Art

 

Years ago- I gave up doing art.. because I expected everything I did... be frame worthy. I want a frame-able product when I was done.. and I lost the joy in just playing and experimenting and creating.

So I try to play with art and just play. I also try to encourage my kids to play with art.

The concentration...

 

son two is was inspired by our surroundings-- this is the scene as we drive to hockey every day. And it was funny-- at the time.. I thought, "why is the WHITE on the bottom?" When I think of clouds-- they are in the blue-- or above the blue....

But this weekend- we were driving and I said, "SON! There's your painting!" The clouds were low above the mountains with BRIGHT blue sky above.

My oldest son is inspired by hockey....

while my youngest is inspired by.... ketchup?

Just kidding.

It was a fun painting session as we all played with paint and color.

This is my second painting-- trying to capture the rolling hills as we drive home from hockey through the pineapple fields.

Book Club

Okay- I really really like this series by Dan Gutman. REALLY?... Yes REALLY! I Do! But I think my enthusiasm for this author has kinda turned my sons off.

My son, while he admits he loves Dan Gutman's Weird School series. ("yeah, those were funny.") He hasn't fallen in love with the million dollar series. (why? why? why?)

One boy in our book club today said, "Yeah- it was kinda boring.. because I already know everything about basketball so it's like... why read more about it?".

(what? I loved this book!? It's not all about basketball???)

I asked.. "Did you have a favorite part?"

"Yeah- the time they were in the hotel."

"Really, what did you like about the hotel part... specifically?"

 

"I don't know.. I just like going to hotels and they got to order food in and practically spend a million dollars just in the hotel..."

We have deep and meaningful discussions in book club. :o)

 

But this is our new book selected and I made all the kids promise they would read this book by Thanksgiving break... so we'll see.

(How to Speak Dragonese by Cressida Cowell. Last year we read books one and two: How to Train Your Dragon & How to Be a Pirate.)

(Today only one person had read the whole book. And it wasn't my son. So the discussion part of book club really struggled.)

Partly that is my fault. I need to be more on-top of getting the books to the boys and setting a firm book club date. (all the things I recommend on my site: http://www.bookclub4boys.com/.) It's great advice!

Whew... time to get ready for scouts now!

(Look at the little angel- starting his new book club book!

Laura

Baby Books

I love giving books for baby gifts. This tradition was inspired by two great women. My grandmother who sent The Little Engine That Could story book along with a toy train set and the mother of my best friends in High School (twins) Irene and Eleanor. She sent books as gifts with the birth of each of my sons. I thought they were such thoughtful gifts.

Mrs. Pfefferman wrote a lovely card encouraging me to read to my children and she hoped her gift would help us start our own family library. (She raised four girls all from a wheel chair- the last two who were TWINS! A truly amazing woman!)

I guess what really touched me was her vision. Especially as a new mother, keeping up with diapers and sleep were my main priorities not browsing book stores for good baby books.


Books are a great baby gift. You don't have to worry about sizes and seasons- or even gender! Find a selection you like- and stock up. You'll always be ready for a baby shower. Baby books are always a thoughtful gift they will enjoy years to come.

Laura