The four older kids all participated in Reflections this past year. This year's theme was "look within." They did some pretty amazing artwork! We're really proud of them for working so hard and adding beauty and interest to the world. Addison entered in the visual arts category. He painted our backyard. He got the Award of Excellence. Pretty dead-on, eh? Bryn entered in visual arts and photography. She made a collage of an awesome "tide pool" that we found at Zion National Park, and also entered a great photo that she took from there. She is such a nature-lover. Her pieces totally reflect her. She received the Award of Merit for both of her works of art. Leah did a 3D art project. It was a book of photos that she took. Asa wrote a story called "The King of the Universe." It was fun to be his scribe while the creative juices were flowing. He earned an Award of Merit. ...

We're super proud of Bryn for entering reflections this year. She wrote a poem and won the Award of Excellence for her age group, which is the Reflections equivalent of first place. Way to go Brynny! She also got her expander out right after Thanksgiving, and was thrilled to have popcorn for the first time in months. And one last little brag on Bryn, look at this amazing relief map she made for school! She did it all by herself from salt dough.

This year I volunteered to be in charge of the Reflections art competition at the kids' school. They hadn't had it in the past, because they didn't have anyone who was willing to run it. My kids loved participating at their old school, and there's not a lot of art going on in their current classrooms, so I wanted to give them the chance to do it. Looking back, it was so much work. Like, a ton. And I didn't have any volunteer helpers, so it was really just me, and the poor, poor, wonderful office secretary, and Nate on tech support. But it was really a success! We had fifty-something entries, gave out tons of awards, and actually have two kids from the school who have made it to state. Additionally, I now know where the district offices are, where every classroom is, where every teacher's box is, and I can call the principal and vice principal and pta staff by their first names, and they recognize my face, if not my name. That said, one year was enough for me...

In my humble opinion, my children are never cuter than when they're totally engrossed in some sort of creative process. I love Reflections for that reason - you give them art supplies and they disappear into their own little world while they work. Addison and Bryn both won awards for their awesome 3D art projects this year. The theme was "Let Your Imagination Fly." Bryn's project: Sky Fly I love hearing what they come up with for their artist statements. Addison's project: Spook Farm I think it's so cool that he had this whole world imagined up in his head and he just showed a little snippet of it in his project. Ready to turn it in. Check that wiggly front tooth! (This was back in October.) At the awards ceremony in December. So proud of our artists!

Addison and Bryn both participated in their school's Reflections competition this year. The theme was "The World Would be a Better Place If . . ." Addison chose the visual arts category this time around and Bryn did 3D art. They really enjoyed everything about it. We bounced ideas around for several days, they drew up preliminary plans, and they went to it. Addison's was a poster about choosing to recycle. Bryn's was called "Animals in Danger," and she made clay models of lots of endangered animals. They both got awards. Addison was third in his category and Bryn was first in hers! We're so proud of them both! It was fun to go to the awards ceremony and be there for them to get their medals and prizes. I always like seeing them at school. The cafeteria was packed! All the participants. Bryn is on the bottom left and Addison is the one holding the big green poster.  Our cute kiddos with their artwork.   A closer look at B...