"Tell me about your picture!"

(Alternately titled: "Child, would you please cooperate so I can take one stinkin' picture?")



"Hey Nat, show me your picture!"



"Hold still so I can take a picture of you with your picture!"


"Tell me about your picture, babe!"



"It's YOU, Mama!"

Apparently...

Allyson came home with this yesterday:


This is what we have ascertained.

1) Apparently the art teacher at school submitted this kindergarten project of Ally's to the R0ck County 4-H Fair, held in July.

2) Apparently Ally won a white ribbon.


3) Apparently a white ribbon is third place (according to Allyson, the all-wise first grader).

4) Apparently white ribbons earn a valuable cash prize. That would be one dollar and twenty five cents.

5) Apparently Rock County 4-H is in need of additional funding.

6) Apparently we walked right by the thing when we toured the art building at the fair this summer, not even realizing that OUR child's work was near.

7) Apparently Ally knew about the submission all along, but "forgot" to tell us.

8) Apparently there was a breach in communication somewhere.

9) Apparently we have a double award-winning artist living in our home.

Happy Easter!

May this day be a poignant reminder of the horror of His death, the magnificence of His resurrection, and your powerful need for a Savior.

The Contest Winner!

On Saturday, we decided to take a drive down to Rockford to visit their mall and enjoy some Chipotle for lunch.  (FYI--Chipotle is worth the 40 minute drive all by itself!)

When were in the Barnes and Noble at the mall, the Jaycees were hosting a coloring contest in the children's section.  Of course, Allyson was very much interested in participating in the contest.  She colored her picture and proudly submitted it and we moved on with our shopping.

About an hour and a half later, we were on our way out of the mall and looking forward to our Chipotle lunch when we hear a lady calling out to us.  It was the lady from the Jaycees who was chasing after us to let us know that Allyson had won 1st place in the coloring contest!

Allyson could hardly be held back as she followed after the lady to receive her prize!  She received a pail and shovel that was loaded with Easter goodies.  She also got her picture taken with her prize and her "prize-winning" picture.

Allyson was beaming and we couldn't help but make a big deal out of her "major" award!  It was definitely a fun addition to our day!  It definitely made hers!

For the curious, here is a photo of the award winning picture!

"Look, Mom...

...I'm an octopus!"

 

"Now I'm an octopus AND a moose - with antleers."  

(Apparently she prefers pink moose and yes, she said "antleers.")

 

 

The Screams Heard 'Round the World

Yesterday both girls visited the pediatrician to get vaccinations. Thus the title of this post.

I'm sure you can imagine the scene. I thought I was being smart (or at the very least efficient) to schedule the girls at the same time. I thought Natalie would see Ally be brave and emulate her. I thought Ally might be a good support to Nat. I thought wrong.

Once again David was right. I hate it when that happens. His only comment was, "Why did you schedule them together?" (There was more than a little incredulity in his tone.)

Anyhoo...Ally went first because I knew if she saw the deed take place with Natalie, she'd run screaming from the office, never to be seen or heard from again. So, Ally sat in my lap and I held her arm down so she wouldn't jerk it away from the "pinch." What we didn't really think of was this: Natalie was in Dave's arms, watching the WHOLE thing. Oops. (Bad parent moment.) We've never seen her protective side, but she freaked out, believing that this stranger was hurting HER sister. Then, just a few moments later, we were holding Natalie down and the stranger came after her!

Yeah, so it was a loud morning. Christopher slept through it all. (Gotta love that little guy.)

When we got home, Natalie crashed into a morning nap and Allyson sat down to draw. Here's the result. The figure with the smile is the nurse. Not sure why she's so smiley. I'm at the far right, holding Ally in the center. The lines all over the page are tears. Poor thing.


For the record, Allyson screamed almost as loud today when we took off the band-aids as she did yesterday for the shots. Good grief.

Still getting used to this idea...

Here is a recent picture (lovingly crafted this very morning) by our Allyson. I do love Ally's pictures, she always adds such creative touches.

But this is among the very first pictures that display the Foxs as a family of 5. Woa. That is an image that is taking some getting used to.
Just in case you were wondering, the line-up is as follows: Mommy (in a polka-dotted dress), Allyson, Natalie, "Tyrone," and Daddy. And, if you were wondering further, Daddy and "Tyrone" are apparently wearing "leaf outfits" that I made for them. (Maybe that'll be my next project.)

Art by Allyson

Here is the second installment of Ally's Artwork. (See the first installment here.) She worked on this in Children's Church yesterday and I actually asked the teacher, "Are you sure this is Ally's?" No offense, Ally, but most of your artwork consists of scribbles and people with long hair and legs, but no body.

The teacher assured me it was Ally's and even pointed out her name! What? She wrote her entire name, by herself, without looking at a sample! I'm so proud.

There is nothing sweeter than a child's first attempts at writing her name. I said that I'm proud, but she is at least twice as proud of herself!

(By the way, we'll work on that backwards S!)

Ally's First Painting

Last night, Allyson was inspired to paint a picture. Usually, this means that she will end up with a bunch of indistinguishable smudges of color on the page.

We were shocked last night when she did a "self-portrait" that actually looked like what she said she was painting!

Here you go...the world debut of "Allyson Mackenzie: A Self-Portrait".
Value: Priceless!