Steph Calvert, of Hearts and Laserbeams, knew exactly what I wanted. She took my thoughts and ideas and made Dylan’s dreams come true. Without her generous sponsorship, Dylan’s Animal Adventure Camp would not be possible. Thank you!
Category: Art
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The art of drawing and being creative
I am a firm believer in nurturing a child’s creativity and supplying the tools needed for a child to express their creativity. A few months ago when Dylan showed interest in drawing I thought great, maybe he got my creative gene.
Sure, he has made some pretty good things in school, but what mom doesn’t love what their kids bring home from school. It often requires the obligatory You made that for me? I love it.
So when Dylan wanted to draw on his own and asked if he could start using my art pencils and sketch book I knew it was something he had a real interest in.
What started as simple drawings have turned into actual sketches with detail and shading. He sits for hours at a time trying to get each one just right.
Last week we made a trip to Michaels and purchased a real artist book. One that would teach him step by step how to draw. What? You thought he would draw something other than animals?
Not a bad start for a 9-year-old – I love having something in common that he and I can enjoy together.
What do you do with your child that sparks creativity and imagination?
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Do Your Kids Play?
A new school year has begun and we are finally getting back in the swing of things. Homework, packing lunches, nightly reading, and so on. And as this school year begins, I once again find myself contemplating how I can make this year better than last year.
The emails and papers coming home from Dylan’s school about various after-school clubs and sports are well … to be honest, a little overwhelming.
They all sound wonderful, but come with a price. Yes, the clubs and sports programs will cost me money – money that isn’t really in my budget – but the other cost is much greater in my opinion.
The cost of my son’s childhood.
He loves Cub Scouts and the after-school science program. He joined the science program last year and really got something out of it. I don’t mind paying for this. The program meets right after school one day a week and lasts only one hour. It ends just in time for me to pick him up after I get off work.
So what about soccer, tennis, Spanish, keyboard, chess, art, music, and swimming? These are all excellent programs for children, but do children really need to participate in all of them? Many parents will sign their children up for multiple after-school programs. Who makes this decision?
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Preserving Memories
Children grow up so fast and as far as I can tell there is no way to bottle up those little humans we call our children. Our life. Our reason for living. The small hands that once wrapped around our finger. The small toes we once counted to make sure all ten were there. The small bottoms that once fit in our hand.
Sure, we can take pictures and create scrapbooks … but what about all those cherished pieces of artwork that our children bring home from school? So proud of what their small hands have created. Who has the room to store all of these masterpieces? And if the artwork is packed away in a box, how are we, as mothers, to look at it over and over again?
The solution is what I have spent the past 4 years and most of today creating. Each time Dylan brought home a wonderful work of art, I took a picture of his creation and filed it away on my computer. Adding descriptions, the date he made it, and what he called the piece of art. Today, I have begun creating a photo book with Kodak Gallery. Starting at only $12 for a 5×7 up to $70 for a 12×14 hard cover book. Can you really put a price on preserving the creative memories of your child’s artwork? I say no. For a mere $35, I have created a personalized 9×10.5 hard cover photo book.
Don’t lose your child’s masterpieces in a box someplace in the attic. Start creating your personalized photo book today.
Click here to see what I’ve done so far. Saving a few pages for artwork that will come home the end of June and then I will have the photo book printed. -
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away …
What better way to introduce Dylan to the fine art of live performances than to take him to play put on by children in our community through the Arts and Learning Program … and the theme of Star Wars was a sure bet to get him interested. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi – The Musical Edition. The perfect mother/son date night. Dylan prepared himself by wearing his Yoda t-shirt and Jedi Academy sweatshirt. So cute! Of course the waiting to get in was a test of his patience, but I knew to go early for the pre-play extras.
The play was good, but it was the before part that really got Dylan excited! Real live Star Wars characters … walking around and taking pictures with the kids. They even had droids, very cool if I do say so myself. We could not take pictures inside, but the ones from before the play are priceless!
Cool Car Mom! 
The Droids (fully remote controlled) 
C-3PO 
Planning their next move … 
Storm Trooper 
Boba Fett 
Darth Vader All characters are volunteers from the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion who have made their costumes themselves. Darth Vader told me he had over $5,000 invested in his costume. They were amazing!
I was able to locate this picture through a promotional site for the play so you can see the actors, all ranging from age 5-13 … some are natural born Broadway talents!
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Happy Mother’s Day!
Next to Dylan’s birthday, Mother’s Day is one of my favorite days. Dylan woke me up with a big hug and kiss, told me I was the bestest mommy in the whole wide universe, to the moon and back and infinity and beyond. 🙂 And just look at this beautiful frame he made for me! This will be going to my office so I can see it all the time.
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My Little Artist
OK, we all think our child is an amazing artist. Dylan spent almost 30 minutes drawing this on his easel and the details made me speechless. Not to mention the 10 minute explanation he gave after he finished drawing it!
The sun is out and it’s hot (that’s why it is orange-red color)and the wind is blowing (those swirly things). Mommy is surfing on the little wave in front and Dylan is surfing on the big wave being chased by a shark. In case he falls off the big wave there is a diving board (in mid-air) so he can do a cannonball into the ocean. And because Mommy loves dolphins so much, she also gets to swim with one in the ocean. Wow! What an imagination!
Life with Dylan 
