blooming, blooming, bloomed

Our neighbor's glorious magnolia tree bloomed early this year due to a week of incredibly bonny weather, with temps in the low 80's and clear sunny skies.  It was a beautiful sight to behold!

22 March

23 March

After a night of seasonal sub-20 degree temperatures, the blooms lost their optimism.

27 March

Now we are waiting for spring all over again, but with less hopes for brilliant blossoms...

Airplane

 Rabbit has been learning about different sorts of transportation at pre-school, and today he brought home a glider that he made at school.  The black markings are "stealth technology" and the blue and red smiley face stickers in the front(pilot seat positions) represent him and his Co-JediSpyPilot SidekickBrother.

dance party!

Dance dance roll:

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

We are cooking our corned and cabbage, wearing our green socks:

...and listening to Luke Kelly bring it on home:



Happy St. Patrick's Day!


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Bearded Dragon teeth

Today I received a phone call that every parent dreads: "Hello, this is (Rabbit's Pre-School) calling, we want to assure you that your son is okay and everything is fine, but..."

Today, Rabbit was bitten by a Bearded Dragon.

The Bearded Dragon is a spiny lizard that is native to Australia, but was at school today as part of visiting animal educational program.  Before I continue my story, please know that both boy and lizard are fine.

The details of the event are a bit fuzzy.  Rabbit told his teacher that the Dragon must have smelled the sushi he had for dinner the night before, and that it must have thought Rabbit's finger was a delicious piece of fish.  Rabbit did not want the Dragon to get in trouble for this honest mistake.  The teacher's report included the word "poke" in the description of events.  The critter's owner was distraught and very apologetic.  The Dragon itself could not be reached for comment, but I would hazard to guess that it is quite happy to be home and not in a gym full of excited 5-year-olds with fishy/pokey fingers.

Rabbit's Dragon bite is about a half and inch long; the teachers cleaned and de-cootie-fied the wound and bandaged it.  I am told that Rabbit went right back to exploring the other creature exhibits and had a fine time with his new celebrity status among his peers.

When I arrived to pick him up from school, Rabbit came limping out of his classroom, bent over to one side with the great effort of holding his bandaged finger up high, and told me that a macaroon cookie might help him feel better.

Here are some out-takes from the little photo session documenting the Dragon bite.  Rabbit wanted to show a "suffering" face, but could not maintain it:

I have no doubt that this tragic event will be milked for more macaroons and sympathy over the weekend.  It is too early to tell if there will be a scar from this Dragon's tale, but we certainly got a good story out of it!

old cooks

I just had a 60+ year old pyrex bowl drop and shatter to bits on the floor; I am inordinately saddened by this, as I think of my vintage bowls and antique kitchen tools as friends, of a sort. When I use them, I like to ponder all of the recipes they have held, and the cooks who used them.  I know it might sound silly, but I think there is a lot of wisdom in a an old mixing bowl.

short shirt

Upon noticing that his size 5 shirt is getting short at the sleeves and belly, I jokingly asked Rabbit not grow up so quickly.

He replied, with measured exasperation: "Mama, growing up is something that I can not control.  It is a process that is always happening and we both just have to make the best of it." 

Our Lego family

Rabbit created this family portrait with legos today.  He is the serious looking Jedi with the double- and single lightsabers; I am the lady in the turban with the parasol, Steve is the handsome Gent in the fancy duds, and Bear is the Clone Trooper. 

It just makes me laugh out loud every time I look at it.

And for the record, I don't do turbans.

Return of the Dapper Men

Return of the Dapper Men by Jim McCann, illustrated by Janet Lee

The "Return of the Dapper Men" is a gorgeous visual treat. The art-deco/steampunk influenced artwork by Janet Lee is inspired and inspiring. It is a work of great beauty and heart that you will enjoy looking at over and over again.

an example of Janet Lee's artistry in "Return of the Dapper Men"

That said, it rather breaks my heart to report that the storytelling in this book is not at all comparable to the illustrations. I found the writing to be clumsy and odd. The spiffy idea of a town stuck between a tick and a tock gets lost in the telling. I was confused throughout the book as I read it aloud to my son, and continued to be confused when I read it again silently to myself. I am a fairly insightful reader, but I just could not follow the text, which simply did not make sense(even in a fantasist or surreal way). I found myself telling my own story via the artwork, which is rich and detailed enough to carry it's own tale.

Here is a video preview of the book, which is basically all about the artwork:



The "Return of the Dapper Men" received 5 Eisner nominations and won the Eisner for Best Graphic Album in 2011. I think that the illustrations and page design merit that honor.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the illustrations and visual experience. If I were to grade the story I would have to give it only 2 stars. There is a sequel that is due to come out this year: Time of the Dapper Men, and I will certainly seek it out, but only for more of Janet Lee's splendid artwork.

Other books by Janet K. Lee:
Emma
The Wonderland Alphabet: Alice's Adventures Through the ABCs and What She Found There

She has an Etsy shop too!

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