Art

Both of my children are really coming along in their artwork.  Oldest has a bit more practice so he has a little more skill.  He isn't quite as understanding as I'd like him to be when Youngest's picture needs a little explaining for us to 'see' what he has created.  They are both great artists in their own right. 

Oldest's art teacher uploads his school creations to a website, we don't have that luxury with Youngest yet since he's in preschool, but rest assured we love his art too! 

Here are a few of my favorite pieces that Oldest has done since he started school, they are in no particular order, they aren't even in order of what grade he was in when he created the pieces. 

Keep in mind, he is instructed on what to draw, he does have creative license to make the picture as he wishes.  Most of his 'school art' he's not fond of because he prefers sketching to painting. 

I had this piece made into a t-shirt...

Spooky Halloween

Don't those little cardinals look cold??

This piece too has been made into a t-shirt...

I had luggage tags made from his piece...

This is his latest work...

His 4th grade teacher told us in his conference a couple of weeks ago that he has such a great artist talent.  He draws and paints very well, he is also a great writer.  He has the ability to let the reader hear his voice.  This child LOVES to read and I think that really helps feed his creative side!  I can hardly wait to see what profession he will choose when he gets older...hopefully something he loves!

Submission

Our children have been having a difficult time learning how to be productive members of our family.  The talking back, refusal to pick up after themselves and sassy mouths have hubby and I at our wits end. Don't get me wrong, we would walk through fire for our boys that are normally very good children. It's just as of late, this crazy thing called 'free will' has been getting the better of them and they're having a tough time making the right decisions. 
Just before school started, hubby told my oldest that he needed to get in the habit of making sure his hair was presentable every day before he leaves the house and he needed to keep his room picked up.  He was given two weeks to 'practice' fixing his hair AND keeping his room clean or else he was going to the barbershop and he would be getting a buzz cut (NOT his normal 'do'). Can we predict where this is going???
We land on Saturday morning and that child couldn't get it together and help around the house.  He sort of just lolligags and drags his feet in hopes that someone else will do it for him.  Not this day!  This day....he pulled the final straw. 
Now......he sits in the barber chair.  Learning a hard lesson.  HE is not in control.  HE doesn't make the rules.  HE must learn to be a member of our family.  Now, perhaps when he looks in the mirror he will remember following instructions, keeping himself presentable and watching the sass that slips out so easily.
If this doesn't work....he'll be wearing the outfits that hubby and I choose for him.  White or Navy polo shirt and khaki pants or shorts....a uniform!  Can you imagine? 
Somtimes lessons of childhood are difficult.  Parenthood is always difficult.  Maybe that makes us even somehow?