Art is the Creakiest Stair

I think I stopped paying attention to those "milestone" things when Abby was about a year old. You know the lists in books, magazines, websites, etc. I do get one that is sent monthly to my email inbox. It's kind of a good one. Not too specific and with good ideas for discipline, food, and whatnot. I always read the 2-year-old ones that come in regarding Bean, but generally just delete the ones related to "Your 4-Year-Old". It's just been too heartbreaking to read about what other typical 4 year olds might be doing, because Abby's not.

(2 years old, she wouldn't stop to let me comb her hair or even to feed her.

She was on a coloring mission that day!)

Well for the first time... it fit. Here's what it said.

Artist at Work

People, houses, and rainbows are favorite subjects for preschooler artists. Now, not only is it easier to recognize what's in your child's pictures, she actually planned to draw that specific thing. Younger children start with random scribbling and progress to make-it-up-as-they-go pictures. These days, though, when your child grabs a crayon, she often has a plan. Provide lots of opportunities to exercise this blend of creativity, dexterity, and intellect.

(Every artist needs a nose ring, right? She was 3 in this photo, trying on my nose ring... don't worry, her nose is not actually pierced.)

Abby does usually have a plan. She draws suns, people and towers. (she loves cellphone reception towers, smoke stacks, etc, and always points them out as we drive. We have a steam tower in our hometown and "he" and Abby are special friends. She worries about Tower-Do, as she calls "him", during rain, thunderstorms and fireworks in July.) It's been really fun watching her artistic side come out. She comes from a long line of artists and if you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up she answers, "An ARTIST!!" before you can even finish asking the question. Her Great-Grandma Nina would be as proud of her as I am.

This is our dear friend, Kari, with Abby a couple of years ago when we were still living in Vermont.

She is not only one of our closest friends,

but she is one of our favorite artists.

Check her out at karimeyer.com and remember... buy art!

Giving Thanks

Today I am thankful for so many things.

But specifically here on The Gentle Giant, I am thankful for:

* Breakthroughs big and small.

* Milestones reached, even if they are a year or two after

all the baby books said they would be.

* Hearing my girl say, "I love you, Mom!" even when it is followed by, "Now can I have cheese?" when it's an hour and a half past bedtime and she is reaching for some other way to stay up a little later.

* Realizing how "typical" that type of behavior is and relishing in those typical moments.

* Meeting such wonderful people throughout the blogosphere who encourage me to carry on, both in life and in my writing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I hope people will take a moment to view Thanksgiving through the eyes

of the Native Americans and not the Pilgrims.

The Native people who were displaced from their homes and massacred all in the name of Manifest Destiny and "religious freedom".

While I always take time to count my blessings and give thanks on this "holiday" I also try to think honestly about the Native people of this beautiful country and remember them today in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you will, too.