Valentine Making 2011

For about the past 17 years it's been a tradition in my life to make valentines for all the people I love. (I've done this for more years than that, but I've been pretty serious about it since about 1994) Through the years it has taken many shapes and sizes, most involving some form of collage, and for the past ten years or so...printmaking. I can't tell you how happy it makes me. I also have made a boxed valentine for Anna each year and that too has been thrilling and so much fun. (I'll post photo's of them sometime.)

Now that the kids are growing and are more capable with art making they have come on board in a bigger and bigger way. I see this as another thrilling component to valentine making. Last year Anders came to the printmaking studio with me and rolled the press! This year both boys inked papers and Anders designed and carved a small butterblock. SO COOL!! He is rather young for the carving tool, but I was with him and he has just the right amount of attention needed to be safe and complete. The double heart design on the cards is his design. I love it.

I guess it all started when I was young...watching my friends who had boyfriends experience Valentines day as a particularly romantic day. I felt even then it should be bigger than that. I mean, it is about the heart after all. I don't know about you but there are tons of people I love to pieces and not in a romantic way. So...I expanded my take on Valentine's day to include a more broad and inclusive kind of love. Just plain old love. You know, the kind that makes everyone deeply happy.

When I was a child, my dad would always buy us heart boxes filled with chocolate, and my mom would leave some valentine treasure on our dinner plate. Thrilling really...and I have never recovered. So, stay tuned as I continue to post about one of my favorite holidays of all time. Valentine's Day.

First Egg!

Early Morning Confessions

This is the first thing each of them uttered this morning upon waking.

Anders - "I love you Kuba."

Kuba - "I love you Anders...because I have a kind heart."

And then of course I silently said my own prayer of complete gratitude. A self-confessed kind hearted child is just about the best thing any mom could ask for. Who would have guessed this would be the statement of the day from Kuba - who was the 2 year old who solved every angry or frustrated moment with a clobber, scratch, or bite. Just goes to show you that you can never give up the teachable moment. Maybe this will be the spring and summer that he stops squashing bugs too. It's been a thrilling year so far.

Daily Prayer

So many times when I am with my kids I am internally saying and feeling...."thank you thank you thank you."
I can not get over that it has been nearly six years since Anders, and then Kuba, was born.
My gratitude is overflowing.

Imaginary Friends

Before I lose track, I wanted to make a list of Kuba's very real imaginary friends.

Bingo- Kuba's best friend, a tiny rabbit who is really nice and tells wonderful stories
Eli- a lion cub, Kuba's next best friend
Freddie- a duckling that looks like kuba and is very cuddly
Jackie- a swan and Jackie's friend,Ollie who is a tiger (these are new friends)

Kuba has a lovely running dialogue with his friends and often we have Bingo and Eli with us.

Studies show that kids who have imaginary friends tend to have better verbal skills and better social understanding. They are more emotionally responsive, and more creative as adults, with creativity being a marked feature.
All I know is that is a new and fascinating part of our life.
Kuba has brilliantly woven his pals into the ebb and flow of our daily life.

My Little Story Teller

This is Kuba's story tonight at bedtime -

"Once upon a time there was a witch.
She lived in a little cottage.
She was flying flying through the sky and she had terrible eyes.
There were snakes, and bats, and snarly bad warthogs in her eyes.
She wanted money.
She saw a treasure box.
A great big treasure box. It was so big.
She flew down.
She got five cents.
She went home to her cottage to her mama.
You were in my dream too.
Her mama said, "Don't bring Judy here."
The witch said "I want to bring Judy here."
The witch gave Judy treasure. She gave Judy a diamond.

The end.

I am determined to get a tape recorder near the bed.

This is Love

Often the boys, one after another, will find their way into our bed in the early morning hours and fall back to sleep. We never seem to mind this cub-like crawling as they settle between us. Usually upon waking there is something gorgeous, or interesting, or funny, or profound that comes out of either one of their mouths. First thoughts. Today Anders woke up and said "Kuba, I love you." Kuba in a sleepy voice replied "I love you Anders." He then added, " And I am NEVER going to hit you Anders." There were more words spoken that I can't quite remember - yet I know it was beyond heartbreakingly beautiful. It's an amazing thing to silently witness.

Anders recently discovered he could make a heart with his hands.

It seemed perfect to post it now.

There is nothing better than the big love in this family.

The Kitchen Sink

Whales, dolphins, food coloring, cups to spill...these kept Kuba happy and busy at the sink for nearly 40 minutes. I, in the meantime, was able to finish cleaning the kitchen. I used to do this all the time with Anders when he was little, but for some reason forgot about how captivating and fun it is. Kuba was so neat about keeping the water in the sink, especially when using the sprayer. And I had fun just listening to him as he played.

1/1/11

Happy New Year Everyone!