Every Saturday I take either all the boys or all the girls garage saling with me. Before we had so many children, I used to take one at a time.

That technique allowed me time to spend one on one time with each of the kids. We’d go get bagels and orange juice, and I’d map out our route. It was a lovely few hours.

The downside was that each child only got to go once a month. So I started pairing them up. Now that my youngest is almost four, everyone wants to go.

This morning is boys turn, and I’m sure we make quite the sight as we unload from our 12-passenger van. I get out. John gets out, and then out tumble all five boys – from oldest to youngest.

It is so funny to see what they gravitate to and what types of things interest them. My oldest loves electronics, the next one down likes to dress up in cowboy/army hats and the other three enjoy finding junky toys.

If you go yard saling by yourself, think about taking your kids or spouse sometimes. You may just learn something about their interests that you never knew!

Sometimes I feel like a total failure. I look at my little guys and realize I haven’t painted with them in absolutely ages. With my older three we seemed to always paint, do play-doh, and make crafts. The little boys play so well together that sometimes I forget to plan structured activities for them to go along with their daily play and school.

Last week I was reading my favorite kids activity book, Unplugged Play: No Batteries. No Plugs. Pure Fun. It’s an amazing book full of information and ideas on keeping kids busy, happy, and learning at the same time. WITHOUT the television! (Not that we watch much at all, but just to have some ideas is wonderful.)

Anyway, I decided to set up the kitchen table so the little boys could paint. They had such a great time. And the best part? It was totally easy. It took two minutes to get out all the supplies, another two minutes to get them ready and covered up, and two minutes for them to be done! Just kidding – they really enjoyed painting and I enjoyed watching them explore their world further.

Supplies you need:

• Children – helpful but not totally necessary I suppose!
• Paper
• Paint
• Water
• Brushes
• Individual plates so they don’t have to share, because sharing is terrible. Awful and terrible!
• Patience and some fun spirit!

Who out there paints with their kids? Were you at all like I was, and feeling like it took too much time? I hope you do it more often than I did – I know I will!!   Diane

And here’s his bigger brother!

This is why girls rarely go to sleep with damp hair. The morning result isn’t pretty.

This is also what happens when you tell little guys to smile! It’s not always a pretty picture is it? Just now our nine year old can smile without looking totally strange.  Diane