Yesterday I woke up and felt deep down that the normal school day wasn’t meant to be. So I declared Creativity Day! And there was much rejoicing. I do this from time to time, especially when our hearts are committed to particular projects. Yesterday’s was a justified proclamation; the kids and I all have projects going right now, and what we really want to do is work on those all the time. I felt pretty powerful just naming the day and changing gears like that. So what are we up to?
Ian and his story...
Ian’s still digging his composing work and has several songs in his head. He can’t get them out fast enough, and new tunes keep budging their way into his brain, pushing others aside. Basically, he needs more time to get this stuff down. He’s also been assigned to write a science fiction story; he just finished reading The Physics of the Future by Michio Kaku, and Jamie thought this would be a fabulous way to tie his preferred reading into literature. Ian’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, and he can’t stop writing. So yesterday, that’s what he did: composed – both music and story.
Set #1: Kinzy's house
Eva has finished editing her new book and is now ready to begin the artwork. Her book, Kinzy’s Chronicles, is a series of short stories based on her battered and beloved stuffed koala named Kinzy. She’s decided to stage photographs of the stories using her stuffed animals, and this kind of work also takes dedicated time. Yesterday she began building her sets. You can see from the photograph that things are getting messy around here. Actually, that’s her art area, and it’s always that messy.
I’ve been working on a painting for four months now, and was itching to finish it. Additionally, the kids had sketched out the first piece of their Rube Goldberg project, and the wood had been set aside for several days awaiting the touch of a jigsaw. It was a warm day yesterday. Perfect for all these activities.
My finished painting, started in fall and completed in winter
It’s so important to make this time during the school year. I try to keep Fridays open for these kinds of activities throughout the year, but then there are those times when everyone’s just got the craving for more. Stopping our normal routine and honoring the creative nature in each of us is essential for our personal growth; the activities also clear our minds and refocus us for more structured work later. Not to mention that these activities are no less important than those “structured” ones anyway. Ian’s a musician; Eva’s an author. It’s what we do.
Tomorrow I’ll talk a little about revamping our schedule for the spring to accommodate increasing activities and the kids’ unique learning preferences. And don’t you worry, dear readers. I’ll have some Rube Goldberg updates for you very soon. Be forewarned: they’re not all pretty. 
I love Creativity Day! It looks like you guys had a TON of fun! I wish I could have been right there with you to experience all the creativity that was going on in your house. I am sure it would have been contagious and I would have found myself finally finding time for my blog!
Oh, how I have missed writing, but with two little ones, time is pretty sparse!
A time and a season for everything, Angie! I didn’t do a whole lot of anything when the kids were toddlers. Getting clean clothes on and something in the belly seemed like quite enough. We would love to have you anytime, though! Give us a call the next time your in Bismarck, and we’ll have a crazy art day, babes and all-
beautiful painting! Everyday should be creativity day – now that would be an amazing place to live!!!
You know it! But isn’t it kind of like that at your house already??
(And thanks for liking my painting!)