Sunday, July 10, 2011

Summer creativity

Since I am a part-time working mama, my child goes to preschool year-round. She is actively engaged and entertained on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 4:00. The other days? She is all mine. Summer has no effect on our weekly schedule, yet I find myself wanting to spend more time with her. Wanting to create memorable summertime moments.


We splash in the pool, we attack the playground with fervor, we stroll through the woods on our nearby mountain. But when (often, in HOTlanta) the extreme heat and melting humidity are too much to bear? We put our thinking caps on and find some indoor fun.



Some favorite activites we've gotten into so far?

Dance party. We blast her favorite kiddy tunes and dance. To a mom who lives life in black & white, late & early, right & wrong? Dance party is awesome. We throw caution to the wind and act like lunatics. I cannot get enough of her hearty laugh. And boy, does she laugh when mom looks completely nuts.


Art projects. Nothing keeps my daughter entertained more than expressing creativity through art. She colors, paints, glues, and tapes most anything she can get her hands on. Art can be made from anything. Empty paper towel roll? Glue colored pieces of paper all over it for a fancy telescope. Popsicle sticks? Glue a photo across them then cut to separate for a custom photo puzzle. Hit the $1 sections at craft stores and Target for ribbons, wooden paintables, and glitter glue. We've decorated signs and masks and even a birdhouse or two.


Indoor swimming pool - for her toys. I simply fill a large tupperware container with some water, toss in a couple plastic toys and a small bowl or two to act as a raft. Amelia splishes and splashes with the water, making waves for her toys and teaching them how to swim. Sure, the kitchen gets a little wet, but it's only water! Want to get your floor washed? Pour a bit of dish soap into the "pool" - when you clean up the splashes, you can call it mopping too.


Summer definitely keeps me on my toes. Coming up with project after project after project is sometimes tough, but I think it's a lot of fun too.

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What are you up to this summer? Leave a comment and tell me!
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