Accidental Art

Something for you to ponder Grandma...learn to recognize art in the most simple, unusual and sometimes irritating moments. Strive to impart this attitude to your grandchildren (and your adult children). As a mom I remember getting upset sometimes when there was an accidental spill, or clothes were ruined by a good day of unexpected play. It's normal, and you can bet most parents still get bugged when the kids make a big mess. One of my jobs as Rowdy Grandma is to not get bugged, but to pat them on the head and say "that's okay, everybody makes mistakes.....now what does that spilled milk look like to you, maybe a cloud, or a giraffe"??

rowdy handprints

A perfect example happens all the time in my studio...spilled paint. The rowdies and I now call it accidental art and we have fun with it. We have spilled so much paint on my floor it has now become a giant canvas. There are a few masterpieces we don't paint over but otherwise any of the kids can just pick up a paint brush and paint the floor.

Dylan's studio boy

When they spend time in the studio without me I am always pleasantly surprised at all the amazing things they come up with. The best are often the sweet notes they paint to Rowdy Grandma, sometimes it brings tears to my eyes.

studio girl

Now I know you may not have a floor you want painted. My studio was once a garage and I have a concrete floor, (by the way I love concrete floors... four rooms in my house are painted concrete). But take it from me you can also paint a carpeted floor. I know this because when Dylan was younger he was painting his model car in the sunroom and dropped the paint jar. Wow, the pattern it made on the carpet was awesome...and he really dreaded telling me about this major spill....talk about trouble from grandma!! He and I ended up making the most of it by taking some of the other paints and trickling them in similar patterns all over the carpet...he had created accidental art.

Heart America!!

Point being, Rowdy Grandma, try to lighten up and be the grandma who doesn't want to grow up!!!...and have fun with the grandkids!!

Taylor's major paint spill on the driveway.

Chalkboard paint is another really great paint for kids to use, next time I will show you a few projects you can do with the rowdies using this great product.

Planting tiny seeds.

There is a wonderful little set of books called Elf-Help. I picked up one many years ago in a gift shop. The title is Keep-life-simple-therapy. I refer back to this book very often. A quote I would like to share with you is one which reminds me of the difference we can make in the lives of our grandchildren...after all they are like the seeds we have planted in our life.

"Think small. Planting tiny seeds in the small space given to you can change the world - or at least your view of it". Linus Mundy

Even if I can not change the world I can change the lives of those around me.

I would like to thank Vibrant Nation for honoring me with the inclusion of my garden stake article in their fabulous website for Baby Boomers. If you have never seen this website you need to check it out, lots of good information.

http://www.vibrantnation.com/conversations/4157-garden-stakes-a-fun-spring-gardening-project-to-share-with-your-grandchildren/