Art's End (Day 4)

Day 4

Caleb's Canvas...

Kitty Cat Spot

Thoughts from the artist..."I did the yellow first and then I did the white. Then I did his nose and then the straight line down and the things beside it. Then I did the whiskers. Then I did the eyes and ears. After that I did the two spots. That is all. Art camp was the best its ever been this year. Of all the things I did this week the two owls was my favorite because I got to paint two things. Other boys and girls should go to art camp with Mrs. Belinda even big kids because it is super fun."

Proud Artist #1

Dean's canvas...

Ruff Spot Dog

Thoughts from the artist..."First thing today I did the ears I think.  And then I did the tip of the tail brown. Then I did the spots.  And then I did the nose, mouth and center of the butterfly.  Then I did the eye.  Finally I went back and did the wings of the butterfly.  Then Mrs. Belinda came to every kid and I drew the antennas.  Art camp this week was fun and it was the best art camp I ever did.  My favorite painting of the week was the doggy.  The dog was a little harder than all of the others but I still did it easy (even though I accidentally did it wrong but I don't want to talk about that)."

 Proud Artist #2

Non-stop Art (Day 3)

Day 3

Caleb's artwork...

Ladybug Crawling

Thoughts from the artist..."Miss Mary made my name*.  I did not help her; it was too hard.  I did a big circle then the little black circles inside the big circle.  Then I did the lines.  Then I drew his eyes by making two small circles and put dots inside them.  Then I did those parts by going up and a circle and then up and a circle again.  I don't want to talk about my big picture at all.  I will bring it home tomorrow; its as big as me."


Dean's painting (the much anticipated rooster)...

Cock-a-doodle-doo Rooster

Thoughts from the artist..."I painted the grass.  Then I did the eye and outline with a Sharpie.  And that was it for Cock-a-doodle-doo Rooster.  After that I worked on my canvas.  I painted the dog white but the canvas was white though so it is hard to see.  Then I painted the grass.  I also painted the sky light blue.  Art was fun; it was only a little better than making the rooster.  I am excited that the white goes good with the blue on the canvas."



*The lady bug is on a paper that has been tented.  Caleb's name is written inside the "tent" in fancy block letters.  That is why he felt the need to discuss how it was Miss Mary who wrote his name and not him.

Way Back in November...Anna Grace Turned 7

 

Things have been crazy the past - I don't know - 8 months, but I am trying hard to get back on track.  I wrote Anna Grace's birthday blog (I wrote the boys' as well but I certainly can't put them up without putting her's up first) but never published it because I never grabbed the pictures.  So finally here it is; but first pictures from her birthday - which by the way was upstairs at Homewood Gourmet.  I highly suggest it for a party if you have a little one like Anna Grace who can't wait to grow up and own her own restaurant.  Chris and Laura did an excellent job.  Laura and Anna Grace worked together prior to plan a menu (Anna Grace only planned part as she answered questions about what she wanted to learn to do and what she likes to eat)  The girls make pizzas from scratch, fruit skewers and dip, and homemade frosting.  Then while their pizzas were cooking downstairs they took their frosting and decorated the chocolate cupcakes that Laura had already made.  The girls got to take home their cupcakes and however much pizza they had left.  I think all of the girls had fun but wow! Anna Grace loved it.  Her passion for being a chef has grown - Has anyone noticed that chef and chief are closely related?  In cases such as Anna Grace it is no accident!

  

Anna Grace,
It is an interesting journey we are on.  I watch you and I see so much of me in you; I see your daddy too but wow there is a great deal of me.  God has blessed you with a tender heart and I pray that it will always remain.  I see you learning each day and I am so thankful that you are teachable and willing.  You ask questions and desire to learn.  You love those around you with open arms.  You may try and boss us all to death but you love us, protect us in your way and encourage us.  I have loved watching you sit down with Dean and teach him to read saying all of the things you have heard said (whether or not you practice them).  I have also enjoyed listening to you play with your brothers over the summer and these the past few months while homeschooling.  I know it is not always easy being away from your friends and living your life differently but I do think you enjoy your time.  It has been a thrill to see God's word take hold of you and watch you grow spiritually over the past year.  He has much work to do in you (and me) but I am so thankful to know he is working in you and through you.  When you discuss things we need to pray for I count it all joy.  You are spunky and oh so imaginative; you are quick and not always tempered.  You are passionate and determined, silly and beautiful.  You are an artist.  You test the limits yet share the Gospel.  You inspire; you love. You are drama - good and bad.  And you still call us "Mama and Daddy" even though most of your friends have gone to "mom and dad."  You love to sing and dance and are good at both in my opinion.  I think your love for singing (both made up songs and real songs) is part of the reason that when I pray for you a song often comes to my mind.  And when I sing this song, A Mother's Heart, I find my thoughts wondering to you.  It is one of the Getty's and I know you know it by heart as you do most of theirs but this is the section that reminds me of you:

...Hold my hand; I'll teach you the Way to go.  Through the joys, through the tears, 

the journey of these years, He is with us 'til the end.  

He is faithful 'til the end.

You'll travel where my arms won't reach as the road will rise to lead your feet

on a journey of your own.  May my mistakes not hinder you but His grace remain

and guide you through; this is my prayer for you.

Take His hand and go where He calls you to.  And whatever comes, seek Him with all your heart;

this is my prayer for you.  

Father, hear my ceaseless prayer, Oh keep her in your care."

