I don’t have kids. That’s right, I’m nearly 40 and don’t have kids yet. I add in the yet because I still feel like there’s a possibility that it may happen, despite the fact that my lady doctor refers to my potential child-bearing as a ‘geriatric pregnancy’. That is what happens the day you turn 35. Suddenly when it comes having kids you become ‘geriatric’ which actually means ‘of, or pertaining to old people’.

We all know the tales about successful over 40 pregnancies and although I’m still technically in my later-middle thirties I’m not crossing my fingers. I’ve had to come to terms with the idea that if it happens, it happens and if it doesn’t, then it wasn’t meant to be. I’m not in the financial position to pay for expensive fertility treatments and even if I was, I’m not sure I’d want to. maybe I’ll change my tune after I’ve tried and failed for more than a month. adoption is still in the running as well.

In the meantime, I have to get my kiddie fix elsewhere. There’s something about spending quality time with people under the age of twelve that’s so inspiring and beautiful. Luckily I’ve been able to spend lots of time with kids. I have a niece whom I adore. She’s creative, smart and a little bit weird (which makes me happy). I’ve also been lucky enough to spend time with kids, as a teacher. First as an assistant teacher at a preschool and then as an art teacher.

As adults we forget what it’s like to be a kid. Spending time with these beings who don’t have anything ‘to-do’ reminds us to slow down and appreciate the details and processes of being alive. When I was teaching art to kids at the community center, one of their favorite projects was making Shrinky Dinks. They loved it so much that when I walked into to the classroom for my second summer of teaching, the kids that had been there the year before starting chanting “Shrinky Dinks. Shrinky Dinks. Shrinky Dinks,” as soon as they saw me. I became known as Miss Shrinky Dink. Shrinky Dinks are not just for kids. Along with other DIY bloggers, I’ve found a way to modernize this classic craft and take it to the next level. Hope you enjoy these contemporary Shrinky Dinks projects as much as I do.