Art Show 2011

One of our favorite events of the school year is the annual Art Show in the spring.  (-2010-, -2009-, -2008-, -2007-)  The art teachers save every project every student creates in art class (kindergarten through seniors) all year long, and they are displayed throughout the school for the Art Show.  Even in a tiny school like ours, it is pretty impressive!

As a kindergartener, this was Caeden's first year with projects in the Art Show.  He was so proud to show them to us!  His is the clown on the right...

Sylvia's American flag project

Trees in the style of Vincent Van Gogh...

Caedens is the 2nd down in the center

More kindergarten projects..

The yellow cow on the left is Caeden's, and the fingerpainting below the blank black space is his too.

Making targets in the style of Wassily Kandinsky has been a favorite project for all our kids!

Annah's piece (on yellow) in the style of Keith Haring...

Annah's cartoon person with crazy hair is in the center...

Annah won a 1st place ribbon for her Cuna Indian Mola.

I will have to ask Annah what artist these works are after.  Hers is in the center.

For almost every one of Annah's project for the year, she earned a ribbon.  Her poster in the style of Robert Indiana tied for 3rd.

The Van Gogh Starry Night craypa projects are a favorite at the art show every year.  There is always a crowd gathered around admiring them.  Annah received a 4th place ribbon for hers, which is right above the descriptive poster.

hallways full of beautiful art...

Sylvia said she is most proud of her Stuart Davis city collage, because it took her a really long time to make and she worked very hard on it!

While working on the Frank Gehry project, Sylvia reported her progress to us at home.  She loved designing several skyscrapers and having her teacher choose her favorite for her to use on the project.  She also enjoyed learning about printmaking.

Texture designs in the style of Joan Miro...

Caeden talked about Jackson Pollock a lot while working on his drip painting project.  It was exciting for him to get to use real "house paint" on a real canvas!

Sylvia's clay sculpture

Sylvia's Frank Stella beetle is right above the descriptive sign...

When we talked with Mrs. H., the art teacher, as we arrived at the show today, she told me that Annah had won LOTS of ribbons.  She said she felt like she had written Annah's name on every 4th grade project winner list.  We were surprised, but so pleased to see that!  

For both her clay coil pot and paper mache mask, Annah was the 1st place winner for her grade.

How nice for her to be rewarded for hard work in something she loves!

"I need your help: Send me a master artisan in gold, silver, bronze, iron, textiles of purple, crimson, and violet, and who knows the craft of engraving..."

- 2 Chronicles 2:7

Summer League 2011 Team

Caeden starts t-ball tomorrow.  Today Jeremy took him to meet his coach and teammates for pictures.

11 years anniversary blessing

This evening, the five of us had supper at Crackerbarrel, to celebrate Jeremy's and my 11th wedding anniversary.  When Jeremy asked Sylvia to pray, she thanked God for the opportunity to go on field trips, the beautiful weather we had today, the great stories of history we have to learn about, and, "for bringing my mom and dad together so we could have our family."   Yes, there were tears.

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"But Jesus said, 'Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn't for everyone. Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked—or accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you're capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it.'"

-Matthew 19:11-12 MSG

Rockome Gardens Field Trip

Both Annah and Sylvia had class field trips today.  Jeremy went with Sylvia to Lincoln's New Salem State Historical Site, and they had a great day!  I went with Annah's class (and took the camera) to Rockome Gardens in Arcola, IL.

We learned that there has been an excess amount of rain (We can empathize!) and also some wind damage from a major storm that has kept them from planting their flowers as early as they would like.  It looked like they had just planted many of them within the past couple days, but a few were blooming and beautiful...

Poppies

The rock fences and structures throughout the garden were very unique and interesting.

There were many parent chaperones along on the trip, so I was only responsible for Annah and one of her friends.

The 3 of us had a good time exploring together.

There were some cute sayings on signs around the property.  ;)

Many of the stone structures had repurposed glass and other items in them.

This spot in the gardens made me think of my favorite book and musical, The Secret Garden.

The property was purchased by new owners last year, and they are working very hard to refurbish it.  The play area is looking nice, and the kids spent quite a bit of time playing there this afternoon.

Engineer Annah

checking in on The 3 Bears

It was really fun to watch Annah and her friends enjoy playing and just being kids!!

Stables.

In one of the gift shops, we found this antique weaving loom.  A partially made rug was on it, and it seemed fully operational.

shuttles

There is a lovely one-room schoolhouse here.

The piano in the classroom was made by Newman Bros. Co.
Chicago, IL.

The Candy Shop on site is currently in bad shape, needing a new roof and lots of work inside too.  We saw shingles ready to be installed, and quite a mess inside.  But, I thought this door on the outside was just gorgeous.

Wise words to ponder...

The girls really wanted to go through the "haunted cavern," so we did.  It was completely man-made and quite cheesy, but scary enough for them!

So glad to spend the day with my girl!!

"A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God."

-1 Timothy 6:6-7

School Days

Oh, the school year is winding up before it winds down!  We have lots of busy things to do before the official end of school!

This morning I cut some fresh lilacs from our two blooming bushes because the kids wanted to take some to their awesome teachers.  

I watched them walk to the bus stop, as I do every morning,
knowing they are almost 1st-, 3rd-, and 5th-graders.

I have loved volunteering in Sylvia's classroom this year.  Her teacher is fabulous.

Sylvia's class got to go outside during Spelling today and take their test
with sidewalk chalk on the blacktop!

I've also loved helping the kindergarten teachers this year.  Mrs. T. has been such a blessing to our family since Annah had her for kindergarten, and she was perfect for Caeden too.
We will miss her tons!

Caeden and his friends were having a ball at recess today.  He was working on his jumping skills...

Bunch of cuties...

Caeden knows no stranger or enemy.  I hope he stays that way his whole life.

"You who are young, make the most of your youth.  Relish your youthful vigor..."

-Ecclesiastes 11:9a

Recorder Player

Annah has been excited all school year about learning to play the recorder in 4th grade.  She was thrilled a couple months ago when they finally got to start.  And, tonight her whole class played several songs on their recorders together in the Spring 4th-8th grade Concert.  She loved it.  In fact, this morning she asked me if it was bad that she was more excited about the concert than the field trip to visit Illinois Wesleyan University today.  (She did enjoy the field trip, and came home saying she wants to go to college there.)

If you know her well, you can tell she is holding back a grin 

while playing and watching Mr. H. conduct.  

She is definitely my kid; she loves anything to do with music.  I was very glad and grateful to have her help turning pages tonight as I played for the junior high choirs during the concert.  I know she would have rather sat in the audience and enjoyed the performance, but she concentrated very hard and was a huge help to me.

"Your hearts will burst with song, make music like the sound of flutes on parade..."

-Isaiah 30:29

Mother's Day