Let's give them something to blog about

We finally made it out to Laguna Beach and the Festival of the Arts, where the Bright Sun painting Alex did was featured in a Junior Artist Exhibit. You may remember a few months ago, this painting was at MainPlace mall in Santa Ana with a bunch of his classmates' work as part of another children's art exhibit.

Well, this exhibit was much smaller, so Alex was one of only 2 people from his school selected. How awesome is that?!

Unfortunately, Alex was a bit of the tempermental artist today as we visited with David's parents and aunt. So he was a bit grumpy.

We tried to go last month with Mom and Tante Hanna, but Laguna Canyon Highway was jammed so we gave up and headed to San Juan Capistrano instead. This time we headed out before 10am to beat any crowds, which worked. As a featured artist, Alex got free admittance plus five guests, so everyone got in free!


Alex's sun is on the top row next to the 1st grade sign




Pages from the exhibit program. Alex is the second artist listed.

That was a good drum break

Alex has been taking drum lessons every Friday for the past 4 weeks. Here's a little peek as the instructor helps him do some beats and fills.

Jeff, Alex's drum teacher is also a first grade teacher.

Alex is livin' his School of Rock dreams.

Kayaking in Newport

Yesterday we decided to try kayaking in Newport. Southwind Kayak offers rentals right where PCH meets Newport Bay. It was $20 an hour for a 2-person kayak, but since Alex looks to be under 40 pounds, he could go in the middle. We set off on a cloudy afternoon, but that was fine as it kept us from getting too hot. The rental place recommended heading into the harbor first, as we would have the wind to our back on the return trip, when we were more tired.









I sat in front and Alex sat on David's lap in the back. Alex tried to row a few times, but he didn't really have any power, so David rowed and Alex just enjoyed the view. Though the harbor wasn't that busy, we stuck to the side, looking at all the mansions and their fancy boats. It took us about a half-hour to reach the main channel a half-mile away (where the wedding boats cruise) then we turned around and headed back for the bay. We cruised in there for a little while, not getting too far and headed back. It was tiring but a lot of fun for an hour.

After we were done, we headed next door to this little floating fish market. The outside looked very "yaaarrrr!" like an old sea captain. We bought a filet of halibut for under $5 and went home and fried it up. Yummy!

Another Independence Day

The day after our nation's Independence Day, we celebrated one of our own, as Alex rode his bike for the first time without training wheels. We still had to help him get started most of the time and ran after him just in case, but he was all smiles as he rode around the park. Between this and starting drum lessons 2 weeks ago, he's having a pretty big summer. Next step, swimming without a vest.

An Artist in the Making

Our little Alex was chosen as one of the lucky students selected by Very Special Arts to display his work at a local mall as well as be in Laguna's Festival of Arts. Our family was given five free passes to attend this summer. What can I say? Art runs in the family, but Alex already knew that (yawn)...tell me somethin' we don't know.

Our sunshine boy.

Fashion Frontier

Our fashion show production class served up a nice summer fashion show titled "Fashion Frontier" on June 9. I was part of the awesome visual team who also created a magnificent window display and stage design. The whole class did a terrific job "Yeee-haw!" Ya'll enjoy the highlights:

FV Classic Car Show

Last Saturday we checked out a classic car show in Mile Square Park.












Alex, the (fire) engine inspector








If you haven't guessed, this was the 33rd Hudson built.

Alex got a chance to sit in a real drag racing car.