teaching & nurturing creativity

I don't think it's any secret that art is really important to me and my family. We've always got the crayons, paints and paper out. Our dining room chairs have little splatters of paint on the back and the kids' fingernails are always colorful.
But I don't believe that creativity is just doing art projects.
Creativity is such an important thing to have. We all have it, but many people don't believe that.
Even if you don't feel artistic or crafty, you can still be creative.

Creativity is everywhere. Art is everywhere.
But mostly it is in the way we think.
If something isn't working, a creative mind can find a solution.
If there are no good ideas, a creative mind can find one.
If there are 3 things in the refrigerator, a creative mind can eat well.
If things are a mess, a creative mind can make it nice.

How do you get a creative mind?
You have to believe you have one. There is no other way.
Sure, some people are more inherently creative than others.
But if you believe you can stretch your creative muscles, then you can.
Teaching my kids that they are creative is important.

It's about saying:
"Wow, I really like the way you put your bike in the garage!"
 or
"That was a creative place to hide!"
or
"I definitely think you should dip your donut in ketchup!"

One day, they may stop the constant coloring.
But I will praise their creativity in all the things they do.
I will continue to show them that their minds are creative even without a crayon in their hands.
And if they keep the crayons, that's just a bonus.

p.s. these photos are from june. oh, so behind.

never give up, mom

Kids seriously say the most profound things.
My son is way more insightful than I would ever expect him to be at almost 4.
He hears us say things that seem smart and then he uses them in a totally different context and more often than not, they are totally genius.

After dinner, we went to Walmart to pick up some water shoes so his feet would stop getting all cut up at the pool. Suffice to say, it was a slightly challenging trip. For whatever reason, I got anxious and overly-annoyed. I was being short and moody. When we went to the parking lot, another mother looked as if she felt the same way. But I got totally judge-y (okay, this was mainly because her toddler daughter's carseat was completely loose when strapped on, but still) and I saw my attitude in her and it made me annoyed with myself. Evan was chatting on about wanting to put on his new shoes. And finally, I caved and said I would put them on.

Then he said to me, "Never give up, Mom. You can't give up."

And at that moment, I completely understood him. And he completely understood this world.
I wish he could stay that way forever. Just seeing things the way they are.
Some people might say that he was just saying something that sounded good and he had no idea what he meant, but I know him and I know that he knows what he meant.
He could see that I was struggling to feel like a good parent in that moment.
And he told me to never give up trying.
Parenting isn't something we just do and we're great at it and it's so easy and fun and peaches and sunshine all day day. I have to work at it. I have to not give up trying.

And my son. Who is not even 4. Knows that.