Corners and crafts

Guess we are starting with crafts. I still cannot figure how blogger decides what picture goes where. This is what remains after 40+ kids and adult descend on the Family Life Center hallway. We do all of the crafts in this area because we can close the doors and we are close to the stainless steel cleanup sinks and the bathrooms. Both a requirement for having all these kids in one area.
I took hand pictures because we did not get an internet posting waiver of the kids. Last night we started the windchimes. Tedious at best - the young man who is our youth minister does not have children and really can't comprehend how difficult some of this can be for young kids. We are very fortunate to have quite a few adults who are willing "helpers" - more like flunkies for the demands of a toddler saying "paint the star blue."
These paper balloons are turning out really cute. Even with the children not having any idea about following direction at all. Believe it or not this pink and blue beauty belongs to a young man. When questioned about it - he said it would hang in his Mom's room so it needed to be her favorite colors.

Last night was the first time in 15 years that I have had to call a parent to come and see about a child. One of the tiny ones "melted down" and we called Mom who sent Nana. Once our little one was assured that someone was coming, she just wanted me to hold her. In her words "i needs to be close to ju(you)". Once Nana arrived she was fine and Nana got to paint too.

We also had a busted lip last night. This little girl just ran right into a chair and bit her lip. She had brown and pink paint on her hands. The result. She looked like it was a terrible injury because she immediately started rubbing blood and paint all over her face and my white shirt. But after ice cream and a wet paper towel clean up she was fine. Later she hit her head on someones purse and said "Can I have ice cream again?" Seems every crisis shows up at the crafts doorway. I don't panic and just take care of things in an orderly manner. I love kids and am not afraid to make myself look silly to calm one down in a situation.

We created a drying rack from the rolling table carts and put it just outside to dry these crafts. All of these remind me of the balloon launch at Freedom Weekend Aloft in Greenville South Carolina on the 4th of July.

I am already exhausted but we will be at this through Friday night. I remember all of the people who helped with VBS when I was a child. I am fortunate to have had great role models in my life and I hope that one of these kids will remember these people who helped them too.

Now for the corner - not really a corner but the wall in our dining room. Over the piano I am trying to give away. This is also a repurposed shelf. It was designed by a cabinet company we used to represent as an over the toilet cabinet. The little door at the bottom opens to a cavity exactly the same size as six rolls of tp. When we dropped the line, I took this home and added it to the dining room. I keep candles and candle holders in the little door.

The three yelloware bowls are from Charles' Grandparents stuff and they are well used. The little creamers without handles are a passion for me. Heavy white ironstone from resurants and prisons and hotels. A couple are from my Mom and the others I have found at various antique stores, thrift stores, and yard sales. They are becoming more difficult to find. The green pitcher (center top) is Fiesta and was Charles' Grandma Simpson's. I do put flowers in the green one occasionally but I don't use it often. The little floral one is damaged but is was Mama Norvan's and I love having it.

My home is a reflection of all of us. There are new things and old things and kid things and adult things and LOTS of craft things. Not a showhouse by any description, but a house filled with "us". You can come in and sit anywhere. Prop your feet up. If something gets damaged, it's okay. I just want you to feel welcome and comfortable. Please - if you are in the Athens area - drop by for a margarita or glass of sweet tea.

I hope you all are having a wonderful day. I am.