Adoption Tax Credit

Adoption is enormously important to me and my family. The adoption tax credit is set to expire soon. Adoption is outrageously expensive (average of 25k-50k) and most people who adopt do not have a lot of money. They count on this tax credit to adopt. Think of all an adoptive couple is doing to create a better future for the child and for the community at large. Most birthparents love their children enough to give them a future they cannot provide. If a couple wants to help create a better future, why would we not want to encourage that? It does not make sense to eliminate this tax credit. Please sign this petition and pass it on.
here is link:
I signed a petition to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama titled "Save the Adoption Tax Credit".
Will you sign this petition? Click here:
http://signon.org/sign/save-the-adoption-tax?source=s.em.mt&r_by=4764048
Thanks!

Swimming Lessons

 We take swimming lessons year round but today was a good day for pictures because we weren't in our normal pool, which is indoor.  My pictures never work out at the indoor pool.  I'm so proud of my little fish children.  They are turning into great little swimmers.

 Red Fish was quite upset her teacher wouldn't let her go off the really high dive.  The kid is a water maniac.

 New Fish is really starting to take off with swimming.  She thinks she can do it all by herself now (and she can for about 5 feet) so she is in a pretty dangerous phase.  I have to keep a close eye on her so she doesn't take off in the pool by herself.  I can't wait until she is water safe!

Art Group Day 7 - Styrofoam Prints

 Today we discussed what print making is.  We looked at different types of prints and I even dragged some of my projects from high school and college out to show examples. We also look at some of Albrecht Durer's work. We did styrofoam prints using this process.  The brayers and better foam definitely helped this time.  Next year, I will definitely be investing in some ink and see if it helps keep the prints any clearer.  The littlest kids enjoyed the rollers more than anything else.  I will have to do some painting using the rollers with my kids.  Some monoprints are in our near future.

 We set up a little printing station but the kids mostly wanted to carry the things back to their own little work areas.  They like to spread out.

 The little kids needed more help on this one but I think it's because most of them don't have a lot of experience with print making.  Even with all of the art we do at home, my kids haven't done a ton of print making recently.

 The older kids got some very clear prints and I think everyone just loves making something.  As a group they are already improving and it's fun to see their little brains working when they concentrate on their creations.

 We also gathered up some rocks for the kids to paint so they will have something to hold down their papers during art group.  It is way too windy around here.

Music In The Park

Perfect for their future wedding video?

 I love our community's events.  There are concerts in the park every Monday in June and we always try to make it.  Tonight was a swing band.  The girls were really feeling the music for the first 45 minutes and were dancing their hearts out.  New Fish did a little dancing with her friend Buddy B.

Foam Prints

Step 1- Draw on foam

Step 2- Roll paint or ink onto foam plate

Step 3- Press foam plate onto paper

"Magic Unicorn"- by Red Fish

Step 4- Repeat

"Princess Daisy and The Monster In The Mountain"- by New Fish

"The Horse and His Friend The Pig"- By Red Fish

We have playing around with print making for the first time in quite awhile.  We are getting ready to start some printing techniques in art group so I've been practicing with the girls.  I ordered supplies from Dick Blick this time instead of trying to create my own.  The foam plates work really well and I love the ink brayers.  I didn't get any printing ink although I want to get some in the future.  We are just using our tempura paint.

Weekending

 We have dozens of trails around our house and we are doing our best to explore them together.  New Fish made it almost a mile with her little backpack and water bottle before she needed a ride in the backpack.  Red Fish made it two miles in the heat.  These girls are turning into great little hikers. 

We have my Mom's dog this week so our little adventure had the added benefit of wearing the two dogs out. 

Splash Pad

 Splash pad today with friends.  We've been swimming four times this week, ran in the sprinklers and now the splash pad.  We may spend the entire summer in our swimming suits.

Girly & Ridiculous

Little New Fish is too tiny for the pedicure chair so she had to stand up in the foot bath.

 It has been a rough four weeks or so for me.  I've been working around the clock on massive projects- more projects than ever before.  They are going splendidly and I've accomplished a lot of things that I am proud of but I am starting to run on empty.  The combination of working this hard, potty training New Fish and still trying to make sure my kids get all of the attention and stimulation they require and that I'm the kind of Mom I want to be is exhausting.  I needed something to fill my bucket. 

I only get one or two pedicures a year and I really love them.  I really wanted one.  So the girls and I went to get one.  Totally ridiculous for a four and two year old to get a pedicure but it was really fun.  When they got their little foot massage the girls layed back and New Fish said:"Oooooh, I love it."

 The ladies in the shop loved the girls so much they did their fingernails as well.  Adorable.  The girls wanted every nail a different color.

 It was a great little break for the three of us and totally girly. 

The best news is that several HUGE projects are done.  Things are going well and I have my two best little buddies to do girly and ridiculous things with me.

Art Group Day 6- Kandinsky Day

Red Fish and New Fish

 Today in Art group we discussed Wassily Kandinsky, the first abstract expressionist.  We discussed the difference between realistic paintings and abstract paintings.  I was surprised to find that several of the kids knew a basic definition of abstract art.  We looked at some of Kandinsky's work and talked about his use of bright colors and bold lines.  We also discussed (in very basic terms) how to care for our paintbrushes and keep our colors from mixing unintentionally.  We talked about the paintbrush as if he were a person who needed to change outfits (and bathe between outfits.) 

Then we used liquid watercolors in ice cube trays and oil pastels to create a watercolor resist painting.  This project is always a hit.  The kids do beautiful work and are starting to really get into their projects.  I love it.

 

 We played music during art group because Kandinsky frequently painted music or emotions.  I played some Mowtown, Classical, and some intense Rock/Orchestral Hybrid.  It was fun to see how their paintings changed with the different styles of music.  I love seeing each child's individual expression.

Father's Day

Swinging in the hammock on Father's Day

Dear Two Fish-
Whenever I see how much our baby girls love you- it makes me fall in love with you all over again.  I knew you would be a wonderful father to our children but I couldn't have imagined what a special relationship you have with our daughters.  They adore you.  They ask about you all day while you are at work.  They demand that you read to them and be the one to tuck them in their beds at night.  Nobody wants a turn with Mommy to put them to bed.  They both want their Daddy every single night.  You are their hero.  Thank you for giving them that.  All little girls should have a Daddy as wonderful as you.  I love you.

Boating

The girls waiting for the boat

Family tubing adventure

Driving the boat

On the tube with MeMine.  They slid right off right when the boat started because there weren't enough people to hold the tube down.