News Worth Sharing

Didn’t I just say I was taking a break until next monday?

Well, we got news today that just had to be shared.

Do you remember that the girls worked very hard, over several weeks, on their stories and illustrations for the PBS Story Contest?

I’ve been watching the mail anxiously, hoping the girls would get rewarded for their hard work and also concerned for the letdown if one sister won and one sister didn’t.  That was the scenario a few years ago.  And of course the focus at our house is not on prizes, but I felt like this would be good timing for the girls to be affirmed in their efforts and talent outside of just mom and dad.

In the beginning, after they had written their stories I asked,

“Okay, how do you want to do your illustrations? Collage, colored pencil, water color?

“Acrylics,” they both agreed.

“Guys, really acrylics?  Are you sure?

“Yes.”

They learned very quickly how a sketch can change once you start layering on thick paint, especially in the fine details.  After 2 or 2 illustrations they were ready to give up.  But they pushed through and both felt proud of the final story and paintings.

So.  Today.  The mail.  I wondered if the girls would get big envelopes or slims ones.  From past experience, if you don’t win you receive your story and certificate in the mail.  But if you do win you get a slim envelope and your story is returned at the award ceremony.

Two slim envelopes!

Confident enough to be excited by now and not so worried I ran up the driveway with the letters and called the girls.

And the winners are…..

Mookie-Best Illustrator, 3rd grade

Jellybean-Best Illustrator, 2nd grade

Woo hoo!  The only two names on the whole winners list from the same family.  Two sisters pulled it off!

They deserved it.

The real reward for both of them will be much richer than a backpack of books and a trip to the theater.

A peek into their work-I’m going to let them read and record their stories and we’ll post the audio and illustrations after the awards.

Paul’s Great Adventure-by Mookie

How Quack Laid an Egg, by Jellybean

Congratulations, girls!

love, mama