First off, Happy New Year everyone! 2012 was a pretty darn good year in the barn, but I’m looking much forward to the one ahead. So many exiting things are going to happen. August is just about ready to start walking. Kato is just about to start school. Alden is almost five. How did that happen? Robbi and I have all sorts of exciting travels and adventures scheduled. Here’s hoping your 2013 is full of fun and wonderful happenings.
But now to the business at hand. Last week, for the very last prompt of the year, Robbi asked kids: If you could fly, where would you go? Would you fly over mountains or to the North Pole? Or would you just fly to school and the grocery store?
We got some wonderful drawings. And here they are.
First up, a drawing from Paige, who “likes to “fly along the seashore real high above the rainbows on her pink surfboard to watch the waves, fish and dolphins in the ocean.”
And now for her brother Parker, who “likes to fly to the North Pole between mountains, in the ‘sparkley sky’ (assuming he means Northern Lights) and along side of Santa.” (Of course!!)
And now for some drawings from Spencer and Tyler, whose mom Eunice wrote to say that:
We loved Robbi’s picture flying over the ocean, especially the way she makes so few colors count. So peaceful and freeing. Spencer’s submission is a little bit of an homage to Robbi’s flight over the water… but with some tweaks that we can probably attribute to the fact that he’s a 6 year old boy.
Here’s what Spencer had to say about his drawing.
“I am flying over the ocean, racing a jet to the North Pole. The flying fish are chasing us and saying, ‘Whoa!'”
I can wholly identify with the sentiment of these flying fish. And if you ask me, Robbi’s drawing has nothing on Spencer’s.
Here’s what Tyler had to say about his drawing:
“It’s me flying to the North Pole. I decided I wanted to go there while I was at home. Then after that, my brother and mommy woke up and wondered where I was. Then after that, I saw penguins in their home.”
I’ve always liked penguins and would very much like to see them in their home. Too bad I don’t know how to fly.
Here is a drawing from Alden. Be not confused by the fact that none of the figures seem to be flying.
Alden’s trademark “fairy wings,” which roughly resemble a clam shell, are bottom center. She is not wearing them because, according to Alden, “I’m not sure if I can really fly. I’m a little bit scared.” I asked who the three figures were, and she sheepishly admitted that all three were her, but that the one on the left and at center were unsatisfactory, hence the third. Thus, you are meant to interpret this as a process piece, an evolution of a girl afraid of flying, if you will. The finished figure, far right, is wearing a tutu and like Alden herself, has “two foreheads.”
As for Kato, you may think that his drawing has absolutely nothing to do with flying. And you may be right. True to his usual cryptic self, he refused to divulge the deeper meaning behind his creation. In response to the question, “Kato, can you tell me what’s going on in this drawing?” his answer was, “No.”
I like to think that the seal and the horse are deep in discussion, coming to terms with the impossibility of flight. I think that it is a parable of some sort, a sprawling metaphor too complex to grasp. I take Kato’s refusal to explain as a sign of humility. He fears I might not understand and doesn’t want to embarrass me.
I was glad to do a drawing this week, because I have always dreamed of flying. If I could fly, I would go up high above the city and the river and the mountains, looking down at everyone below. I would wear a hat and earmuffs because it would be so cold up there. I would smile because I would be having so much fun. And, of course, there would be a crescent moon.
Thanks to all of you who sent us drawings this year. We have some new surprises planned for you in the year to come.