Sunday, August 28, 2011

summer's end

action pack


origami balloons/water bombs

Summer is really feeling "over" now. I go back to work officially in the morning and the boys on Tuesday. I love having a routine, so I'm not too sad. Next year I do want to feel and be more productive and at the same time more relaxed. This summer had some very fun elements, but I never really felt it clicked for me. Too busy up front and then too lacking in my beloved structure and routine. I'm going to make some notes on what I *hope* to do differently next year.

One thing I want to get started right now is a regular Sunday project with the boys. Today we made these little origami balloons or water bombs, inspired by our copy of Action Pack magazine (issue 1). The instructions in the actual magazine were really confusing so we ended up using a You Tube video to see how to do it (SO much clearer). I did the actual folding, but I bet Dieter could do these pretty well himself now that I get it and can teach him. The boys enjoyed coloring them and throwing them.

action pack magazine

Back to school will be tiring, so I expect I'll be posting a bit less frequently, maybe once a week for a month or so. In the meantime, I'd love to know--what is your favorite, go-to, easy kid and mama art or craft activity?? Next Sunday we're going to branch out and make origami boats.

10 comments:

Madame Melville said...

My kids love anything involving folding paper! My 6 year old really got into designing paper airplanes. I had no idea there were so many variations! We had a book and looked on line for different plans. After their done making them, so many hours of entertainment just playing with them.

Julie said...

I don't have any go-to projects like that, I am actually trying to build some up, myself. We're beginning our 1st yr of home schooling next month and the one thing I am really eager about it working on our rhythm, putting more structure in our days.

Kristin said...

School started last week for us and I found the week *so* exhausting! I hope you have a smoother transition. When my boys were your boys' age- they adored origami. I think having a regular art time- just free drawing, stamping, whatever is good, relaxing fun for everyone.

Andrea said...

Good luck on getting back into the routine. It feels too soon for summer to end! We have fallen so far off the craft/project boat, I can't even remember what we used to do--this summer my kids have either played outside, or played Lego's...they don't seem to need their boring old mom to organize projects for them anymore. :( Hopefully they remember how to hold a pencil when school starts next week!

jen at paintcutpaste.com said...

again, i just want to say that i love the photos on your blog! one of my favorite easy, yet very engaged, art activities for momma & kiddo to do together is a dialog drawing: http://paintcutpaste.com/dialog-drawing/ or a collaborative process painting: http://paintcutpaste.com/process-painting/ -- but gosh, there are so many fun things to create together! enjoy these waning summer days.

Maiz Connolly said...

We've been doing a lot of different versions of these lately:
http://thebroodinghen.blogspot.com/2010/08/superhero-paperdolls.html
Maybe your guys would like them, too?

Kelly said...

With you on this! Feeling not so ready yet...What do you think of Action Pack? Worth the money? Thanks!

Sarah said...

goo...the easy kind jut cornstarch and water, sometimes dyes made by various products (flowers, teas...etc) Always fun.

Mary Beth said...

Kelly--I really like Action Pack for its philosophy--that children should make and do and be active. We just got ours (I ordered 3 copies) so will probably post a little "review" later when we've had them longer. The thing I really disliked though was how expensive they are to print out! (color ink + lots of pages).

Kelly said...

Thanks! Gotta love those hidden costs in things like that :)