From Picasso to Squirrel

Emma hasn't quite discovered her passion in life. She dips her toes in whatever meets her fancy in the given moment. I think I'm a little bit like that...okay, a lot like that at times. In May and June, Emma's life was all about paint brushes, drawing and her first ever art show. In July she dabbled in Musical Theater, playing the very exciting role of "squirrel" in A Year in the Life of Frog and Toad. Then in August she traded in her artsy, acting self for her swimsuit. Whatever she decides, we are by her side and will cheer loudly for her newest achievements.

Oh, What do you Do in the Summer Time?

"Oh, what do you do in the summer time, when all the world is green? Do you fish in a stream, or lazily dream on the banks as the clouds go by? Is that what you do?" (pg. 245 Primary Children's Song Book)
YES...SOMETIMESWE ALSO

Took Swimming Lessons
Walked in a Parade Attended a Parade (I ran a 5K that morning, but sadly there are no pictures to prove it)Ate lots of Otter Pops and Corn on the Cob
Went on some Field TripsPlayed with CousinsAnd proved that wishes really can come true. (Meet Cassidy, Peaches and Baby Star - the horses that Emma can visit and feed any time she wants thanks to our awesome friends.)

Painting the garage

I am a messy painter. I'm talking seriously messy, to the point that some may be mildly amused or even shocked at the little amount of effort I make to keep paint from dripping between my toes. I am also a fast painter which is helpful when it comes to painting 500 square feet garages.
While standing on some scaffolding today I glanced over at my other half who was handling a paint stick with great ease. He might as well have been wearing his suit and tie for the amount of paint on his clothes. I thought for just a minute while I looked at my own attire, "Do my painted hands, feet, legs, jeans, t-shirt, hair and glasses say something about me?" Sure they do. I encourage my children to make messes - mud pies, finger painting, block villages, pillow forts, even playing with food on occasion. Why shouldn't I have the liberating experience of doing something without worrying about the mess? It is somehow exhilarating to me to engage in messy work.

Don't panic everyone. By Sunday, which is the next time it will be important for me to look my best, I will have thoroughly cleaned my toes and traded in my painting jeans for something a little more ...public appropriate. Today though, Dave & I still have another layer of paint to slap on our previously unfinished garage before the walls get lined with shelves tomorrow.