Art

This picture was done my O, age 2, and it is titled "Kids" per O.

Above- the teacher circled where O wrote his own name!!


Art can take many forms.

It could be a painting, a sculpture, a photograph, a pencil drawing, poetry, writing, film, acting in a play, or some early drawings from a 2 year old.

Unfortunately, in this day and age, when schools are cutting back their programs due to funding, or shall I say, mishandling of money, it is up to the parents to try and expose our kids to the arts.
When there is more emphasis on sports, vs music or art class, then it is our responsibility to nurture and promote art.

I am not saying I do not believe being athletic or participating in sports is not important, I think it is. It supports learning to play well with others, learning to be a part of a team, can build confidence and should be promoted just as well. And of course, it is great for our health.
The problem I see, some parents see their kids as the next Michael Jordan or Brett Favre and believe their kid will be the next sports phenom- to be endorsed, make millions, which in most instances is not the case. Or worse yet, the parents are the ones who are getting pissed at the kids in the little league game, yelling at the referee and making an awful scene if "the call" wasn't in the favor of their child. Or they treat the game as if it is the next NFC championship, when really, it was just for the fun of playing the game.....


At the school where our J is a kindergartner, they do offer some after school programs- gymnastics and Spanish, but we have to pay for it.
They do have computer labs on Wednesdays as part as their curriculum, music and art on Thursdays and Music and Library on Fridays - which is great. I am just wondering if this is the norm????

My only hope, is that we provide enough exposure to a variety of activities, and show the kids all the possibilities that are theirs if they choose it.
I guess that is what most parents want.

Enjoy O's little artwork- he spelled his name for the first time at age 2. I am one proud Mama!!

Recovering

Whole Foods- E and I checked this out the other day- cool place- we even had a sample of cheese and wine
Isn't this a cool cover- it is a small photo album that holds 48 pics- I found this at the Barnes and Noble a couple of weeks ago on my lunch hour......
Phx on our way up north
So many unique choices......( however, I did not choose any)
A lot of fountains where we are....


Here are some recent snapshots. This was going to be an exciting week of changes- but instead, I have spent the first 2 days laid up in bed or on the couch after having the stomach flu with vomiting and diarrhea- fun, eh??
I lost 5 pounds- but that is NOT the way I would like to do it!!!
Yesterday - I was somewhat recovered, but realized halfway through the day- I was not drinking enough fluids- feeling a little dizzy when standing up. Along with all of the fun with my stomach- I have been fighting some sinus issue- congestion and "fuzzy" feeling in my head. Sudafed has been my friend, along with Ibuprofen.
I am recovering and getting back to my old self, slowly.

Big Day coming up Monday

Big Day coming up Monday- my schedule is changing and I have some big plans......more pics to come to document my success

Discoveries

We have been back in the Southwest now for about a month. In this month, we have been acclimating to living here again. It has been very interesting. Physically, we are here, but mentally, we are still reeling from the move(s) and the very fact that we indeed sold our house, quit our jobs, got new jobs, packed up, moved and drove 1800+ miles, started the kids in new schools and are moved into a 2bed/2bath apartment.
It is interesting, because in less than 2 months, we did all of this and I think it is taking time for our minds to "catch up".
Granted, don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. I told Rob a long time ago, when all of this started, and I know I had this conversation with my sister, but I had said, you know when this happens, it will happen very fast. It did.




In this past month, we have been busy, settling, making a new routine. It all takes time.
The other funny thing is, and maybe this has to do with the jobs we currently have, they are the ones we had before we moved. This has been like taking a step back in time. Except, now our infant is 5 years old and we have another great little boy who is 2 and no Jo-Jo dog...... Oh, and I think we have aged a bit..........in more ways than one........

Along this return to the Southwest, I have made some new discoveries, and some rediscoveries in no particular order.......

-speed bumps
-a mountainous view in ANY direction
-desert rain smell- love it!!!
-round abouts- more than when we left
-Rubios
-the need for no socks--- ( ok, maybe I will need them in December- but I am going to try not to)
-very little time to get from point A to point B, especially since I do not leave Ahwatukee and have no commute
-misters
-palm trees
-hot ass steering wheels in a closed up car w/ no sun shade
- speaking of, sun shades
-water
-no desire for pop
-dusty car after a rain
-Paradise Bakery Southwest Chicken Caesar Salad
-people who are nice- strangers who say hi, or make small talk, and who buy you coffee
-California license plates
-Starbucks pretty much anywhere
-Trader Joes and their frozen spinach pasta
-diversity
-96.9 FM
-3 laned surfaced streets
-Snip Its ( see my other blog)
-locked mail boxes
-grocery stores who match ANY sale and double coupons!!!
-Whole Foods
-Jamba Juice
-everyone being from somewhere else
-playgrounds that have water features...... the kids love it!
-cars/ doors/ sidewalks- hot to touch to the bare skin mid day
-dog friendly
-bike lanes
- monsoon storms