Happy Mother’s Day: It’s Arts and Crafts Time!

We started a tradition early on, with Jamie gifting a craft for both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

It is a tradition with an excellent sentiment, since he’s not exactly out bargain shopping, and doesn’t have an allowance. He’s 2, so “from Jamie” options are fairly limited. Right now it is a tradition that just makes both parents smile. As he gets a little older it is a way for him to show appreciation for someone else.

Obviously this tradition involves a bit of involvement from the other parent. I already wrote about singing being one of my shortcomings as a father. It turns out I have another. (Who knew?)

To a layman it may look like Jamie’s crafting abilities make a drastic improvement between the month of May and June. Maybe he’s showing some progress in this area, but there is more at play. Painting and crafting are not two things I would put on my list of creative strengths. It’s OK. I came to terms with that a long time ago. I’d probably have to do something drastic, like cut off an ear, to sell some artwork.

Last Mother’s Day Meg received a mug that Jamie and I painted together. It’s tough to say whose contributions were more legible, mine or his. This is because we completed the project in the waning hours before the holiday, and it didn’t exactly go as planned, or as the directions on the back of the kit indicated it would.

I placed the mug in the oven for the recommended time to set the paint. By the time it came out, the paint dripped to the point all color on the mug looked like a soupy mess. That cup still sits with the rest of our coffee mugs. It’s important to Meg because it came from Jamie. It is something I see and makes me want to stick with writing.

A few weeks later, on Father’s Day, I received an elaborate painting on a canvas from my son with dinosaurs and a personalized message. For good reason, Father’s Day crafts come easier to Jamie.

I am happy to report that Jamie’s Mother’s Day gift this year came out as intended, but is still simplistic in nature.

Even though I’m a bit artistically challenged when it comes to painting and crafting, it’s a tradition I still enjoy. I enjoy seeing what it does for Meg on Mother’s Day. I can also use the reminders to keep writing.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!