Peach Coglo

"Boy" by Doran

Doran, like any child, always surprises me.  I suppose because he can't yet talk to us the way a neurotypical child might, I am always quite surprised by the glimpses he gives me into this world.  Actually though, at this point, I should know never to be surprised by all that Doran is.

Doran loves art and reading.  In the past couple of years, he has been writing poetry at school.

Here is his latest effort:

 Boy

Tall

I like to run outside

Playing ball

Digging dirt

Throwing basketballs and footballs

Eating spaghetti with my fingers

 

 Happy Thursday!

And the Girl Fell Out of Her Chair

Joining Amanda for her weekending series in a picture-laden post . . . .

The coolest color wheel I have ever seen . . . .

We started the weekend with "trail mix" on Friday-the kiddos made a special request.  So popcorn went into the hand-cranked popper.  I do love that sound; it's fireworks in a pot.

Saturday we followed our new family routine of cleaning together.  Then there was laundry, ballet, red bean soaking and lots of hanging around.

Sunday was super cool and definitely the highlight of the weekend. We trekked up to Amherst to the Eric Carle museum to see Kadir Nelson and his art exhibit of the huge oil paintings that made the illustrations for his book, We Are the Ship.  He makes the most exquisite paintings-exquisite.  In the painting,   Some of his books are Moses, Henry's Freedom Box and Testing the Ice to name a few.  

 

Looking jar in the museum's art studio

We loved hearing him talk about his work and process.  It takes him about a month to complete paintings like Safe at Home and [Rube and the Giants] (not sure that's the right title).  In Safe at Home, you can feel and see the heat.  I almost felt like I was breathing in all of that red dust-amazing; about a month-insane talent.  Helena got to ask him a few questions that he answered quite sweetly, even though she and Elijah were practically speechless.  The kiddos got some of Mr. Nelson's books signed; that was pretty fun. 

Later in the afternoon, we were in the art studio section of the museum creating and relaxing.  Mr. Nelson strolled by and Helena fell out of her chair-quite gracefully though.  She was so cute; her face turned bright red and she chuckled along with the rest of us. 

I remember my mother taking me to see different artists -Rubie Dee and Ossie Davis, Maya Angelou, and Ms. Butterfly McQueen to name a few.  I didn't know exactly who I was seeing, but I knew it was important and a privilege.  Those trips left an indelible mark on me, so whenever I get a chance I take my kiddos out to see art and artists.  If you get a chance to catch the exhibit , do it.  The Eric Carle museum is incredible and this exhibit is simply amazing.

Luckily our weekend isn't over yet.  We're off to see a movie, make some more art and attempt a Nawlin's inspired dinner.  Gumbo anyone? 

How was your weekend?

Photographic Friday ~ Forty-one

It's Photographic Friday, the day when I share practice photographs from the past few days or so.  They aren't perfect.  What is really?  I'm enjoying the process of concentrating, creating and working up my 10,000 hours of practice.  If the spirit moves you, feel free to share your own creations, photographic and otherwise with a link!

Thank you all for your kind compliments about the knitted hearts; they were received with much joy.

Wishing you a glorious weekend . . . .

Knitted Hearts

Joining Ginny today.

I promised I would start early, but then came The Penguin and life in general.  I am almost at peace with the fact that a fast knitter I am not.  So the kiddos end up receiving their knitted hearts this morning.  I stuffed them and put a small bell inside, 'cause I like the jingle jingle.  I used Martha's pattern.  I must say it took me forever to figure out certain  part of the pattern where you cut the yarn, weaved through the back and then rejoined.  It's easy, but I must have been really, really tired.  This knitted heart process serves as all the more evidence that I am a pretty visual learner.   I am super psyched with this project though.  It was very quick, once my brain got unstuck, and quite satisfying.  I can even see making some hearts to applique onto something or other in the future.  Loveliness.

As for books, I am reading the chapter on slowing down in Just One Thing.  The more I slow down, the more I realize I am not a rushy-rushy person.  I used to get a thrill out of running hither and thither.  Now it's just 'meh'.  I do like having things to do, but I don't like being/feeling rushed while doing them.  We are still reading Heart and Soul and Our White House.  Helena perused Ten Amazing People in search of an inspirational subject for her biography project.  Nothing new right now until we finish Heart and Soul-just trying to keep it simple.  Speaking of which the author/illustrator has an exhibit at the Eric Carle museum, so we are going to try to get up there to see it.  Kadir Nelson's work is gorgeous, so if you can get to the exhibit, you won't be disappointed.

