I have a son who loves to make things. Build. With sand. Legos. Rocks. Cardboard.  Some build for function or the engineering of it all – for him, it is an extension of his creativity.

When we moved I condensed an entire food pantry full of supplies down to one snow boot box.  While faced with the possibility of hundreds of choices, he choose paper and ruled paper as his medium of choice.

He does like the popsicle sticks and hot glue. Tempura paint really should be kept under lock and key. He would lock himself in the pantry with his little desk and come out with the craziest creations ever.

Since we have been in Lincoln County, he is back to the pencil and ruled paper. Yesterday was my mom’s birthday, we got her a little gift, and needed wrapping paper. I asked the boys to go to the classroom, spread out the newspaper end roll, and create some. Stamps. Glue. Glitter. Dry Erase Markers. Crayons. Pencil.  Tall son created a banner for our living room.  Young son created a picture and mounted it on cardboard. Um. We still don’t have any wrapping paper. Go Figure.

Acting upon young son’s pleading, we purchased a fresh pack of makers and a sketch pad with the strength to hold markers. He says that he now likes coloring in his drawings. He told me, “that’s new for me mom.”

He sat on the balcony today and sketched what he saw as a quick present for his grandpa.  His drawings usually are about places he’s been. Things he wants to remember. People he wants to pray for.

We do like Drawing Textbook to teach the basics of learning to control your drawings. My older son and I have gone through the book, and it has taught me alot!

He sees lines everywhere. Shapes. Colors. Textures. In everything.  Curriculum?  Not for us. We will marvel at the master’s works in their fields, but we do not need a textbook to teach us to enjoy their talent and hours of practice.