In our home, we refer to my mother, GiGi, as the “culture grandmother.” Because that’s her thing. Culture. As in art. And films. And esoteric books. Things of that nature. Sundays in my childhood? Were spent being led around Chicago by the hand to all of the art museums, art fairs, art shows and art galleries. Oh, and let’s not forget the occasional foreign film. Although I dreaded Sundays as a kid, I can now look back on those day trips fondly. The early introduction to culture definitely opened my eyes and helped me grow into the person I am today.

GiGi always gives our girls very thoughtful gifts. And so naturally, she was literally counting the days, weeks and months until she could buy Pea her first easel. And you would not believe the amount of thought that went into which easel was the right easel. It was an ordeal, to say the least.

In the end, she found one that has a chalkboard on one side and an easel on the other. It’s sturdy and gets a lot of use around here. Now, even Coco is into it. Although I have yet to put a paintbrush in her hand, she’s all about the chalk on the chalkboard.

I think the only thing I would change about this easel is that there isn’t an apparatus to properly hang a roll of kraft paper from. And that’s essential. Much easier than the huge metal clips I’m currently using to hang the pieces of paper up. But leave it to my awesome husband, who I’m sure will read this and then return home and promptly come up with some genius way to hang that enormous roll of paper from the easel. He’s clever like that.

Pea is a pretty prolific little artist. And so when she finished her first sketchbook full of paintings and drawings? I had the brilliant idea of decorating the cover of the book with pretty papers and her name and the start and finish dates of her “portfolio,” to give to GiGi as a gift. It was a huge hit. I mean huge. I think she cherishes that little sketchbook full of scribbles and drips more than anything else we’ve ever given her.