Activities make memories

Seven-year-old granddaughter, Emma, had wanted to learn how to carve. So for our recent visit, I ordered a book on soap carving. I spent a week or more making tools out of wooden sticks. I found some Ivory soap on sale and bought 20 bars.
When we finally got around to carving, it was almost dusk. We studied the book and I went over the basics with her. Then we headed outside. Going outside was the only smart thing about this project.
I gave Emma, her four-year-old brother, Jacob, and her two-year-old brother, Nicholas, each a bar of soap. It took forever for them to get the soap unwrapped. Nicholas proudly announced, “I did it!” when his soap was finally free of its paper.
I handed each of them a wooden knife, gouge and chisel, then demonstrated how to outline a heart. Emma quickly set to work. Jacob was more intent on gouging a hole in the middle of his, while Nicholas held up his bare soap and announced, “I did it!”
I tried to get Nicholas to use one of the tools, but he was still happy with being able to unwrap his soap all by himself. Jacob was working on enlarging the crater in his Ivory. When he was almost through, he stabbed the soap and held it up like a weirdly shaped lollipop.
Emma finished her project. It was recognizable as a heart. She wanted another bar of soap. She then proceeded to make a very abstract version of a cardinal. Jacob made a hole in a second bar of soap. Nicholas was content with his pristine bar. He finally asked for another one to unwrap. Emma carved an abstract bat hanging upside down.
Jacob figured out that the soap would crumble. Nicholas finally picked up a knife and stabbed his bar. Jacob discovered that his sister would get upset if soap shards were thrown at her. Soon, the table and entire surrounding area were covered with soap remnants. Jacob found a Frisbee that still held a little bit of water. Dirt covered soap was added to the water. Emma’s projects were saved for posterity in a plastic bag, while Jacob’s were left to soften in the stale water. Nicholas went on to other activities.
The next day we carved some more with the same results. The day after, their cousin, Kristian, helped carve the last four bars. After he finished his project, he stabbed it to pieces and soon soap crumbles were flying like snow. Emma’s hair was covered in flecks of white. They didn’t respect their elders at all and included me as a target.
After all that laughter and mess, I consider the project to be a success.
I had promised we could make soft pretzels if they wanted to. I should have done this outside, also. All four children were soon covered in flour. The black dining room table turned white, along with most of the floor.
Jacob used his portion of the dough as a lariat. Kristian made a crown out of his. Emma made hers into a necklace. Nicholas ate a good bit of dough. My daughter took pictures for future bribery or perhaps as proof that her mom had lost her mind.
I baked their creations. Emma decided she didn’t like the way they tasted. Nicholas took a few nibbles and put his on the counter. Kristian was disappointed that his necklace stuck to the pan. Jacob disappeared somewhere. I tasted the finished product and it was better than I expected, but not great.
I have been told that we can make dough ornaments today while my daughter is at work.
We are making more than soap carvings, soft pretzels and possible ornaments. We are making more than a huge mess. We are making memories. I wouldn’t trade this for anything. I hope you get the chance to make messes with small children. Just remember to do it outside if possible.[[In-content Ad]]