Farrand Poetry Slam (04.16.2008)

The Farrand PTO, Farrand Elementary and Barnes and Noble partnered together for a really cool "Poetry Slam" event. The kids read their own poems, watched magic performances and learned juggling from Mr. Jones (Our principal's husband). Very cool. Even more cool was that all proceeds of sales by Farrand families were given to the school. Below are some pictures of the event. Enjoy!

(L) Anita read her haiku to an enthusiastic audience.
(R) Minnie learning how to juggle with handkerchiefs first with Mr. Jones.


(L) Minnie did not want to hang out in the kids section anymore. I found him in this section.
(R) Thank goodness it was a handkerchief that landed on Minnie's head and not hard balls!


A bit OT, I know, but I thought I'd show you what Minnie made me for my birthday: A broom and dustpan out of tape, cotton swabs and paper. Good lord.

Talent Show Audition @ Farrand (04.15.2008)

Yesterday, Anita and her classmates all auditioned for the talent show at the school auditorium. The kids were split in two groups. There were dance acts, a very strange comic routine, and a couple of guitarists. Surprisingly, she was the only pianist in the talent show this year.

Minnie got roped in the talent show as well when he was playing Yummers' "Magician" song on the piano after the auditions were over. One of the third grade teachers, Mr. Hammond, said, "Hey, why aren't you in the talent show?" and put Minnie on the spot. He said his infamous, "I don't know." Then, Mr. H. said, "Do you want to be in the talent show?" Yummers said, "Yes, do it, Minnie!" His Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Fryberger, said, "You can do it, Michael!" So, he's signed up now, and he'll be doing his recital pieces for both the recital and school talent show.

FYI ... their teacher's recital and school talent show are on the same time and night. Sheesh ~ we're going to have the kids do the recital first and then hop over to the school for the talent show.

Here she is ... sans microphone though!

Troop 84: World Thinking Day (03.17.2008)

Yummers' Girl Scout Troop was assigned to create a display, SWAPS activity and bring food products for our assigned country of Germany. Yummers was assigned to bring a dish, and we brought strudel which was well-received by the 80 or so Girl Scouts and their parents. Other countries included Mexico, Brazil, Ireland and China.

(L) Troop 84 starting off the evening at our table.
(R) Part of our display closest to the wall.


(L) Anita & her old buddy, Madison.
(R) Schnitzelbank Drinking Song Placemat (part of our display).


The Animaniacs version of the "Schnitzelbank Drinking Song."

Troop 863: DIA Trip ~ Part II (03.15.2008)

OK ... Lest you think that I forgot about the kids, here they are!


I found couple of great gift ideas at the DIA store.

Troop 863: DIA Trip ~ Part I (03.15.2008)

I was SO excited that we were going to the DIA after the renovations were complete. It was really worth the wait, and I highly highly recommend anyone visiting the Detroit to go to sixth largest art museum in the United States. There is ample parking at the parking lot behind the DIA (next to the Detroit Science Center) which is $ 5.00 all day on the weekend.

Everything was well laid out, and the "eye spy" features for many of the rooms kept the kids entertained. All of my favourites were proudly displayed. I took a few pictures with my little Kodak snapshot camera which turned out only OK, but I do hope you enjoy the point of these masterpieces. Cheers!

From the DIA's Central American Art exhibit: (Yes, those are war clubs with a sharp nail-like object sticking out in the third picture ... OUCH!)



(L) From the DIA's Egyptian exhibit, this is a close up of an Egyptian Hieroglyphic.
(R) Outside of the Egyptian exhibit was this work which was composed of different types of wood.


From the DIA's African exhibit:
(L) Camel Riding Seat
(M) Pure Gold for the Village Leader
(R) Palace Door from Nigeria (about 1920)


From the DIA's Asian and Modern Exhibit:
(L) Money Tree Yao Qian Shu (yes, please!)
(M) I've always liked this picture of this boy by Otto Dix.
(R) I overheard part of a docent's conversation about this painting which represents an African-American male as a hero. Apparently, many people stood in line to see this work of art when it was first acquired by the DIA.


(L and R) Picasso
(M) Picasso: Woman Seated in an Armchair / Femme assise dans un fauteuil (1923)


(L) Henri Matisse: The Window / Interieur au myosotis (1916)
(M) Henri Matisse: Poppies (c. 1919)
(R) Henri Matisse: Coffee / Le cafe (1916)


(L) John Singer Sargent: Photograph of the artist One of my favourite artists... a genius!
(M) John Singer Sargent: Judith Gautier (1885)
(R) John Singer Sargent: Madame Paul Poirson (1885)


(L) John Singer Sargent: Mosquito Nets (1908)
(R) John Singer Sargent: Home Fields (c. 1885)


Another personal favourite artist of mine...
(L) Thomas Gainsborough: Sir John Edward Swinburne (1785)
(R) Thomas Gainsborough: Sir John Edward Swinburne (1785)


(L) Gustave Courbet: Bather Sleeping by a Brook Baigneuse Endormie (1845)
(M) Pierre Auguste Renoir: Woman in an Armchair / Femme Assise dans un Fauteuil; Lise (1874)
(R) Paul Cezanne: Madame Cezanne (c. 1886)


(L) Vincent Van Gogh: Bank of the Oise at Auvers (1890)
(R) Vincent Van Gogh: Bank of the Oise at Auvers (1890) ~ extreme close up!


(L) Vincent Van Gogh: The Diggers / Les Becheurs (1889)
(M) Vincent Van Gogh: Self Portrait (1887)
(R) Vincent Van Gogh: Portrait of Postman Roulin (1888)

Troop 863: Fire Department Visit

The Cub Scouts (and respective families) went to visit the Plymouth Fire Department. We had a wonderful and informative time.

Fireman Pete was our guide and took us on a tour of their facility including their kitchen, workout area and the garage where their lockers and vehicles are located. He also gave us a tour of the different vehicles that are used on their runs.

(L) Here is look down Fireman Pete's gear. It is as heavy as you imagine!
(R) Minnie is getting his oxygen level tested by Pete in the EMS vehicle.


(L) Anita, Sam, Zack (top of his head), Minnie and Spencer.
(R) The kids with Fireman Pete. Cheese!