Life Changing

Sometimes - all the time - it is so good to get outside of yourself ... outside of your comfort zone... outside of your head... away from your worries... by serving others.  

For the past few years, I have been so proud to be part of Rohr Rockstars - serving on the board, but also being a cheerleader for new programming and new ideas;  I am along for the ride, and the ride is fast, exciting, and life changing.  

With a new programming model in place, Rohr Rockstars partnered with Grier's Gallery to create the Artists in Residence {AiR}program; a monthly art education program that gets at the heart of what is important in life ::  finding a passion and sharing it with the world.  The first AiR artists had their work showcased at an art gallery in Uptown Charlotte - and a rocking reception/gallery opening.  To be sure that we could be part of this amazing event, we initiated a family date night.  Our time together - and the inaugural Grier's Gallery installation celebration - was a great success.  My heart is  so full!

 We'll pretend that Anderson was as amazed as I was!

Evolution of a Costume

Though I do not sew, I was determined to create a 

Martin Kratt/Blue Cheetah costume for Alekzander.

He had been planning for this since early summer,

and he has an eye for detail, so I knew he would be my biggest critic!

Thanks to Mia's long distance creativity, bargain shopping, and knitting skills,

we pieced together something perfect for our little Kratt fan.

Matching blue sweatshirt and pants, a black t-shirt, blue fabric, 

Heat 'N Bond, hand-knit ears and tail, a laminated creature power disc,

some black face paint, and a lot of love, a hot iron, and a little muscle made it happen.

Daddy gets credit for the final detail - a must have Creature Pod Communicator.

And the last touch :: {delivered on Halloween at 4PM} a 'real' cheetah 

for activating CHEETAH POWER!

One Messy Morning

Birthday High Five Times Seven

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We love you so much!

Chalk Creations

Chalk in hand and this kiddo is happy for hours. 

Such a proud moment! 

Getting ready for the next creation

Our Syra-Tiger-Zebra 

Jellyfish

Jellyfish by Alekzander 

{12.6.13}

Little ears are always listening...

Our ATB had just returned from her fabulous honeymoon 

and told me about a traumatic jellyfish sting

unlike anything we had every experienced in Virginia Beach.

Alekzander heard my half of the phone conversation 

and later that morning took his chalk and drew a jellyfish!  

I can never tell who is more impressed :: 

the mommy of a {ridiculously smart, talented} 4 year old - 

or the 4 year old artist whose creation was recognized as the intended subject.

Science Kid

An hour of fun and exploration

 Baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, and intense concentration

So proud of his volcano. 

 It's not fun unless it's messy!

Reflections

{I asked for a real smile and got this, but I love it!}

While there are some traits of mine that I would rather not pass along to Alekzander,

it is so fun to see parts of my personality {both good or bad} reflected in his personality.

In some situations, he is FEARLESS.  Like Daddy, he will try anything once.  

Clamoring up to the top of a rock, pretending to be king of the mountain.

And then ... a switch flips.  He tenses up and forgets his words, and fear takes hold.

He becomes careful and cautious and requires rescuing.

{So much like me.}

Sometimes, he is like an open book.  

Recently, he opened up to my OB and then later our photographer friend.  

Shared silly details of his life. 

Made connections. Asked questions.

{Just like Daddy.}

Days later, we had two birthday parties to go, 

and he hid hesitantly behind me.  

Even held my hand!

Some social situations stress me out too!

Today while my car was in the shop getting an oil change and getting inspected, 

we were 'stuck' at home all day.

Neither of us could have been happier!

I know he has changed drastically in the last 3 and a half years ...

and he will continually change and develop,

but I love watching him take in and try out what he observes/senses 

as he tries to figure out who he is and what he is to become.

Consistently, we do see a sweet boy with a kind and sympathetic heart.

Conscientious and caring.

A little bit crazy and equally cautious.

Seriously silly ...

and always full of love to share.

Updated 6/22/13

{Poor kiddo is also pretty sensitive to my anxieties as well  ... 

even if I don't share them with him.

He has missed several naps these last few weeks 

claiming he cannot sleep because he has stuff to do ...

to get "orn-gan-nized" for Anderson.  

I haven't ever heard of a 3 year old nesting!

And late last night/this morning when I checked on him, 

he was either talking in his sleep - or woke up when I opened the door.

A few times he mumbled "a-lie" "a-lie?" and then finally,

"Is it "Ja-lie" yet? Is it Anderson's birthday?"

I have been nervous that this little guy will come early,

only because we are definitely NOT ready yet...

and some how my little guy has caught on.  

We still mark the "countdown calendar" daily and are almost to the end of June.

Hoping to be able to mark off another 5 weeks with my sweet, silly, sensitive boy!}

A Summer Gallery

 Day 1: Noah's Art Camp - Insect Theme

 {A flower?}

Day 2: Noah's Art Camp - Jungle Animal Theme

 

Painting a canvas for Anderson's room

Painting his version of a baseball game/stadium

A Lesson in Blending

Easter Egg Blending Techniques 

Taught by Daddy

Perfected by Alekzander

 

No Dinos

Curious George continues to be a staple of entertainment in our house... except on Tuesdays or Thursdays {in which case we can't watch the animated Curious George on TV, but we can read one or three or ten of his stories - or listen to a CD with three George stories on repeat!}

One animated episode "Signs Up" has been viewed numerous times... George steals signs from around the park and zoo and starts a collection in his room until he realizes that people rely on the signs for information even though they just have pictures/no words.  At the end, he returns the signs and gets to make a special one for his room with Professor Wiseman (a minor supporting character that Alekzander knows by name!).  George makes a sign that looks much like these...

George better watch out because Alekzander and I are pros at cranking these signs out in minutes.  Already five have been created and distributed to two Charlotte homes.  {Three signs reside in our house though - on each of our doors upstairs - just to be sure that we are safe from dinosaurs.}

 All three doors have to remain closed at all times 

to make sure that the dinosaurs get the picture 

and don't enter any of our rooms.

These dinos, however, may not be able to read,

but they look pretty nice to me.