School

It's now tradition

first photos on orange porch

new school year arrives

Circus "de" Barn

The kids created and put on a circus for Barbro and guests in celebration of her 70th birthday. 

Lea was the artistic director and brilliantly found a way to weave in each child's part.  There were clowns, trapeze artists, and even a surprise act....Eagle our chicken.  Anders ran down to the coop while Lea introduced the last "surprise" trapeze act...and then he came up the stairs with Eagle, the chicken who naturally loved perching on the trapeze.  We borrowed wigs and clown noses that added just a bit more fun to the show.  Lea did a great job of moving the show along and keeping the acts short and sweet.  Here are just some of the photo's from the circus that show the kids in action.

UP, UP with Kuba

 

It seems that if you are the youngest and smallest in the family, you just need to be picked up!  Kuba could not have loved this more!  The vikings Torleif and Claes were busy these past few days hoisting Kuba up into the air just to make him giggle.   HAPPY Happy kid!

Anders and Gustav

Anders cousin Gustav from Sweden was here visiting and I was amazed at the similarity in their features.  Despite the language barrier, play was no obstacle.  These boys had a totally great time together.  Gustav sharpened his already pretty good english speaking skills and Anders picked up just a few new Swedish words.   I loved having another boy in the family.  Now we are even more eager to spend time in Sweden!  

Our Swedish Family

We have had family from Sweden visiting and it has been totally wonderful.  Mor Mor turned seventy  this week and everyone was here to celebrate her birthday.  Barbro's sister Kerstin and husband Werner, and Anna's cousin Kajsa and her husband Torleif with their two children Torun, and Gustav all flew in from Sweden for the occasion.  Claes, Vicki, Peter, Jen, Lea, Hannah, Fran, Dierdre, and Sandy and Rob were here as well making this an amazing gathering of family and friends. 

Kuba at Art Camp

This first photo describes Kuba's experience at art camp nearly 99% of the time.  He played.  At age four, he couldn't have cared less about making art.  There were a few exceptional moments when he managed to focus, but otherwise his main interest was in playing - and sticking his tongue out at me.  This is what I just love about him....he's a creative little kid, but it's always going to be on his terms, I just know it.

Anders at Art Camp

Anders as a seven year old at art camp (in his own backyard and barn) had a very different experience than Kuba.  He was focused and seemed to really enjoy making art.  His still life drawings of sunflowers were remarkable.  His observational skills are sharp as was his pride in his work.  I loved every tiny bit of this, and I think he loved having art in the barn with his friends. I know I loved being his art teacher all week long.