The Art Box – July 12, 2010

 

Finally, another Art Box post. :)  Things have been a little unsettled around here lately, and we are just getting back into our routine.  I love having a routine.  I love it very, very much. :)

 

We’ve been doing some outdoor painting lately.  There’s nothing like making a mess in the grass, then washing up in the pool.  It’s the ideal kind of art.  M just loves his makeshift outdoor easel and has been asking for one since summer began (I made one for him last summer too, you can read about how to make one here).  He painted up a storm, and using the clips to hold the paper on was a stroke of genius – he was able to remove and replace paper by himself!

 

Here are two of the three painting he made outside:

  The third painting, is at someone else’s house… the last we saw it was blowing away.  Oops. 

 

M has done much, much more art than this, but I haven’t been very good about taking pictures the past 3 weeks.  You can imagine lots of glue, glitter-glue, and googley eyes, and you’ll pretty much know what it’s looked like. ;)

If you have a kid's art post, link it up below! Be sure to link back here somewhere in your post.

Have a beautiful day! :)

Books of the Week

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve written about the books we’ve been reading.  We’ve found a lot of really good ones lately, and I have to say I am really enjoying having these posts as a reminder of all the good story-reading snuggle times we’ve had.  :)
Pondlarker, by Fred Gwynne is a gem.  M just happened to see it and picked it up.  I wasn’t sure about it at first glance, but I’m so glad he chose it!  The story is about a frog who wants to be kissed and turned into a prince, but when he finally gets his chance… he decides it’s pretty nice being a frog!  We are going to look for more books by this author – I was very impressed with the way this story was told and the subtle message about being happy with who you are.
 The Quiet Way Home, by Bonny Becker is a book we read when M was smaller and he loved it then.  He doesn’t remember it from then, but he still loves it!  The story is about a girl and her father who are walking home the quiet way.  Instead of walking past the growling dog, the roar of a lawn mower, the garbage trucks, and other noisy things, they walk home by where the kittens play, where a garden grows, where lilies stand - “Hush.  Can you hear it? Hummm, thrumm, dart-and-flee.  Honeybee.”   It’s a very calming book, which I personally love. :)  M loves the various noises and distinguishing between the loud and soft. 
For more reviews of children’s books, check out Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns and Feed Me Books Friday. Have a beautiful day! :)