Callaloo Soup

12 Days of Christmas Cheer | Day 11: Postcard from Christmas Morning Past

Kieran's Christmas morning joy: December 25th 2011

12 Days of Christmas Cheer | Day 6: Making Clay Ornaments

Over the weekend Kieran and I worked on some clay ornaments together. We used the classic salt dough recipe which you can find all over the internet. We also did this last year, and I have to say his technique is much improved.

Kieran's clay ornament from 2011

Meanwhile I worked on some slightly more sophisticated ornaments.

I pressed a rubber stamp into my rolled out clay before cutting my shapes out. I also made a set of ornaments using homemade porcelain. My porcelain clay ended up being a combination of this idea and this idea.

The next day, I mixed up some glittery sealer by mixing PVA glue, water and glitter. We painted this onto the now baked and dry ornaments:

While waiting for them to dry once again, we went for a walk

And now they are on the tree!

Have you ever made clay ornaments? Do you have a favourite recipe for the clay?

12 Days of Christmas Cheer | Day 5: Postcards from Christmas Past

Kieran meets Santa Claus. December 10th and 22nd, 2011

 

12 Days of Christmas Cheer | Day 3: Remembering Baby's First Christmas

I know that every mother says this, but I can't believe it's been over three years since Kieran was born. Christmas is one of those times that I marvel at him growing up, because I remember what it was like for him in previous years. I'm still amazed that this year he is old enough to get how the Advent Calendar works (ok, he does try to sneak a peek in the pockets from time to time), and how really focused he was when helping me with the tree on the weekend.

So I had to dig through the archives for what I think must be my favourite photo ever of my boy.

Look at that face! Those cheeks! I remember him being fascinated by the tree, and reaching out to try to touch the ornaments, but we never had any major issues with him messing with it too much. Sigh.

I'm also happy that this photo did make it onto a scrapbook page.

This just might be one of my favourite pages ever too!

How have you celebrated a baby's first Christmas? Did you make a scrapbook or other memento about it?

Sister Sketch November 2012 | Four Faves

Hello again! This month we're using this great sketch from Studio Calico, which is based on a layout by Amy Tan.

Here's my take on it. My apologies for the horrid photos, but we still have no sun around here! They say it will shine again on Saturday though.

When I saw the photo strip I immediately thought "Instagram!". Yes, the obsession continues.

These four things are constants in Kieran's life right now: oatmeal, puzzles, books and music. (That's him shaking his booty to Buena Vista Social Club in the last photo.) Even though the photos from Instagram aren't the best quality, especially with the crappy light, I love that it's so much easier for me to capture lots more little everyday moments.

I used the same Studio Calico kit I did last month, because it had that awesome camera paper, and the instagram badge!

Now go see what Vernell did with the sketch!

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Favourites from my October Photo a Day Project

Sister Sketch October 2012 | A Day With K

This month we're using this sketch from Beck Fleck's Page Maps

When I finished my page I was surprised to see that I stuck almost exactly to the sketch!

These are photos that I took yesterday - making this probably the fastest that I have ever scrapped a set of photos. Kieran is home on Wednesdays, and we usually have a busy day filled with things that three year old boys like to do. I'm happy that I was able to document this standing routine in our lives.

I used the October kit from Studio Calico which by chance went perfectly with my story about "a day".

Now head on over to see what Vernell did with the sketch!

I Love Watching You Play

I read this article a few months back over on Hands Free Mama about this magic phrase.

“… College athletes were asked what their parents said that made them feel great, that amplified their joy during and after a ballgame. Their overwhelming response: ‘I love to watch you play.’”

She had an epiphany and started using the same phrase with her daughters. Well Kieran is not yet playing any team sports, but that phrase is still applicable. And I tell him so every chance I get. I am a big believer in him learning through play, and try to encourage free play as much as possible.

I want him to know that I take his play seriously and I've noticed that telliing him this, or paraphrasing it to say "I love to watch you read" or "I love to watch you draw" encourages him to spend even more time in independant play.

I am contantly amazed by the things he comes up with, and how engrossed he gets in his own little world.

He chatters non-stop, sometimes in French, sometimes in English. I don't understand half of his little scenarios but he is obviously having a grand old time.

I seriously love watching him play.

Have a happy and playful weekend folks!

 

 

The Wednesday Window | Cars & trucks & things that go!

Lessons from Kieran | Art - Just Let it Be

Kieran loves painting and drawing. He went through a period where every time he saw a writing implement he would come to me with it and say "Mummy draw", and I would have to find him some paper to work with. We have many many of his works of art stashed in various places.

Although I also love it when he plays with paint, the messy factor has kept me from doing it too often, but this summer I was determined to let him do some more painting. With the hot sunny days, setting him up on the table outside was the perfect solution.

 

I thought I was doing pretty good in terms of letting him create as he pleases. I know that at his age it's more about process then product, but I would still find myself giving him instructions, such as trying to get him to use more than one colour, or even to spread the paint out over more than just a tiny area.

And then I came across this video

I watched in amazement and had an aha moment for Kieran.

The very next day I set him up with paints again, (Me: Would you like to do some painting today? Him: YES!), provided him with some of my precious acrylics and mixed media tools and just sat back and watched him.

He brushed paint all over, he squeezed paint out of tubes, he rubbed his fingers in it all over the canvas, he asked for water and mixed that in, he banged different tools covered in paint on top of what was already there.And he was fully engrossed for over 20 minutes.

I tried not to cringe as I saw everything becoming a muddy brown. I just zipped my lip and said nothing. And when he was done we had this

 

Don't get me wrong. I have no illusions about him being a child prodigy artist. But that was a real teachable moment for this mama. When it comes to art "Just let it be". I think we should all try this sometimes, don't you?

P.S. Check out my post from yesterday with a layout using some of these photos.

P.P.S. Since writing this post I came across this great article about open-ended art projects for kids. Make sure to check it out!

Sister Sketch September 2012 | Paint

Well it's about time for another Sister Sketch! We missed August because of all the summer fun, but now that school is back in session so are we. This month we are using this sketch from Studio Calico.

It is based on a layout by Nicole Samuels.

I followed the sketch pretty much to the letter, and it was a quick one.

I used three 4x6 photos, and embellished with washi tape.

 

Now go see what Vernell did with the sketch!

P.S. Check back tomorrow for the story behind these photos of Kieran painting.