Fun with Fall Crafts

In the fall, more than any other time of the year, I get inspired to do crafts with my kids. I think we spend so much time outside during the spring and summer that when the weather starts to turn a little we finally find ourselves inside with some time on our hands. This year, we've already completed our leaf pictures, where you iron fall leaves between sheets of wax paper to make a faux stained glass picture. We've also done fall wreaths and pumpkin and bat pictures for our Halloween decor. Maura is my little crafter. She's always up for an art project. I can keep her occupied for hours with some markers, a glue stick and a pair of scissors. Tristan, on the other hand, could care less about art projects! He generally abstains from any and all crafting. Because of my experiences doing art with him, I have been pleasantly surprised this year to see some of his art projects come back from school. Either he is succumbing to peer pressure or the art teacher is doing his project for him, but he's doing a great job! He may be a little artist after all!

One day just a few weeks ago, we invited our friends to join us for a little creativity. We had a little play date and I baked some chocolate cupcakes to let them decorate. It is always a messy production with the under 4 set, so I just braced myself for a messy kitchen and I wasn't disappointed!

Lindy and Jack and Leah and Carter were up for some playtime and chocolate cupcakes! Yum. I loved that we were able to have some fun with our culinary creativity, that the kids had a great time playing, and that I had the chance for some girl talk!

I watched Alex that day for a few hours and I'm not sure if she knew what to make of all the commotion! There was a LOT of commotion. What a glorious mess these kids are! I thank God for them...and their mess because it means that they're healthy, happy and active. We love our friends.

Bennett has quite a way with the ladies! I don't realize how dark his skin is until I see him next to another baby. He's my swarthy boy! This is Annabel--Bennett's girlfriend! They're only six weeks apart and so cute together! He's so smart--already reading.

LOVE my sweet boy. He's already starting to look so grown up. I caught him holding his own bottle last Sunday and almost cried. My baby is growing up TOO quickly!

Below: We decided to continue our fall crafting extravaganza that evening by constructing our very own Halloween house. I can't take too much credit for this. I bought this kit on super clearance after Easter and my kids have been bugging me to use it all summer. I finally bought some Halloween candy and we went to town. The kids were SO excited!!

Tristan with a little "see" food. He was really more interested in eating the candy than in sticking it to the house, but we eventually got down to the business of exterior decoration.

The kids loved the finished product. Pretty spooky, huh? I especially loved the little ghost by the door. He's actually a bunny for the Easter house, but he doubles as a pretty convincing ghost too! The kids loved this activity and are already bugging me to buy another kit! It may be awhile before we make another, though. I find the kitchen chair frequently pulled up the the counter so that they can snack on our house! Maybe we'll do another house when they obey better...basically never!!