Most people love to sit at a desk to write.
Okay, maybe that's not true. Most people would probably rather be on a beach chair in Hawaii. Especially when it won't stop snowing outside.
Me? I just want to be comfortable...and this does it...here's my view yesterday.
I can't think of a better way to dream up stories than by sitting by a hot fire, covered in a blanket in the most comfortable chair in my house.
It's not a desk chair.
That's my, er, Adam's sweatshirt in the chair. I was hot and cold all day yesterday.
I ended up writing 2700 words which is definitely a start and it made me feel like I could spend the evening doing something productive in a different way...
Around Christmas, Ethan and I made a trip to Hobby Lobby. Because he is so incredibly thoughtful he not only bought himself a canvas, he bought one for Sophia too. Last night, we started working on them. I should add that I've made quite a discovery about myself and my kids.
I had it in my head that Sophia would be all arts all the time. She'd sing (she does) and dance (she does) and she'd be uber creative and paint and write...all things that I love...all things I want her to love.
But for some reason, I never really even (I'm ashamed to admit this) considered throwing all these things at Ethan...or any of these things...even music. Keep in mind that his father was something of a musical prodigy...so what in the world is keeping me from pushing him that way? Well, I know what...why am I even asking...
Ethan is a little wound up after school which would be when Adam would be giving him lessons. Well, the kid is just like Adam. So while Sophia and I butt heads sometimes...Ethan and Adam don't always see eye to eye. So I never forced it because I didnt' want to drive my poor husband nutso.
Anyway, over the break when I was painting one day, he was in the room with me drawing on this tiny little notebook. We are very in to Monsters vs. Aliens right now, so I got his rendering of all the characters:
Then we had the Robot Probe
Can't forget Susan...
Shocking resemblance there... I think he really captured the essence of Ginormica.
Then he moved on to some tried and true favorites:
And the entire cast of Spongebob... here's a sampling...
(I know that looks like "Candy" but it's "Sandy" and Ethan said "you know how she has a flower on her helment?"...uh...no? He's so much more observant than I am!)
Gary was injured in a tragic ripping accident. Ethan still plans to repair him.
I am not delusional enough to say that all my kids are going to flourish in all the things I want them to, but I ashamed that I had decided in my narrow mind that Ethan wouldn't be the artsy one. When he was drawing his characters he was so excited about it, and his imagination is every bit as huge as Sophia's. The difference is, he doesn't ask me what to do next. He tells me what happened. Sophia second guesses herself. Ah, the joys of being a girl.
So, I've broadened my thinking and I've realized that maybe Ethan will do something I didn't originally expect...he may enjoy writing and art and music and he may be really good at it someday! We spent last night with paints and canvases. I took a big sheet of wrapping paper and covered the table and let them go to town.
Ethan wanted me to sketch him an airplane, but he wanted to paint it. And when he wanted to paint it colors I didn't want him to paint, I said, "Ok, that sounds great..." through my clenched perfectionist teeth...because it's HIS painting...and he ended up loving every second of it.
He concentrated so hard. And affirmed himself the entire time. "Didn't I do good on the blue, Mommy?"
Meanwhile... Sophia asked her questions.
And she never did finish her painting...she ran out of time. I dont' say that negatively. They are just different and have different approaches. Ethan...reckless abandon. Sophia...calculated perfectionist.
Very much like these two people...
Nice up the nose shot there.
So Ethan didn't really need my help. He knew what he wanted and he did it...
Notice the lovely laundry and vacuum in the background. We are like a museum around here, I tell ya.
My point is this. Canvas is cheap. Paint is cheap. I bought them a bag of craft brushes and it was all on sale. And they loved it. They felt like REAL ARTISTS! But it was more than just a project to keep them busy and keep them away from video games...it was an introduction to a passion that's managed to keep me sane.
Creativity comes out in all different ways...and finally I've learned not to put limits on that for me or for my kids. I imagine our house full of their paintings. And no, it wouldn't be the kind of collection they'd auction at Sotheby's, but it would be absolutely priceless to us.
I am thinking perhaps my resolution this year is to do something creative (for me) every day. Not something that's an assignment or because I have a deadline...just to create. And I imagine bringing the kids along for the ride.
I can't wait.
:)
