eSpecially Ben

Another one of my sister's fine pieces of culinary art, made especially for Logan's family birthday party in New York. Do you have an art project you would like to share with others? Submit to Magic Marker Monday .

 Over the weekend, I cleaned our art closet and realized we needed to have an art day to deplete our overflowing supplies. On the first day of summer break, we invited neighborhood children to join us in making fun arts and crafts.  With several stations throughout the house, children chose what activities they wanted to participate in and did them as often as they wanted. We had everything from necklace making, paper airplane building, puppet designing and clay molding.  Although Ben does not love arts and crafts, he definitely loved having children over the house. I helped Ben make a noodle necklace and let him eat it when we were finished. Bracelet made from buttons. When the arts and crafts were finished, Star Wars became the game. Ben got right in with the kids. It was fun to see him interact with everyone. One little girl whom we have known since she was two, really took an interest in Ben, asking appropriate questions and trying to help Ben get what she thought he

Each week this year, Ben's class studied a different letter of the alphabet. When I visited his class last week for the school performance, this artwork was hanging on the wall along with the rest of the" class skeletons." So cute and creative! I post artwork every Monday as part of the Magic Marker Monday Series offered through 5 Minutes for Special Needs . Check it out to see more artwork or to post something of your own.

For the past several weeks in Sunday School, we have been reviewing the book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years , by Donald Miller . The book's basic premise is: When you have a chance to talk with God about the story of your life, will you be proud to do so? Will it be an interesting one? How would you change your life so it would be a good conversation with God? While on his journey to "rewrite" his life story, the author meets many colorful characters along the way - people who have good stories to tell. Most have overcome conflict to achieve their goals. Many have found ways to help others along the way. Today's class was about helping others. As a way to demonstrate the book's theme, we made Love Letters for children at a local hospital. Love Letters  is a program where anyone can make cards and give them to the hospital staff for distribution. The Love Letters website outlines a few simple guidelines to be followed. I made contact with the ChildLife

Our neighborhood recently won an energy grant . While some of the money went to weatherproof homes, our neighborhood association, in keeping with our art theme, had 7 bicycle racks made for the the most frequented locations in the 'hood. Each were designed by artists and then painted at a special public event called, Pimp My Rack. Everyone was asked to help paint this dog, a bicycle rack doing to, what elese, but our local dog bar. This artist used stippling , basically using special brushes to paint dots all over the sculpture. Many kids added their mark. Our local coffeeshop, Smelly Cat, will boast this very cool cat.

Several weeks ago a huge storm came through our neighborhood. Unfortunately, a very large tree took down a neighbor's home. The next day when the tree company was cutting it down and turning it in to mulch, I asked to see if we could have some delivered to our house. This is what we got: Let's just say, Ryan has gotten a lot of mileage out of this one. The guy said there would be a few stumps...and I did run it by Ryan before they delivered it...and we could use some stump seats for around the fire...and you can never have too much mulch! Anyway, Logan has come to my rescue and many hours have been spent decorating the stumps as birdhouses - complete with glued down rocks, leaves and bark. He added birdseed because a house has to have food. And to top it off, Logan has witnessed birds eating from his birdhouses. As for Ryan, he just chuckles every time he walks by the pile. Need some art inspiration for your household? Check out 5 Minutes for Special Needs every Monday

Another one of Ben's famous art projects done with his hands. Need some art inspiration for your household? Check out 5 Minutes for Special Needs every Monday . And if you have a little artist in your home, link up and share with others.

These gifts are from Ben. Need some art inspiration for your household?  Check out 5 Minutes for Special Needs every Monday .  And if you have a little artist in your home, link up and share with others.

Ryan's cousin, Shelley, lives near us and she is expecting her first baby boy in May. She also happens to be a clever and creative person and when it came to her baby shower, she took over planning the fun activities. I think the reason was she did not want us guessing her circumference and making her husband try baby food. One of the activities for kids and adults was to decorate onesies. She provided white onesies in several different sizes and special craft paints and markers from Michael's. Everyone had a great time doing it. Now little Frankie will have his own personal line of fashion. You may also check out some of Shelley's other creations at Olive O. Home . Need some art inspiration for your household?  Check out 5 Minutes for Special Needs every Monday .  And if you have a little artist in your home, link up and share with others.

By painting the pointer and pinky fingers and palm of the hand, this bunny comes alive. Add googly eyes and a nose made from pipe cleaners and felt and you have a cute card to give out to grandparents and friends. Need some art inspiration for your household?  Check out 5 Minutes for Special Needs every Monday .  And if you have a little artist in your home, link up and share with others.

Ben is getting a twin size bed soon and with this improvement,  his room will get an upgrade featuring these works framed. Need some art inspiration for your household?  Check out 5 Minutes for Special Needs every Monday .  And if you have a little artist in your home, link up and share with others.

Logan is a student at a public Montessori school. He has been coming home with these home-made world maps about once a week. He uses a special punch tool to get the continents just right. We recently saw a picture of Africa, and Logan immediately knew what continent it was. Need some art inspiration for your household?  Check out 5 Minutes for Special Needs every Monday .  And if you have a little artist in your home, link up and share with others.

One googly eye, marker, scissors and green construction paper and you too can have a worm on a leaf at your house. Need some art inspiration for your household?  Check out 5 Minutes for Special Needs every Monday .  And if you have a little artist in your home, link up and share with others.

On Friday, we visited Sean's preschool to celebrate his 3rd birthday.  Logan drew this in the courtyard and called it, "Sean at his school." Need some art inspiration for your household?  Check out 5 Minutes for Special Needs every Monday .  And if you have a little artist in your home, link up and share with others.

Ben came home with this on Valentine's Day. With a bit of creativity, this cute frog may be developed into any springtime craft. See more works of art at www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com

Ben's class has done several of these painting in class.  Put the tape down first, paint, let it dry and then voila, your masterpiece is complete.

It was the third snow day and with cabin fever setting in and school a distant memory in my mind, we needed another new indoor activity. Thank goodness, this gift from Santa was overlooked! The kids made clay animals while I did a sun-come-out dance in my bedroom. For more works of art, go to 5 Minutes for Special Needs . Eight More Days to VOTE. Please take a moment to vote.

Ben came home with this today from school. It took me a minute to get it... Think of these illusions:  the old lady or the young woman, the vase or the two people facing each other.  Get it now? See more works of art at 5 Minutes for Special Needs Still Need Votes...Must Keep Going...Please take a moment to vote.

Ben brought this gift home from school.  A Tootsie Pop for the center. The lollipop stick serves as the stem.  Tape a green leaf made from construction paper to the stem. Pink flower with message is cut in shape of a flower.  Add glitter or other decorations. Thank you Ben for my Valentine! Here's a site for Tootsie Pop Art. Check out more works of art at 5 Minutes for Special Needs eSpecially Ben is one of five finalists for About.com Readers' Choice Awards for Favorite Special-Needs Parenting Blog. Please take a moment to vote.