Artistic Pursuits

July 21, 2013

After church this morning, Mike, Michel, Monica (the chaperone), the boys, and I headed to the Linn Creek Arts Festival in Marshalltown, about an hour from Des Moines.  Mike and I lived in Marshalltown for six years and somehow never made it to the arts festival.  What a treasure!  We were amazed by the number and quality of free activities for the kids.  We didn't even make it to the actual art fair part of the event, because we spent hours in the kids' area!  We saw storytellers, balloons artists, jugglers, and other children's performers.  Michel was selected as a volunteer from the audience in the magic show.  I stepped up alongside to interpret the performer's instructions to her, and the magician later said that it was the first time he had worked with an interpreter at one of his shows.  Thanks to Rick Eugene for seamlessly adapting to the translation needs and going on with the show!

Michel chose a pork tenderloin from one of the food vendors and ate the entire sandwich.  We may make an Iowan out of her before the end of this month!

We met Mike's "little brother" Tanner at the festival.  He and Mike participated together in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in Marshalltown.  It's so fun to see "little" Tanner, who was about nine when he first met Mike, now taller than me, sporting a beard, and working full-time.  Thanks, Tanner, for coming out to meet Michel and join us for the art festival!

Michel enjoyed painting an old minivan that was parked at the festival to be decorated.  She has stated that she loves painting and other artistic endeavors.  We hope that any adoptive family would be able to support Michel in expressing herself through art.

As our time at the festival neared the end, Michel had her face painted, and she and Monica had their caricatures drawn.

We had promised the kids ice cream, so we swung through the Dairy Queen drive-through before heading back to Des Moines.  It seemed to be nothing short of a miracle to coordinate an order for six people - two of whom don't speak English and needed lots of explanations, and one of whom was a very tired and indecisive six-year-old.  Thanks to the Center Street Dairy Queen staff for your amazing patience, and kudos for actually getting the order right!

Michel dozed on the way home, which gave her just enough of a boost in energy to help Matthew wash his bike this evening and then join the neighbors for her first slip & slide.  Slip & slides seem to get smaller each year (weren't they about thirty feet long a generation ago, or did I just get taller?), so the kids tired of the activity quickly.  But she still had fun and enjoyed playing with the neighbors in their kiddie pool until almost dark.

Matthew seemed overtired by mid-afternoon, and his mood didn't seem to improve as the day and evening went on.  (I know, I know - you're shocked.)  When it was time for bedtime and he had moved from "irritable" to "inconsolable", Michel gently took his hand and led him to the couch.  She laid down next to him and read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - in Spanish - to him.  I was amazed to see how quickly he mellowed out.  He tends to get frustrated when he's too tired to track a bedtime story, so I expected a Spanish story to elicit more tears.  However, Michel's quiet demeanor and soothing voice settled him down immediately, and he listened to an entire chapter.  Somehow, Michel knew just what he needed, and language was no barrier.

Michel and the boys walked up the stairs in one big group hug tonight.  Michel snuggled with Mia while reading more of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, while the boys moved on to listen to an English story.  Before we knew it, three tired kids were tucked into bed and ready for a new day.