I earned my stripes the other day. I took all four kids to the Milwaukee Art Museum by myself. And it was perfect. In a messy-with-permanent-markers-all-over-your-face and excuse-me-ma’am-I-think-your-baby-is-crying kind of way.
The MAM’s Play Date With Art program is fun and just what we need: a semi-structured and staffed activity with art and music. Upon arrival, Jim (I think he’s a volunteer greeter. We’ve chatted with him before in the cafe and my kids like him a lot) helped herd my crew to the east section of Windhover Hall (the lobby). Thanks Jim!
Next, the amazing MAM staff got us setup with markers, transparent paper and mirrors. The theme was “mirror mirror”, and the project was to draw self-portraits using the layers of paper.
Remember the face painting with permanent markers reference above?
We spent time drawing, lining up scissors, decorating the frames, and generally playing. The staff were really great in helping the kids with their projects, and are just generally friendly and interesting people.
They have story/song time twice throughout the morning, and we sang a mean version of ABCs.
Just to prove that I was there. Shortly after this someone came over and told me my baby was crying in the stroller. Luckily she was only a few feet away from me, and another mom (who had a baby of her own strapped to her) had stepped in to jiggle the stroller and pacify my kid. Camaraderie, I tell ya.
Shannon, who works for MAM, is my favorite. She always remembers us and my kids love her. Shannon’s just on point all the time, in a genuine way. She and Little T played some mirroring games after Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.
Just prior to my kids losing it (meaning they didn’t!), we went to the cafe to eat our peanut butter and jam on it sandwiches.
Little A spent most of the time lining up craisins on a rice cake,
…and then shoving them in her mouth. A very creative substitute for a plate.
We chair danced to the second round of song time, which we could hear from our table.
And then I took a picture of what I thought represented my life at this time: kids and chaos, and also my most favorite thing. Coffee in a ceramic mug. The serenity of doing something for myself amidst my duties of being a mother was beautiful to me. Then as I clicked the shot, Little A stuck her finger in my coffee. Which is also beautiful.
These last shots were just for fun, because meltdown hadn’t occurred yet and we were killing a few minutes before nap time.
I’m so lucky to have such awesome kids. And such opportunity to do things like go to the Art Museum. And share it with you. Thanks for spending time with me.
Peace in the new year,
A. Storm
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