Nativity paintings

As fun as it is to make sweets and goodies for Christmas too many (or even just a few) leave most of feeling unwell.  So I was quite relieved when Nanny offered to host the kids for cookie making and decorating.  That left me with the opportunity to do some Christmas painting with the kids. 

With James busy working on some homemade gifts and the younger two boys napping I joined with Maryanna, Clara, Peter and William in painting the pictures below.  I encouraged them all to close their eyes and really envision the scene that we read about in the scriptures of Christ's birth,  I told them to paint whatever they saw. 

We used watercolors on the backs of an old cardboard box.  But now I kind of wish I would have taken the time to dig out some watercolor paper because the images would have been more vibrant and paints more flowing, next time.

Here is Maryanna's.  I really like the detail of the spider web and Mary next to a horse bringing flowers to baby Jesus.

  

Here is William's.  He really connected with the story of the shepherds probably because he is the primary care taker of our sheep.  He is looking forward to lambs being born sometime before spring and said the shepherd on the far left holding a lamb will be him in a few months.

Sometimes I think it helps to participate in art projects with my children, it especially helps them get over their own self consciousness of painting and drawing.  When they see me let go painting imperfectly and simply enjoying the process then they follow.  I tell them we all have our own style, and we do, and that is perfect. 

I am about 4 weeks away from my due date (+/- two weeks since each child runs on their own time), I also now know the reality of keeping sheep.  My picture depicts the reality of the two together and the calmness of Mary in the midst of it.     

Here is Clara's.  It is such a happy scene and so true to her style of art.

Here is Peter's, it is clean and simple.

This may be a new holiday tradition to share with my children.  Paul walked in on our painting and was surprised at the quiet reverence of the activity.  Everyone was lost in the concentration of their own creation and now quite satisfied to have them displayed on our kitchen bulletin board.