Ilona's Art

Here are some of Ilona's latest artworks - I think it gives you a good idea of her style

April arts and crafts

I think we may do more in April than March, in the end. So far its been pretty quiet. Bluet has been spending most of her time either drawing or constructing things from card, paper and lots and lots of sellotape (so much so that she is now working her way through our parcel tape as the regular sellotape has all run out (except, I hope, for my secret supply. NB I must go check that once I finish this)).

Last week she set up her easel in the garden and drew the house opposite (pictured in art and in real life):





We also had the neighbours over for a BBQ on Saturday (the first of the year), and more art ensued



On other days the blankets are all off the beds and out in the garden, again to provide the perfect locale for some art. Hungry work

Bluet's Gallery

Here are a few pictures Bluet has drawn recently on the whiteboard

My favourite - 'man pulling up his pants (trousers)'

The Gallery

We bought Bluet and Ilona an easel the other week. So far it has proven a sound investment

Ilona announced she would draw Veronika. This is what she produced





Bluet meanwhile is into drawing Swiss mountains. I believe it is Veronika on skis in the first picture


This was Bluet and Ilona in their bunk bed, although Bluet in the top bunk has mostly been erased



This is our family, unfortunately drawn in yellow, by Ilona


And finally, here are our pumpkins

Chalk drawing

The other day when I came home from work, we went down to the road in front of our house and did some chalk drawings and colouring.

Today it rained and all washed away




Ilona drew a picture of herself by herself



And finally here is one Bluet drew inside with crayons

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The Gallery

Since Bluet got back from York, and was inspired by Della, her favourite hobby is to draw. For hours she draws various things. A new thing every day, and the pieces of paper with sketches on them accumulate all over the house. Ilona also likes to sit and draw, so often they will both quietly sit around the table drawing with crayons or pencils. Here are some of our favourites

Bluet and Ilona eating dinner

Our garden

Butterfly and Aeroplane

Last weekend we went to the Pirate playground (which is near our first Switzerland house) and found some abandoned chalk lying around, so Bluet and Ilona decorated the tables.

Afterwards, both kids were covered in chalk, ready for the journey home

halloween 2015

Obvs this weekend it was halloween. I bought the biggest pumpkin I could find in Zurich, and carved it Saturday afternoon (pictured above). Emily had found some other parents and kids to trick or treat with, so she took Bluet and Ilona while I waited for other parties of kids and parents to come calling for sweets. I think we had 5 groups visiting our house, I hope some were genuinely scared by our giant pumpkin. Bluet decided she wanted to dress as a princess. Sadly the only photo I took is the one above, but Bluet did draw a picture of herself trick or treating, which is more or less as good. Also, a witch and a skellington.

Ilona got to dress as a zebra because we already had a zebra costume (see halloweens passim). Anyway, as she was the cutest zebra anyone had ever seen, she got plenty of treats.

The next day in York

We went for a drive to a nearby artificial lake, where we looked for kangaroos, and Simon chased the kids around a Castle, whilst we all fed grass to Shetland ponies. (This was also the first time I ever drove a car on British roads (aside from lessons when I was 17-18), which was pretty exciting on those winding country roads; actually I really enjoyed it). The weather was so nice, we finished the trip with ice cream and a run around the playground. Back at Simon and Angela's house more artworks were produced. I think Bluet learned a lot about drawing from Della because since we got back she has been drawing like crazy - in York she would only draw houses and flowers, then aeroplanes, but now it is houses and flowers and cats and owls and dragons and Mama and Bluet and Peppa and George and Granny and Grandpa pig (not Mummy and Daddy pig, as I mistakenly thought).

Although I know it looks like she is saying 'Dad, I want a pony', I'm pretty sure she isn't

Simon captured Bluet and Della in the castle

Looking for kangaroos

Ilona and Gus sharing toys

I was going to carry on and talk about Gran Helen arriving (later on this day) and then our trip to the seaside, but our internet is being very very slow with the photos, so I will try again tomorrow. Meanwhile today in Zurich we did some shopping for halloween and Ilona's birthday, ate some sushi, went to the supermarket, and all that jazz