So here is a peek into Grant, Zane and Kate’s life.  At the end of the school year, the first grade sponsors an “art museum.”  Each first-grader’s artwork is displayed in the various first grade rooms and the library, grouped together by the various artists they studied during each unit.  We walk around to the sound of classical music playing in the background and little finger foods served by a few 4th graders.  All three of our kids thought the Van Gogh unit was the best, so here are pics of each of the kids with their own renditions of Starry Night.  Their awesome first-grade teacher, Mr. Dave, said it took each student nearly 8 hours to complete their Starry Night imitations – as they had to treat their crayons like brushes and “stroke” in only one direction, then lift up their crayon to make the next stroke – and that is how they did the whole thing . . .one stroke at a time.  (Zane’s is the one on the bottom row)

Those of you who know me well hear me regularly criticize the public school system, but I have to eat my words when it comes to the art unit!  I love it.  I think they do a great job of introducing these art concepts to the kids in a fun way. For example, for the Michaelangelo portion the kids laid under their desks and drew their pictures on papers that were taped to the bottom of the desk – Sistene Chapel style!  Plus, we just really had a great year.  We ended up with two FANTASTIC teachers.  Our kids love going to school.  That has to say something, eh?  I can’t believe that we start school again in just two weeks. . .

And while enjoying the first milking, why not get the first goat-petting?

Up next is Claire’s first baseball game.  My cousin Mary arranged for discount tickets for everyone, so it was a big group.  Even my cousin visiting from Sweden was there with her boyfriend and daughter.  Fun times, fun times.

  I told her we wanted one with her eyes open, so then we got this shot! 

As a bonus, the Bumble Bee mascot-thingy signed the kids’ tickets.  I confess I was a bit nervous to go to the game, as last time we attended the kids only lasted four innings.  This time, Claire was ready to go starting at the top of the fourth inning, but she stuck it out and says she had an enjoyable evening.  Kate, Grant, Zane and Seth seemed to thoroughly enjoy it, especially singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”  for the 7th inning stretch. 

(Oh, btw, in the pictures below, this was hardly her first time to eat french fries.  This girl loves french fries, but I think her deep love for them stems from her appreciation for the french fries as a vehicle by which she can consume as much ketchup as is humanly possible.)

But July has been it’s own month of “firsts.”  So I think I will spend the next few posts documenting some of Claire’s new activities.

Her first Independence Day as an American citizen, which brought her first parade, and we suspect her first rootbeer float and first time to wave a sparkler.  Thanks for the darling flip-flops, Shari!  And despite the looks on their faces in this picture, the kids assure me that the parade was very fun.

Then there was the ever-popular “first movie” – The Karate Kid.  She actually seemed to really enjoy it, though I am fairly certain she didn’t really understand it all!

MORE FIRSTS TO COME!

Let’s just say that was a poor choice of words.  Luckily, we came out with just one or two tiny scratches. 

And that’s how Claire learned that not all ducks are yellow and fluffy and quack – some are green and brown and look a lot like trees.