The Travelers...

They were playing "travelers." For some reason, this picture both cracks me up and makes me sad. I think it's because the poses are funny, but they also make M and M look a lot older for some reason. M4 also used the tricorn hat to play "President." It was hilarious!! He had his whole room set up; M3 made an "Oval Office" sign for his door; he also held "court." I was summoned for driving too fast, but there wasn't any clear punishment. Phew!

This week they are both participating in Mad Science camp and having a great time. M4 did not make himself almost throw up on the first day, which was a great relief.

Slip 'N' Slide!!

So yesterday I rediscovered a gift long sitting idle in the garage...the Slip N Slide!! (Thanks, Grandpa!!) M and M had mucho fun. Here are some action shots of all the trick sliding that took place:

Somehow M4 manage a sliding somersault...I never did catch it perfectly, though!

On the knees:
Backward!
Everybody's gone surfin'!!

She's on YouTube!!

Here is the stop-motion animation project M3 made at workshop with some local artists:


She had a great time! You can see more of their collaborative work and work made by other groups of kids at her workshop here or here.

Foam fun...

Once a year, the local fire department tests out their foam equipment by spraying it in the park so the kids can play in it:
The fire chief doesn't seem to mind getting all dirty and foamy.
The kids had a blast of course!

Zombie alert!!!But the foam does get a little gross after a bit. Small price to pay for big fun!

How much do they make an hour??!

Future construction workers of America:

Future construction workers of American on break:

Growing up...

**spoiler alert for young children!!**

Well, M3 officially no longer believes in the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus. The other night she asked me if the Tooth Fairy was real (not that either my children has ever given up their teeth to the TF), and I asked her what she thought. She thought no. Part of this is because she left a NOTE under her pillow for the TF. Well, HOW is the TF supposed to KNOW there is a note under the pillow when there is NO TOOTH involved?? So the TF didn't write back; hence, the confirmation of M3's suspicion. The question about Santa followed. I explained that the spirit if Santa is a real part of Christmas, but the presents and stuff...well, yeah, that's your parents.

But then she asked if she could still "do" the Tooth Fairy, meaning exchange notes, I guessed. So the TF finally retrieved the note from under M3's pillow and dutifully replied.

Sniff...

Art Camp Finale

Well, the two weeks of morning art camp came to an end last Friday with a performance/art viewing. After a wicked afternoon storm, the skies cleared, and it turned into a beautiful night to visit the art farm. M4 insisted on wearing his tie for this special occasion:You can sort of see the lovely setting from this pic of M3 in the middle of the India-inspired dance she learned (it was a global theme). Yes, she's dancing next to a silo:
M4 decided against the tie after a while. Here he is singing a song in Spanish:
Here they are in front of a wall of masks that the campers made. The variety of masks made from the same materials is really quite amazing! They made a whole lot of really cool stuff!
When I asked M4 afterward if he would be interested in doing art camp again next summer, he took a VERY long pause before finally answering that he would. One small step for some kids, one giant leap for M4.