Ghost of Christmas Past

We went to see A Christmas Carol at the Citadel last night. The boys and I had a wonderful time...too bad Dad had to work.

That Scrooge had it pretty good, what with getting a chance to make things right and all. The scenes with the Spirit of Christmas past made me think of the Christmases that I had as a child. One word...CHAOS! Crazy, crazy, chaos. Picture six kids, and often various cousins, in pajamas, ripping and tearing and shouting and laughing and generally going berserk all at the same time. My Lord, if my boys acted like that I'd go back to bed and pull the covers over my ears!
But it was always a fantastic day, no squabbles or cats on fire or crazy aunts,...well, maybe one or two...but all in all we spent the day enjoying our blessings. That's me on the right...wondering what on earth I'm supposed to do with an ironing board and iron??? (still wondering)

You know, I don't think I'd change a thing!

Christmas Calm

It really feels like Christmas this year. We haven't had a White Christmas for SO long! I've been making gifts, and decorating. Josh has been lighting candles every evening and *GASP* the coffee table (formerly known as the big mess in front of the sofa) has been clean for TWO WEEKS!! And no, Vanessa, I didn't say it took two weeks to clean it (haha very funny)...its actually taken what...two YEARS to get it to stay clean for more than a day! Here is a photo...though it's more a candle scape.

Silent Night....

Birthday Party

Dec 6th is Mr Wonderful's birthday. We had a nice night away, just the two of us, and then a dinner with the kids the next night. Good food, wonderful company, and lots of laughs, mostly at poor Liam's expense. But he's just too darn CUTE, and when we put him in the little Speedo that once upon a time belonged to his Daddy, well, we just couldn't stop laughing. He was a good sport and he loves to make us happy, and of course I took pictures...

More than one poet in this family!!

I always get a chuckle when I read Laid-Off Dad and his recent post about the revival of the humble Haiku led me back to junior high (aaaaaiiiiii!!!) and inspired me to try this subtle art form once again. So little says so much....

Haikus are so hip
Iambic Pentameter's
A thing of the past.

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED BY ARLENE P TRAVNIK

What a team!!

Then I thought, why not pair the understated art of Haiku with the diminutive art of the ATC, or Artist Trading Card? Voila! A match made in Heaven!

Yes, Haiku and ATC's do in fact go together like piss n' vinegar, and once I started I couldn't stop!

The cold weather inspired me...

Some Haikus are moody and sad...as are some ATC's

Actually, I think the cold weather may have addled my brain...but my creativity was off like a runaway snowball....rolling down hill... on a crowded playground!

Oh oh!

It turns out that Haikus and snowmen go together like piss n' vinegar...or would that be like twig and berries?

Hope you're lucky enough to be snowed in like me. Have fun!!

Why DO we want to be parents?

I was asked that question recently on a home education site I frequent. Here is my answer, though I didn't mention the obvious reason...we parent in order to become Grandparents of course!

Hi Emma,

You asked some thought provoking questions.

>>>This idea also brings to my mind the questions of why do I want to be a
parent? If it is to magnify my own glory, then raising a "difficult" child
would certainly burst that bubble. >>>

I think all children are "difficult". It might help to remember that raising a child, like getting or facilitating a
good education, is a very difficult thing to do, even in the best of
circumstances. It's not easy to be a parent, there are always issues and
difficulties, at every stage of development.
Why do it? Because we are made ( I believe) in God's image, and God is
love, so we have this huge capacity to love beyond any difficulty. We are
created to love. That is what any child needs, and the joy of sharing love
surpasses ANYTHING that happens along the way. We will deal with the
difficulties through loving. I don't believe any parent could imagine or
understand the depth of love that we are capable of until we hold a small
hand, and realize the sincerity of trust that a little person places in us.
I believe it causes us to rise to the occasion and emulate our heavenly
Father. It's just natural! The fact that a child is difficult does not
diminish that love.

arlene

Because I know you are going to ask...

The black and white photos are done by the very talented Kristi Larson of Blue Frame Photographics. Are they not beautiful?

My little boy's little boy

Here are two little boys, both so dear to my heart.

Busy Learning

I have been enjoying learning alongside my boys. I have been so busy with that, that I haven't had much time for blogging! But I could combine the two! I could blog about our adventures in learning!
Here is my check list for the next few days ...

___ I made each of my kids laugh today.

___ I found a way to get one of my kids to say “That was so much fun!”

___ We read aloud and I heard the words I read, and noticed one great simile and one great word pair.

___ We followed one rabbit trail today (someone brought up a subject that made me stop what I was doing to go do a google search, to look for a movie or book on the topic, to talk about it and follow it up with a plan of some kind).

___ I hugged each of my kids.

___ I listened to one child tell me a long story about something important to him.

___ I learned how to do something today that one of my kids taught me.

___ I read a blog or book or magazine about relaxed schooling.

___ I didn’t do one thing that I hate to do.

___ I didn’t make my kids do _________ today.

___ I did one thing that made me supremely happy today.

More Books

Here are a couple more books I've created. They were gifts for two of my friends. One has her initials on the cover. The other has a little bit of art pertaining to "Tea" on every page. She is going to have different friends work in the book, with a Tea theme.

On the Beach

We're here on the beautiful Oregon coast today. We're off to go tidal pooling. I hope we figured these tidal charts out. It seems there's two high tides and one low tide per day. Must go find some treasures at a place called "Road's End". A girl in a little book store here in Lincoln City gave me the scoop for the best place to play. I'll be back to browse in her shop at high tide!

Liam and Mommy

How beautiful are they?

Wow, look at that bloggin' Grandma!!

Another masterpiece!

My friend Cindy is an amazing artist! She masters each new medium she sets her hand to. Have a look at this acrylic. I love the intensity and warmth of the colors. I look forward to our monthly PHAP meetings so I can see what treasures she has wrought. Here is her site.

Book with hand sewn binding

Pass it on!

A couple short weeks ago Josh was wanting to take a course to learn how to do book binding. Today he tutored his friend in the art of making a hand-sewn book. And what a good team they made! I'd say he is as gifted a mentor as he is a student.