Bits and Pieces

Many moons ago, I bought a mosaic coaster project kit for Michaela to work on while we were studying the Byzantine Empire.  We actually tried to make the coasters around the time that we first got the kit, but had a little trouble with the directions (meaning I didn't read on the packets to distinguish between the grout and the plaster so I mixed up some grout and poured it in the mold-smart).  I cleaned up my mistake and by that time we had run out of time (with Eliana around it is often hard to fit in more than one mistake...) so Michaela patiently waited until the next time I thought we could try to make the coasters.  Well, effort #2 was not much more successful.  It too, in fact, was a total failure.  I did not wait long enough to try to pop the coaster out of the mold and it split into three pieces.  Maddening!  And poor Michaela!  This girl has the gift of patience, though (sometimes!). 

Well, we made attempt #3 yesterday, mainly because I wanted that silly box with the whole kit inside of it off of my kitchen counter!  Also, I love my daughter and want her to be happy and able to do fun things along with her history reading.  Oh, not that reading isn't fun, we love to read.  But something about the projects and activities really makes things come alive in the mind, even for me.  Yes, in my mind!  I do have one and it works just fine sometimes! 

All of this is to say that this final attempt is going along quite well, smoothly, swimmingly, beautifully, and happily.  I spent some time making the molds in the morning.   Michaela helped with the drying process (in the microwave).  Then she took a mallet outside with her tiles to smash them into smaller pieces.  In all honesty, this was not working.  One thing that drives me nuts is when I follow the directions and it doesn't work.  I take full responsibility for when I don't follow instructions and whatever I'm doing doesn't turn out right.  That is my fault, sure.  But when I do what the directions say and the outcome isn't as it is supposed to be-grrr!  Well, there we were, outside, she was wearing her protective eye goggles smashing away, only the thing was bouncing, not smashing! 

I went back inside to get the regular hammer.  By the time I got to it (because it was in the bottom tool container (of 3) on a high shelf, and in the bottom of that particular tool box), Christian was running through the house yelling,"Never mind, mom, she's got it!"  So, I went back outside (with that dumb hammer that I worked so hard to get) and there she was smashing the tiles with the other end of the mallet, the wooden end!  She said,"Christian just told me to turn it upside down and use this part-it's working great!"  What a smart boy!  He definitely takes after me, I'm so proud of him!  Hmmm.

We moved back inside to start gluing the tiles onto the molds that had been prepared.

  She is a very conscientious worker, very deliberate with something like this.

  She put glue on each piece of tile and then laid it on the mold randomly. 

  I love watching her do this.

Such sweet hands. 

  Sticky work! 

The coasters spent today drying and we will grout them soon.  It's fun to see her work diligently to accomplish a goal and take pride in her work.  I'll share the end result soon!

Comments

[Grandma Vicki]

Michaela, I loved the pictures mommy took of you working on the mosaic! She is blessing me with her blog; it makes me feel like I can be there to share in so much of what you are doing. GREAT JOB - you are so meticulous (look that one up!) I LOVE YOU!