Abstract Paper Sculptures

My elementary kids have been exploring the principle of balance as they created abstract sculptures out of colored paper (inspired by this lesson).  We talked about how there are many different ways to make things balanced.  Artists utilize elements such as size, color, shape and value to create balanced compositions.  This lesson is also a fun introduction to abstract art; it's a great way for kids to experiment using colors, shapes and lines without feeling the need to make it to look like something in particular (although some kids started making their abstract art into "playgrounds". I let it slide. haha) 

We used some square pieces of white cardboard for our base and I made lots of strips of brightly colored papers for them to start with. They could also cut their own paper however they wished. We then discussed and explored what sorts of creative ways we could use the paper; crimp, fold, curl, tab, weave...the sky is the limit!  We simply used glue sticks to attach. 

This was one of those lessons where EVERYONE felt successful, the art came out beautifully and I felt liked they learned something valuable. It will surely be a staple in my art room in the future!

Aren't they amazing?

Heartifying the Kettle

I don't know if it's just my way of getting rid of the winter doldrums, but I always feel the need to decorate for Valentines.  Here's how I heartified the Kettle this year...

Levi on the 7s: 6 Months!

(Levi on previous 7s)

still

Still listing, still counting, still thanking...

- February

- an abundance of fleece

- Brian's strong hands when my necks needs a rubbin'

- saturday morning tidying to the tune of "Wait, Wait", "Car Talk" and "This American Life"

- pillow talk
- my beautiful finished matron of honor dress, skillfully made by Mom

- nickname contests

- finishing my evaluations, despite interruptions (albeit cute interruptions)
- surprise Big C visits

- superbowl poetry 
- a wee bit of alone time 

- a warm (?!) February sunset with my loves, a game of twister, breakfast in bed

- perfectly ripe avocados

- Sugar Mag breakfasts, bravery to forgo the carrot pancakes to try the decadent Georgia's French Toast
- happy students, colorful art

(find more thanks-listing at A Holy Experience)

first date

{this moment}

Joining with SouleMama

an early valentine, a month of dates

So far, post-baby dates have been rather few and far between. Usually it's just easier to get in those comfy clothes and hunker down for a nap or another episode of "The Office" rather than to try to get it together (maybe even get a little dressed up, heaven forbid!)and do something special.


Brian and I were blessed to have 10 years of "dating" behind us (pre and post wedding, of course) by the time we had Levi.  We are both hopeless romantics and we have always been pretty good at making special time for each other. Those years were spent taking walks on the beach, dancing in the rain, playing music, hiking mountains, making art, donning cute sun dresses and bow ties, fancy dinners, picnics, art museums. Brian almost always planned them and they were almost always surprises.  Quite a feat. I think I owe him one... :)  


I'm sure we'll soon get back into the groove, but money is tighter, the baby doesn't take a bottle very well for babysitters, we're sleep deprived, we're quite taken with staring at our beautiful son..you know the drill. 


Anyway. I thought that this would be the perfect time to do a little jump-start on the Jameses dating life. I created an early Valentine treat for Brian; a calendar of sorts with 29 dates, one for each day in February. Think along the lines of an advent calendar for the month of love. 


Some dates are simple and we have everything we need right here at home. Some are more complex and involve babysitters and more planning. I'm afraid I can't spill the beans on specifics quite yet (every once in a while my sweet husband graces the blog with his presence) but I have to say, date number one was a smashing success and I can barely wait for our next. ;) 

this and that

A little bit of this, a little bit of that...

• as you may have gathered from yesterday's post, the little guy continues to *despise*  solid food. He dramatically coughs it out as we gave him poison, looks at us like "How DARE you?" and then screams bloody murder. I'm taking suggestions...

• Yesterday, Brian received an early Valentine. Let's just say, February's gonna be fuuuun in the James household.

• I'll admit, I get a little giddy when all of the tax documents come in the mail. There's something sickingly fun about entering in all of the information and then watching the amount of money in the box go up and down. That is, until it just keeps going down...haha. I'm hoping that my dramatic pay cut and the cute little tax deduction I gave birth to will bode well for us. :)

• the baby's new favorite thing is jumping in his jumpy-thing (do they have a name?) while watching the washer and dryer go round and round. It keeps him occupied for hours, uh, 10 minutes (but that's hours in baby time)

• Brian is utterly convinced, to a frightening degree, that his recent haircut is the sole reason that his students are being more attentive in class. He DOES look more like a drill sargent now than a long haired hippy poet, I suppose. But, really??

• Levi has started getting very excited whenever he catches a glimpse of the kitty. Dmitri, however, is still wary of the new funny-sounding, limb-flailing, attention-hogging mini-human.

• I let Levi open mouth kiss me (on the cheek, mind you) with gobs of snot and drool running off his face. Yes, yes, I do. 

• I'm thinking of planning a "Tea and Crumpets and Crafts" party during February vacation. First, I need to figure out what crumpets are.

• Speaking of tea and crumpets...Downton Abbey! (spoiler alert) Oh my gosh...Daisy married William?! William's dead!? Matthew can't have kids!? Can't walk?! The countess has a heart!? Mary's really gonna marry that awful man whom she doesn't love?! Bates still isn't free to marry Anna?! Mrs. Bates is still on an evil rampage?! Will dear Mrs. Crawley save the day?! ...Oh how I love my proper British soap opera.