I missed my calling as a kindergarten teacher

I'm the first to admit I'm not really the arts-and-crafts type. I have friends who scrapbook and wrap gifts more beautifully than I could ever hope for--and while I'm envious of their creativity and artistic ability, I just don't have the patience. And craft stores like Michael's and Hobby Lobby stress me out - I can never find what I'm looking for because there are supplies stuffed into every square inch of the store, there is always bad music playing overhead, and I feel out of place among the ladies in slacks wearing appliqued sweater vests.

But a couple of weekends ago, Jason was out of town on a rainy day and I decided it would be fun for Isabelle and I to make some homemade ornaments for our family and our two daycare providers. I steeled myself for a trip to Michael's for supplies (and sure enough, it looked like the Spirit of Christmas threw up inside and I could barely squeeze through the aisles). I left an hour later feeling frazzled but satisfied--with minimal help from the staff I'd found wooden craft sticks, acrylic paint, tacky glue, sequins and string.

Isabelle and I then embarked upon what became a three day project. Day 1 - trimming and gluing the sticks into the shape of Christmas trees. Day 2 - painting the trunk and branches. Day 3 - gluing on all the sequins.

The end result was worth the effort because Isabelle had a blast and the ornaments are cute!