World Wide Web Wednesday 05.13.09

Today's WWWW feature is focusing on a celebration of art and creativity hosted by Three Bay B Chicks, I'm Living Proof that God Has a Sense of Humor, and Domestically Challenged.

We Heart Art gives you the chance to not only showcase your artwork or creative projects, but also your kid's handiwork.

I stumbled upon this event at quite a timely...time.

Just recently my little angels have been begging, on their hands and knees with hands folded and fingers interlaced, voices crying out to the heavens, that I might lend an ear and grant their most humble request.

For Play-Doh.

I don't inherently have anything against Play-Doh.

Unless you count all the little Play-Doh bits that end up permanently adhering themselves to the hardwood floor. Or how its salty flavor is often too tempting for a toddler to resist. Or how it's impossible to fully clean the Play-Doh out of the little crevices of the Fun Factory and then the hardened pieces get all mixed in with the fresh stuff the next time it's used. Or how the thought of mixing the Play-Doh colors together is enough to set my inner Kate Gosselin loose.

But other than that, I think it's a wonderful creative outlet for little ones that not only allows them the opportunity to stretch their minds and imaginations, but also improves fine motor strength with all the rolling, shaping, pulling, pinching, cutting, etc.

Unless you're like me as a child and the only ideas you could wonder to create were snakes and pancakes. Or cookies.

Long story longer, I foud myself at Target last Saturday where I dropped $4 on 8 cans of Play-Doh. My children thought they had won the kiddie lottery. And not only have I quieted my inner-Kate over the color mixing (although I do try to keep it to a minimum), but I've rediscovered my sanity.

Because, you know what? Play-Doh keeps them busy for over 30 minutes! For 30 or so fairly peaceful minutes, I can work on my own projects with nary a peep from 3 highly satisfied customers.

In honor of my newfound best friend, Play-Doh, and the We Heart Art collaborative project, I bring you evidence of what a wild and crazy Saturday night brought to the Sturghaus (we aren't German, I just like the way that looks when spelled out).

It's a bird. Specifically, Cade's bird. He copied it from the back of the Play-Doh box, but I give him major props for trying it.

Unfortunately, Micah's sculpting abilities haven't broadened past pancakes and cookies yet, but that kid can draw like nobody's business. He has recreated most of Van Gogh's paintings using crayons as his preferred medium.

If I knew how to work our scanner, I'd prove it to you.

Please be sure to check out the blogs above and feel free to join in the Mr. Linky party if you have artwork of your own or something created by your children that you'd like to display. I'm fairly certain that most of the blogs will have much more creative ideas than mine of how to get your children involved in and excited about art.