Jump In

I wish I could tell you that everyday is filled with non-stop, post minimal, glitz!
There are days when it seems just too difficult, it is important to move beyond the inertia and put...

Brush to Canvas
Pencil to Paper
Glue to Collage
Ingredients to Mixer

Just getting your hands dirty is the jumping off point for unlimited Joy!

End of the Year Art Program

The Big night is here!

After weeks of Memorization and Practice the Elementary students are ready to do their presentations and display art work created after viewing the work of Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Jackson Pollock.

The Art work is amazing, self portraits, mixed media and paintings. The enthusiasm of each child for their projects and presentations, make every parent proud!

Spring

across the street
the breeze goes by
blossoms drop like snow
the lights turn green
children dash to and fro

across the street
I sit on a bench
a voyeur waiting
for a moment
seduced by beauty
Spring

Learning to Knit

I came downstairs this morning to be greeted by Primo, sitting at the table reading, Kids Learn to Knit, a book that was given to him at his party yesterday. After we got slips knots tied it was no time before we had figured out casting on and the basic knit stitch. I can't believe the book was easy to follow. Primo showed me know it was done how is that for a beautiful mother's day present!

Happy Mothers Day

Well, another year has come and gone. It is time to celebrate all of the wonderful mothers out there. You are doing a great job! No one ever told you how difficult it would be or you wouldn't have done it. Congratulations, and enjoy your day! Now I am off to the tub for a long soak, with a latte and, "The Chocolate Cake Sutra" (and hopefully get the thought Chaos rules my World out of my Head)

You Look Like A Monkey!

Happy Birthday Primo! This was the easiest birthday party ever. I finally broke down and didn't go all out for a home party. I did a party at our athletic club. The kids loved it and All I had to do was provide the Cake. This year the request was simple - chocolate cake with blue frosting and blue sprinkles. I still find myself amazed at the childhood love of blue food!

I don't have any friends, to compete with for a "Martha Stewart" award, so after last years less than enthusiastic complements from the other parents - I decided to give up the stress, it was so nice. I actually enjoyed the party, talked and played, too.

This boy will Street Luge

On the way home from school Primo's first request was not the usual, what's for snack but, "Can I ride my Bike?"It is abundantly clear that he is an adrenaline rusher. It is pretty wild to watch the grace with which he flies around the cul-de-sac and over the curbs. I feel myself wincing anticipating the pain of a fall that never comes. Apparently the birthday gift is a hit and We are pleased with our choice.

Anxiety

Somedays it just seems that the whole day is going to be one long anxiety attack and let me tell you today was one of those days! Usually I would chalk it up to being tired however this feels less concrete than lack of sleep and more rooted in the fact that my baby, Primo, is turning 7. Every year about a week before the big day I get hit with immobilizing anxiety. Not to mention no one seems to know what the letters RSVP means anymore. Dear readers when you get an invitation, please respond either way unless it clearly state regrets only!

When Primo was younger it would start months before his birthday, however with the birth of Segundo I have much less time for anxiety and lying in bed unable to function. Thankfully, currently, I don't exprience the non-functioning days often.

Prolific Art Day

Segundo mixing colors

Primo and one of the many sculptures

One of my many works in progress, working title "liberty redux

Zeus is heading off to the gym, Segundo asks if he can stay with me and paint, I don't feel like going so I agree. Primo jumps up and heads off with Zeus. Once up in the studio we break out paints and glue and beads. I work on my liberty piece and Segundo paints and adds beads with glue. It is wonderful, peaceful, joyful and mostly prolific!!!!!! Once Primo and Zeus return Primo is up for making a little some-something and joins us. Zeus also tries but is banned after attempting to become Art Director.

Boys will be Boys!

Now not every day is filled with creativity and beautiful art projects, some are filled with just plain Boy energy. At the park today, Primo accepted a challenge from another boy to jump over the edge of a basket ball court to see how far he could make it down the hill. After watching a few of the others attempt this, some on bikes some on skateboards, Primo decides that he is all about catching Air. Later on the way home he is quite proud of not having bift (I was told that biffed is not the correct pronunciation )

No School today!

Well, Segundo Could not have been happier about not going to the academy today if he tried. His face was filled with sheer joy at the prospect of going to music class, a couple of errands, hangin' out in a cafe, and going home to the studio to paint.

Segundo, "Let's have cocoa!"
Mnemosyne, "That sounds like a good idea."
I order our drinks and he chooses a table - there are only two the choice happens quicker than usual
The Mocha and Cocoa arrive topped with towers of whipped cream we are both smiling with anticipation.
Segundo, "We should have a cookie, too."
I order one.
Mnemosyne, "Here you go, will you share a bite with me?"
Segundo, "This is good"
Mnemosyne, "Yes, do you want eat here or go outside?"
Segundo, "Let's sit on the wall."
Mnemosyne, "Another splendid idea, do you think we should go home and do some painting today?"
Segundo, "Mommy that sounds like a great idea, when we are done with our Cocoa."

We sit on the brick wall enjoy the warm sunshine and then head home. The afternoon is spent painting and sculpting, just wonderful. And I am amazed, once again, at the JOY of mixing colors.

Decisions, decisions & revisons

Well, it seemed like an easy decision. Only now there is a sexual predator lurking at the bus stop just outside the door to the Olympia. None of the parents were notified, until I asked one of the more alert mortals if she knew anything about the "incident." She hadn't heard a thing. I guess it is revision time, again. I will be, quite possibly, working full time in order afford the tuition bills. The plus side is that I love the academy. I know that you can't protect the little muses from the world but a safe bus stop, in a residential neighborhood, is not much to ask for. I wish Zeus were capable of easing my anxiety but even his brute force is no comfort. This post references April 25, 2007 post. I was trying to find something funny to say about this post but no matter what I come up with it is not funny. Dear readers please look out for the safety of your little muses.

Nurture Creativity

I try to live my mission every day NURTURE CREATIVITY - I find myself repeating it now and again because it is easy to loose sight of it. Getting bogged down in the daily routine, laundry, dishes, driving to and from school, dinner, baths bed - seems to be the biggest drain on creativity, both for me and the muses!

Try to do as many chores as possible like this put a load of laundry in the wash before going to bed, put in the dryer before leaving for work or to do errands the next morning - for me it is like getting 2 things done at once. The bonus is that then it does not cut into the time you spend with your cherubs encouraging curiosity!

First Day of School

Today is Segundo's first day at the academy. Zeus and I took him in because he refused to get out of the car with Primo. Once in the classroom he was happy to show us different activities, I kissed him goodbye and told him I would be back to get him in the afternoon. I have no clue what I will do with all my "time off" My to do list is so long I am not sure if I can fine the beginning of it anymore. My mind is racing and I have the sinking feeling it is going to take awhile to get used to this new found freedom.