Painting pottery

I have to admit I have not been very motivated to write this week. I decided last week that I was done getting frustrated with Delores about not wanting to do lessons. I'm leaving lesson time in her hands and in the meantime I'm trying to sneak in activities to fill her time with play and activities that incorporate Montessori principles. 

The first was a trip to a local pottery painting establishment, the "Color Clay Cafe," located on East North Street in Greenville. 

Delores chose a cupcake which she painted pink of course. The child is obsessed with sweets and the color pink. 

Lydia chose a little hamster which she painted different shades of blue. She saw that little hamster on the shelf and picked it up, hugged it and said "I love this mouse." That was it. I would have bought her that little hamster if it was $50.00. Thankfully it was only $9 and some change.

I really didn't expect to see any learning going on with this trip. I had only planned this trip for fun. I was surprised when I saw these faces:

That's my dead giveaway sign that there's some learning going on and to take a step back and observe. Lydia worked for a good 30 mins. Delores for a good hour. 

We were there for about an hour and a half and never felt rushed. The whole trip cost us $25.00. We went on a Wednesday which is kids day so we got the 3% studio fee for free. With all the awesome concentration going on I definitely feel like it was a good price and well worth it. 

If you are thinking of taking your kids there wait until they are 2 and 1/2 to 3 years old (I saw some stuff I'd like to paint too) and expect to play by the establishment's rules. I was a little disappointed by the amount of rules and regulations put on the children instead of just letting them do their thang. Like don't paint these colors together. Don't get it too thick. Don't do hand prints or footprints without the employees helping. Don't, don't, don't. Huff.  

But anyway here's how they turned out:

They fire it and 10 days later you can pick them up. Delores decided that this was going to be daddy's Father's Day gift. Hahaha, very thoughtful right? We'll see if it goes in our room or it ends up in her room. I thought that was a sweet gesture though.

As promised here are pictures of what they look like when we got them home

Delores has already decided the cupcake is going in her room. :)