I Can Draw Me!

I don't know how I ever got roped into being an Art Mom. Never in my life have I claimed any artistic ability. When I was in high school, my English teacher assigned us to to write poems on a monthly basis. I didn't find that so terrible, but she had us illustrate them so she could post them on the bulletin board. My art almost always consisted of scraps of construction paper cut into geometric shapes and scattered across the page. I didn't even want to try drawing. I'd always told myself I was awful at drawing. I hated to do art--and was incredibily jealous of those who could. So, two years ago Claire's first grade class needed an Art Mom, and someone tried to recruit me. I resisted, but knew how much Claire likes art. Reluctantly I decided that if she was to ever have a chance at doing well at art, she needed some support at home.

I figured that I could probably draw as well as the first graders, and since the art projects were all outlined for me, I could manage. I enjoyed it, but didn't seek out any other opportunities--until this fall. Claire's third grade class was again short in that department, and my neighbor was in charge. She asked, I conceded, and have enjoyed the projects, but still feel I'm not really the woman for the job.

So, yesterday I looked at the project I'd intended and realized it seemed really similar to those the children had done already this year. I called a friend, who really enjoys teaching art at her daughter's school, and asked for an easy project with little prep time. Art was today before lunch.

She suggested drawing realistic portraits. She had prepared instructions on how the face is proportioned, so I decided to try it. WOW!

I still believe true art is a gift. The ability to create something with enough vision to move and inspire others thoughts and actions has to come from the depths of the soul. But good instruction and teaching can really improve any skill, and the ability to draw is a skill that can be taught. I teach my writing students that, but have a renewed understanding of it from a different point of view. I could actually see myself in my self portrait. Corinne tried it as well. The whole family was amazed at our abilities!

I'm not the most skilled art teacher, but the students seemed to have fun and learn. Some turned out amazing; some turned out pretty good;but they all turned out more realistic than they would have without the instruction.

I'm thrilled. I can draw me. I am an Art Mom. Any skill can be improved by instruction.

Halloween

We love Halloween. This year, the kids looked great. Corinne was a cave girl. Claire went as Ginny Weasley(from the Harry Potter stories). Mark was a scary, cute pirate. Greg went to a school dance as a '20s gangster, and his date, Sarah Eyring, went as a flapper. We think they looked very good.

The week was full of events starting the Friday a week before with the school carnival. On the 30th the kids had their class parties, which were fun. Then on the big day, Robert and Bruce Baxter took the kids "trick or treating" and afterward we all went to the Baxter house for their traditional candy swap and socializing.

On Sunday, we had the practice for the Primary Program, so the children had two hours in the Primary room. They were very energetic from the candy the night before. I hope that our Saturday practice goes better. The kids always pull it off in the end and I'm sure it will go well on Sunday, but it really strips the nerves to prepare for it. Now it's on to November for birthdays and Thanksgiving. . . .

Steven's Farewell

We had a wonderful trip last weekend--short, but wonderful. After watching some great soccer games on Friday and Saturday, we speed-cleaned the house, then packed and headed to Utah. We visited with Grandma Bird, Grandma and Grandpa Herron, saw parts of the sad BYU game, and picked up Jacqui from Provo. She seems like she's doing great. It was so very good to see her.

Sunday morning, we got up early and went to sacrament meeting in the ward Robert grew up in. Robert's sister Bonnie and her husband Richard live there near Robert's mom. Bonnie's son Steven was speaking before he leaves on Wednesday (tomorrow) for the MTC. He will be there two months before serving in Cebu, Phillippines. We're very proud of him. He gave a great talk. He is a strong young man. We'll miss him--especially Greg and Jacqui. He's part of their cousins "group." It was good to see him and all the family.

After a perfect afternoon in Bonnie's backyard (which brought back memories because we lived in their basement when Robert was at the U and Jacqui was born while we lived there), we headed to Provo to drop Jacqui back off. The kids got to see her dorm and her roommates. She has great roommates who have bonded well and really look out for each other. From there we headed back home. The only down side to the trip was that Claire and Mark were sniffling and coughing the whole ride home. I kept them home from school on Monday. They weren't nearly sick enough for that, but the schools are very cautious right now, and I didn't want them sent home. They played and played all day--something they haven't enjoyed very much lately. I guess there's even an upside to the colds.

Any Suggestions Would Be Appreciated

I'm so new to blogging and illiterate about it, that I can't figure out how to place my pictures where I want them or how to keep them from keeping my writing from looking ridiculous. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Life in the Latest Stage

Robert and I bottled 13 quarts of pears today. His mom gave them to us last week, and Robert volunteered to help bottle them before he starts work tomorrow. It was really nice working with him while everyone was gone. He told me about the article he's working on, and we listened to the sound tracks of The King and I and Phantom of the Opera. We watched Mark and his friends have kicking fights with each other until the Recess Duty came over and gave them a warning. (Our backyard opens into the school yard.) I was carefully watching because some of the time it looked like he was in his mean mode, but nothing seemed to come of it.

I'm wondering how Jacqui's first day of class went, but I'm trying to resist hovering, so I'm hoping she'll call me before I call her.

New Stages

Jacqui is in college. How did she get so big? Is she ready for this? Am I ready for this?

I have always been so ready for Jacqui (my oldest) to go through each of the big firsts in life, and move into each new stage. I've loved watching her go to Kindergarten, middle school, jr. high, high school, into Young Women's, on her first date, even through applying for college and getting accepted. I've figured it was because I really enjoyed most of those stages myself, and wanted to help her enjoy these stages. But on Monday I left her 300 miles away where she will be working hard, dating, learning, stressing, crying, and living without me there to wipe her tears, cheer her on, and let her know how much we love her. I know she's capable of doing all this for herself. She's a strong, intelligent, beautiful woman now. But my greatest fear in the world has always been that something would happen to my children, and I wouldn't be the first to know and comfort them. Now, it's highly likely that she's have some tough experiences without me. I'm sure she'll do great, but I don't get to be as directly part of her life. She'll have to decide what to tell me, how much to include me, and how much she needs. I already miss the day to day involvement in what she does.