This week has been a bit of a colorful blur. We’ve had a few sick children around here. One level of the house for the sick, one for the well. We do have well ones! And everyone else is slowly feeling better. So I focused on small victories. Like this one I shared on Facebook…
“Sometimes the small victories are the sweetest. Like asking the librarian to check the shelves for that book you know you’ve turned in and received multiple overdue notices on. And the librarian coming back up to the desk, smiling and holding the delinquent book in her hand. Hooray for zero fines!”
A Hodgepodge of small victories: 1. Finishing our Answers in Genesis God’s Design for Science unit. Looking forward to picking our next unit to study. | 2. Sunshine! after days of being overcast. Cheered us all. | 3. Early evening robotics time with Hodgepodgedad. | 4. Reading Jotham’s Journey by candlelight. | 5. Grits are always a comfort. | 6. Chocolate pumpkin muffins for some. | 7. Jello for others. | 8. piano flashcards
The well ones made yards of homemade wrapping paper.
We watched The Secret Garden and just rested. And dreamed of Christmas to come.
And wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, good will to men!
Now I am going to brag on all these families enjoying Nana’s chalk pastel tutorials! It thrills my heart (and Nana’s too) to see children – and parents – creating beautiful artwork with pastels. The best part is all those smiling faces. Yes, chalk pastels are for all ages. But don’t just take it from me. I invite you to browse my Art Tutorial Showcase Pinterest board for some encouragement from others.
Then, pick a tutorial to do with your children! Phyllis’ family enjoys our chalk pastels regularly. Read about how she is Making School Something With Which They Look Forward – including the Twilight chalk pastel. Maureen at Spell OutLoud is going through our Winter/holiday pastels for their school time this December! Her children have completed the Christmas Tree in the Snow, Christmas Star and Fireplace pastels.
Ellen’s girls at The Bluestocking Belle, have had a great time with not only the Christmas Tree in the Snow, Fireplace and Harvest Moon but Nana’s fall tree acrylic tutorial as well. Jolanthe at Homeschool Creation says her son’s “favorite part is the smudging.” Plus Mary at Homegrown Learners declared it an Angry Birds Day and they did Nana’s Angry Birds chalk pastel!
A big thank you to these families for sharing their art joy. I invite you to join in some chalk pastel fun! Have you completed one of Nana’s tutorials too? Please share a link in the comments below. Or I’d love for you to email me a photo (click the little envelope mail icon in the top right hand corner) and with your permission, I will upload your photo featuring your artwork to my Art Tutorial Showcase Pinterest board.
Many thanks to our Friday hostesses!
- Homeschool Mother’s Journal at iHomeschool Network
- Collage Friday hostess Mary at Home Grown Learners
- Jamerrill at Holy Spirit-Led Homeschooling
- Weekly Wrap-Up hostess Kris at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
- No Fear Homeschool High School at The Daisy Head
How about you. Did you notice some small – or big – victories as well? Enjoy some art?
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I noticed the Pinterest board and my heart was gladdened also to see how many people have been touched by the artistic and giving hearts of Nana and your family for sharing the tutorials. I know that they have sweetened our lives.
I do know what you mean about focusing on and being happy with the small victories. We, too, have had times such as this. I love all the wonderful pictures you manage to take, even through difficult times. It really makes me feel a part of your lovely family’s activities. I hope everyone is feeling their best by Christmas.
Phyllis – I wish I could reach through and give you a hug! I know that you especially know about focusing on small victories. You and your family are a beautiful example of that – daily. And you were the very first to share the joy of Nana’s art tutorials – and encouraged us to post more. Big thank yous all around!
Praying everyone gets well at your house.
Tricia — the pastel lessons are a HUGE blessing to so many families. And I’m so glad you have a Pinterest board dedicated to them. Next week we are planning a few of the Christmas/winter themed projects, so thank you.
Have I told you that I’m really looking forward to spending time with you at BEECH?
Can’t wait to see which pastels you and your children do! And I can’t wait to spend time with you at BEECH too. Wow, that time is getting so very close. Time to paint toenails?
Yesterday was our first day to use pastel chalks. We drew the snowman with trees scene. My girls added an ice staking pond and ice skater and my son added a lumberjack cutting down a tree. We had so much fun! I know what we are doing to do today and next week thanks to your awesome inspirations!!!
Kim I am smiling at your comment – what imagination your children have! And that’s one of the things that Nana and I hope all will notice with chalk pastels. Each of these lessons can be adapted – each piece of artwork is unique. An ice skating pond and a lumberjack sound like just the perfect additions. Enjoy!
Oh, the library thing has happened to us several times! It’s such a relief to find those books on the shelves! We’re VERY VERY over-the-top careful with books, videos and puzzles that we borrow so having something go missing is pretty upsetting (to me).
Looks like I need to purchase some pastels! 🙂
Ahhh…homemade wrapping paper = LOVE! We had sick ones around here this week too. Hoping everyone is well before Christmas!
Homemade wrapping paper is practical, fun and counts as art time! Sending get well wishes your way too Sarah.
I hope you are all better before Christmas Day!
It is such a wonderful gift that Nana shares with your family, and that you share with other families! We’ve enjoyed several: last spring the chickadee tutorial, this summer the sailboat at sunset, and this fall an apple after apple picking! I posted a picture of the apples in our journal that week (http://www.homeschoolroom.com/our-homeschool-journal-a-week-without-daddy/).
We love the blessed mess, thanks to you!
The children are improving a little each day, thank you Heidi. I so enjoyed your apple pastels – the laptop open right to the lesson!
I’m sad we haven’t done a pastel in soooo long! Maybe next week, when Kathryn is back from her dad’s (she’s been there all week) and we have some free time. So sorry you’ve had so much sickness lately. That stinks, but maybe you’ve all gotten it out of the way so everyone can be 100% healthy and perky for Christmas!
Thanks for bragging on us! We’ve loved the tutorials. And that homemade wrapping paper is fab-u-lous! Hope folks are on the mend over there. From what I hear, rice water soup is the way to go. 😉
Yumm- I love grits!! I always love to read about your art projects. The wrapping paper is such a great idea!
I love the idea of homemade wrapping paper! And I can sympathize with the sick kids. We’ve had lots going round our house also. Hope everyone is well soon.