Nothing beats the taste of a homegrown vegetable.  Especially when you planted it yourself, helped Mommy water it, and watched it grow. (Don’t worry, little Roo…you’ll be able to join in the fun soon enough!)

Sometimes I repeat myself.  Again and again and again.  Even I get tired of listening to myself.  It’s especially common for me to repeat myself when it comes to reminding the kids to pick up their toys.  I remind them over and over again that when they’re done playing with something, they need to put it away…where it belongs, not where it’s convenient.  It’s not that they’re opposed to cleaning up.  They just don’t think to do it on their own. 

Last week the kids were playing outside and I was planting some vegetables in the garden.  I had the box with the gardening gloves and the garden tools out.  William came by to see what I was doing and decided to put on his gloves.  “Don’t forget to put them back in this box when you’re done, William.”  “Okay, Mommy.”  Off he went and the gardening gloves were out of my sight and out of my mind.  I finished the planting, put back all the tools and put the box up on the shelf in the garage. 

Early the next morning, I was standing by the open kitchen window, preparing breakfast when Daxson came out of his office.  “Do you see what that squirrel has?”  Daxson asked through the window.  I looked but I only caught a glimpse of something white as the squirrel took off up the tree.  “What was it?”  I asked.  Daxson and I both watched as the squirrel scampered up the tree to the very top branches and into her nest.  “A garden glove.” 

William overheard us and ran to the window.  “My glove!” he exclaimed, “I need it!”  

 

For once I didn’t have to say anything.  I didn’t have to lecture.  I didn’t have to explain.  He saw the consequence of leaving toys out.  Actions really do speak louder than words.

As I sat there thinking about it, I thought it strange that all the other toys were picked up.  Everything except the gloves.  Daxson walked over to the tree where the squirrel had taken the glove and found the other glove hanging on a branch.  Suddenly it dawned on me.  Grandma Nury had been over here the day before and I vaguely remembered she and Joseph had been playing a game of hot and cold.  I wondered if maybe the gloves were the items for the game.  I called and asked if she had seen the garden gloves and she said, “Oh yes, Joseph and I were playing hot and cold with them.  I hung both gloves on a branch toward the bottom of the big tree.  They should still be there.”  I laughed and told her the story of the squirrel.  It turns out maybe even Grandma Nury learned a lesson from the squirrel! 

It’s been a week now and the glove is still in the squirrel’s nest.  I imagine she found it to be quite comfy.  We all laugh about it now (even William).  While I’d like to say that this made such an imprint in my children’s minds that I never have to remind them to put their toys away, sadly that is not the case.  But at least now instead of repeating myself over and over and over again, I just have to remind them of the squirrel and the glove and they quickly put things away…where they belong. 

There is one thing in life that all kids are drawn to…

dirt…

except my kids.

They can’t stand the thought of getting dirty…

Until yesterday, that is…

William discovered dirt…

he was pretending to be a bug…

and, of course, bugs play in the dirt…

He discovered that getting dirty is fun…

Joseph finally decided to join in…

and together, Joseph and William discovered…

that dirt is…

just plain fun…

and while cleanup was a bit of a chore…

I can’t help but smile…

when I think of those boys covered from head to toe…

smiling…

and laughing…

and William exclaiming, “I like dirt!”

It’s about time!

“I want to go to the bookstore,” Joseph said to me one morning at breakfast, his face serious, his intent earnest.

“Well, you need some money.  How could you make some money?”  (I’m thinking a good old-fashioned lemonade stand…he’s not.)

A long pause as he slowly considered the question.  “I could sell my artwork.”

“Okay.”  I replied, “Get it ready and we’ll have an art show.”  And so began the daily labor.  Crayons, markers, paint, and lots of paper were pulled out of the closet and day after day he worked.  Creating picture after picture.  Each one with a story to tell. 

“This one is for my art show, Mommy,” became the mantra for the following weeks.  Every now and then I heard “This one is for you, Mommy,” and I admit…my mommy heart swelled with joy at each masterpiece he presented.  I could see his hard work, his love, his effort in each piece he handed over. 

He gave each piece a title.  His name was added to all his artwork.  Then he began to price each piece.  Prices varied.  Some were only 38 cents while others were 1000 cents; some $3, others $300.  I think the joy was in writing all the different numbers; not so much in the anticipation of receiving the actual sum.  His self portrait (“Joseph” by Joseph) was priced at $30.  I asked him if he was willing to negotiate.  “What does that mean?” he asked.  “Well, let’s say someone really likes your self-portrait and offers you $1 instead of $30.  Are you willing to take it?”  “Oh yes, of course,” was his reply. 

The day of the art show was approaching.  Invitations were mailed out.  Anticipation filled the air.  “Mommy, you’ll come with me to my art show, won’t you?”  “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it.”  “Good.  I’m glad you’re coming.” 

