leaping to spring.

We'll use this leap day to remember the 5 minutes of Oklahoma's winter in 2012.  

Miles prayed for "a big snow storm so I can build a snowman and have a snowball fight" every single night since before Christmas.  

On February 12th, he got his wish for snow and couldn't have been happier.  

His sister had the sniffles, snot, and watery eyes but was still thrilled to bundle up and go out in it.  She knew what we had been praying for!  "Mi-yels! You can build a snowman now!!"

The hat is his "3 musketeers" hat.  He wanted Frosty to be a musketeer too.  

With only about an inch or two of snow, he was the dirtiest snowman I've ever built, but we didn't complain.  The snow was super sticky and you could roll giant snow balls with ease.  And we all know snowman building with this age group needs to be done as quickly as possible...before body parts get too wet and cold and the tears start.

The snow was an answered prayer.  

And was melted by 2:00 pm.   

Frosty lasted a couple of days and the kids would check on him out the window.  

When they would get sad and say "Oh no!  Frosty's melting!", I would just sing ".....he'll be baaaacckk a - gain somedaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy!"  

That put the smiles back on their little faces and resulted in the full song being sung millions of times.  

Several snow balls from the snowball fight were eaten (much to my dismay...dirty snow...yuk!) and one even smacked my camera head on.  That's why there aren't many photos of the snowball fight.  But they attacked their daddy's truck as he left for work, pelting him with their ammo and yelling "get him!!!!" 

And since their Granne happened to be here for a visit, she got her fair share of snowballs too.  

We drank hot chocolate and ate soup and pretended it was the long, snowy winter break I always hope will happen.  

It was a good day.  We're very thankful for our one day of winter.  

Alas, today will be 70 degrees.  Happy Leap Day!  We're leaping on to spring with shovels and seeds in hand.  

a letter delivery.

While sitting at my desk Miles walked up with a piece of paper he had written scribbled on and said:  

"Excuse me, m'am.  I have a piece of mail to deliver to (dramatic pause).....Faith?  Please let me read you what it says."

"Dear Momma, I love you very much.  I'm so excited to be a big brother and I just LOVE it when you're pregnant with a big belly that has my baby brother in it.  Love, your son, Miles."

Not even kidding.

Can you believe this kid?

Miles the artist.

Since October, Miles has been taking an art class with a very good friend of mine, Leanne Henry Wright.  

Listen, she's so good, she had her FIRST solo show in OKC at Medium Gallery & Studio in November and sold all but 3 paintings on opening night.  She sold those three within days to a man who bought one on opening night.  She's a stud.  

So, we've been to three of M's art shows since October.  

The first one, I forgot my camera.  Me.  Forgot.  I blame the first trimester.

The second one, I forgot my flash.  So the pics are a little fuzzy.  I blame the second trimester.

Last night was the third art show.  I remembered my camera AND my flash, so here is a quick recap of each one.

ART SHOW #1 :: October 28, 2011

M named his painting "Blue Going Into Green, Green Going Into Orange".

And while I don't have any photos from that night, I made it to the last day of class before the show with my camera.

He put the clear coat of polyurethane on...

...and was sooooo proud to be finished with his first painting!

I should add that Miz Lee-N (which is what it sounds like when he says her name) encouraged her students to go into their closet and pick WHATEVER they wanted to wear to their first art show.  She explained how she likes to dress fun for her shows and that it's just another way she can express herself as an artist.  She also encouraged parents to not stifle the creativity (I love her).  

Ehem.

Miles dressed up in full on cowboy attire.  

Hat, chaps, gloves, boots, the whole nine yards.

ART SHOW #2 :: November 29, 2011

This painting is called "Christmas Lights" and was painted for his Daddy's office.  

I tried really hard to keep it at home, but he sent it with B one morning much to my disappointment. 

The kids brought canned goods to the art show and they were donated to Mission Shawnee's food pantry.  

The class also does a group painting for each session.  The painting is auctioned off at the show and the proceeds are donated to a local charity.  In three shows I think these kids have raised nearly $1000 to give back to their communities.  

Art Show #3 :: February 6, 2012

Miles decided on his musketeer costume for this art show.  

He also made sure his sister was dressed as the princess he should protect.

This time the kids did an Andy Warhol inspired self portrait.  

Parents weren't allowed to see the paintings until the show.  He was so proud to reveal all his hard work!

And the sweet little dude wanted to take "a picture with the baby".  

And with his princess.  

But she wasn't having any of it...

He managed to steal a quick shot despite her best efforts to get away.  

His next session starts soon.  

Can't wait to see what he comes up with next!!