In an old house in Paris

The girls are on a kick for Madeline and our local library indulged them last week with a Madeline reading hour and a craft. The hat is really pretty clever (all paper plates/bowls) and the girls had a blast painting.

Here and then gone

That's the way spring has happened around this midwestern town. We get glimpses and then winter resumes. I cannot say with any confidence that the snow is gone - it seems gone, but then, it might just snow on the kite festival this weekend.

We have celebrated the small moments of spring, and someone even attempted to celebrate the most recent snowfall with a wee snowman. Pictures of that tomorrow. But first, the spring.


We finally purchase a grill. The girls are fascinated with eating grilled food and eating outside. Hope that continues into the kitchen remodel that is fast approaching.





Jeneric has remained a productive artist, despite the warming temperatures that beg for bike rides.





This is a ghost mask and it currently resides in a front window that Jeneric occasionally uses to scare visitors.

Art Adventures

During the last bit of cold, the girls broke out the finger paints - and since the kitchen is slated for remodel this summer, we threw caution to the wind and let them go nuts on the floor.



Jeneric's pictures. On the left, she painted a rocket ship, planets and the moon. On the right is her interpretation of the Northern Lights, which she is hoping to see this summer.


Toddler Wily decided to paint her hands and then press them onto the paper. Finger painting, quite literally.

Artwork Friday

Jeneric is a prolific artist. She loves to draw, paint and color. We just photographed a few of her pieces (those that will not stand the test of time) and thought we'd share with you.

First, we begin with her absolute favorite piece: the bear cave.

Made of card stock, stickers and shaving cream, Jeneric proudly put this on the fridge only to take it down to play with the bears.

Next up, another bear - a cinnabear.

Yes, there is real cinnamon on this picture. It smells great! It's also quite crumbly.

A study in blue.

Paint and a paper plate.

Finally, an avant garde piece, that probably includes a spider web*.


Toddler Wily, though less prolific than her sister, is getting in on the arts and crafts.

Sheep! Naughty sheep, if you ask Toddler Wily.

No idea what this is, but yes, those are fruity cereal puffs.

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*Spider webs are a motif with Jeneric.

For the birds

Jeneric and Toddler Wily received plain birdhouses for Christmas - with paint. Eric found his brave suit and took the girls to the basement to paint the birdhouses (the paint was a slight departure from the washable Crayola paint we're used to!).


Don't worry Dad. We've got this under control.


A very deliberate artist, Jeneric has painted stripes on the birdhouse roof and concentric circles around the door.

Artists

Toddler Wily received finger paints for her birthday and was kind enough to let Jeneric play, too.







Messy, messy fun! Thanks, Grammy & Grampy!

Opening Night

Jeneric has, of her own volition, mounted her first art show. Using the media of Crayola washable marker and yellow post-it notes, she drew and scribbled a 9-piece show. Ever the artist, she also chose the display locations with care.


The living room wall.


The microwave.


The front hall closet.


Two pieces, located in a doorway.


On a bookshelf. The only piece to employ a third media, stickers.


Another dual-piece exhibit. Also the only piece with letters.


An exuberant scribble, located above Eric's desk.

Glueing Glitter

Maybe this project was more suitable for a 4 or 5 year old, but both Jeneric and Toddler Wily thought their friend's idea for an art project was fantastic!

The camera wasn't fast enough to catch Toddler Wily's hand:


Not everything made it onto the paper:


And here is who we have to thank for the art materials:


Any bets on how many months until all the glitter in the carpet is gone?

Art Day

Eric was ambitious one day and pulled out various paints and chalks for the girls. Jeneric is starting to draw and paint objects. Here she is with her recent painting and we follow that with a hard-hitting interview.




Toddler Wily also stretched her creativity, dabbling in water colors.




Finally, Jeneric's chalk masterpiece.

See if you can find:
the bicycle, the bicycle rack, her signature, another bicycle rack and two bubble wands

Happy Valentine's Day

Sure, it's a Hallmark holiday, but how can you resist the charms of crayons, wax paper and an iron?

A portrait of the artist as a young girl

While at the local children's consignment shop, Toddler Jeneric convinced Eric to pick up a Fisher Price Art Easel. Jenni declares this a good deal, as Toddler Jeneric has played with it every day since - painting and, more recently, chalking!

Portrait of the artist

Note how she begins small, minimal...




and gradually expands to engage the entire space using a robust compliment of colors.

Art by TJ

In our ongoing series (did you know it was a series?) we present this week's installment of photography with Toddler Jeneric!

Like all good artists, Toddler Jeneric works with what she knows. The original:


And again - this time with the thumb over the flash.

Toddler Jeneric is learning that some art happens by accident - but not all accidents are art!

Fit to be tied

Aunt Kelly had a fun activity for the Wily Jeneric family - tie dying!

Toddler Jeneric was an enthusiastic helper.


Baby Wily rather enjoys the results!


Aunt Kelly tackled a rather ambitious project - a full-sized sheet set.