 

So what are you making and reading this week?

Photographic Friday ~ Forty

It's Photographic Friday, the day when I share practice photographs from the past few days or so.  They aren't perfect.  What is really?  I'm enjoying the process of concentrating, creating and working up my 10,000 hours of practice.  If the spirit moves you, feel free to share your own creations, photographic and otherwise with a link!

Thank you all for the beautiful and sweet birthday wishes to Eden!  It was a spectacularly fun celebration.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend . . . .

Photographic Friday ~ Thirty-nine and Birthday Girl Mashup

t's Photographic Friday, the day when I share practice photographs from the past few days or so.  They aren't perfect.  What is really?  I'm enjoying the process of concentrating, creating and working up my 10,000 hours of practice.  If the spirit moves you, feel free to share your own creations, photographic and otherwise with a link!

Oh my it's Friday once again, but this Friday it's my girl's third birthday.  I cannot believe she has been with us for three years.  Three trips around the sun and I can't imagine a day without her.  Happy weekending to you!

Photographic Friday ~ Thirty-eight

It's Photographic Friday, the day when I share practice photographs from the past few days or so.  They aren't perfect.  What is really?  I'm enjoying the process of concentrating, creating and working up my 10,000 hours of practice.  If the spirit moves you, feel free to share your own creations, photographic and otherwise with a link!

Have a marvelous weekend my friends.

Photographic Friday ~ Thirty-seven

It's Photographic Friday, the day when I share practice photographs from the past few days or so.  They aren't perfect.  What is really?  I'm enjoying the process of concentrating, creating and working up my 10,000 hours of practice.  If the spirit moves you, feel free to share your own creations, photographic and otherwise with a link!

 

As I post this photo, it's snowing outside.  Yay!  As several of you have noted, posting the snowmen picture worked, at least I have fun thinking it did.  Have a wonderful weekend my friends.

Photographic Friday ~ Thirty-six

It's Photographic Friday, the day when I share practice photographs from the past few days or so.  They aren't perfect.  What is really?  I'm enjoying the process of concentrating, creating and working up my 10,000 hours of practice.  If the spirit moves you, feel free to share your own creations, photographic and otherwise with a link!

My theory is that if I take pictures of little paper snowmen it might snow. 

I wish you all a happy weekend.  I'll be back at this spot on Tuesday as we are celebrating King day on Monday.  Hope to see you then.

Curious George Exhibit

The huge Curious George banner outside the exhibit.

Over the holiday break, we took a trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum to check out the Curious George exhibit.  We wanted a pretty laid back holiday and tried to not travel around too much, but this exhibit was too much to resist.  It was close and I wasn't sure the kids would ever get to see original art and manuscripts by the Reys.  I love looking at original artwork and seeing the original work, and sketches from the Curious George books was intriguing.

We learned so very much.  The kids were enthralled and really hung in there, actually studying the exhibit and looking closely at the details.  I tend to linger over museum pieces studying details too so I was happy to see this.  It's a bit easier to explore museums and their treasures when people aren't clamoring to go and are happy to observe the rich details.

I didn't know the Reys had to flee the Nazis, and I was unaware that they traveled so much.  It was intriguing but so interesting to see their passports, telegrams, art journal/diaries and New Year's cards.  There was also a pop-up book exhibit.  My favorite was The Pop-Up Book of Phobias.  Really people.  It is a bit subversive.  I mean all anyone needs is a clown or spiders popping up and out at them.  There was also a cool version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  The museum also hosted a few pieces by David Macaulay.  Book and art awesomeness . . . .

I can't show you any photos from inside the exhibit due to copyright laws, but I got a couple of shots outside the exhibit.  If you live nearby and get a chance, you should go.  The exhibit ends February 5th.

  Doran was the only one to brave meeting George.  I was happy to see this was the old-fashioned George  from the 70's.  You know the one.  I still have my stuffed George-tucked safely away from my children.  Sorry guys.  He was one of my absolute most favorite toys.

Blurry photo of the fam going in.  I am pretty sure this is legal.  To the Powers That Be: Please don't arrest me.  This was a fabulous exhibit and I wish I could show you more.  Seriously if you can, check it out!  There is a lot of inspiration and dreaminess to be found.

Happy Thursday friends!