You'd think we'd be used to all this moving around, and we are, for the most part, but each time we land we're never sure exactly how the dust will settle. As a family we've acclimated to life in the UK quite nicely. As far as my art goes... well I've done a few paintings and a bit of Free Art, but there's been an definite upswing in crafty projects with Luke. We've fashioned a number of weapons (spears, swords, shields, bows, arrows and a quiver), we've made felt puppets, sun-catchers, and melty-plastic bead-art. We've colored (a LOT), framed some leaves and flowers, and are working on a mobile of beach wood and glass. Oh, yeah. And we make hard boiled egg people.

Everything will change again on April 12 (or 12 April, as they say here) when Luke goes to school for the first time.

I've gotten so used to him and I spending our days together - for the past 5 years - I barely remember what I did before he was born! We've been in no hurry to send him off to school, as I believe there will be plenty more time for schooling, being a child is important, he can learn all he needs to know from us at this age, and Beau and I have been in a position where this is possible for us. With Beau working from home for most of these 5 years (and me only "working") we've all been able to spend a lot of time together! We've made memories and built bonds that will hopefully last forever. We all fondly remember working in the basement in our madison apartment... Eating our over-easy eggs and avocado slices, Beau at his desk working on his computer, me at my painting desk, Luke (most likely in a cape) on his bean bag chair working on a Lego spaceship... or perhaps under a fort he built, watching Octonauts on his ipad. Anyway - we will soon be moving on to a new chapter, and although I am anticipating some tears on my part, we are all excited about it. Luke will have fun learning new things and making friends at his school. And I will have about 6 hours each day --- alone?!?

It's been challenging for me to find the time (and energy) to paint over the past 5 years. It typically goes in waves. I suppose as most things do. Early on it was easier, on some levels, because there were naps! Designated painting time! As naps have dropped out and bedtimes gotten later... uninterrupted time has been scarce. Sometimes that can be frustrating, but I try to keep in mind that these are precious days that will be soon gone. I am sure many times in the future i'll be missing my grown-up boy, cherishing the memories we've made and the time we spent together, and another painting here or there won't really have mattered...

But I am excited for this next chapter . Both for Luke and his new adventures, and to see where my art will go...