The Grid with Kid(s)

I've been to The Grid before. It is a activity center with games, but most importantly, go karts. You can read about my experience from 2019 here. Honestly, I didn't love it. I was annoyed that Tyler didn't come on time to see me race. I was annoyed that they didn't give enough instructions so I didn't even know where to look for my scores. I was scared that I would hurt my back. It was not my idea of a fun time. Basically, I'm not raring to go again.

But Tyler really enjoys that and he wants to share it with someone, so he decided to take the kids. Sadly, he couldn't find a day to take both the older girls at once. (Blah blah...work schedules...blah blah) So he and Robyn went one day and then June at another time. 

I think the girls had a great time. They may be at the bottom of the lists, but this is their first time driving, and they are only seconds off the person in front of them. Nothing to worry about since I don't think they intend to be professional racers. They can just enjoy the experience. (Stallion is pretty serious however. You'll notice his name towards the top each time.)

I love that they can share these types of experiences together. Enjoy the photos.

Art Theme: Chaos

The submissions are minimal, but I really like what we've gotten so far. I imagine we'll get some more things towards the end of summer. As I went on vacation this last week, I understand why some people don't have time for art. Life can get very busy. In fact, it can get a bit chaotic.

Let's see what people thought of when you say the word CHAOS...

I really have no idea what is happening in this piece, which means it captures chaos very well. Take a gander and see what you think.

Chaos by Robyn Cazier

I love this explosion that Pearl did.

Sonic Boom by Pearl Cazier

The idea behind my piece is that a world where people only talked would be chaotic, but most people just called it 'creepy.'

Planet Chaos by Maleen Cazier

Daisy's idea was awesome. She had Loki change all the logos back to their original design. I recognized some, but not others. Who knew Google was originally called BackRub?

Loki Ruins the Internet by Daisy Cazier

I love Maya's piece. It gives the feel of being pulled in different directions. How can you choose?

Chaos by Maya Francis

I think we can all feel a bit of connection with Lilly. This is definitely also some of my kids' lives.

My Life by Lilly Francis

Nicely done everyone. Stay tuned for Name Art next week.

Art Theme: Subterranean

This was a fun category. I actually hope that during the summer, we'll get more entries because there is so much potential for all these themes. I love what we have, but I'm greedy. I want more art because I love to see how people's minds work. Let's show you what we have.

 This first piece is photography by Ivory. She took this shot at Girl's Camp. She liked the exposed roots that are normally underground.

Almost by Ivory Cazier

Robyn did this henna on my arm. We called them death mushrooms, but I definitely think these beauties would grow subterranean.

Death Shrooms by Robyn Cazier

Daisy made this friendship bracelet using the nice muted tones of soil and dirt.

Subterranean Colors by Daisy Cazier

I put together this star nosed mole using only fabric. Can you see the ruffles representing the dirt piled on the side.

Professional Digger by Maleen Cazier

Daisy recently read a book with an underground cavern where a brain coral lived. This is her rendition of the coral in its habitat.

Brain Coral by Daisy Cazier

Pearl did these sweet bunnies. Surely one of the cuter animals that burrow.

Cutest Dwellers by Pearl Cazier

And Lilly did this awesome ant hill. I love the detail through the magnifying glass.

Where the Ants Go by Lilly Francis

All excellent. Next week is Chaos. 

Live Performance!!

It was really nice when they started to have live performances again. I feel bad that the kids had to still wear masks while singing. I have only sung in a mask at church and I thought it was terrible. But these kids sang in masks all year. Props.

Mrs. Wagstaff is a great teacher, but sometimes her song choice is a bit strange. That's okay. I still enjoyed the concert a lot. June and I were able to attend the first half with Daisy and then Tyler and Pearl joined us a little later for the second half with Ivory. 

Daisy did Madrigals this year which is the all girls choir. They had some beautiful pieces and I loved that they added a flute in one. Daisy has a great soprano voice. She also introduces their first piece.

Ivory did early morning advance girls choir and then also acapella. She has a really lovely alto voice and I hope she continues to sing through High School. 

Sorry you can't really see Ivory in the videos. She is sort of at the wrong angle. But here she is with her cute friends after the concert. 

It was a great evening, and despite the wearing of masks, I was happy to be back watching the kids sing.

Pearl's 11 Year Gallery

I have definitely been behind on my photo shoots of the kids. Typical. But since I just posted about Pearl's Birthday, maybe it will look like I'm top of it since it is quickly followed by her cute gallery.

Pearl and I had a lot of fun. We went down to the university grounds. I found some places I'd never seen before. It was a beautiful day with a beautiful girl. Things to notice in this fun shoot...Pearl is very flexible. I love her splits. Also, she's a bit of a sass. I think that shows through in some pictures. 

We went out for treats after. Pearl loves Culver's for their ice cream but especially the cheese curds. Me too. It was a great day.

Pearl Turns Eleven

Seriously the nerve of Pearl to continue growing. She's my baby, but she keeps getting taller and smarter and all around awesome. I'm so glad she is part of our family.

For her birthday, she really wanted to take a trip. Not just to the zoo like you saw in the last post, but somewhere out of the state. It took a while to plan, but we decided to go to the Four Corners. Then she could be in four states at once. I was in the midst of hotel planning and adding activities to the list, when I noticed that the Four Corners was CLOSED. What!? It is literally a flat place with a small monument on the ground. But I guess it belongs to someone and they closed it. So that trip went out the window. We substituted a trip to Idaho, but that is a story for another day my friends.

Today we are simply celebrating Pearl and her fabulous day. Covid doesn't stop too many things. You can still do balloons and Dad still took Pearl to lunch. Gotta love fondue.

We still did presents and cake. Well, it wasn't really cake. Pearl asked for Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies. Look at her cute little excited clasped hands...

In case you can read those candles, she didn't turn 98. I just didn't have candles on hand. Mom fail.

Pearl got lots of fun gifts. Some she used right away. I helped her do the owl diamond art. I've never seen a 3D one like that. And it was fun to see it glow with different colors.

Her new leotard went on right away. And her pillowcase that Daisy made her looks like a small superhero cape. That makes sense since her super power is doing handsprings and making people laugh.

And we measured her in the evening. Like I said, still growing. Drat.

Later I found that she had done her own selfie photo shoot on my phone. I think she took a picture with every single filter on there and then some more pictures with her gifts and what not. So here's some bonus pictures of Pearl. She really is a ray of sunshine in our lives.