Ashton brought out an armful of big cardboard boxes along with containers of ribbon, paper, pipe cleaners, glue, and glitter.  She declared that she was going to make and decorate a fairy house.  Ahem… glitter?  On giant cardboard boxes?  Carefully– trying not to ruin the momentum and excitement– I steered her toward a smaller box, cut from it windows, doors, and other openings, and stealthily put the glitter back in its basket.  After obliging Cedar with his own “lego-guy” house, I helped them decorate their houses with paper and ribbons.  Easy, engaging for both kids, and useful.  Although later, to Ashton’s dismay, Cedar did attempt to destroy his house by punching holes in it with a knife.