Puppet show

This morning Isabelle got busy and made some paper puppets. She attached them to some wooden chopsticks, and some plastic forks and spoons.

We have (from left to right on the piano stool): Orla, Aidan's friend, our house, Aidan, Mummy, Daddy, Isabelle, Isabelle's friend, Orla's friend, the cat, and the school. I've done a close up of our family: Aidan, Houdini, Orla, Mummy, Daddy, Isabelle. Puppet Isabelle is wearing a backpack - you can see the paper back of it in the photo.

I was then treated to a puppet show, acted by Isabelle and Brendon hiding behind one of the lounge chairs. In the scene depicted, puppet Isabelle plays with her friend at school.

Isabelle chose four things she wanted to do these holidays, and we managed to do them all. These were Te Papa, riding the trains, going to an art gallery and going out for dinner.

On Friday afternoon we all went to Te Papa to the Rita Angus exhibition (which sort of ticked two things off the list at once). Isabelle quite liked it, but was only interested in a quick look. I took care to explain to her some aspects of the pictures - that they used different materials and different techniques. And I explained how when adults do art, sometimes they do want something to look as lifelike as possible. But at other times, they have different goals.

Brendon and I will have to go back another time if we really want to study the art works! I was particularly struck with one of her final self-portraits, but in that section of the exhibit Isabelle was more attracted to the Bolton Street cemetery pictures (a place she is familiar with), so I went with her interest.

Isabelle's favourite thing at Te Papa was in fact the Pacifica discovery centre, which we had visited previously with her cousins. Aidan's favourite thing at Te Papa was the donations box in the foyer.

Today I overheard this conversation:
Adult to Isabelle: "And so did you get ideas for your art from the exhibition?"
Isabelle: "No. I have my own ideas. See that picture there? I have used chalk on it, even though it is paper".