They love to draw. Both of them. We love that. But they are SO hard on their crayons. The break crayons as if it were their JOB. Sometimes, I catch them breaking them on purpose… just because they can. But how upset can you really get? They’re drawing… and they’re just crayons.

However… our craft box gets cluttered… so we cleaned and organized as a fun project the other day.

We recycled crayons:

And when they cooled, they popped right out and were ready to use. Paxton actually likes using the crayon discs more than Chance does, but that’s the difference between a 2 year old and a 5 year old

The best part of this whole project was the table and talk time I had with Chance while we were “peeling all the crayons naked” (as Chance’s put it). We talked about what he likes in school and what his favorite projects and hobbies are and how annoyed he gets that Paxton bullies him sometimes. I listened and asked more questions.

So, as we gave these forgotten crayon stubs a second chance… I got time to invest solely into my oldest son.

I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything.
What projects do you do with your family?

He is responsible for JenniClayville.com’s makeover.

Kyle ripped this out of his creative soul this week while I was in Nashville. I had to promise him a seat next to me in Heaven to get him to work on it (I’m not sure why he agreed, but don’t tell him I have no say in those decisions)… but after I had sold him my firstborn, birthright and birthmarks, he agreed to get to work.

JUST KIDDING!

He let me keep my firstborn.

Once Kyle got started, I was honestly shocked because every time I looked over my shoulder at him, a new section was done. All I can say is Kyle is worth every single penny I don’t have. In fact, I would say he’s worth every penny YOU have.

If you need some graphic design work or need helping writing code, contact Kyle. He’s fast, creative and really quite easy to work with.

Kyle’s Blog: thoughtsaboutnothing.com
Kyle’s Twitter: @kylereed

I’m hoping my makeover propels me to blog more. Maybe you can help me with that.

Dos Preguntas… that’s “Two Questions” in Spanish:
1. What would you like to see me write about?
2. When’s the last time YOU had a makeover… of any kind?

GO!

Here’s Chance painting his pumpkin WHITE… Apparently, the WHOLE base of the pumpkin needed to be white “because Daddy’s white.” — seriously… that’s what he said.

I think the whites of the eyes are always a bit freaky looking before I add the pupils.

I dunno what you think… but I think that’s a pretty happy looking pumpkin.

I was letting this dry and tending to Paxton for a couple minutes.  When I got back…

… I found THIS painted to the side.  I left it cuz it was so cute.

My sons are happy.  My husband is happy.  My family is happy.  This makes ME happy.

You see… we’re painting more than just pumpkins over here. We’re painting our future… one brushstroke at a time.  However, I can tell you I don’t paint so well, so I’m letting God guide my strokes.

Of course, I still fight for control over the paintbrush sometimes… but He is faithful and constant, ready to step back in whenever I invite Him to.

I can’t wait to see what the final product of our family is going to look like.

Don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

So cute!

Since it was just Chance and me, I wanted to make the most of it since he’s only going to be the only child for 19 more days… so this is what we did:

FRIDAY:

• Plumper Pumpkin Patch with some of Chance’s preschool friends: Grant, Kassidy, Lukas, (and Adelaine), and Emma.  They had such a blast and played together so well  Other than the moment Chance wanted to pet the pigs, I did well too… HA!  When you ask him his favorite thing about the pumpkin patch, he says: “riding in the hayride behind the tractor with all my friends and you, Mommy!”  I could die, he’s so sweet!
• Chance’s haircut (at Pigtails & Crewcuts), a little short, since I don’t know if we’ll get back in till the New Year.  
• Lunch
• Drive through carwash – Chance loves this.  What kid doesn’t???
• Nap – for Chance.  I vacuumed the rig… and almost went into labor doing it.  What was I thinking?  At least it looks bomb diggity now.
• After his nap, we went to Ceramicafe to use up the gift certificate from the Teague’s.  Chance picked to paint a mug for his Daddy’s upcoming birthday.  This amused him for an hour and a half.  He was SO concentrated on this project because he wanted his Daddy’s birthday mug to be PERFECT!  THAT amazed me
• Dinner
• Ice cream & board games at Toll House Cookies.
• Drive home and talk about Jesus being a Pirate.
• Bath & Bed.

The best part of the night for me was our “snuggle time” before bed.  This is the time I usually take to tell him what parts of the day he made me proud and happy.  When I asked him what were some of the favorite parts of his day.  He said, “Playing with you all day, Mommy!”

And that’s when my heart fell out of my chest.

It was a long day.  Chance was tired and slept well.

So did his Mom.  :)

What are some inexpensive things you do with your kids that let the know you are invested in them?

I got an email from Holly this morning that said “Want to see yourselves?” and to check out her Betty Crocker promo video.  CLICK HERE to see it.

It’s a cute promo… and I got 3 seconds of fame.  The best part is she got video and sound bites of a worship service we were leading onto a national website.  WAY TO GO, HOLS!!!  Oh… and it was before I was too pregnant, so I still look skinny minnie

WORD!!!