Life in Exile- Part 2 - Fun with Yaya and Baba

While this was going on at home...

...THIS was going on at Yaya and Baba's:

That's right...we were having a ball on the second leg of our life in exile.

There was a lot of music and learning and reading going on!

Julia, one day I decided to use Yaya's xylophone to teach you a song. You were way excited, and wanted to learn more and more!

Aidan, you got the reading bug in a BIG way...something clicked with you and you wanted to start reading more and more, and reading bigger and better books. You exclaimed "Dad, I'm a reader now!"

We spent my birthday playing, playgrounding, and Sweettooth Hoteling... and velvet tacoing...

We sang songs, we playgrounded more, we comic booked, we hung out with Yaya and Baba...

Lots of art and notes were made and received too...including these love notes to you, Julia!

These puppets by you Aidan...

And this request from a homesick you, Julia. (note: you did ultimately support me and Mommy going on a date)

Julia, you worked night and day on that frog, and Aidan you worked hard to master the art of the jetplane. 

We did a puzzle, danced about, and had some chess challenges:

All in all, we had a lovely time with your lovely Yaya and Baba...

Before we knew it, it was time to pack up our belongings, our chess set, wash up and head home...

While it was lovely to return to our own home, we'll never forget the fun we had living in exile.

Art Attack: Part 1 - Doodles and Exhibitions

It's spring, and the flowers aren't the only things blossoming.

Your artistic expressions and creativity continue to bloom and grow.

Why do we care so much? Well, not only is art fun and beautiful, but it gives us -as parents- glimpses into your inner workings: into your brains to see what you're thinking and imagining; and into your development: how is your hand-eye coordination coming along, how is your manual dexterity, how are you growing and gaining confidence in all that you do. 

And you both are excelling and growing, and making your mother and I so proud!

That's why I take so many pictures of your artwork:

A House with Aidan smiling on the roof, sun shining, and Dad outside- by Aidan

Cockroach Terminator- By Aidan

Sushi, Salmon Lovers plate- By Aidan

Princess Love and Heart, by Julia

Star Mole, by Aidan (google it...weird looking creature!) 

Princess, with Julia, Aidan, Mommy, and Daddy T-shirt; by Julia

Princess with Julia, Aidan, Mommy, Daddy, Preston t-shirt; by Julia

Missing Molly, by Julia

Untitled- maybe the family in a tornado- by Aidan

Untitled, by Aidan

 Even I've been gettin' artsy too: slipping some notes into your lunches:

So, you may be saying, your artwork is super good, right? Why, it should be hanging on a wall, shouldn't it!

You're right!

The annual, long awaited, White Rock Montessori Art Night Exhibit gave you and your classmates...and your new teacher- Miss Holly (aka Mommy!) a chance to show off all that you've been working on all year! 

And your whole Texas family came out to see it all!

Bird, by Aidan

Sparkly Banana, by Julia

Mummy Trailer, by Aidan

My family holding balloons, by Julia

Turtles, by Julia (L) and Aidan (R)

Praying Mantis, by Aidan

Self Portrait, by Julia

Bird, by Julia

Self-Portrait, by Aidan 

Robot Hands, By Julia

And of course, there were snacks and playing outside too...because artists gotta eat and relax!

Getting Snacks- you both were very excited to get snacks for specified people. 

We are so proud of you, and so inspired by your creativity and your creations! 

We're gonna need more wall space to display your amazing art work!