right?

Mmmmmmm. I love them. (also, photo- bombed!)

And what did the birthday boy think?? (I think this face speaks for itself!)

Disclosure: I was provided with a gift card to purchase this cupcake kit. Despite this, all opinions are my own.

Our Weekend(s) In Photos

Through The Eyes of a Three Year Old (& occasionally a one year old)

Although I was unaware, Zach (my 3 year old) stole my camera this past weekend (or so, I'm not even sure when he came to possess my camera). The following is our   life through the eyes of a 3 year old (and occasionally a one year old, as there is the occasional picture of Z that he couldn't have taken by himself!)

Our impromptu WELCOME SUMMER party- complete with friends and a cake. His face is so cute, right?

Um, ok. He always gets my best side.

Happy Boy.

This is actually the best picture I have ever seen of William and myself. 

This is what most pictures look like of Will and myself.

AHOY! Pirate Zach at his brother's first birthday party.

First time with cake. Verdict=delicious!

Party Balloons

He's one.

Balloon boy.

This was a popular subject, apparently.

Sad baby.

Balloon masacre.

Balloon closeup.

This is our trashcan. I really like the lighting in this one;)

Kitchen cupboards.

Kitchen table through a 3 year old eyes.

My feet. Interestingly, I have had these pants for almost 8 years (that is of no importance to this picture however). I am pretty sure this picture was taken when I discovered that Zach did, indeed, have my camera despite denying it for days and I was storming toward him.

Crazy boy.

Cute baby. 

Dazed baby.