another fun kid project

Can you tell that my kids are running the show these days?  They are heavy, heavy into kid crafting right now, fulfilling all my motherly daydreams of having delightful children who love to craft as much as I do. 

For 2 days running now, its hot rocks.  For anyone who doesn't know how to do this, find rocks in the yard or forest (I know, again with the foraging for supplies, sorry).  Rocks that have a fairly smooth, flat surface are best.  Heat the rocks up in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes (on a foil lined cookie sheet).  While they are heating, have your kids get busy tearing the paper off of crayons they plan to color/paint on the rocks with.  Remind them to handle the rocks with pot holders, put them down on a protected surface (we used plastic cutting boards), and "paint" with crayons.  The crayons melt and the resulting color is very vivid (my kids love the glittery crayons the best).  And, if you're a tired mom like I am at about 3 in the afternoon, you can just pick one crayon color, press it down on your own rock, and let the entire thing melt down, just watching....watching.....watching the crayon melt....down....down...

its fun.

I also wanted to mention how much fun we've had painting on pre-stretched canvases.  The kids are using just acrylic craft paints (cause that's what mom had around).  I'm feeling an art show in the making.