ArtPrize - Winner or a loser?

I was so excited when ArtPrize came around again this year. For those of you that are not familiar with ArtPrize, it is a massive art competition that goes on in our city. Art exhibits are set up throughout different neighborhoods in businesses, museums, and various outdoor locations.  One of the great things about it is that it is a family-friendly event! The girls and I had a head start and went to the Gardens the first day of the event to see what they had to offer. I actually got a good response from Amelia, when several pieces of art caught her eye and excited her.

After seeing Amelia's response and seeing my friends' Facebook pictures of their kids posing happily in front of the artwork,  I couldn't wait for our family night. We bypassed a planned Saturday morning outing, thinking we would take advantage of the 70+ degree temperatures they were predicting later that week instead (a very BIG mistake on our part).  We decided to head out on a Tuesday night, so I got out of work a little early. The plan was for me to pick up the girls from daycare and head to the restaurant before Brian got there, so that the food would be ready by the time he arrived and we could quickly eat. However, the girls were excited to have me pick them up from daycare, so they had to show me all their artwork and the new toys in their respective rooms. By the time we arrived at the restaurant, Brian was pulling up at the same time.  By the time we finished dinner and found a parking spot (i.e. free parking spot), it was close to 6:20 pm. 

We first headed to the presidential museum where they had some sculptures outdoors.  We let the girls out of the stroller (another mistake on our part, but it is pretty unreasonable to keep a 3 and 4 year old in a stroller - notice Allison's subtle display of discomfort and of the utter humiliation of being placed in a stroller). 

The girls did well for about five minutes.

Then Allison got that look on her face. She has been testing her limits and likes to see what she can get away with.  As I had her pose in front of this entry...

...Allison decided it would be very funny to go into the midst of the glass hands and she proceeded to give me "the look" - indicating that she was just about ready to take off running.  Amelia decided to join in on the action. You can only image the look of horror I had on my face as I realized I had two kids on the verge of being the "bulls in a china shop."  Just as a hiker would slowly back away from a bear, I slowly inched my way towards the girls, afraid that any sudden movement on my part would cause us to be "that family that broke a piece of art."  Amelia quickly picked up on my evil look and hightailed it out of the display.  As I inched my way towards Allison, I "guided" her by her neck to the back of a fountain which was close by and it was there where we had a little heart-to-heart talk.  After a few threats of promptly going home, Allison shaped up and was a willing ArtPrize participant.

Once peace was restored and after a quick walk through the museum itself, I started to head to the next location. However, Brian was ready to head back toward the car since it was already nearing 7:00 pm by then (did I mentioned I wanted to go on Saturday morning when we didn't have to worry about bedtime).  I demurely and patiently explained to him that I didn't go through all this trouble to go to ArtPrize for a half hour, not to mention using our Groupon for dinner! I was not going to let this "family fun" event end. So, I steered the group towards some more outdoor locations close by. Surprisingly we didn't get much of a reaction from the girls from the exhibits, especially from the monkeys on the bridge.  How could you not like hanging monkeys? 

After that, I finally cried uncle and pouted - I mean suggested that we start walking to the car.  As we started our power walk to the distant parking lot, the girls suddenly became interested in all the pieces we were walking by and they wanted us to stop in order so they could appreciate the various nuances of the artwork.  Sorry kids - too little, too late.

So, next year I'm thinking about boycotting family night and hiding my friends on Facebook who have good kids that actually behave at ArtPrize.  Sorry Amy, it's nothing personal. It's only a three-week hiatus.

ArtPrize family fun night was not a complete loss - at least I got one good picture out of the deal.

Birthday Party (Part Two)

During Amelia's birthday week, we also celebrated with Brian's side of the family. The guest list included Grandma and Grandpa, and Uncle Mark and cousin Faith. Aunty Lynn stopped by earlier in the evening.  Amelia received some fun gifts including coloring books, crayons and puzzles, the Hot Potato game, and a grocery cart from us. After opening presents, we enjoyed cake - made by yours truly..ME!  Ok, so it was a cake mix, but I actually took the time to make a cake (and cupcakes for school). Usually I'm all about taking the easy way out and simply buying a cake or a treat for school.

An unnamed Uncle may have gotten Amelia's age wrong...whoops! 

Birthday Party (Part One)

Last week we went to my parents' house to celebrate Amelia's 3rd birthday with my side of the family. When we brought Amelia to the party store she picked Minnie Mouse as her party theme, which kind of surprised me since we don't watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or any Mickey or Minnie Mouse videos that often. She does have a Disney puzzle and book that she likes, so maybe that is where she came up with the idea.

The weather was picture perfect, which was a little bit unexpected for early October. The temperature was in the upper 70's with a clear and sunny sky. After a pizza lunch, Mia got to open up all of her presents. Then we let the kids play outdoors for a while, and ended the party with some cake and doughnuts.

Amelia's birthday drawing thanks to Dad's talents.

 "Hey look at this cool drawing...Squirrel!" (You have to be a fan of the movie Up! to get this one)

Amelia's super hero cape from Nana.

