Creative Kids

I've often felt a twinge of guilt because I don't do more artsy stuff with my kids. I'd like to be, but am not the type of mom who has a whole art center with an unending supply of paper, pens, crayons, paint, glitter, glue, tape, stickers, pipe cleaner, and whatever other stuff is needed to make some amazing craft when inspiration hits. Even with my experience in teaching Sabbath school, doing a craft at the end of the lesson was never my strong point.

But, despite my inadequacies here, my kids are still learning to be creative and have avenues of self-expression. They never cease to amaze me with the things they come up with. As much as I may dislike their collection of "junk" I'm super proud of them for being able to see something of "no value" and turn it into something they prize highly.

Exhibit A: They created a "trailer" for their bikes using rope and boxes. They transport whatever they want now with ease, including taking out the trash for me! Instead of carrying their heavy roller skates to the tennis courts, now they can just load them in their trailer and bike over.

Exhibit B: They made these little "beds" out of a tire. I had to spoil their fun by explaining that their beloved blankets, pillows and stuffed animals would get filthy outside and stained black from the tires. Though I love their creativity, too often I spoil their fun :(

Exhibit C: The maintenance guy, who my kids affectionately call "Happy Jim" (he's always very chipper and friendly) gave them a board that has a road painted on it so they can drive their cars around. Instead, they turned it into a table with these construction cones as table legs. Now they have their very own tea party table. They dug these plates and cups out of the trash too. (Yes there's a big dumpster near by which they frequent). 

As much as they love store bought toys, they often tire of them within a few days and are on to creating their own inventions using common "junk". For example, they found some Mardi Gras beads and used them to make a strap for a purse (a plastic bag) so they can transport their "Kiwis"

 They found this dolly in the trash too and rescued it. Omega didn't like it's hair so she put a "sock cap" on it (in the Midwest where David is from, they call beanies sock caps). So, literally, she is wearing a sock on her head decorated with bows. The dolly, which Omega named Amber, is joining them for their picnic lunch.

 

I've been eager for our house to sell so I can officially start homeschooling. But, praise the Lord, at least my kids are still learning, despite any formal, structured teaching schedule. They may not be learning to print neatly yet, but they are learning to think, to create, to problem solve, to work as a team, to explore and dream.

I don't want my kids to collect clutter, but I do want them to experience the truthfulness of this quote:

 "Nothing that can be utilized should be thrown away. This will require wisdom, and forethought, and constant care. It has been presented to me that the inability to save, in little things, is one reason why so many families suffer for lack of the necessities of life." CG 135