Who wouldn’t want to adorn a llama given the chance?! We offered this activity last summer for one of our Saturday Make and Takes and there were 4 years olds, college students, and parents- all bellied up to the makers table discussing pom pom placement and saddle design. It’s a good one! Pro Tip: Look up images of Peruvian llamas for inspiration and insight!  Here is a link for a llama template to cut out at home. For more art activities and prompts, visit our Creative Classroom. 
 
 
IMG 8572
 
IMG 8578
 
 
 

This is a simple and rewarding way to experience the photographic process without all the mess and expense! And kids absolutely love it. There is such magic in the moment an image slowly takes shape on the paper. You will need to purchase the pretreated paper. You can find it at most craft stores and online. It’s often referred to as sunprint paper or nature printing paper. Jacquard brand also makes a fabric version if you want to embroider your image and/or incorporate it into a sewing project. The directions will come with the paper but the process is basic. You choose objects to create your image with (in our photos, botanicals, feathers, and old jars). Those objects are laid on top of the paper or fabric and placed outside so the sun can expose the embedded photo-chemicals. After exposure, you remove the objects and run the paper under cold water until the image appears. Et voila! This is one that will please all the hearts in your family?! For more art activities and prompts, visit our Creative Classroom. 

Copy of Copy of Copy of Untitled

Marbling paper can be a stand alone activity, or a way to add visual interest to another project like a birthday banner, a Father’s Day card, a letter, or even the chore list! This kid-friendly version of paper marbling requires shaving cream, food coloring, and a large pan. Pro tip: Don’t over stir your colors together. If you do, you’ll end up with a dyed piece of paper but none of the marbling your after! See more ideas in our creative classroom!

Howell 2
Photo by Missy Kaiser
Gretchen Howell, 41- Sean Howell, 41- Reese Howell, 10- Graham Howell 9 
 
Occupation: Gretchen- Brand Manager, Keystone Food Service- Sean, Mortgage Loans, Great Plains Bank
 
How am I coping?  It has been a bit of a struggle.  The juggle of working from home, while also being mom, cook, distance learning teacher, just everything blending together.  I am thankful and happy that we are all healthy and I am very thankful for the extra time I have been able to spend with my kids that I would not normally have had.
 
New rituals: We have been going fishing A LOT, so much so that I would consider it a ritual.  I haven't fished in years and because of all of this we have had time to revisit activities that otherwise we wouldn't have.
 
The worst thing about quarantine:  It has made so many people sick and so many have lost their lives.  It has cancelled celebrations, and caused us to miss time with our extended families.  
 
The best thing about quarantine:  We have learned to appreciate what we do have.  We have slowed down a bit and are able to enjoy some of life's little things.  Doing puzzles and Legos, sitting in the driveway and blowing bubbles and doing sidewalk chalk art.  Picnics in the backyard.  Hot dog & marshmallow roasts by the fire.  Drives in the country with the windows down and music loud.  These are the memories I will take with me from this time.

Ansley 3
Photo by Missy Kaiser
 
Teresa (age 60) and Jim (age 66) Ansley
 
Teresa-retired, Jim-OSU Department Head-Natural Resource  Ecology and Management
 
 
We are coping, I think, much like everyone else.  Good days, bad days!  
New rituals-eating 3 meals a day together, every day, for the first time in 37 years together! 
Worst thing-not being able to see/spend time with,  our daughters.
Best thing-having time. To keep in touch with people, each other.  To work in the yard, read, listen to music, hobbies.  
Thankful for our family. Thankful for technology which allows us to keep in contact with family and friends.  

Pence 1
Photo by Missy Kaiser
 
Jared and Cara 
Ethan (12) Wiley (10) Elizabeth (8) Pence
 
Cara is a surgeon and chief of staff at Stillwater medical
Jared is a stay at home dad
 
We are coping fairly well but it’s hard working so many hours at the hospital and worrying about bringing home something to the rest of the family. We have a lot of cleaning rituals to keep us all safe when I get home.

We have renewed our love of the family bike ride and geocaching. We have also tried new painting classes online as a family. We have camped which we had never done before and walked the dog a ton!

The worst part of being quarantined is missing our friends.

The best part is all of the family time and being able to focus on each other instead of many activities that pulled our family in so many different directions.
We are most thankful for this time together and our health.