Duckling Artist

I love art time. I love it so much that I stock our cupboards with high quality art supplies right along side of the crayola versions and let my kids pick without freaking out about it. They each have table top easels they can use (2 of them are actually cast iron recipe book holders). The get a call from me now and then to come to the table and paint with me and sometimes they take the invitation. More likely it is them I find already working and messy.

This day it was Lily and Isaac. Holly was busy with her ballet exercises and would not be distracted. She is very dedicated but refuses to help me fill out her weekly form for class. She says she's not in it for the prize? Ha.

Lily was super patient with Isaac and got him all set up to go.

I also love the sunlight in this room, this time of day, and all the wonderful colours of our nest. Every now and then I contemplate painting the whole downstairs pale shades of grey because the orange and green paint job was done so sloppy and horrible. Only I notice that though, I guess! Still it bothers me when I get in a mood. I suppose I could sand down the roller lines and repaint the bright colours? That might work too.

I get so wrapped up in colour and art when we get these projects going. I just want to take it all in and be in the moment.... but then paint starts getting smeared on to the table, diapers need to be changed, and art work is set to dry.... suddenly I am alone at the table left only with a glorious mess and the distant sounds of children laughing and playing at some new game.

And that, friends, is my day.

Night Eyes, Isaac's First

Carving Pumpkins

When we lived in the city, I gave up carving pumpkins and setting them outside. They would get smashed. One year we set them inside and they rotted all over the floor. Yuck.

When Lily looked at us, brokenhearted, it moved us that much closer to the urgency we felt of moving to a farm.

Now, the kids can delight in the process, set them outside and when they start to rot the chickens do the clean up. Rock on mother nature.

My favourite part of this night was not the creativity or the songs....no, this time Lily helped Holly carve her own pumpkin. Holly had never done this before on her own. It was lovely, peaceful, and full of joy. Isaac wanted nothing to do with the project though. Maybe next year.

Painting