New Tradition??

Last year my classroom parents organized a parent night at the local pottery place. The other kinder teacher and I went too. It was fun talking, painting, looking at everyone's work. It was interesting to see what piece of pottery they choose, the colors they used, and the decorating style.

While I was there I noticed that they had ornament shapes. It made me think of the plaster angel ornaments we made with my mom forever ago. I thought it would be nice to have the kids make an ornament for our tree and then when they got older they'd have a special ornament that they had made.

Of course the youngest one was thrilled with the idea. The oldest didn't want to go. Not an option! I even suggested that he bring his girlfriend along so she could make something for her parents. He still wasn't receptive. Since this was not an opt out event he stated that he would not sit with us if he had to go.

The hard part was finding an evening where we could all go at relatively the same time. I chose Friday the 16th, two for one night. The youngest finishes dance at 5:30. We could go out to eat and then head to the pottery place. It was almost perfect. Unfortunately the youngest had to go back to the dance studio for a rehearsal for a special promotional performance the next day. We ate, went to the pottery place, received basic instructions for pottery painting, and selected items. The youngest then had to go back to dance, luckily the studio is only a couple of miles from the pottery location. Doug was chauffeur since he wasn't interested in painting something.

The oldest settled in with us at the same table (no girlfriend). He painted two ornaments; one for the family tree and one for his girlfriend. The youngest son painted a light bulb for the family tree (I was wanting an ornament bulb. Miscommunication??) and a dragon for himself. The youngest painted a snowflake ornament when her rehearsal ended and Doug brought her back. I painted a large plate/platter in honor of The Season of The Bulls. (That's what I'm calling our football season this year.) Doug was needed to select the correct Bull's colors and give advice. Good thing he was there because those were not the shaded I would have chosen. Since he is a college t-shirt collector, he has an eye for athletic colors.

The oldest finished up and Doug took him home. Doug returns and the youngest boy is now finished and ready to go home, so he takes him home. The youngest and I were left still painting away. Doug came back and selected some add-ons for the plate. He did paint the basketball. Closing time came and I still wasn't quite finished so I had to return the next day to finish the football add-on.

It takes about a week to get your items back, after they have been fired in the kiln. We were eager to pick up our works of art Saturday. I have to say that each ornament is so reflected of my children's personalities.

The oldest paints a snowman and snowflakes on a flat circle ornament. The snowman is small and made of two balls and has no hat. This seemed to take him quite a bit of time although it looked like more effort went into the girlfriend's ornament. I have to say that he did enjoy himself and got into the project.


The youngest son painted the light bulb pear green with sprinkles and wrote X-mas 2007. I say, "That's so pagan." He says, "Oops, my bad. There wasn't enough space to write Christmas."

The youngest rag painted her snowflake, adds six add-on tiny snowflakes in various shades of blue/purple to the spokes of the snowflake. She then writes her name and the year in a shade that won't show up against the blues and purples. Doug points this out and suggests a couple of other colors, but oh no she knows best.

We are all pleased with our creations. My youngest thinks this should be an annual tradition. Saying this several times over the course of the evening. I agree with her. Tune in next year to see if we return. All we need now is the tree. Actually we have the tree. All we need is the box with the ornament hooks.