A March Afternoon

 This afternoon, another cold blustery afternoon in the longest March ever, I was really motivated for some kind of craft project or activity to do with the kids.  I woke up in the early afternoon after a night at work, and began the strange rhythm I've grown accustomed to on the days after I work all night.  I have an hour or so of alone time before my mom drops off the kids (a little more if I feel like sacrificing on some sleep).   I'm always so happy to see and snuggle the kiddos, and today I felt really motivated to do some kind of craft activity or art project with them.  I spent a few minutes looking on the internet, was inspired by some more involved projects, and then realized I was crazy to be looking at anything slightly complicated, and decided to do some kind of dough project.  I always have to balance how I actually feel these days after working (overtired, but excited to be home, short on patience, kind of sluggish but hopped up on coffee) with how I want to feel (inspired, motivated, accomplished - this is usually the coffee talking and it's short-lived).  So I'm glad I tuned into my need for easy and simple with my desire for crafty fun with kids and settled on making cloud dough.  It's just flour mixed with baby oil, and it makes this cool silky mixture that can be solid and molded, but also kind of well, crumbly.  It is so easy to make and I just let the kids go to town.  It was really satisfying to see them BOTH spend time with the same project! Claire is at an age too where craft projects are just really hit and miss - I have definitely spent time getting something complicated together and she ends up being not interested - which can feel frustrating.  I find that when I go with my gut and stick with simple things I know SHE likes (play dough, water play) she and I both end up satisfied. 

This really helped take up a large chunk of the afternoon peacefully until Greg got home.  By that point I was trying to make a game with the kids where I lay in bed and close my eyes.  I am dying for some 50 degree days where we can actually spend the afternoons enjoying outside!