The day finally arrived.  The artwork was hung below a sign that he had decorated.

Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Gary arrived for the weekend from Austin.  He politely offered a preview of his artwork to Grandpa Gary.  I could hear him chattering away about each piece of art.  Then Grandpa mentioned that he’d be taking some of Joseph’s artwork with him.  That possibility had clearly not crossed Joseph’s mind.  Later I gently explained that when you sell something, the other person takes it with them and gives you money in exchange.  I could see the wheels turning in his mind.  He seemed to be trying to come to terms with the idea of parting with his artwork.   I wondered if we were fast approaching an artistic meltdown. 

It was finally time for the Art Show.  His guests began to arrive and ooh and ahh over his work.  I watched from a distance wondering what would happen when the first piece of art was pulled off of the wall.  The first purchase was made.  He held his hand out for the money.  And then ever so slowly he reached up and removed the art from the wall himself.  He smiled proudly and handed it over.  He had made his first sale.  I breathed a sigh of relief.

Joseph’s Art Show was a success.  Not just monetarily.  By the end of the show, he was so excited to pull a piece of artwork down and hand it over in exchange for some money.  You could see the confidence and the pride pouring forth from his happy little face.  William had a few pieces in the show and was proud to have earned $4 (I think maybe he could have earned a little more, but he kept returning people’s money saying he only wanted $4 since 4 is his favorite number).  He plans to spend his hard earned money at the golf store.  Joseph, on the other hand, has big plans for his money at the bookstore.  And he’s already planning his next show.  I think an entrepreneur has been born.

Often as adults things lose their awe.  We are no longer struck by big events or big stadiums or big crowds.  Things like baseball games have lost their magic.  Not so for little boys.  Early in May we took Joseph and William to their first baseball game.  Grandma Nury, Grandpa Larry, and Noah met us there.  I figured we’d make it through a few innings and have two antsy little boys on our hands…turns out a baseball game holds more magic than I remembered…we made it almost through the entire game…and in the end it was me that was tired and ready to go…not them!  Seeing the ball game through their eyes was extremely rewarding…the real baseball players, the seats that pop up and down, the mascot running around, the crowd cheering, the music, even the scoreboard…everything was fascinating to these two boys.  The entire event captivated them.  Now everything William sees is a potential bat and he continually asks Joseph to tell him the story about the time we went to the baseball game…seems going to the baseball field was a huge hit!   

 

Well, my little one, you just recently turned 2!  You are a running, jabbering, busy little two year old.  I look at you, so full of energy, so full of spunk, so full of life and I am happy.  Happy that you are here and growing and loving life as only a two year old can do.  I love you, my littlest one.  Happy, happy birthday!

Sometimes I stumble across a company that I think it so delightful that I am so eager to share my find with everyone I know!  Piggies and Paws is one of those companies.  What an awesome idea!  Basically, it’s a consulting business with trained consultants who take your child’s hand or footprint and turn it into a piece of art.  It’s hard to explain so watch this…

After hearing about Piggies and Paws, I called our local South Texas Piggies and Paw’s consultant, Amy DeAtley (you can contact her via the Piggies and Paws website or find a consultant in your area).  I visited Amy where she showed me tons and tons of beautiful ideas.  I chose the prints I wanted (I can’t think of a better Christmas gift for grandparents!) and then I took Joseph and William last week to have their prints done (Daxson even had his print done, too, as part of a piece of art that combines both the father and the child’s handprints).  Amy did an awesome job.  She was so careful and thorough as she made their prints.  William wasn’t exactly a huge fan of having a stranger put paint on his little foot, but Amy still managed to get a great print.  I can’t wait to see the finished products!  Now what are you waiting for…preserve those little tiny hands and feet in a piece of unique art work…they grow so quickly, you’ll be glad you did!       

I have this great book called Calendar Kids: Handprint Quilts Throughout the Year by Marcia L. Layton.  I look at it from time to time, completely inspired by her ideas, but I keep saying to myself, “I don’t have time to quilt!”  Then I realized that her ideas could be used for more than just quilts!  I decided that we’d make Thanksgiving shirts for the boys to wear.  Now the beauty of Marcia’s ideas are that they are not only incredibly cute but they also preserve a little bit of our kid’s childhoods because her ideas are based on using a hand or footprint for the basis of the picture.  Joseph and William (yes, even William) had a lot of fun making their turkey shirts.  William took a little while to warm up to the idea of having his hand painted, but once he saw Joseph having so much fun, he decided he’d try it too.  Now he looks at his shirt and says, “I high-fived the shirt.  See the brown paint?”  He’s so very proud!   

If you’re intrigued with the idea of handprint art, be sure to check back later this week…I’m going to introduce you to the absolute most brilliant home based business…you’ll be eager to find a consultant in your area, I promise!