A full weekend

An eventful weekend. 

This is where the kids wait for the art camp to start.

Sam's just finished a busy week at an art camp where the kids explored various media with monsters as the theme. Right up Sam's alley. There were 20 kids in his class, and he got along well with them and had an absolutely great time. Well, he got along with all but Eliza.

Eliza was slightly older, and is reported to have just grabbed food from him at lunch. Thursday when I dropped him off he went over and whispered something to Eliza. She walked over to me expectantly. She is tall, taller than most of the other kids. And has dead eyes, like a doll's eyes. Soulless. No, wait, that's Jaws. She did look devoid of conscience, but not quite like a killer shark. Anyway, my advice to Sam was to just stay away from her, which seems to have worked.

Oh, speaking of advice and parenting and things like that, Sam's had trouble falling asleep for a while now. Recently we thought we'd try him on melatonin. It's still classified as a dietary supplement and hasn't been subject to FDA scrutiny, so it's caveat emptor or cave canem or whatever. We gave him a tiny dose, and found that after about half and hour it did what the pharmacist told us it wouldn't--it put him right out. Unfortunately, at the same time he started for the first time ever having something resembling to the layman's eyes a panic attack. Even when we made it a measely sixth of a pill. So we are back to late nights.  But this has nothing to do with the weekend.

Saturday morning we went swimming as a family at the Y (and Sam spent part of the time in his swimming lesson). Josh loves it there, although he is quite cautious of any water higher than his chest. 

Saturday afternoon we took a trip to the zoo. More about that below.

First, Sunday's first event was a trip to a family day at the art gallery. They had activities and food and live music and dancing outside and the galleries were free for visitors inside. So we availed ourselves. 

Josh emerging from an umbrella-like tree which created with its branches a little-person-sized hideout

Sam, sitting on art

Sam in front of a sculpture thingy in the atrium

This is a sculpture of a horse, made from branches

There is a new one-room display of some renaissance art, including some armor,  both a human set and a headpiece for a horse. Josh saw it and pointed and said excitedly, "I know dat one! Dinosaur!" 

The boys in front of a sculpture, Susan watching nervously from out of frame. Again, in the gallery Josh pointed to a work of art and said excitedly, "I know dat one! Painting!" :-)

The guys in front of a favorite painting by Maxfield Parish

A local dance troupe getting funky for the passersby. The boys were transfixed, though Josh broke free after two pieces  struck out exploring. Sam said afterward it was fun and weird, which is about right.

Now the zoo, from Saturday:

Susan and Josh and a pacing tiger

We all enjoyed watching the baboons during feeding time.

There's a stream where kids can wade, which was a big hit . Nothing like cold water between the toes on a hot summer day.

We ended the day with a Canada-Day picnic at our pastor's home with several others from the congregation. (It recalls not Canada's independence but the decree which created it.) It's an annual tradition for them. They made the boys very welcome. A very relaxing and pleasant end to an excellent weekend.

Josh drank lemonade. At one point he wandered over to the cooler and to our surprise poured himself some more. The smile on his face in this picture is that of a toddler who's gained power to create lemonade at will.

Sam spent a lot of time out on the lawn making bubbles. For a while he even let Josh chase them. 

All the news that's fit to blog. Have a great week!