May Update

I've had tons of things I've been meaning to post but haven't had time.  Today, I have time: specifically, the next THREE HOURS, while I'm giving an exam.  Woo hoo!

Yes, there are 19 students in this room, frantically trying to write an exam for me.  Lucky them.

So, here's the updates on recent events, in no particular order:

Skill Share Lowell!
I had a great time this past Sunday at Mill City Skill Share, an awesome event where I attended two classes run by volunteers and learned how to do American Sign Language and crochet (though not both at the same time)!  I now know how to crochet, something I've always wanted to do!  The class was specifically "hyperbolic crochet," which means I can make crazy shapes.

While Mary and I attended the crochet class, Matt and Jake took the kids on the trolley through Lowell.  It was great!  Here's what the trolley looks like inside:

The kids took it through town three times.

As you can see, these kids are seasoned travelers!

Oh, and did I mention, the trolley is free?  Like, all the time.  Seriously.  There is SO MUCH to like about Lowell!

Western Avenue Studios Spring Art Thing

Like last year, we went to join the fun over at Western Ave Studios.  Jake was off on a bike ride, but Lucy and I had a fabulous time visiting with our favorite artists.  You may have already seen these shots over on the flickr, but they're so great, I can't resist.

This was taken in Arlette Laan's studio, where she has an amazing collection of various sock dolls.  She recently wrapped up her big gallery exhibit, which featured these awesome Seuss-ish trees:

It was great.  Our other favorite studios (sorry, no pictures, just links) are Liz Rodriguez's ceramics (we have some of her bowls and they're awesome!), MadeinLowell by Liz Smith (who always kindly explains to Lucy how she makes things), Lush Beads (where Lucy gets to choose beads to fill up a mini bag, and where they fix all my broken jewelry), and Anstey Studios, home of our friends Stephen & Ellen (they always have mini-cupcakes!).

So the Spring Art Thing involves a big postcard that you get with certain studio numbers on it.  When you go to the studio, the artist gives you a sticker to put on your card.  The idea is to collect as many stickers as you can, and then you turn in your card, and they do a drawing for a nice prize for people who get lots of stickers.

You may be familiar with our diligent and sticker-obsessed child.  We went to EVERY studio with a methodical precision unknown to most.  Studios offering stickers were identified by bright green signs on their doors.  Lucy didn't miss one.  About half an hour in (we got there right at the start) people started saying, "wow!  you have a lot of stickers!" and by the end, the last few folks we saw could not believe we'd been to SO MANY artists.  We're dedicated.  Committed.  To collecting stickers (and candy and/or cupcakes when available).

Post Western-Ave-Adventures, we enjoyed a lovely Cinco de Mayo party at the casa of Matt & Mary.  While there are no pictures to document the awesomeness (WE ATE SO MUCH!), there's this one nice shot of the kids at the end of the night:

American Textile History Museum
We went to the American Textile History Museum's SUPER SATURDAY event on April 28th.  The theme was "flight."  We went through their exhibits (they have a great scavenger hunt for kids), and joined the paper airplane competition.  Fun!  Here's Lucy and Ruth with the ATHM's mascot, Lulu.  Woodrow was terrified.

Of course, Lucy and Lulu go way back to Winterfest, where they previously met.  ATHM is awesome -- and right here in downtown Lowell.

UML Spring Carnival
I took Lucy with me to UML's Spring Carnival, where we ran into many of my students, all of whom loved meeting her. Lucy ate ice cream made by the Physics club using liquid nitrogen, snacked on some popcorn, and then had her first ever cotton candy:

Her question to me before she took a bite: is it hot?

Nope.  She loved it.  She won every game she played, so we brought home a giant pile of junk.  And candy.  Sweet, sweet candy.

So that accounts for the latter half of April and first half of May.  It's been a busy time.

I guess I should go check in on my students taking the exam.

Cheers!