IF YOU ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF RAISING CHILDREN, BE AWARE. THE TINY FINGERPRINTS THAT SHOW UP ON ALMOST EVERY NEWLY CLEANED SURFACE, THE TOYS SCATTERED AROUND THE HOUSE, THE PILES AND PILES OF LAUNDRY LYING AROUND TO BE TACKLED, WILL DISAPPEAR ALL TOO SOON. AND, YOU WILL, TO YOUR SURPRISE, MISS THEM PROFOUNDLY. THOMAS S. MONSON

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Art you can Eat!

YIKES! I went 5 days without a single post! How sad for anyone who reads this! Haha... yeah, right! I was supposed to be out of town this week, however, my silly grandma, forgot that she had guests at her house, that were going to be there at the same time we were, and because of her tiny little cottage in the woods, doesn't sleep more then... 6 people, we decided it would be best to come up next week. So on Thursday, Alie, Moi, and the kids are going over the river, and through the woods to grandmothers house WE GO! Then we come home, and GET READY FOR DISNEY! I can't believe it is two weeks from now! I have kept saying, summer won't be over till we get home from Disney. So sad to think! I really hate hate winter, and become very anti-EVERYTHING! I hate to admit, but snow makes me really crabby! Maybe this is the winter, that I will have reason to BE HAPPY! Of course there are a lot of reasons to be happy, but with 20 degree temperatures, it is harder to seek after the good. The good news is that BLOGGING is done inside my warm cozy home! The bad news, is that the posts might be LAME! Come winter, I will make it a goal, to make my posts an oasis for the crabby snow haters like me!

Anyways, nice therapy session for myself. I have been messing with Photoshop Elements. I used to think that I am a pretty quick learner, and I can figure things out by playing around. This program has really changed my mind about how smart it am! I feel super dumb, and humbled! It is fun to play around, and as long as I have my book, and my phone, I can usually figure out what I want to accomplish.

Nora has began calling her daddy, Joel! I can't get over it! I laugh every time, and it encourages her to keep going. He doesn't mind being called Joel, and even likes it. Me on the other hand, could not disagree more. (Welcome to parenting 101: when a mom and dad were not raised by the same mom and dad, there may be a time when ideas, and styles are not the same. This is the first. I am sure there will be more!) So, now I call Joel, "Daddy" all the time! I feel so stupid doing it, and I am sure I sound pretty stupid too. But after this conversation, what choice do I have?

Me: Joel, do you think we have time to ... blah blah whatever!
Joel: Huh, what?
Me: DO YOU THINK WE HAVE TIME TO.....?
Joel: What? (He was really into the Track and Field event that was on!)
Me: JOEL! Seriously?
Nora: (she puts her hand on her head) Joel, Joel, Joel!

So, even though it is very cute now, I don't think that at 14 it would be very cute, or respectful. I really had no intention of going on and on about nothing really! Let us get to the good stuff!

Because I am lacking the ability to let lose, and let Nora get dirty! "Daddy" thought it would be a good idea to really get messy! We made edible finger paints.

It is only vanilla pudding, plus food coloring! I was in charge of taking pictures, so that way, I didn't have to worry about clean up! I think I heard a comment like, "You have to get used to mommy taking a LONG time when you have a project. She has to get the right angles! She does projects for you, only for the pictures!" OK, so maybe I do put a great project right in front of her, and don't let her touch it. But, I try to do it quickly, and I NEVER do it only for the picture. It is WAY more fun to see her enjoying herself, then it is getting the perfect shot. A lot of stuff we do, doesn't even get photographed, and therefore never makes it on THE BLOG. ANYWAYS, (there I go again, ranting!) So, we set up the paper on the picnic table.
Then we do a little demonstration on eating, and painting.



I sat and watched the entire time. Not worried at all about the gunk in the different crevices, and under the nails, etc. It was Nora herself, that freaked out about stuff being all over her hands. This next picture, is something that I NEVER want to see! I am repulsed by the very existence. But it is my step towards loosening up! Lets say that Nora drooled over the pudding while I was taking the pictures, and the drool left streaks going down her chest!



Our lesson for the day...



6 comments:

Julie Barb said...

Kirstynn, loved that post! You are so hilarious...I love reading all the details of your life...You've inspired me to do more art projects with my kids...and let them get messy (something I DON'T like to do:)

Jennifer Urbin Photography said...

Kirstynn...You and Joel are the greatest parents ever. I too am inspired by the both of you. You've embraced being parent's to the fullest extent and your sweet little Nora is so lucky to have the two of you. And now for the pictures....I love the pictures. I can't believe how much you are evolving and it's happening overnight. I love the belly picture and eat your artwork and...all of them!!!! They are soooo great! And now for the writing, the blogging the real reason I check my google reader 500 times a day. I've been going through "The Evans Factor" blog withdrawals for the past 5 days. I've decided that for my dearest friend...I'm going to help you write a book. The brainstorming starts tomorrow oh heck...why not...it can start tonight...right now. Don't waste another second of your amazing talent. The world needs to know Kirstynn Evans!!!!! I'm going to push you to do it and you're going to thank me in the end...I promise ;)

Laurel said...

I'm definitely doing this one tomorrow. I love bright colors, and art, and FOOD, and I'll have to admit I really like messiness (when it's contained). Thanks for the idea!

Kathy Twitchell said...

I did this one a while back with keagan and he LOVED it. Mostly eating it and less painting but it was fun. I love your cute ideas you do with nora so keep em coming!

Clear the clutter said...

I could NEVER do this!! Good for you for trying too loosen up as a parent. As for me, I am still trying to think about loosening up. My poor girls.

AMy said...

Nora sounds like one of those kids that would be perfect on that show, "kids say the darndest things."