The needle vs. sword debate

I grew up with some artsy, recourceful women around. My Mama always had (and HAS) a project or two going - cross stitch, canning, painting, pine cone wreathing. AND My Mema makes McGuyver look like an amatuer - she could whip something out of nothing in about two seconds and make it look good. She was always doodling with something, learning something new and I got to be a part of her "adventures in creativity". I remember visits to Mema usually meant daily trips to Cloth World or a request to save something (I mean there really are 100 ways to use styrofoam meat trays, crystal light containers, yogurt tubs and the red rings off of bologna- vaseline also has that ability to multitask but we'll stick with the resourceful-crafty-second-usefulness of objects for now) I would like to say I have captured the resourceful gene from my Mema and Mama and tried to develop those traits but I will admit I'm not that artsy - just creative and resourceful. (EX. Mema tried to teach me to sew many times and I have only become proficient at curtains and hems - the jams/shorts I sewed in 5th grade are a good example of why I should not make my own clothes.)


OK - I have a bit of that resourceful-second-usefulness gene in me AND I'll admit I have about 20 toilet paper rolls stuck under my bed - come on, they have all sorts of uses (pirate spotting scopes, hoopty do's, ribbon holder,etc). AND I really like doing things with my children even when it takes 10 times longer, is messier and takes more of my energy and patience. I don't get very elaborate or detailed but we enjoy things together. That's what I remember about time with my Mema baking cakes or with my Mama cross-stitching.



In all of this I see the differences in my children - like today after the tea party Samuel wanted to make a necklace using the plastic needles the girls used (Great for fine motor development) and the colorful styrofoam beads. He worked diligently to make a necklace and then gave it to me as a present (sweet boy!). Lucy finally got the hang of stringing the beads and had fun naming all the colors. I was surprised at how well all the girls did - they seemed to love the "sewing" project.
OK - here is where the debate comes. Later we sat down to make some more necklaces but Samuel wanted a crown and soon the needle became a sword and a bow and arrow being skillfully shot through the beads. After we finished the needle was now pronounced a sword and it provided 1 more hour of entertainment in Samuel's imaginary Camelot as a living sword fighting the guards at the castle. On the other hand - Lucy loved stringing the necklaces and wearing her crown but was not the least but interested in the sword. I guess that is his imaginative mind and resourcefulness kicking in - well, and he is a boy. So, is it a needle or a sword?


Here is the queen and her faithful king with sword in hand.