Art & motherhood: things to be thankful for
In spite of this crap-heaped-on-top-of-crap year, I still have a few precious things that fill my heart with gratitude.
The Boy folded up a little origami cornucopia and gave it to me as a Thanksgiving gift. He wrote the things he's thankful for on paper vegetables, like "toys" and "electronics" and other fun stuff. But he wrote the most important things in his life on the big pumpkin.
My favorites: "putting up with me" & "giving us stuff with sentimental value." ©Lisa Myers Bulmash
For the last two weeks, TwoBoo kept reminding me to come see him speak during his class Thanksgiving Day presentation. Which must be some sort of miracle in itself: anything else he would've forgotten in seconds.
TwoBoo also helped his classmates sound out the big words. ©Lisa Myers Bulmash
They're not angels: The Boy threw plenty of shade at me later today when he had to help put away clean pots and pans. And TwoBoo has yet to get through a whole day without contradicting me, or trying to correct my answers after he asks me a question. (I can't even tell you how hard it is let those ones slide.)
Marshmallow and chocolate chip eyeballs for Thanksgiving. ©Lisa Myers Bulmash
Still, I am amazed that I have a son who forgets everything but an opportunity to shine for me. I am awed that I have a son who expresses emotion in an artistic way... and trusts me enough to share these thoughts and emotions with me.
So on this day that also symbolizes a lot of brutal history (you know, genocide, broken treaties...) I wish you the deepest love possible, and comfort in the art you love.
Survivor: Back-to-school edition
You'd think after seven back-to-school seasons that I'd have the kids and myself ready to go.
You would be wrong. On the upside, most everyone else at TwoBoo's school was still figuring things out too. The place is so new they literally haven't removed the painter's tape yet.
No surprise the back-to-school chaos was like twice as intense.
Fortunately, the madness provided great cover for our disorganization at home. For example, I bought TwoBoo's school supplies well in advance, but forgot to put them into his backpack and so left them at home. I blame TwoBoo: at bedtime before the first day of school, he launched a two-hour, post-shower tantrum. So next morning, we were all exhausted.
Not even flash photography woke up TwoBoo that morning. ©Lisa Myers Bulmash
Thank goodness TwoBoo's teacher was on it. She even had apples waiting for each kid at their respective desks.
The only one (sort of) not affected was The Boy. Everyone else was losing their heads, but he was so together he actually had time for pleasure reading before catching the bus.
Someday I will be ready for the start of the school. Probably when the playground grass sprouts, in the spring.
The month of gratitude: day 7
Day 7
I'm grateful for moments when my kids are being unintentionally funny.
The Boy asked me to give him only one or two pieces of Halloween candy in his lunch, instead of a handful of goodies. "EVERYBODY wanted to trade [items from their own lunches] with me." Poor sweetheart feels obligated to trade. (I wouldn't. Mommy doesn't share food.)
Kristin Johnson at Best of the Northwest/ October. Credit: Kristin Johnson Art
And thank you to Kristin Johnson, who decided to spoil me with this gratitude:
"I am thankful for you Lisa…for being such a wonderful part of Best of the Northwest – October! Thanks for being so supportive there at the show, and beyond by including me in your Art & News Bulletin. How special is that!?!
It’s great to have artists supporting artists!"
Please join Kristin and me: email me what you're grateful for at the moment!