This was officially the first week of summer vacation for the kids who just finished up 5th and 7th grades. The stay at home protocol was a blessing in disguise for us this year because I got to homeschool my daughter for the entire year (while my son started off his jr high year distance learning before going back to in person). This was such a blessing for us all because we got to spend valuable time with my Dad during his last months here on this Earth. We would never trade that time for anything. We sure are thankful for those stolen moments of extra time, even though it still somehow doesn’t feel like enough. We all still miss him very much and always will.
Homeschooling allowed us the flexibility to visit out of state as well as focus on the things my daughter truly enjoys. She wrote, illustrated, scanned, and produced a weekly magazine (with about five pages per issue). She also wrote many scripts and created many works of art. My favorite homeschool project we did all year was of course an art project where we made paper-mache birds. I found a beautiful how-to book called Papier-Mache by Sarah Hand. I highly recommend it! It was a great homeschool guide, but would make for an inspiring summer activity with kids of all ages as well. I’d love to have some young friends over and do a group project with them. It will be messy, but it’s so much fun!
Book news:
I am currently illustrating a children’s book for a wonderful and fun to work with client. I can’t wait to share it when it’s ready. We are in the first stages right now. Lots of sketching and brainstorming and playing with color palletes.
I am one of several author contributors to a children’s devotional book set to come out late in the summer. It’s hush hush right now, but I will for sure let you know when it releases. I’m very proud to be a part of this project.
My little book, The Christmas Color (on sale for the price of a large latte right now btw), has earned some recognition. What an honor to be Story Monster Approved, a finalist in the Indie Excellence Awards, and a semi finalist in the Serious Writer Book of the Year Contest.
I hope this update finds you well. Here’s to brighter and more creative days ahead this summer and beyond.