snow Archives - Spoonful of Imagination

It’s winter, so let’s build a snowman!

February 4, 2022 By Erica Deuel Leave a Comment

We’ve been enjoying a winter storm here in Indiana. The kids are going on day three of school moving from in person to e-learning for the amount of snow we have had. They estimate we have had more than a foot of snow in 48 hours.

Our family has been able to get out and walk, play, and even scrap the driveway a time or four now.

Although we love the outdoor play, we have had more indoor play as well. It got us thinking that others might be looking for some indoor fun too. We thought we would share this fun and multiple step snowman project with you to encourage some creative fun in your home this winter. Gather a few supplies from around your home and join us to build a snowman!

Supplies:

base canvas (we used white cardboard)

coloring tools (we used pastels)

paint supplies (we used tempera paint and a brush)

scrap paper (card stock, construction paper, etc)

scissors

Elmer’s glue

Once you have the supplies and are ready to create, the first thing you do is draw a snowman! I love how Reagan drew a two circle snowman and Jeremiah drew a three circle snowman that is zoomed in on, as part of his shape is “off” the page.

After you have used your drawing tools to draw the snowman, then you are ready to paint a winter scene for the snowman to live in! Paint the background surrounding the snowman. You can ask your artist why you should NOT paint in the snowman. Hopefully, they value clean, white snow too.

The final step is to embellish and add details to that snowman. We used scrap paper to cut hats and scarfs to dress our snowmen. You can also use your drawing tools from step one to add more details to the snowman or background.

Wasn’t that super easy? This is such a fun project to do with a few students or a whole class! Just as a review the steps are..

Draw a snowman
Paint around the snowman
Embellish by gluing and drawing to add details

We love that no matter the same steps taught or supplies used, every project can look different. If you keep the rules “open ended” like they are listed simply above, each artist will take their own interpretation and be able to use his/her imagination to bring their own ideas to life. How cool is that!?

We had so much fun creating some indoor snowman. Jeremiah suggested that real outdoor snowmen are more fun to create. It’s hard to compete with snow, right!? But, if you too need some indoor fun, try this fun project. My artists are in 5th and 7th grade and they still had fun. We are never too old to play with creative tools! The pieces don’t have to be saved for forever. Stick them on your mantel for the season like we did, and then feel free to toss them out. The most important part is to to HAVE FUN!

What kind of snowman will you create? Imagine the possibilities!

Time to Play

January 10, 2016 By Erica Deuel Leave a Comment

It is finally 2016, and with the new year comes new hopes, dreams and aspirations with a fresh start. Some of us may make new years resolutions and some may think that is trivial. I think most of us could agree that even if there are no particular goals, we hope to be better than the previous year.

We want to grow, for that means we are alive and living. I do create goals each year, but the bigger thing for me is picking one word that represents my priority and focus for the year. I like that this simple word can help inspire me and be something that I go back to as a foundation and prayer throughout the year.

After the heavy last year, I was scared what word may come to me for this year. Matt and I got to get away for a few days right after Christmas. It was wonderful to dream, laugh, and process life together. As we were having these conversations, I kept hoping a word would stand out as my inspiration for this 2016 year.

During our trip we started reading this book, Essentialism by Greg McKeown, together. It is a perfect read for the new year. I won’t do it justice by trying to explain it. Let me just say, if you haven’t read it, you should!

There is a chapter on play that I cannot shake. Again, you should read the book. As a creative person (who loves to dream and imagine), words that expressed the importance of “playing” brought life back into my tired soul. Here are a few notes I jotted down in my journal…

Playing….

is not trivial
produces imagination
gives power to improve
leads to brain activity
is crucial to survival
causes creative behaviors
leads to some of the best memories and moments
broadens perspective
is an antidote to stress
is a vital driver in creativity
is essential

I don’t think it’s any surprise why kids are so creative. They play so well. May we take note and learn to play better.

I love playing with my kids, but do not always do well just checking out of all the lists, home responsibilities and adult-ing required to just fully let loose and enjoy the moment (or hours) without any of those other worries.

