Don't be so Snotty or we're all Drips really

Did you know that Mr E and I, well, we are so darn clever!

I know, I know!! I'm not supposed to say that aloud, only think it, but there it is, it's now officially out there. We are awesome parents for teaching our little boys the important stuff and ourselves, we set a great example too :)

I'm really very proud of how our family SHARES!!! We all share so well that for the first time in an age we have had or are currently enjoying that unbreathable, snottiness that only the really Great colds can bring on. Throw in some slight temps and persistently drippy noses and we have our weekend. We are all so clever, somehow we managed to infect our whole family this time - including me!!! I'm the Mummy, I never get sick!!! Famous last words... just hang for a tic while I grab another box of Kleenex :) Add that to the joy of having to exit our home for the viewing pleasures of potential buyers every day for the past three days, it inevitably equals one out of sorts household.

But I'm on the mend and Kangaroo looks to be in the very midst of it, while Kookaburra, I think, will be enjoying a leisure day tomorrow. No lessons and lots of stories, unless he wakes booger free in the morning. We'll see.

So we passed the weekend like this.....


A collage for Kangaroo and Mummy. I love the little face he drew on his 'rainbow' fish.


Saturn inspired collage for Kookaburra.


And a very little bit of 'Lord of the Rings' for me. This a scene right near the very beginning before Frodo jumps up and runs to join Gandalf on his wagon as they go to see Bilbo Baggins together.


Just enough to get some inspiration. Pastels again, the picture isn't very clear and the colours are so much better than what this pic conveys. The final pic I post will have to be a much better shot.

My goal was to prove I could be inspired from something other than someone else's work and I could put to paper an entire scene. Challenge nearly complete, but all that sitting still in one spot is very difficult. I get the wiggles after a bit ;)

This paragraph has helped me feel freer in trying out what I've always admired:

from The Complete Book Of Drawing Techniques by Peter Stanyer

'...we encounter our first problems with the art of drawing, we have fixed in our minds that to be successful with this skill our rendition of what we see must be nothing less than perfect. ... those who chase a visual truth through drawing, end up frustrated and feel a sense of failure. We cannot reproduce reality, we can only make a mark or statement that acts for that reality, or a mark or a statement that best suits our purpose to describe that reality - a metaphor.'


Isn't that liberating :)

Scribbles

Had some time recently to pull out my beautiful new book Anatomy for Fantasy Artists. We spent a lovely evening together exploring the first two lessons.


... a few vodka cruisers joined us too ;)

I was very patient, working methodically so I could gain a slightly better understanding of the human skeleton and how to translate this knowledge into convincing postures. The second, lesson, well .... Aaargh! I found it a bit overwhelming. I will have to spend a bit of time on (and I knew this, it was just a very blunt reminder) human musculature and how the muscles in action work. I think I definitely need a better book than this visually beautiful offering, there just isn't enough instruction.

I really look forward to the day when I can attend classes!









This alien chickie is from the same book. I used soft pastel pencils which are lovely to work with and are great for blending. I enjoyed the exercise and learnt from it, my one real regret is that I went too far with her eyes and should have left them lighter, much more effective .

(Be gentle with criticism , as I'm like a babe in the woods to the world of Art ;)

Their Natural State

Kookaburra, Kangaroo and their little cousin Danger Mouse went out into to the world yesterday. I was reminded that there is so much to learn other than whats in our books.

Why God Made Little Boys

God made a world out of his dreams,

of wondrous mountains,

oceans and streams,

prairies and plains and wooded land,

then paused and thought...

"I need someone to stand on top of the mountains,

to conquer the seas,

explore the plains

and climb the trees,

someone to start small

and grow sturdy,

strong like a tree"

He created boys

full of spirit

and fun

to explore

and conquer,

to romp

and run,

with dirty faces,

banged up chins,

with courageous hearts

and boyish grins.

When He had completed the task

He'd begun

He surely said,

"That's a job well done."

