I warn you, this is a 3-5 year old art class, and their moms will likely be looking at these pictures, so I had to post every single one. Get a drink, sit down, and enjoy the show!
So, this is how this project came to be. Last weekend, when I was at a small town watching Hunter play ball, I stopped by a cute little store in Choudrant, LA, called Louisiann's Traditions. While checking out, I got to talking to the owner about our similar tastes and how I always love the things in her shop. Somehow our conversation went to art class.
By the way, that's her oldest granddaughter, Kate. Anyway, she said her three grands were in town, visiting from McKinney, TX, and asked if I ever do art classes for small ones. Well, actually, I have a four year old who has been wanting me to do this for some time!
And so, I just picked a day and time, and it was done!
Ok, this is Alayna....
and this is Isabella.
They are both in Ellie's dance class. So, on Wednesday at dancing, while waiting for our ballerinas to emerge, one of the girl's mamas asked me, "When do you do an art class for the little ones?" Hmmm.... as a matter of fact....
and here you have Caroline, Kate's 3 year old sister.
So, as I talked to that mom, with the whole, "Funny you should ask..." thing, another couple of moms said, "Well, I wanna do that too." By this time, I was up to 10, and felt like I'd better stop!! Cause you KNOW I have E, G, and Madi!!
This is Josie. Her mama is the one who asked me at dancing if I'd do a little kids class.
This is the third grandchild of Miss Randy, of Lousiann's Trandition. His name is Mason.
And this was my special guest. Meet Mayson. His little brother was in from Mississippi at the clinic to do an intensive therapy round for three weeks. I figured he was tired of hanging around the clinic, so I invited him to join us. He was our oldest, a ripe old age of 8!
And thank God for my mama!! She brought over donut holes and decided to stay and help out as needed. Note to self... next little kids class, have THREE adults to help!! That was the perfect number!! Robin was there to help too!
Madi chose pink... no surprise. I think she is the most feminine of the three girls. Or maybe Gabs? But most def, not my older kid!
Yeah. This one! She was apparently going for the goth look, (please note choker), but I wasn't up to the battle. Looks good to me. Let's rock and roll.
And I was SO proud of Gabs!! She just painted her canvas and STOPPED! Instead of insisting on layer upon layer of colors, like usual. I was surprised at how well she followed directions in the class setting!! I'll have to do this again soon!
I went into the kitchen where the kids were letting their backgrounds dry and having donuts and juice. I mentioned to Robin, "This is going pretty well!" And then I glanced at my phone.... thanks, Jake!
And now came the time for the foreground. We were making an owl! I had them draw two circles. One large on the bottom, and one small on the top, with two triangles for the ears.
Of course, we had to go around and give a little help with some, but some did quite well on their own.
They were then instructed to paint in the lines, just like a coloring book.
Look at the focus on these little ones' faces. They were surprisingly very engaged!!
Ellie and Madi, naturally had to do the same colors. AND they had to share a palette!!
Have you noticed the cute aprons?! I mean, really... these are the cutest!!
Miss "I have to do things differently" chose her own apron. I wish I could remember the name of the company where I ordered these aprons. I used to order lots of things from there when my kids were little, and would like to do that again! Anyone? anyone?! Hutton's mama... you still read my blog? I know you know who I am referring to. Ok, moving on!
Mayson was my "special helper". I thought it might convince him to come and join an art class of three and four year old girls!! He made the water cups for me, and gathered background brushes to help me move along during the hour and a half it took to complete this piece of art.
So, this is what it looked like as we painted. Remember when Brooke mentioned that I don't have any pencils in the art room. I am glad about that . My first inclination was to draw the owls on their canvases. But, since there were no pencils, I had to rethink that, and using the shapes (circles/ triangles), I think, made the piece that much more THEIRS!
Mason was none too happy with me, though, when I made him paing orange over that beautiful face he drew. That was NOT the class prject, so I had him cover that nose and mouth!! After all, we needed to decoupage a beak! Duh! ha
Josie was a very good worker. She never got pushy with the whole, "It's MY turn"! Or "I need you!!" SHe patiently waited her turn.
Daneira, I might need to blow this one up for you. That's a seriously cute picture!
I wish y'all lived closer, April. I would love to have this class regularly! I was surprised at how well it actually went!
I can honestly say, this one needed NO assistance. She was talking about her "background" and "decoupage", like it is commonplace language. Of course, she was also doing her own thing, with a gigantic owl!
There's a reason that there's a big gap between basic owl shape and signature of the art piece... and that reason is...
ALL HANDS WERE ON DECK getting all these wings, beaks, and bellies cut. The kids got to choose the paper they wanted.
Little Miss Caroline did a great job. The white stuff on the canvases is ModPodge and will dry clear.
Ta daaaaah.... way to go, Josie.
And here is a close up of our group.
Madi's and Kate's were great.
as was Mayson's. I always judge the success of the class by how excited the mamas will be when they show up. As well as. will this art piece actually be used in their houses or in the kids' rooms?
Even my Gabbi Girl's owl was pretty good. Looks a little like Angry Birds, but it's great for me!! It is already in her room!
And the whole crew!
The class also fostered a few little friendships!
and there were some who just grew a little with regards to their esteem, as they kept up with the "big kids"!!
Even my little bitties!!
You gotta admit... these are pretty awesome for 3-5 year olds!!
When their mamas arrived, I had miraculously cleaned the entire artroom, including palettes, paintbrushes, and room in general, and THIS was the sight in the den... all sitting and watching Max and Ruby. Funny, because had they been there about 30 minutes prior, they would've seen the frenzy we were in to help 10 3-5 year olds create a masterpiece! And then... PEAAAACE!
It was so much fun that I think we MUST do it again! Enjoyed the day with you, little ones.
MO
Have I done my due diligence introducing Cheerio?! I kinda think not. And with that.... meet Cheerio. 
Cheerio (named by Gabs) arrived about three weeks ago. She just kinda wandered up. I was sure she'd followed a jogger down this way. We live on the end of a busy subdivision, and many joggers come down here on our less crowded end to stay out of the way of traffic. Anyway, we assumed she'd head on home the next day. She did not. 
Nope. Instead, she let us know she was an inside dog and preferred to be in a lap! She and Gabs were straightaway buddies. And judging by this bow, I can also tell you, Ellie really likes her around too!! 
So, we made numerous "FOUND" signs and posted them all over the neighborhood. Not a bite!! Notta. Nothing. 
Then, this past Wednesday, out of the clear blue, Robin let her out the back door, and she disappeared. Without a trace. Although we'd been trying to find her mom and dad, we were pretty shaken up that she was gone. We'd already decided that she'd become a Groves should we never hear from anyone.
