Tuesday Crafternoon: Gobble Gobble, Thanks

Bean hijacked crafternoon today.  Tuesday crafternoons began so I could plan to have structured time with my kids and give them artsy project time that they love.  I take responsibility for planning the activities each week, with input from them around themes.  Being a teacher, I tend to organize the materials and give a general overview of steps and then join them in the creating.

Today was different.

From the moment we sat at the table, Bean had a plan:  “Mama, I’m gonna need some brown paper and color paper and glue”.  Me: ” I was thinking we would use this craft paper to make a tablecloth and place mats for Thanksgiving”.  Bean: “I’m going to make a turkey place mat with color paper”.  I started to fight it and attempt to persuade her to see my idea, but there was no convincing her.  I got frustrated for a moment and then I remembered why we are doing this to begin with…and just started to help.  I got her the paper (and some for Doodle because obviously he wanted to do the same as his sister) and listened to what she needed and I helped.  I cut out feathers and turkey bodies and heads and unstuck glue caps.  I let go of my need to control and found joy in the process.


Bean was very proud of her work and they both ended up loving coloring the Thanksgiving craft paper tablecloth after all.  Now they have a project every day after school for the next week!