It's May

May Day.  May Day.  It's May.  School is coming to a close which means some fun days for the kids.
Today was Pioneer Day for Nichole and Mustache Day for Jr.

The little boys and I also had some fun today.  We got out, played at a playground, enjoyed the sound of a stream and birds in the bushes.  It was lovely.

Since it's May it also means that this Summer is coming up.  Big plans this Summer.
Let me tell it in Jeremy's words.
"Starting June 1st and going through September 5th we will be building the Wonders of the World at Thanksgiving Point! We will be building one a week for 14 weeks- 6 ancient wonders and 7 modern (the Pyramids at Giza are on both lists- no need to build the same twice.) Also in July when we are switching from ancient to modern wonders Jeremy Telford will be making an attempt for a world record: Largest Balloon Sculpture by an individual (using modeling balloons). The picture is to give you an idea of the scale of these massive undertakings. It is a detail from the first build the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and it is the size it will actually be on the finished sculpture. Most finished sculptures will be around 16' tall- that's about 3 times as tall as most people! You won't want to miss them!"

It's exciting.  In the meantime and since it is May Day and May Day always makes me think of flowers, here's a little something Jeremy did for the Tulip Festival for this weekend's theme, "A Celebration of Art."

Yeah, I love what my husband does.

Starry Starry Night

Meet Derek Banks.  He is a 15-year old concert pianist who recently returned from a concert tour with his teacher and other talented students in New Zealand. 

Before he left, he took some time to visit "Starry Night" made out of balloons at the Orem Library.  He spent about 3-4 hours writing and memorizing his own arrangement of Don McLean's "Vincent," also known as "Starry Starry Night."  Pretty impressive, right? 
Jeremy took some footage of Derek playing "Starry Starry Night" in front of "Starry Night" and made a youtube video of it.  Take a look at it on Derek's youtube channel.  Jeremy will later make a more balloon focused video for his own channel.

Also, watch this video of Derek playing another classical piece for a competition at a piano store.  The video with the most views will win an upright piano.  Derek's mom is in need of a piano that she can give piano lessons on.

And see my kids in their usual positions when we spend time in a library.  If there are books somewhere where we are, they will find them.

It's Up

Well, "Starry Night" is up at the Orem Library now.  It was quite an adventure (though not too stressful) hanging it. 
Word of advice- fishing line doesn't break as easily as string when hanging a giant balloon masterpiece.  Go with the fishing line in the first place.

It was fun to see so many people stopping to look at it.  We went to the teddy bear picnic (the summer reading program's kickoff event) this evening and even saw some friends from our ward who came down.  

It will be up through Wednesday.  There's still time to see it.

It's Art

Look what's going to be hung up at the Orem Library for the start of the Summer Reading Program.
Jeremy had been anticipating this for a while once he found out the theme had to do with art.

Starry Night by Van Gogh... with balloons?  Cool, right?
He and another balloon twister named Jelly Otis worked on this one.  Thanks, Jelly.
It took them 3 days to complete.  It's about 23 feet by 16 feet and it will be hanging at the library starting Monday.  Come see it.  You know I will.