Spring in the City

I took my daughter and mother to Chicago for the weekend to celebrate a very special tenth birthday. The American Girl Place was the main event (for one of us). We also took in "Wicked" and stuffed pizza, some shopping, train rides and cab rides -- something we never get to do in Austin.

It was great being in a favorite city on its first really mild weekend of spring. So many people were out walking and enjoying the weather. Nice to be among them and see the sights, Canas bursting through the soil in plots along the streets, folks carrying their coats that they left their homes wearing in the morning, the sounds of traffic, teaching my ten-year-old to walk through revolving doors without stopping midway, and looking UP at buildings and Chicago's tall trees.

Here was a sight/slogan I loved! More art to come soon. I'm inspired to create...

If a five year old boy with a broken arm can do it...

My son has been bringing home the sweetest little handmade pillows from school. It's his last year at a very traditional Montessori school and his high spirits have caused him some frustration there, so next year he'll be at a "mainstream" (as some Montessori parents call it) and strongly academic Kindergarten. Since he broke his arm a few weeks ago I wasn't sure how his final months of school would go and what work he would choose. I could just imagine the havoc he'd wreak with a maddening and debilitating cast on his arm. But NO! Lo and behold he's been stitching and sewing up a storm, with perfectly tiny and even stitches, just like the most patient and clever student EVER to grace the halls of that school. I just love these things. His face is beaming like a headlight every time he emerges from the classroom with a new pillow. He is right proud of his stitchin' self. So am I.