Day Five: Project Wrap-Up

I set up the paints while she watched with glee. She knew something fun was happening and as far as I know, she'd never painted before. Her meticulous brush strokes and joy of re-dipping back into the tempera over and over made it obvious this little artist was ready for the activity at only two years of age.

 

As much curricula as I purchase that is textbook based or even Charlotte Mason styled, we always end up having a few projects on the go that are related to some theme we are working on. I'm pretty sure I should just bite the bullet and realize we're a unit study, artsy type of family and run with it for the full year. Africa, Rivers, Frogs, Old Testament highlights, E.B. White books and other reader lapbooks are just a few of the themes we've been drawn to since September. Wrapping up the incomplete ones will be our May challenge. Painting is promised to be included as well. Molly will hold me to it, no doubt :)

 

 

so proud of her work

big sister help

 Molly presents her Trumpeter Swan project to her co-op class.

Emily presents hers.

exam practice for ballet

 Home economics--Mama taught Emily how to make herself a skirt.

 cousin sleepover 

ice cream for Papa's birthday

Galimoto races. Toys straight from Africa!

(very serious racers) 

 

Reading me her favourite part of her book.

(love these moments) 

Tomorrow is our project presentation day with a couple of other families. Looking forward to viewing all the children's hard work!

Painting Love-Prints

Out in the warm breeze of summer, six little cousins painted their favourite things upon a paper canvas unfurled.

They found interesting things around the yard to paint with as well.

They worked quietly and eagerly and excitedly called their Auntie ("Mommy" to a few) over to peruse now and then.

A long line of children happily working together made the Auntie's heart sing.

The journey is often more important than the finished product so when things got a little silly at the end, paint spattered and water was spilled and their masterpieces were no longer frame-able.

They didn't seem to mind.

Children painted each other and walked on hands and feet to make body prints on the long canvas.

And, they left a love-print on their Auntie's heart.

While They Were Out...

Last week, I had the privilege of re-decorating my mom and step-dad's living room over a two day period... while they were camping. The fun part was that they knew nothing of what I had decided to do or what I had purchased! What a great time, using the small budget I was given, traveling to many thrift stores, as-is sections in furniture stores and purchasing from a second-hand online site. I found so much excitement looking for the "diamond in the rough". On the decorating days, my children, my sisters, and my cousin, helped sand and paint. I had never been interested in re-finishing furniture before but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this project. The result was beautiful and the unveiling for my anxious "clients" was well worth the work :)

Here is the BEFORE photo...

And here are some AFTER photos...

As you can see, they returned home before I could peel the painter's tape in some areas, and put the fans away. I also purchased fabric for drapes and had just enough time to hang them over the rod. I will have to sew the panels another day. My mom loves winter pictures so the birch trees painting was suited to her taste. Can you tell what is "new" and what was re-finished from before?

Now, where will my next room be? Hmmm... :)

Imagery From Psalm 23

We recite the Psalm together and then I repeat it; their eyes are closed.

They imagine David, the pastures, the lambs, God's arms in the valley.
We talk of the waywardness of sheep, how we're like them, how God, the Good Shepherd, gently guides.

They brush their papers quietly and I observe how He speaks to each of them differently as they work out their thoughts of the Word onto blank "canvases".

One is dissatisfied with her strokes and we try to fix them over and over, finally relating back to the sheep--we just can't find our way without Him.

Remind me, Lord, when I get frustrated at my inadequacies. I am nothing without You. I must sit at the feet of the Shepherd before I can wander the pastures of life, looking for food (the spiritual kind), nudging my little ones.

Quiet Worship

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

James 4:8

(My three youngest worshipping by creating in Creation.

Art is one of our favourite ways of drawing near to God.)