AGNS and learning to felt

The boys take a trip to the local art gallery once a month and they love it. They get to view new installations and various recent travelling shows. This October there was an artist in residence who was making a felt waterfall that rotated vertically by a track on the side. The kids loved it, especially turning the big crank to make it go! Below the piece is a mirror which makes it look as though the ‘waterfall’ is crashing into the water below.

The coolest part?

The kids got to learn how to felt, from combing out some sheeps’ wool into thin, fine pieces to actually picking up a nice piece of finished felted sized about 6″x12″. It was very cool to watch. Then they were able to pick – well, I think Xander found the spot – to place the newly-made felt onto the already existing waterfall structure once it was dry.

Gotta try this at home! Not the waterfall, just the piece of felt. Or, at least little felt balls. So fun!

The pics were taken with my phone so not the best but oh so handy!

That’s one of the artists next to Xman. She was very patient with the kids and you could tell she enjoyed showing them the process. It took me back to art college days learning to felt in Textiles class!

Xman feeling drying felted pieces.

I’m not perfect, nor are my days…

I know that we want to stay positive as much as possible, but I think it’s nice to show the other side of myself sometimes being human and all. By saying that I don’t mean the crazy one (haha) but the one that sometimes just doesn’t feel like getting out of bed to go through the rigor of the day. Can’t we all just cuddle in pj’s and watch a movie? Probably. But…

Today is one of those days where it was a bit tough to get going.

I felt way too tired this morning and everything felt like such a chore, even making breakfast, let alone doing lessons.

Sooo, I lay down on the couch after breakfast to calm a silly stomach. Lucas grabbed my pillow from upstairs and put a blanket on me. Both boys cuddled into me and we watched Curious George together. I almost fell asleep. Almost. But, I don’t believe in sleeping when you have young children who may get  into things, which is rare, but that would be the time.

I felt a bit better after my bit of rest and just letting the lessons go for now. Sometimes I feel guilty and trudge on with it all even on off-days.

I let the boys play on the computer for 1/2 each as I got us an early lunch. I know, it sounds like this happened soon after breakfast but there was email checking and three loads of laundry to fold in between it all. I must admit that folding the laundry did help lift my spirits. So did the snuggle with my boys. 🙂

Lunch, then consisted of easy food. As much as I hate it, I broke out a can of Zoodles. The last one in the cupboard. I hate using cans and processed food for the boys so I have vouched to not get them any longer. If they were lucky they may get it once a week as it was but I think it’s better this way.

~Aside~ Yesterday was AWESOME for lessons and I think it had to do with the fact that I have just recently greatly reduced the gluten in my boys’ diet (post to come). L did his math and spelling without any distractions. And by distractions I even mean the distraction of L to L. His brain easily distracts him. It’s cute sometimes and the things he thinks of amaze me. So, the boys did so well that we finished lessons in 2.5 hours including a bit of play in there. Wow!!

So, we will see how the gluten factor in the Zoodles affects my lovelies…this is the test of the gluten vs gluten-free. Here goes!

Now, for myself I decided to cook the easiest thing I could think of that is not only easy but sooo cheesy! You may have guessed it – Mac and Cheese. Oh yum! Still, I added garlic for health. That’s good, right?

Now, I think lessons will commence if I can get my boys to slow down and stop running in the house! Can I blame the gluten this soon after the Zoodles ingestion??

I must admit I love their energy. Wish I could harness it some days!

Maybe we will start with learning why leaves change colour and fall off trees. Very seasonally apropos, don’t you think? Speaking of trees, maybe we will read Pinocchio too…

Amazing. Blessed. Boys.

Have a good day. Even if it means Mac and Cheese to help you get there.

-smile-