Claire was thrilled to wake from her nap one day last week and find that someone had painted her portrait while she was resting. She knew immediately who was in the picture, and she loves to take it down and look at it. She has told us many times that it’s the “Claire-Bear” picture.

“It’s me.”

Portrait of a Claire Bear, by Wilson Walker

Portrait in Blue and Green, by Sophie Walker

And this is a lovely portrait of me, painted by Sophie. Our study was based on the work of Whistler, and the assignment was to paint a portrait in the spirit of the famous portrait he painted of his own mother. Their projects turned out pretty well! Sadly, Sam wasn’t able to paint with us that day … he was nursing a case of the Chicken Pox in a remote location in the house.

We had a fun, if hot, time at the Kennedy Space Center today. The IMAX film was very interesting, and revealing in terms of how complacent the general public has become regarding space travel. We learned a lot about the history of space exploration, the current programs, and the future after the Shuttle Program ends in 2010.

Overall a very productive day!

Mini Golf Fun

Pooh, Sophie, Tigger, and Wils

Mom & Soph at the “Dinorama”.

Sophie at the fountain at EPCOT.

EPCOT

All that’s left of Wilson after the NEMO exhibit.

Claire really enjoys the NEMO exhibits.

At the Pooh Play area

Daddy and Claire

Cinderella with the girls

Ahoy me mates … Wils and Sophie

Space Rangers

Did you know that Sept. 26 is National Public Lands Day and entrance to all 391 national parks is free? Visit your nearest national park this Saturday for a day of service, celebration, and a sneak peek of the new film by Ken Burns.

Monument at Jamestown, VA … site of the original settlement. There is a VERY interesting on-site museum operated by the NPS and an ongoing archeological dig.

Statue of John Smith faces the river.

Don’t forget … this Sunday (9/27) evening the first episode of the new documentary series by Ken Burns National Parks, America’s Best Idea airs on PBS. It should be an amazing tour of some of our continents most beautiful natural areas. This will be a great introduction to some of the “more difficult to reach” national parks. This is a wonderful way to learn geography. Mr. Burns documentary on Lewis and Clark is another geography & history resource.

If you’re in South Carolina … the nearest parks within a day’s drive would include: The Congaree National Forest and Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, Cape Hatteras, Cape Lookout, Trail of Tears, Wright Brothers, Cowpens National Battlefield, Kings Mountain, and Fort Sumpter. If you don’t know already, Fort Sumpter played an interesting role in our nation’s history and is located in Charleston, SC. Who doesn’t like a trip to Charleston in the fall? Enjoy!!

So Mark wasn’t five minutes out the door on his way to Portland when…. oops …. someone dropped the chocolate milk all over the kitchen floor. What’s a mom to do? I would be within my rights to cry. After all…. it is spilled milk.

While the boys were in Raleigh at the NC State game on Thursday night, the girls and I had a few days on our own. The girls had a great time outside and I had a few minutes to play with the camera. No fancy wardrobes… as you can see from Sophie’s attire. She’s still wearing her P.E. clothes.

Our two most recent American Art History endeavors are complete.  Here are the collages from the Edward Hicks study and the drawings of a live butterfly from the John James Audubon study.  I have to say, Audubon’s work is amazing and I can’t believe how beautiful the prints are in the collection volume we have.  Amazing!!

Edward Hicks inspired collages.

Wils hard at work.

Filling in the details.

Claire gets in on the art action.

Sam’s finished product.

… copies of which are at this moment headed to LEGO for the most recent “building challenge”.

Seen here with Gen. Grievous in hot pursuit.

“Anakin tries desperately to shake the General and continue in his quest for R2D2.”

The designer … Sam’l

Claire has decided that she likes to accessorize her outfits now.  And, so long as she has at least the purple strand of “beadies” she’s perfectly happy.  She’s REALLY giddy if she gets to wear all six at one time.  Here are a few photos of her sporting her new “jewels” around the house.  She wore them all day today, except for nap time, even when we went to the dance studio and the grocery store.

She had a blast this morning playing with Sophie’s dolls and dancing in Sophie’s room before breakfast.

Friday was “Art History” and project day.  After our lessons were done, we embarked on an art adventure.  Claire was napping, so we were able to devote a lot of time to our research and project.  Here is an interesting fact.  Did you know that the portrait of George Washington that is featured on the $1 bill was never actually completed?  Though over 70 copies by the artist and his daughter were sold during his [Gilbert Stuart’s] life, the original remained unfinished at the time of his death.  Very interesting….. Here are the fruits of our labor.

A portrait of Mr. Walker by Mrs. Walker

Self Portrait of the Artist as a Girl by Sophie Walker

Self Portrait by Wilson Walker

“Mom” by Samuel Walker