Art Walk

Lucy had one of her pieces of artwork selected to be on display in the local campground.  This weekend we had the chance to go take a look!  We didn't know it's exact location, so we started at the halfway point and followed Miss Lucy down the trail.  

 It was quite a walk, but it was beautiful! And hooray!  We found it! 

All that walking on a hot day warranted a treat, so we walked back to the car to get some ice cream! 😎

Getting Our Art On

We took another train ride into Chicago. 

It was complete with lessons on reading public transportation schedules.  There was even a pop quiz!

This time our destination was the Chicago Art Institute. First stop?  The Thorn Rooms (as featured in the series 68 Rooms).  We were all seriously impressed!

After we emerged from the tiny displays, we hit some high points:

Chagall's American Windows--

Some abstract art--

The impressionists--

Then the boys stepped in to be our tour guides and led us to the arms and armor exhibit.

After we filled our eyes with creativity, we headed home on the train again. Owen played the role of a true commuter and took a nap on the train. 

Pages of Picasso

One of the recent favorite activities has been coloring pages on special paper. When hung on windows, it looks like stained glass. Today's ice day let us have lots of coloring time.

1st Grade Showcase

Owen and his first grade classmates put on a fine show tonight!  We were treated to several songs and readings.  It was quite impressive!  The atmosphere was completed by student artwork and classwork hanging around the gym. 

Owen and Mrs. Gaylord

Mrs. Parrish with Owen

Spring Time Snow

This last week's weather has been nothing short of wonderful. The sunshine itself has been intoxicating. It has let us enjoy much quality time outside playing. Today's melting action yielded some excellent packing snow, so packing we went! All of the kids got involved. Lucy even started giving him kisses, though she refused to let that get captured on film. She has become quite the diva with the pictures, only allowing ones when she wants to, running or turning away giggling when she doesn't.













Mitchell is quite the reader now, and is enjoying math and writing very much too. One of the stories he brought home today tells the story, "If I was president I would make low taxes. My laws would be simple. I woud be nice. I would live in the white house." His pictures are more and more detailed each day.


Owen is thriving at school. He loves library day and rushes to unpack his new finds each week. He is smitten by his teachers, particularly Miss Amanda. They are all wonderful. He also loved it today when Tonia took the daycare kids to the Mesick Library for story hour. That was a BIG ticket bragging item on the car ride home.

Lucy. What can we say about this girl other than she is amazing? She loves her friend Emma at daycare. She announces my presence at daycare instantly, making sure everyone knows that "my mama" is here!!! She always makes sure she gets something for her brothers ("Owey too? Mitchell too?") but then will put them in their place if they get their hands on something she deems as her own.






Ken and I are in countdown mode for ARUBA (yes, start singing the song--I am frequently seen/heard breaking into this tune in the hallways with whichever coworker I can grab). If I could, I would start packing already. More to come on that fantastic adventure for sure!

Go, Cubs, Go!

Our trip to Chicago was fabu-tastic. Friday we hit the Shedd Aquarium, and then had dinner at a great Italian place downtown. Saturday we hit an art fair on Michigan avenue before lunching and going to the game. Cousin Manders joined Ruthie, Ken, and I and we all made our way to Wrigley. Ted Lilly pitched a beauty and the Cubs won 5-3 over St. Louis. YAY!!!! This night was capped off by dinner at an awesome Japanese/Sushi place -- even cousin Matt joined us for the feasting. As if dinner wasn't enough, we walked over near the water tower place and managed to partake in some serious chocolatey ice cream goodness at Ghiradelli's. If ever there was death by chocolate.... it was last night. It was an admirable way to go.