This snowy day a week ago, we just played in the snow for about three hours together. It was beautiful, and I have thought about this day all week-long.

We laughed. We ate snow….got snowballs in the face…built a snowman…chased the dogs…and were just present together…doing nothing but enjoying the time. There was no goal. There was no list of a task or pressure to be anything but us.

By the time Matt and I got home from our getaway, I had my word. Courage.

I’m still processing all that it means, but the concept is largely to have courage in my life. To make brave decisions, to trust, to listen, to talk less, to be present, to be open, to try to break chains and bad habits in me, and fight for a life that I want and feel led towards.

Courage takes strength. It takes bravery and fighting against what may be expected but to do what you know is right. I want to do me well. To use my gifts and passions for good and not try to be anything else. With this one wild and crazy life, I want to have courage to live. On this snowy day, it was courage to play.

Have you found a word for your year yet? More on mine soon. To chat more often, follow me on Instagram: ericadeuel

Snow Day Refuel

February 3, 2015 By Erica Deuel Leave a Comment

Snow. Let me begin by saying we are not accustomed to snow. We come from a life in Atlanta where one inch of snow was a big deal. Schools shut down, kids used swim tubes as sleds, and there was excitement felt by everyone. Three inches of snow would literally shut the city down for a couple of days.

We are only a few months into life in snow country, but we are loving it. I must sound like a broken record because I repeat continually how beautiful it is. All three of my kids love to play in it, so that helps too. When it snows, we are out in it. Trumping around, chasing puppies, building Frankenstein snow men, and using snow shovels as if they were sand tools.

I’m learning to drive and not be afraid because the van is bound to slip ‘n slide just a little. Maybe bumper cars is a little more normal here, but I am rolling with it…literally. When you homeschool and are in your house constantly, there is a need to get out. To get outside, to get to other environments. We can’t let the snow stop us. So we are adjusting to figuring out a new norm and are loving it.

One thing that I am learning is to have a snack ready to go after every outing out to play. Walking in snow is exercise! More than I realized. When we come in, we are wet, cold, tired, and coats, mittens, snow suits go flying. I quickly start scurrying to assist to take off the layers and pull my daughter out of that A Christmas Story moment where she feels like she can’t move.

Having a snack ready to go helps. We can sit, laugh about the moments we just created, and warm up.

When I was offered the chance to try Honey Maid Go Bites, I was excited. A snack that provides kids with about 15% of both the recommended daily value of whole grains (48g) and protein (34g)!? While also being baked with whole grains and containing no high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors or colors!? Amazing. Now that we have tried them, I can also say they are awesome. Think of a crispy graham cracker with either vanilla or chocolate filling.

When 13 inches of snow fell in less than 24 hours this week, we of course got out in it and I had the perfect snack to lay out for us to enjoy when we came back in.

For the little boy energy and natural loving spirits I have in my kids, staying inside and hibernating all winter isn’t an option. We have to get out. What I am learning though is how to set it up to be the best experience for everyone. Hanging hooks by the door and extra old towels on the ground right inside the door helps. That way everyone can get in quick and start shedding the wet layers. Having a snack ready to go helps too. We don’t want those tired, cold tears, to overshadow happy memories, right!?

We play hard in the snow. On this particular day too, we came in and I had the snack ready (so there was no arguing what to have). The kids ate laughing, having fun discovering which Honey Maid Go Snack they were eating (because I just poured both onto a plate), and they even said it was the best day ever. No joke. My momma heart was ready to burst. It doesn’t take a lot to please a kid. Being proactive and showing a little thought in planning helps create a moment where they feel valued, loved, thought of, and cared for.

I now have a box ready to take with us next time we leave the house. Sometimes one errand turns into five and having a snack to recharge and refuel those little bellies in the car before stops can make all the difference.

So, to all you mommas out there, try a little snack with a kick of protein for your kiddos. They will thank you. Mine did! And for goodness sake, get out and enjoy this creation! It’s beautiful out there-even if it is cold!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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