Anon

Get Ya Groove On

The level of crazy notched itself a little higher today. Just in case you don't know me, I'm thirty-two and about six months ago, I decided dancing would be a pretty awesome thing to have a go at and so I did, and it is awesome! I also have the uncomfortable principle, that if I won't get out there and have a go, what message am I sending our boys. We talk a lot about courage and being brave enough to follow what you want, even when you may face a few challenges. The point is that when I came home from dancing lessons last night, I disturbed the contented peace my poor hubby had created by crashing in, announcing that the current dance we're doing could possibly feature cartwheels! Consequently, our boys and I began wheeling our way through the house as best we could at eight in the evening trying not to damage ourselves or anything stationary. Loads of fun and we were back at it this morning. Kookaburra and I took a few pics and they look hilarious. We both actually thought our legs were straight, I even thought that my toes were pointed!! Oh so definitely not!!!



It's a bit difficult trying to get yourself upside down when you're laughing so hard :)



Like I said, gotta lead the way. Had nothing at all to do with fun factor. Purely fluffy good mummy stuff ;)


Kookaburra has been reading a book about microscopes and both he and Kangaroo got out our microscope to try looking at different things. Today it was salt crystals.

We realised quite a while ago that we actually need to invest in an excellent microscope with incredible zoom. They want to see plankton and cells and it's just not happening on this little one.

Happy 6th Birthday to our lovely little niece, Princess Cupcake!!!

May every day be as sweet as you are :)

Be sure to watch the vid right to the end and keep an eye on the little boy who is my nephew getting his groove on. He even gives a finale!! All the kids had a ball dancing to the live band tonight, especially this big kid :)






Kookaburra took some happy snaps for us. It's so great to be in a picture with my Mama.

Mud Slidin'

The rain has kept us indoors for a few days now
and today I decided we'd throw on the raincoats and
venture out of doors.



A great walk in drizzle left us feeling fresh and our boys
full of bounce.


Who needs to be indoors on a day like this when
a mud slide awaits.


Such joy and silliness :)


Kookaburra and Kangaroo really could have kept on going.


But it was time to make our way home.


Such freedom in a good jump and splash.


This little shoe was Christopher Columbus ship surrounded by
seaweed on its way (or so he thought) to the Indies.


Kookaburra discovered new life thanks to the rains.
Clumps of (I think) frog spawn.

Thank goodness I ditched the housework in favour of something soooo
much more worth our time and we had lots of laughter too,
which is so needed in our days.

- although... guess what I get to tackle when I sign off :)

Maybe Mr E will do it?

Sugary Sweet with a helping of Syrup

You can never be sure how Kangaroo is going to wake up from a nap. He may be all chirpy and happy or... well, it can be a very stormy mood! As he climbed into my lap this afternoon, Kookaburra and I waited with baited breath until the sun broke out across his charming little countenance.

"Mummy," Kangaroo begins, looking at me sweetly and cuddling very koala like, "did you know that both your eyes are like jewels? And your hair is like silk?"

Smoothy, I know. But I would just like to thank 'Clairol' for my hair and lack of sleep for the bleariness of my eyes. And with that, I'll end with a bow.

Belief

I'm finding that as I scratch the surface of history, the similarities in myths and legends from varying cultures and time periods definitely support one God, but the thing is... Who 's right? Or are they all versions of one truth. Chinese whispers? I've had this on my heart for a while....




















"What is a Unitarian?

This is a very perplexing question."What" may not be the proper question and but "who."

A Unitarian may be a person from any nation or race.

He or she is a person with great cares and concerns.They are people who care about and strive for the good of man.

A Unitarian is a person who believes there is one God.They do not seek to place labels on the way to worship Him.

They do not seek to restrict how others may relate to Him.A Unitarian is a person who seeks to live in harmony and peace.

They recognize all of humanity as family and kin.

They seek to love and serve in anyway they can.

A Unitarian seeks to learn and grow in knowledge and wisdom.They seek out the best instruction in all the world religions.

They seek to live out the unity and principles as best they can.

A Unitarian will accept no limiting doctrine or creed imposed on them.

They listen to the still small voice that they have within.

They follow the guidance of the Spirit wherever it may lead.

A Unitarian has only two great principles to observe.

• They will love and serve the one God.
• They will love and serve their fellow man.

A Unitarian is a very rare breed in the world today.

They do not seek to control, but to serve others in their journey.

They strive to the worthy to be called Children of the One."

By Rev. Dorris -

Source:

http://www.beliefnet.com/boards/message_list.asp?boardID=16839&discussionID=433129

This folk song by Dar Williams isn't related to the above Unitarian Statement but it does support my multi-faith tolerance and acceptance stance.

I wonder if this is fence sitting though or is it possible to be eclectic in faith.