A Very Footsy Christmas

A couple of years ago I posted about our Thanksgiving hand turkey tradition.  We have done Christmas art projects here and there, but never quite found one that I wanted to make a yearly tradition ... until this year!

It was so much fun painting all of the kids' feet for this, and I was shocked how well each one of them did! Of course, everybody commented about how much it tickled. :)  It was quick, easy, fun, elicited a lot of giggles and silliness, and created something I will treasure forever.  THAT is the recipe for a perfect family tradition! :)

Without further ado, our Christmas Feet!

Abby and her big ole feet:

The stinky feet of my cowboy:

Sweet Daniel (who I fully expected to flip out when I painted his feet, but didn't!):

Samuel - so very excited to do this after watching his older siblings do it:

...and Josiah, who really couldn't care less that I was painting his feet, seeing as he was completely milk drunk:

The kids want Mommy and Daddy to do this tonight when Daddy gets home from work ... but I know for certain Daddy's feet will NOT fit on a piece of construction paper!  We might have to bust out some poster board. ;)

A few tips on doing this as one adult with a bunch of littles underfoot:

• Have an ENTIRE package of wet wipes readily available.  You will most likely use all of them.
• Start with the oldest children and work your way down.  That way the little ones will see that it is not scary to have your feet painted, but will be watching their older siblings giggle and have fun!  I know for certain Daniel and Samuel would have had a heart attack if I had started painting their feet without them having watched the entire process on Abby and Corbin first.
• Do not use finger paints.  Use good old-fashioned acrylics.  I started on Abby with finger paints and, would you believe it, it stained the cracks of her feet!  The acrylics came off MUCH easier, as well as creating much darker, richer colors.
• Use white construction paper instead of printer paper.  The thicker paper does not wrinkle or seep through, no matter how much paint you put on it.
• Make sure to set out absolutely everything you would need BEFORE getting started.  There is nothing like realizing you need something when you are holding the painted foot of your best helper up in the air. ;)

And the most important thing to remember is ... don't expect perfection!!!  Have fun, get a little messy, and make lots of memories! :)