Busy Hands...

We've been making little projects ever since I started working in my new location.

I like to teach a bunch of different things the kids can make on their own. Once they've learned how to make something, they can just ask for the supplies at any time and make another. Oh sure, they need a little help around the edges if it's something they haven't made in awhile, but they love being able to make things.

I love projects that involve keeping their hands occupied but leave them free to chat. Things that don't require a huge amount of concentration. Projects like these sometimes require me to spend a little of my own money. Last week Lyssa spotted a whole bag of Sugar and Cream yarn at Goodwill. I spent $6.99 for the 20 or so skeins in the bag, all brand new. Lots of different variegated colors. The kids love variegated yarn. :) The photo doesn't show you how soft this stuff is. And unless you're one of those poor schmucks who is allergic to acrylic and polyester yarns, you don't know how nice this stuff can be next to your skin. Yum.

Two of the boys, Gabriel and Billy made some woven bracelets yesterday. I didn't have any milk jug plastic (my own preference) so I made the little wheels out of cardboard from the applesauce box.

The instructions for that particular bracelet aren't difficult, I tell the kids to, "Point the empty slot at your middle, then count three threads in the direction of the arrows (I draw arrows with Sharpies so they can keep track) and pull the thread out. Put it in the empty slot, turn the wheel so the empty spot is pointed at your middle, and do it again."

Gabriel was so cute. He very seriously adjusted the wheel to make sure it was pointed exactly at his tummy each time. And (each time) counted threads under his breath, "One, two, fwee." His bracelet was already about three inches long by the time he left to go to school on Thursday morning. He was very proud of it, ("I made dis,") showing it to the other kids. He lit up when I told him to tuck it into his backpack and take it home if he wanted to, that he could work on it over the weekend.

Billy arrives later in the mornings, so he didn't get to make one during morning program. He was all over it right after school, though. He had to wait until all the kids had been signed in and fed, but as soon as I could get to it, I got out all the yarn for him.

I've learned with Billy that having something to occupy the creative part of his brain is helpful. Both for him (high energy level!!) and me (high irritation factor!!)

He carefully chose colors, unwinding a little of the cotton yarn from each of about 14 skeins, putting the colors next to each other, asking me if I liked each one, changed his mind three or four times, and finally chose seven different colors for his bracelet. He was pleased with his progress. When his mom came to get him, he bounced over to the door like Tigger, holding up the braiding wheel and saying, "Look!! Mom!! Look!"

She is always focused on greeting him and reconnecting after their day apart, but she didn't really LOOK at what he'd done, just told him, "That's really great, Billy!" I imagine that she will be duly impressed when she sees him working on it.

I had the day off today (It's Friday evening as I write this) due to another damn ice event.

::sigh::

I was sitting here looking at different tutorials online and got an urge to make a bracelet of my own. So I got out the cotton yarn that's still here at home and cut seven strings, five black,one yellow and one red. While I've been sitting here watching Netflix (I'm watching Firefly again, something I do about once a year) and I wanted something to do with my hands. Didn't feel like drawing anything.

So I guess I like making things, too. Which shouldn't be a surprise to any of you.