Refrigerator Art

Motherhood did not come to me via the usual route.  I did not get pregnant and have some babies, though one day I hope to have children that way too.  I guess I kind of inherited my children.  My boyfriend has two children from previous relationships, and when you choose to date a man who has children you are choosing to love those children like they're your own (at least that's the way I see it and that's how I approach it). Choosing to love these children, though, wasn't really a conscious choice on my part.  I just fell in love with them, much the same way I fell in love with their father.  There father is all mine, and the girls are mine too....just not in the conventional way, and maybe not in quite the same way your own family works.  But that's okay with me.  I'll love them and do everything in my power to make sure they have what they need and some of what they want. 

They're beautiful--my girls.  And they're both artist and as a result my refrigerator is beautiful too, covered top to bottom in the lovely, random things these amazing children take time to create.  I'm proud of their creativity and intelligence.  So proud that I just have to share their beautiful creations with you. Enjoy!

Ava is 6. She made these for her Daddy.  I think they're pretty ingenious (of course I may be biased). 

Issa made me a card.  I had to share it.  We've been working very hard on learning to write, and I am so very proud that my brilliant three year old can write her own name.

We got this in the mail today. We bought Ava some school clothes, and she sent a nice thank you note (though no thank you is necessary, I love that she is polite enough to express appreciation). Issa often says thank you when we get her clothes too, and I'm so proud both girls are as polite as they are (though I cannot claim credit for Ava's manners myself).

Ava is quite the artist.  Her flowers are really pretty, and the the flower lady in the middle is definitely a unique addition.  She's obviously a creative genius, and smart to boot--she spelled my name the right way (Jenn has two n's, thank you very much!).

Issa drew the picture on the left.  She says it's "You, me, and Daddy!"  For some reason she has recently decided to draw everyone with pig noses.  I have no idea why, but she thinks it is hilarious to draw people with pig noses.  She also thinks it's hilarious to draw Kenny with no hair (he shaves his head so he has no hair) and then point at her drawing and say, "Daddy's bald 'cause he has NO HAIR!"

Ava colored the Hello Kitty pages on the right. It's very pretty, and that is really saying something since I freakin' hate Hello Kitty LOL :)

Last, but never least, is this beautiful and thoughtful picture my niece Anna drew for me.  She knows fall is my favorite season so she drew me a pumpkin.  She was mine long before I became a mama (or a step mama or whatever you want to call me), and it was her artwork that decorated my fridge first.  When she drew me this picture she said, "I know you have other little girls now so you might not want to put it on your 'frigerator anymore."  Oh my darling Anna--there will always be room for anything you grace me with on my fridge!

Some of my most treasured possessions are hung with magnets on my ancient refrigerator.   The things that mean the most to me aren't bought with money, but are given with love.