A really nice thing happened in April when Polina’s parents were able to come visit for about six weeks! We got together with them several times during their stay. One of the activities we did was to go up to Ponderosa State Park and do some walking.
It was so nice to have them here. Polina is back at work now so her parents were able to keep Anna with them for the whole time they were here.
Time with Grandpa
Second post for 2017
Anna continues to grow and develop her little personality. We are all in love with her! Aunt Chelsie loves to hold her and talk to her. It’s so sweet to watch her with Anna.
Anna loves to be on the floor play matt as long as she’s facing up. She HATES tummy time and cries to be turned over.
I’ve started taking oil painting classes at a local art store. It’s really fun and rewarding. The teacher, Fred Choate is very patient and goes through his set up and painting technique every time. His repetition is very important because it’s so easy to get off track. I’m really excited to be learning a new medium. I was so discouraged with watercolors but was intimidated by oils. Fred makes it understandable and doable.
The painting above was one of the first I really liked. And the rooster is my first attempt at painting animals. Annette liked it so much she wanted to have it for her kitchen (which is chicken themed).
I’m on a path that will hopefully lead to my selling some of my work. In any case, I love oils and can’t imagine trying to go back to water colors.
I’ve met a couple of people in art class and feel like this is a great way to make friends. It takes time though. There are many people who come one or two times to class and then never show up again. So the “regulars” don't take any trouble to know you or talk to you until you’ve shown up enough to prove that you’re serious.
It is frustrating to learn a new skill. Fred says that the brain develops an “eye” for what is supposed to be there but the body struggles to catch up. So when you make mistakes, the brain knows it but the body can’t seem to figure out how to fix it. So you get frustrated trying to fix something that is beyond your capability.
