Friday, February 27, 2009

Four Picture Friday: Like Father, Like Chimpy

The other morning Chimpy and I were eating breakfast when she suddenly pointed out the window and said, "Hey! That house has a face!" I looked and sure enough, it did. Here's what we saw.

See it?


Hey!


I haven't really thought much about whether or not Chimpy will inherit my artistic talent. That is largely because I don't really think much or know what to think about my artistic talent. Sometimes I feel I draw only because I can and not because I am fueled by that creative passion that seems to drive many artists. Maybe if I considered myself more accomplished or if I felt I had a tradition to pass on, I would feel differently. But I don't.

But when Chimpy saw the face in the house that morning, I was genuinely surprised and pleased because I used to see the same kind thing all the time as a kid. It makes me wonder if maybe Chimpy hasn't gotten something of my talent after all. She's actually quite skillful with a pen. Here she is coloring a thank you card we made for a friend.

Chimpy colors.


Chimpy likes drawing and painting and I do my best to get her to the children's art studio a couple times a month. Usually, though, we fool around at home.

Unlike her old man, Chimpy isn't afraid of different media.
In this case, marker on foot.


Chimpy and I set up a work station for her in my attic studio. The various demands of the day keep us from spending as much time as we'd like up here, but we have fun when we do.

Here's where we don't draw.


Well, this post feels like it's more about me than Chimpy. So let me post another picture of her.

Portrait of the artist as a young Chimpy.


If Chimpy is an artist, that is fine. I will only insist that she becomes a better one than me. And if she sticks to her current plan and becomes a fire fighter/doctor, that will be fine, too. I'll be proud of her all the same. As for Jojo, he has no choice in the matter. He's got to fulfill my lost dream and become a writer.


"It was the best of Yayas, it was the worst of Yayas..."

Friday, February 20, 2009

Four Picture Friday: Birthday Party Then and Now

Just over a year ago Chimpy attended a birthday party for her friend, L. It was princess-themed and was very cute but I don't think I posted any pictures from it.




The birthday girl (center, pink hair) is Chimpy's friend L. She is very sweet and bright and is Chimpy's idol by virtue of being two and a half years older than her.



Check out the cake:




Well, Chimpy was invited to L's party again this year. The theme was 'Harry Potter' so Chimpy got to wear her witch costume. Here she is with L, both suddenly a year older.



We did some face painting.



And here she is with her friend Lulu.




Speaking of then and now, here's Jojo a year ago:



And here he is now:

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Rainy Day Activity

You won't catch us complaining about the rain at Lil' Chimpy Enterprises because a) we love the rain, b) we sorely need the rain and c) it gives us a chance to do a rainy day activity. We found the plans for a simple dollhouse in Cookie Magazine. We adjusted the measurements so we could get two dollhouses out of one sheet of foam board and maximize the 'wallpaper' so we'd have one to give to Chimpy's friend Lulu on her birthday this week.

The materials


Playroom


Kitchen


Conservatory


Bedroom


The tenants


The finished product



The house is unfurnished but given that the total price for both dollhouses was about eleven dollars, I think we might look on ebay for a few things. Or maybe there's a Grandad out there with time on his hands and some matchboxes, popsicle sticks and wooden spools.

Monday Matinee: Chimpy Translates

Friday, February 13, 2009

Four Picture Friday: Chinese New Year Parade

A couple of weeks ago Chimpy found a book at the library about a Chinese-American girl named Lily who lived in LA's Chinatown and who's older brothers took part in a Chinese New Year parade. Since reading it Chimpy has been looking forward to seeing some lions and a dragon for herself. Last weekend we got our chance.

First, dinner.


Our timing was perfect and we arrived in time to see the very, very, very long illuminated dragon.

The dragon...


still the dragon...


...yet still the dragon.


After which, we went to a kite store and bought a funny kite for this summer.

Our new octopus kite.





~~ SPECIAL BONUS ZEN PICTURE ~~



Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Wednesday Moment of Zen

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Thursday, February 05, 2009

Four Picture Friday: The Case of the Missing Yaya

You know, if I missed blogging two weeks of my life, I would only have to catch you up on the new rip in my pants and you would be entirely up to speed. But miss two weeks of Jojo's life and I have to catch you up on his four months birthday, his rolling, his move to solids and, most importantly, the loss of his yaya. For those of you not in the know, 'yaya' is the term Chimpy coined for Jojo's outstanding up-standing hair. Here are some examples:


Kitchen Yaya

Walk Yaya

Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Go Back in the Guest Room Yaya

Surprise Dogpile Yaya



Frustrated with the failure of gels, waxes and pomades to control his yaya, Jojo turns to his most trusted advisors:

"I've invited you all to this roundtable to discuss ways to tame my yaya. Let's begin."

"Yes, Blue Elephant?"



The suggestion:

Chimpy's yaya therapy.

Success!

Wednesday, February 04, 2009