God has a journey for you.  We know not what it is but we are excited to see the adventure unfold in His timing.  We will remain prayerful and Lord willing steady and do our best to continue to point you to your heavenly Father and His word that you may walk with Him all the days of your life.

I love you, Sweet Girl!

Mama

Art...still fun (Day 2)

Day 2

Caleb's watercolor... 

Woodpecker Man

Thoughts from the artist..."Why, Mama? Why Woodpecker Man? Because that owl is huge; that owl is a dad so it is definitely a woodpecker man. First, I painted the orange beaks. Then I did the yellow bodies. Then I did the eye's pink. And then I painted the blue background after I put a little of the purple in the background. Then I went to wash my hands. And I did not put those black lines on there. No person did; I didn't see any person put those black lines on my picture. Yeah, they came on there by theirself. I didn't do it. Today art was fun and easy. It was more fun today and not hard. They say stay in the lines but it's okay if you get out. Tomorrow I am going to paint a 'hu-gungus' picture. Mrs. Belinda said it was going to be almost as byg as your whole body!"


Dean's painting...

Per Dean, his class did not get to finish the
rooster's eyes or paint the background. So
no one brought their picture home. However,
he had quite a lot to say about his work.

Thoughts from the artist...“I didn't do a Sharpie on the lines how Mrs. Belinda colored it. So then I painted the body yellow.  Then I did the feathers on the back after I did all of the orange.  The beak was orange; the wings were orange; and the feet were orange.  Then I did the back of the feathers. I mixed in red and was supposed to do one feather that way but I did two accidentally.  One I did pink probably; it was actually purple. Then I painted some other colors but I forgot what they were.  Then I did the bottom of the beak red and the comb red.  Then I painted the face light blue.  Art camp today was a little bit hard but it was still easy for me but not as easy as 'easy peasy lemon squeezy'.”

I don't know about you but after that description Dean gave I am anxiously awaiting tomorrow's camp so I can see his finished masterpiece.

Yeah! Art Camp This Week! (Day 1)

Dean and Caleb have art camp with Mrs. Belinda this week.  So we will have pictures of their creations each day.  (Anna Grace's week is next week and Hudson has to wait a year.)  Each day the artist will name his painting for me and I will take a picture of it.  On Thursday (the final day) I will take a picture of the artist holding his painting along with his fearless (because let's face it you have to be either fearless or crazy to hold art camps all summer for children as young as 3 and 4) teachers, Mrs. Belinda and her helper Miss Mary.

Day 1

Caleb's Painting...

Pear Patch

Thoughts from the artist..."I used a paint brush to draw and paint the pear.  Then I mixed some blue to the paint to add some extra color to the pear.  Then I painted all of the orange background.  Then Mrs. Belinda helped me make a straight line of the brown and I painted the rest of the brown.  I added some red spots to the orange to make it more colorful.  Then I painted the brown stem on my pear.  And I went to wash my hands and I was done.    The first day of art camp was fun."

Dean's Painting...

Giraffe Head

Thoughts from the artist..."I drew with a pencil and then outlined with a brown marker the whole giraffe neck and head first.  I drew 3 spots on him next.  Then I painted the giraffe's face.  I did a sharpie for his eyes and I colored in them.  And then I drew antenna - outlined them and made circles on the ends with a brown maker.  Next I painted the giraffe yellow except the spots that were already brown.  I made the giraffe's nose then finally painted the background blue.  Making Giraffe Head was easy peasy lemon squeezy and fun."

By Far The Most Terrifying Bug in the World

Anna Grace had a bug on her shoe in the car this evening as were preparing to depart Honey and Big Daddy's house after a wonderful meal.  The look on her face was horrifying; the screams were blood curdling; the thrashing in the back seat could have taken down a small bear.  Neal and I stood motionless - with the exception of me closing the van door opposite her.  Jan and Tom were frozen with concern over the situation.  We instructed her to get out of the car and stand by Big Daddy for protection while we searched for the monstrous bug (keep in mind the boys are all strapped in calmly while the beastly bug hut is underway.)  We found no bug but asked Anna Grace to describe the bug that was on her in the car.  I'm sure you will understand her need for sheer terror in the car...

It was red

Like a spider

Covered in fur

Flying in the air

With a string off its back

Wrapped around it making it straight

And was about this big (making her hand about the size of a large sand dollar)

Neal kept his composure well enough to respond, "That sounds like the worst bug in the world; no wonder you were so scared."  Dean said, "I saw it..."  Anna Grace interjected with great relief, "You did, Dean!"  Then he said, "...it was a piece of dust."

Videos...Day 5...Spring Ballet Recital

Anna Grace's ballet performance (not the full recital for those of you concerned) is our final video for now.  Parents are not allowed to video the actual performance so this was taken at the dress rehearsal.

Children of the World - Iceland

   

Videos...Day 4...Anna Grace's Spring Choir Performance

Anna Grace's performance was called "The Lost Boy."  If you look very closely you will see Anna Grace directing Neal as to where she would like the camera pointed...on her or the actors.  Amazing how she can sing on stage and direct the cameraman at the same time.

Videos...Day 3...Dean's Spring Choir Performance

Dean's choir performance...Little Love Notes.  You can't tell watching the video but he was so into the singing that we could hear him clearly about eight rows back.

Sweet Caleb quietly sang every word from his seat.  Next year he will be up there too!

Videos...Day 2

This spring Anna Grace's choir went to sing at a retirement home.