 A doll laundry set from Aunt Keri and family. For some reason the girls were perplexed and confused on what purpose an ironing board serves - not exactly sure why that is.....

It's Good to Be Three

Dear Amelia,

You turned three this week. You were looking so forward to your birthday all week. You were very proud to tell anyone that asked that you were going to be three. You were a lucky girl and had three birthday celebrations including bringing cupcakes to school, which was so exciting for you.

You have turned into such a little lady. You are a sweetheart, goofball, and pistol all wrapped in one. You love to cuddle and read books with us. When you and your sister Allison are getting along, you two hug and hold hands. You love dogs and would be in heaven if you could sit in a corner and pet a dog all afternoon.

You also have a great sense of humor and often times are funny without even trying. Your little voice and facial expressions often will have your Dad and I laughing so hard.  One day I dropped you off at daycare and you were talking to your teacher and I heard her say "Amelia, you crack me up. You are such a goofball" and that pretty much sums it up.  Another time on your "report card" the teacher reported that you had a great day and were telling jokes all day long.  We still aren't quite certain what kind of jokes you were sharing that day, but we know you made an impression on your teacher.

There are times that your sweetness gives way to your temper and you are a pistol. Although, as I mentioned to your Dad a few weeks ago, I'm not sure if you have learned how to control your temper or if we have learned how to deal with your temper, but things have gotten much better. When you get really mad, you go limp and throw yourself on the floor and just lay there. We now just walk away a few feet and leave you on the ground, which either draws dirty looks or chuckles from other people because you look so funny.

You love to keep yourself busy by doing puzzles and playing board games.  People are often surprised at how good you are at putting together puzzles, even early on after you turned two. Your favorite games include Yahtzee Jr., Good Night Moon, and Candyland.  You also love to color and play with your baby dolls, and of course you like to pretend you are a puppy.

You are a great bike rider - once you grew a tad bit this summer and were better able to reach the pedals you took right off.  However, you get so frustrated when you can't keep up with Allison.

Amelia, we are so excited to see what the next year brings us and can't wait to partake in your new adventures. We love you so much.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Driving Me Crazy...

Allison and Amelia love to play in my car and pretend they are driving. Usually when I get in to start my car after they have played in it, I find that my bright lights are on, the turn signal has been engaged and the radio is on full volume.  However, a recent incident has almost literally driven me up the wall.

I went grocery shopping a few weeks ago and while I was unloading the car, the girls hopped in the front seat and starting to "drive." I figured since I could keep an eye on them and they had strapped themselves in with the seatbelts, they couldn't go anywhere or cause any trouble.  After I got the groceries put away, I went to get Allison and Amelia out of the car and both girls made a quick dash to the back seat. As I put my head in the car, I could hear the CD player making a funny noise, like it was trying to eject a CD, over and over again.

I asked "Did someone put something in the CD player?"  Allison quickly responded with a "NOT I - MIA DID IT."   I asked Mia what she put in and she proudly answered "MONEY!" - I realized that she put in some coins that had been laying out into the CD slot. What made it even worse was that the coins were the new dollar coins. Jeez kid, you couldn't have stuck with the pennies, huh?



The guilty party pleading for leniency.

Tasty Candies

Allison: "Mom, I ate a "W"

Mom: I believe that was a "M"

Allison: "Noooo Mom, it was a "W"

Mom: "Did you like your W&Ws?

Allsion: "Yep, they were good.

Mom: "I'm glad to hear that Allison. Maybe I need to find some W&Ws for myself."

Life

I've neglected the blog lately. No excuse, I just haven't been motivated lately. Nothing big has been going on. I still haven't figured out where September went. It seems like it was a deary and cool September or at least it has been that way on days we were supposed to do something outdoors. We haven't made it to ArtPrize yet with the kids. Apparently the key to getting rain is to say "Let's take the kids to ArtPrize on Wednesday."  I feel like fall is slipping away and its only the beginning of October. I have way too many plans I still want to do before it gets cold out.

We took the girls swimming last week and I realized how much I'm dreading the cold weather and going out to the car after swimming. It was nice during the summer. The girls would walk in to the community center in their bathing suits and when we were done, I would simply and quickly change them into a dress. Easy and quick. Not anymore. Both girls love swimming though. Allison is a little water bug and Amelia is getting braver each time we go. She no longer has a death grip on my neck if we go past the point where her feet can touch the bottom of the pool. Amelia will also now jump off the edge of the pool to me. That is a huge step. This winter I may sign up for a Parent/Tot water class since swimming classes don't start till age four.

The girls are doing well at daycare. Amelia moved into the Blue Room which is big stuff; although it's not the Purple Room where she would love to be (that is where Allison is.) Both girls receive CDs of songs and books that they get to take home. They love doing their "homework" - there are often fights on who gets to listen to their CDs first. One thing that is certain is that they won't be listening to their CDs in my car anytime soon because...well, I'll save that for another blog post.