To Babies W, From Your Dad

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Galleries, Instruments, Symphonies, and Miming- Artsy Weekend

Some weekends you just gotta party like it's arty!

First up, we went to check out Aunt Sham's art show at the Texas Theater with Yaya and Baba and Uncle Joe!

Then we had an adventure downtown with Mimi and Pops!

The day started pretty quietly with some board games...

But quickly we got into some treble (I'm hilarious!)

We went to the Meyerson Symphony Center to hear (and watch) a cool version of Peter and the Wolf!

Check out the mischief, music, and mayhem (and miming):

Here's the low-down report. First up, was an instrument petting zoo. You guys loved trying each instrument and both got some really good noises out of the brass!

Then a little arts and crafts...

And after the show, which featured Mimes playing Peter and the Wolf, Aidan you chose to go meet the cast!

You LOVED the Wolf (who is 100% the bad guy), and were so upset for the wolf during the show that he was being persecuted (after eating the duck and hunting Peter). But, since you loved the wolf, you LOVED meeting him!

Then we had lunch and Kylde Warren fun, Popsicles, ice cream sandwiches and playing with

Mimi and Pops!

Afterwards, you both wanted to do face painting. I painted your face Julia. Pretty dang good!

and, Julia, you and I painted Aidan's face.

Guess what you wanted to be, Aidan? That's right! A Mime!

So symphonies, art shows, arts and crafts, playing instruments, and painting faces all in one weekend?

Sounds pretty artsy to me!

Monday, November 6, 2017

Davy Crockett: King of the First Grade Frontier

Aidan,

Part of being a first grader is more and more responsibility and more in depth, more challenging school work.

And- one of the coolest events of the year- a report on a deceased historical figure. You, and each of the Lower Elementary students- chose a historical figure, dressed as them, and presented a report to all of the other children.

This is called "Historical Heritage" at your school.

You had been listening to a Classic Disney Songs CD and really fell in love with the theme song for "Davy Crockett." It turns out that Crockett was a living historical figure- not just a cool song- and so you were delighted to pick him as your subject matter.

You and I went to the library and picked out some books on him.

You and Mommy read the books and you picked out the facts that you thought were the most interesting to you, which you wanted to share with the class.

Mommy wrote them down and you worked very very hard to transcribe them carefully in your best handwriting.

Mommy and you worked on your costume.

And suddenly you were becoming Crockett!

You worked very hard to memorize your speech, practice projecting, and reading your own handwriting.

You had a thirst for knowledge: you were so curious about how Crockett ate the bear meat that he hunted!

You've never lacked confidence, but you worked on stage presence as well. Practicing in front of mommy and aunt sham.

The end result was so awesome, and you Mommy and Grandparents and I are SO proud of you!

You took it all in stride.

Me: "Son, I wanted to let you know how proud of you I am."
Aidan: "I know that! You told me a million times already!" (I had, for the record, only told you once!)

I was most impressed with how dedicated you were to this project. You kept us on schedule. You kept track of your special index cards you needed to write the report on. You told us " I need to work on my aport!" And you did. Weekend nights, early mornings, you couldn't wait to write it down and practice and keep working.

You are truly growing to be a king of the wild first grade! You've grown into the stuff of legend, and even though you've never killed and eaten a bear