eSpecially Ben

Ben, age 7 Ben used his rolled up hand covered in paint to make this little animal. See more works of art at 5 Minutes for Special Needs. *Don't forget to vote for our Amazing Race team name - see the sidebar on the right.

Flowers made from tissue paper and pipe cleaners. We copied this idea from Michelle at 5 Minutes for Special Needs - it sure brightened a gloomy day! Find out how to brighten your day.

Christmas Wreath by Sean, age 2 1/2 Fall Wreath by Ben, age 7 See what other little artists are up to.

Ben, age 7 This is a great project for Ben because he can add the "feathers" with minimal assistance. More artists at work here.

 These crafty gifts will forever be my favorites: From 2005 - My first gift from Ben. He is two years old here. It is made from a jar lid. From 2010 - Ben is seven years old. See more works of art.

Ben, age 7 Click here for more works of art.

Everyone remembers doing this as a kid. The boys' grandpa gave them a weaving kit for Christmas. Logan and Sean made this pot holder together. See more works of art here.

I have been behind checking Ben's artwork from school - sometimes he brings home a stack for me to sort through each week. I noticed these two turkeys...late getting to this page, but cute none the less. Click here for more works of art.

At this time of the year, the title of this post may have another meaning for you.  This mobile is made with felt, glue, string and glitter. The kids' grandpa made these a few years ago. Click here for more works of art.

Sean, age 2 Sean  made this tree at school, using his hands. In his own little way, he was able to tell me what the tree was all about - his family. Logan, age 5 Logan made one of these for each of his grandparents to thank them for his visit at Thanksgiving. I made him make me an extra one to keep, I liked it so much. Check this out for more works of art.

A helper at this year's Shriners Christmas Party made this for Ben. More on the Shriners and our adventures at the party later this week. Check out more works of art.

At a local nature museum, arachnid enthusiasts displayed their pet tarantulas for a special Halloween event. Then, an arts and crafts project was made available to the children. Logan, age 5, jumped at the opportunity to make one of his own, because that's the only way he is bringing one into our home. Check out more works of art.

My parents started the tradition of the Halloween Witch when I was a child. The Witch brought art supplies on the day of Halloween, usually hidden somewhere in my room. As soon as our children were old enough, we started the same tradition. This year, Ben received supplies to make stepping stones. Since this was the prized gift, he shared with his brothers. Ben did not mind because he didn't love having his foot dipped in cement, which I thought was the perfect way to decorate the stones. Instead of body parts, we added marbles, buttons and glitter. Easy and inexpensive to do - fun way to spend the afternoon. Check out other works of art.

 My birthday was last week and my dear friends helped me celebrate with a girls-only party at my house. I made it clear that the rule, "your gift is your presence" was in play. But loopholes can be found. A long time friend made me a certificate attached to a water bottle, congratulating me on turning 40 and running 12 races this year. It was a warm and fuzzy surprise, heartfelt and very original. Another friend, going back over 20 years, lives several states away, sent me 40 memories from over the years on strips of paper. I laughed reading the things I had forgotten and smiled at the good things she said about me. And at my party, a friend suggested everyone go around and say how they knew me. Some people shared their very first time meeting me or something I had done for them. It turned into more great memories. I wish I had videotaped it to watch on days that need brightening.

Logan made these men from rocks he found when panning for gems at Tweetsie Railroad this summer. We cleaned a closet and found the box of gems. And just in case you were wondering about what the Rock Men were doing: The man on the left is on the phone and the two of them are friends. They are standing in grass. For more works of art, check out 5 Minutes for Special Needs

Ben, age 7 Check out www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com for more works of art.

Check out www.5minutesforspecia lneeds.com for more works if art.

 Logan made these pieces of jewelry on his own.  Check out other works of art at 5 Minutes for Special Needs .

Logan, age 5, made this at Theater Camp this summer. Click here to check out other works of art.

Ben brought this home from school on Friday. The class is doing a unit on friendship. Earlier in the week, Ben's teacher told me Ben got in trouble for putting Lorena's whole hand in his mouth. The teacher said he likes her a lot - I guess that's one way to get her attention.