Brehm breakfast table conversation:
“Mom. Today, I want to make a project. For Mrs. E. and it’s a Christmas project.”
“How about we make a Thanksgiving project? I mean, that seems more timely… and then we could do the Christmas project after that.”
“No.”
Any time Barrett or Jonah want to choose the activity, I embrace it. It took me almost two years of being a mom to actually embrace such things… Instead of cringing and ticking when all of the paints in the paint tray became brown. And when all of the play-dough became brown. And when all the flowers were drawn with brown. WHAT IS WITH ALL THE BROWN?!? And then, like so many other moments of motherhood, I just had to let it go. So whether it’s July or a week out from Turkey Day, if it’s a Christmas project B wants, it’s a Christmas project B gets. The first reason being, I don’t have to come up with something crafty {lazy mom admission} because that would take Pinterest perusal time or preparation. The second, I love seeing how they direct a project or an activity. It’s a pretty incredible thing to see what little minds can cook up.
“Okay. What will we need for the project?”
“I’ll tell you what we will need. Write this down. We need a plastic cup. We need glue. We’re going to need colored paper. And markers. And that’s it.” {mom records list.}
………..
So. Post-breakfast… Cup. Glue. Paper. Markers. All ascertained.
And if you’re playing at home, here is Barrett’s Pinterest-style supply list for his “we don’t need no stinkin’ pinterest project” cup.
Red solo cup.
Glue.
Paper.
Markers.
“So first, mom, you take the cup. And then you pick your paper. And we’re going to tear the paper. Because tearing the paper makes your fingers strong like superheroes. And it’s good for your five motor skills {mom snickers}. And I’ll show you how to tear. It’s really simple, k. You walk your fingers together. And then you separate them. Tearing your paper as you go. Got it?”
“Dot it.” {Jonah}
“And what are we making, B?”
“A Christmas Tree. Or a bell. Or something like those. And so you take the glue. Don’t forget to wipe your stick on the plate before putting the glue on the cup. And you can just put it whereever you want it. Anywhere you want to stick a piece of torn paper. And then you stick the paper where the glue is. Not where the glue isn’t”
……………
“And, voila, mom! You’ve got a Christmas tree bell! It’s a messterpiece, isn’t it.”
“Voila! Indeed, B. But I think you mean masterpiece.”
“No. A messterpiece.”
“Okay. Well then, it’s a beautiful messterpiece, B.”
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