art appreciation

I enjoy visual art. As long as I can remember, I have. Checking out art with the Vassariños is even more fun. 

While away on our summer vacay, we had the opportunity to take our kids to see all kinds of fabulous art. Gaudi, Picasso, Dali, they had some really wonderful experiences. Since their humor is primarily focused on the unexpected, the wacky, these artists were perfect. We saw some really wacky stuff. 

And I enjoyed the experience more with them by my side. Seeing art through the eyes of kids is incredible.  And telling them about what influenced the artists and trying to understand how that affected their art helped me engage in the art more than silently observing, slowly following the patron in front of me through the rooms. 

So, upon our return, one of the first things we did was visit a local art museum focused on regional artists, Lawndale, run by our dear friend. It's show did not disappoint, with many wacky things that the kids loved. 

They also have a fun mural wall that is great for photos. 

And since the kiddos now enjoy taking pics, I even have evidence that I was there!  I exist again!

brotherly love

We're working on potty training the last kid!!!!!  Remarkable. 

After a successful trip yesterday, R turned to O, beaming with pride and said, "That's my big boy!"

Where do they get this stuff???

yoga

We found a great kids' yoga program that the kiddos love.

Great boat poses!

Who is the purest yogi in our house?

Namaste

instrumentos!

The Houston Symphony has a great summer series in the community and we took the kiddos. A high school orchestra had an instrument petting zoo beforehand and it was super fun!

The concert was casual and about an hour, so perfect for families. They also chose really exciting pieces, mostly with great stories. 

When we listen to classical music in church or the car, I often ask the kiddos what they think it sounds like. At first we started with, is it happy or sad, is it slow or fast, is it a dance or a walk, does it sounds like the sea or the wind, etc. Now they come up with all kinds of stories, it sounds like a shark chasing a fish or two birds dancing and flying. 

So, since the symphony chose stories like Cinderella and the Pirates of the Caribbean, the stories really came alive in the music. The conductor introduced the stories and the music beforehand and I gave the kiddos a brief Cliff's Notes version (I think I just dated myself). Then, the kids kept asking as the music would shift moods, 'What's happening now, Mami?'  I loved watching their faces as they listened intently to the music, matching the story with the song. Seeing their curiosity mixed with amazement mixed with anticipation, all with rapt attention was incredibly thrilling for me. I cherish being able to help them learn to love and appreciate music. I hope it brings them as much joy as it brings to me!

here goes nothing!

We told O that when we ran out of diapers we weren't buying any more and he had to use the potty. Today is the day. And he's had one successful pee pee!  I am excited yet dreading these next days? Weeks? Months?... 

art cars

swim classes

It's time for the Vassariños to learn to swim. Mami needs to be able to be around water and not worry about three little souls who don't know how to swim. The class we registered for requires all swimmers go every day for 2 weeks before continuing on with weekly, semi-weekly or any other classes.

We have finished one week. They've been amazing. The instructors and the kiddos. The instructors have the perfect a balance of sweetness building trust and comfort of the kids in the water and their care against toughness to push the kids to learn and grow. I love watching the kids have a blast in the water and be proud of what they have learned.