In the Zone

November 19: Each year the local art museum has a few days where they run an art zone for kids. This has quickly become one of our favorite things, so even though Ken wasn't going to be able to come with us, I decided to take the kids. I know, most of you can handle these kinds of things on your own no problem, but I was looking at a day where I: pick the kids up from school (get to the school on time), pump them full of food so they don't complain the whole time (hurriedly eat snacks while sitting in the parked car so it doesn't get too late for us to hit the museum), drive to the museum (if you know me, then you know my sense of direction - hasn't changed. "Mom, are you lost?" is heard on a regular basis in our car). Oh yeah, and make sure there's some fun being had on some level. No problem! This particular day, it seemed to flow just right. I even ran into a friend at the school who was feeling just as wild as I was, so without further ado, the two of us took our 10 kids to the art museum.

I knew it was going to be good when the guy in charge of parking waved me into the special valet lot (super close to the museum) saying "free valet parking if you have children." Check! As we walked in, a swarm of competent women descended on us and quickly tagged each of our children, divided them up by age, then walked them off to different sections of the art zone. EVEN OWEN. That's a big deal folks. (they tried to take Colby, but if I'm not holding a baby in my arms I start to feel a bit naked, so I kept him) When I left, Owen was happily discovering his inner artist, flanked by his own personal assistant ("just to make sure he has help when he needs it," explained the woman in charge. Sweet. Did I mention this is all free??)

My friend and I decided to take the 45 minute guided tour, since it seemed like all the kids were just fine. Ken met up with us (hooray!) and here he is with Colby, where he came to the conclusion that he must be in the wrong business - this piece of art was selling for 3.8 million dollars. All we'd have to do was sell one!

It wasn't too long before I was paged to come rescue a slightly hysterical Owen, who had suddenly realized I left him "alone." I got to see the others in action!

Hailey and Naomi painting their hearts out!

By this point, Colby was playing with dad in the baby corner, surrounded by 6 happy nannies. 

It was then he decided to do something he had been threatening to do for weeks - he took his first steps!  6 of them. Did he take them to his loving mom, or to his encouraging dad? NO! He took them to the nannies, who were singing and cheering him on like you wouldn't believe. This kid is going to have a problem when he comes back to the States and realizes he isn't a rock star… Well, with the attention he gets at home, he may never realize it. I count the outing as a SUCCESS!!