Art Boards

Our "Art Boards" are saving my table.

These boards are underneath projects in several photos here, but I don't think I have ever mentioned them. I first got the idea for these boards from That Artist Woman. Then I casually mentioned them to my dad (who loves projects... and trips to Home Depot). Sure enough, the next time my parents visited he had a stack of them in the car for me.

The boards are made of masonite (think clipboard material). Home Depot and other such stores sell big sheets of it and will cut it for you (or your dad). I suggested duct tape for the rough edges, but dad sanded them... love him.

They are fabulous to have! These boards are perfect for sloppy projects that need a portable drying space (so we can eat dinner at the table). Great to take outside and sit in the grass and paint on. We will be using these boards for years!

Speaking of art projects, here are a few new fall projects we hope to do soon...

• Autumn Window Display. Peter will especially love this.
• Fall Trees. Another great idea from That Artist Woman.
• Leaf Pictures. Just like Leaf Man.
• Tissue Paper + Watercolor Fall Leaves

Immeasurable : 1000 Gifts

I could more easily contain Niagara Falls
in a tea cup that I can comprehend the
wild, uncontainable love of God.

-Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel


Days full to bursting keep coming. Racing through these past days, I cling to grace and delight in His countless gifts.

My list continues...

0596
An afternoon at the nature center.

0597
Friday night pizza with friends.

0598
Dinner club on the porch.

0599
Neighbors.

0600
Safe returns.

0601
Homemade pie crust.

0602
Carpools.

0603
Fall blooms.


0604
Seasons.

0605
A dear friend that invited my children over for Saturday breakfast so that I could run.

0606
A string of perfect September days.

0607
A lazy Sunday afternoon watching the Redskins.


0608
Treasures found.

0609
Just sitting on the front steps.


0610
Will's excitement to play football with the older boys.

0611
Surprise parties.

0612
Cold Gatorade.

0613
"What can I do to help you, Mom?"

0614
A big pot of soup.


0615
New Lego sets... bought with his own money.

0616
Playgrounds next to practice fields.

0617
Local apples.


0618
Celebrating my godson's 4th birthday.

0619
The hymn And Can It Be

0620
...the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7

“Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to bestow benefits upon the undeserving. It is… a self-caused propensity to pity the wretched, spare the guilty, welcome the outcast, and bring into favor those who were before under just disapprobation. Its use to us sinful men is to save us and make us sit together in heavenly places to demonstrate to the ages the exceeding riches of God's kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” -A.W. Tozer

Marathon

I'm training for my first Marathon.

Running has been a love of mine for many years. I have run in several 10-milers and half-marathons, always playing with the idea of training for the Marine Corps Marathon. For some reason, this year was the year to do it.

When I threw the idea at my husband several months ago, he was enthusiastic and encouraging. He knows running keeps me sane makes me happy... and having something that is not kid-homeschool-church related is an energizing outlet. He sweetly gave me a Garmin Forerunner for our anniversary. When Hannah asked what he had gotten me, I loved his response, "A big, ugly watch." He knew I would love it. I do.


And I have loved all those hours of quiet, Saturday mornings along the Potomac, watching the miles grow, and feeling stronger with each run. Tomorrow, our schedule has me running 19 between soccer games and after my husband gets back in town. These long training runs are getting harder to fit into our weekends... and just plain LONG. I'm also a bit tired of running before the sun is up during the week. But the end is in sight - only a little over a month to go!

I have loved (almost) every mile.

Maryland Science Center

Peter skipped preschool yesterday and we all headed up to Science Center in Baltimore.

The pulley chairs - Peter's favorite spot while Hannah and Will went to a few classes.

Learning about leverage...

Ice cream to end the day on Baltimore's Inner Harbor. I love field trips.

** If you are local, be sure to check Maryland Science Center's website in July for next September's homeschool specials. Admission is free for homeschoolers in September and classes and IMAX movies are $5 each. Register early - they fill up quickly. **

Cityscapes

For an artful afternoon this week, Hannah and Will both really enjoyed this art project (Art Projects for Kids). Painting the rectangles first and then adding the details lent to a less exact/more free result.

My Girl

A couple nights ago, Hannah and I went to the mall for some much needed fall clothes. It was the first time just the two of us have been shopping for clothes together since she was in a stroller.

Full of energy, she was spinning and skipping through stores, dancing in dressing rooms, and telling me repeatedly, "This is so much fun! Just us!" Later she told my husband, "It was great! We talked about so many things." We really must get out - just us - more often.

Feeling the tug to be older, Hannah refused to get a kid's meal at Chick-fil-a and had definite opinions about clothes. The must have item of the night was at the Gap. A shirt that reads "Too Cool for School" - cracking up, she said, "This shirt is really for me!"

I love her laugh.

My girl, who wants to grow up to be a a writer and a professional soccer player, started writing a chapter book today. And this one will be published, she tells me. When she reads poetry aloud, she wants to be standing on a chair. She spends hours composing, painting, drawing, and creating an imaginary world all her own. I love her spunk, the way she gets lost in books, her desire to be sporty - not girly, and that sensitive heart.

Almost nine. Oh, how I wish I could freeze time.

Autumn Bouquet

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
- Albert Camus

He keeps a careful eye to find the first ones that fall.
Then gathered in bouquets, Will sweetly brings me autumn's first flowers.