Saturday, February 5, 2011

The End of an Era with an Update



No one colors in this house, anymore. While I am loathe to let it go, this ancient bin of crayons, some over a dozen years old, I'm sure, is out the door today.

UPDATE: I'm always so amused at what posts of mine generate comments and debate. I have to laugh, though, at this one -- so lame in its triviality yet apparently worth you taking the time to reply. And thank you for all your comments! Here's the thing: I AM NOT CRAFTY SO I WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER melt those crayons in any sort of project with my kids. The giant bin of peeling, old crayons gives me what my Italian grandmother called agita. But I also get agita from contemplating throwing things away, having all the usual reservations like will I use this in some sort of burst of energy with my children? will one of my jock sons regain an interest in using crayons? will I somehow incorporate it into my day, using coloring as a basis for relaxation and meditation? I have to be brutally honest, here. The answer is NO. I am donating the crayons and if I get the hankering, what would be more pleasurable than a spanking new box?

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16 comments:

  1. 37paddingtonFebruary 5, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    wait! it comes back. sometime in high school they start to yearn for what now seems like the simplicity of their childhood and they find the crayons and they begin to color again.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 5, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    Oh my god I did tha same exact thing two days ago! They do have a good smell though .... Years of sweaty little hands I guess :)

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  3. A.SmithFebruary 5, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    How about showing them how to melt bits of the crayons between card paper and wax paper to make personal greeting cards?

    Get some card weight board and they can cut it any size they want. Shave some in different colors - their favorites - overlapping them. Put a piece of waxed paper and melt that with the hair dryer until they are melted into the card paper. Fold and they can become their own personal thank you cards - I know, I know but who knows? maybe they get to write thank you notes some day.

    Or they can make enough and send them out in little bundles of six to your parents or whomever. Art Upcycle. This little tidbit saved many times the "there is nothing to do" around here refrain from getting to my last nerve a long time ago.

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  4. karioFebruary 5, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Don't do it! I find that if I sit down to color quietly, inevitably my kids will come and join me, like moths to the flame. And then they want to melt them into new shapes and make art in other ways with them. It's a great way to pass an afternoon.

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  5. bakerfamily5February 5, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    My twins are 10 and little one is 4 and they color all the time! Dont chuck them, the minute you do the kids will ask for them!!

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  6. blogzillyFebruary 5, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    Keep 'em. Toss them in a ziploc baggie, save 'em for later. You can always melt them down at some point later for some project.

    NEVER throw away crayons. That's a rule.

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  7. cheatymoonFebruary 5, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    I donate those things to my classroom. My son always says that I've donated away his childhood. I still get to be nostalgic over his toys and craft supplies every day at work.

    Also, not crafty at all here, but I do have a coloring book that I sometimes use when super super stressed.

    Hope all is well out your way. xo

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  8. Super AnonymousFebruary 5, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    I'm thinking of doing the same with these damned hot wheels tracks. Though, they are only two months old. Out of sight...out of mind!

    Nobody ever colors in our house.

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  9. UnknownFebruary 5, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    okay,
    I was going to tell you to keep only some.. just the better ones, for visitors with little ones.

    but I won't now.

    ( and I love a new box of crayons. )

    ReplyDelete
  10. Big Daddy AutismFebruary 5, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    Wait. I seem to recall that the orange ones tasted pretty sweet when I was in pre-school. Maybe there is a culnary use for these babies. Or, maybe that's just all the paste I ate in High School talking, tho.

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  11. EllenFebruary 5, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Let them go...I like the idea of a brand new box when the time comes that someone needs some crayons...When I my little kids over it it handy to have along with paper and coloring books.

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  12. A.SmithFebruary 5, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Sorry I suggested it. Truly.

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  13. 37paddingtonFebruary 6, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    you're so right. of course you can get a brand new box!

    who knew old wax crayons were so universal? We kept ours in the exact same plastic tub (Ikea?) only ours was red.

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  14. GbergerFebruary 6, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    I have that same anxiety about throwing things away - and there are no children living here anymore.
    I LOVE the photo of the new crayons!

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  15. AnonymousFebruary 6, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Well, I understand. Mainly because I think that crayons are really terrible at what they're supposed to do, drawing. We don't really use them in this country. But then, we don't have Crayola :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Carrie Wilson LinkFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    Hot pokers at the thought of a craft project with melted crayons! OMHOG! Never!

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