Prized.

When Harper was 6 she saw a commercial on PBS (they actually don't call them" commercials", they have another, less capitalistic, less corporate, less greedy word for them) for a story contest. She decided she was going to enter the contest and WIN. She wrote and illustrated a cute story about a stingray and some other sea animals. She did not win, but she got a nice certificate. Undaunted, she entered again last year. This story was about her stuffed puppy Sasha entering a horseback riding competition. Sasha won the horseback riding competition, but the story did not win the story contest. Again, Harper got a nice certificate for her participation. She was a little disappointed, but not as much as I expected she might be.

I thought maybe she wouldn't want to enter the contest this year, but mentioned it casually when I got an email about it. She decided she would write a story about a bald eagle. She worked really hard on the watercolor illustrations. She researched details, and we had some great practice distinguishing between "summarizing" and "plagiarizing." She titled it A Bald Eagle's Journey. And the third year was the charm! She was named a finalist, and we all got to go to an awards ceremony at the Children's Museum. She got a medal and a backpack full of public broadcasting "swag" which included a ruler, several pencils, a Highlights magazine, some Daniel Tiger Stickers, and some sort of Leap Pad game that requires a Leap Pad (which we don't have). It was all pretty thrilling. We are proud of her.

I hope she always loves creating. I hope she always finds joy in a good story. I hope she is always as tenacious as she is now. 

If wishes were puppies.

Our neighborhood pool is open at last. We went for a swim yesterday afternoon and Helena was having such a terrific time that when I told her it was time to get out, she did, but then she said this:

"I wish I didn't have a Mommy because then I could do whatever I wanted and I wouldn't have to obey."

Her tone was pleasant and polite so I didn't take it very personally. I actually love that she says exactly what is on her mind. I did wonder aloud who would tuck her in and give her kisses and prepare her food. She thought for a second, then:

"I think a big dog could take care of me and do all of those things."

So, she was listening after all when I read Peter Pan aloud a couple of years ago. Helena needs a Nana who will let her stay in the pool as long as she wishes. Though I don't think Nana would do a very good job buttoning dresses or putting hair in buns.

In other hair news, a few weeks ago, we were moving some furniture around and Harper discovered some golden curls behind the play kitchen. Were they from a doll? They were not. Helena confessed that she has been giving herself trims. With all of the curls, it was tricky to see, but she definitely did some damage in the general bangs region. She couldn't explain why exactly, but I think it might be her response to all of the comments she gets about her pretty curls. She doesn't necessarily love strangers telling her that her hair is SO PRETTY every time we go out. This is the look she generally uses as her response:

In other hair news, this conversation:

Helena: Mommy. Can you please make a bun in this ballerina Barbie's hair?
Me: Would you like a high bun or a low bun?
Helena: Hudson! Do you want a high bun or a low bun?

Brother of the year, for sure. He has a GI Joe action figure that condescends to interact with the ballerina Barbies on occasion. And apparently, GI Joe likes a lady with an updo.

I realize I never did Helena's birthday interview, and I hope to at some point. The only thing she wanted for her birthday was Barbies. (Maybe you will remember my aversion). I really tried to redirect her wishes, but she was determined. So, she got four ballerina Barbies (including a ridiculous looking Ken ballerino) and a bride (all from grandparents). She pulls them out about twice a month, and they all switch clothes, do a few pirouettes, and maybe some Krav Maga with GI Joe.After a few days of enthusiasm, they get pushed under her bed, forgotten.

In other Helena news, she lost her first tooth today! This is much earlier than the other two lost any of theirs. They were both close to 7. The tooth fairy has realized that a dollar a tooth is probably more than she wants to pay for all of these teeth falling out. She didn't really think it through. SIXTY baby teeth.

The arts are very fine.

I have many posts coming. Just you wait!

This semester we did some homeschool art classes at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. The instructor was this delightful diminutive French lady who was Montessori trained and who also, it came out, was educated in art at Cambridge (England, not Boston). She had such a wonderful way with kids and with art, and we really enjoyed her tutelage. We learned about Georges Braques, the watercolors of John Singer Sargent, and renaissance art.

 Here are the visuals.

Braques: (he liked collage)

 

A fountain in Venice a la John Singer Sargent: (the art teacher had to talk Harper down on this one. Harper had almost rubbed a hole in her watercolor paper with erasing.) Then, with 10 minutes left she managed this loveliness with oil pastels:

Then, a Renaissance rendering of the Blessed Mother.

 By Helena:

 

By me:

 

By Harper:

 

And by Hudson:

 

 

Mary: NINJA STYLE.

 

This week I am going to attempt to write about our glorious vacation. Also, Harper won a contest.