For the last couple years I've gotten in the habit of making lists. Lists for, traveling, packing, life, day to day stuff, shopping lists, things-to-do lists, and any other lists I can think of needing lists for.
I was coloring today with Stella and I felt the need for a list come on, so instead of our normal coloring I started to list. It wasn't one of those very important lists, it was simply a list of things that I need to get done and there is no better way for me to remember all of those things then to see it in black and white. (or in this case lots of color)
I'm not much of an artists but Stella on the other hand definitely got her artistic side from her father who is his own right is very talented. I've tried to do all I can to encourage Stella to explore that side of her. My parents even went so far as to buy Stella her own art studio this summer for her birthday and put it above their house (pictures of that will be posted soon)! It's a 10 foot by 10 foot wooden house with windows, a front door, and window flower planters. We put shelves in it, and easels, a table with a few chairs and lots and lots of blank canvass, paper, sketch pads, paint, makers, crayons, chalk and any thing else I can get my hands on for her to create with. Unfortunately Stella took her art a little too far this summer and painted a huge boulder next to her art studio bright pink with rock paint (permanent). The rock paint was for the small pieces of flagstone that I bring her home from the rock yard every now and then. Needless to say, with some cement stripper and elbow grease the rock looks like new. I love Stella's creativity and I hope she continues to explore it. Me on the other hand, I'm going to continue listing. :)
One last note....if you live in the Denver metro area there is a fantastic art store that Stella and I love to spend time in and pick up as much art stuff as possible. Check it out http://www.meininger.com/