My Daughter: The Artist

Descriptive Artwork Of Me:
School Art Project

I've been meaning to blog for some time now, but just couldn't think of something "blog-worthy" to write about.  Don't get me wrong, I've been plenty busy in the 5 months since my last post.  In seeing Bailey's latest drawing she sketched out last night laying on the kitchen table and looking at her artwork at school on Artsonia, I couldn't help but share what a talent she has and how therapeutic art has been for her.  This is definitely a blog-worthy post.

Today marks one year since we packed up and moved from Mount Pleasant.  It was definitely a bittersweet time and has been a bit of a challenge over the past year.  But one of the bright lights I've seen Bailey get excited about is drawing and her artwork.  After buying a drawing pad and some sketching and colored pencils at Hobby Lobby, she's has filled at least 3 drawing pads with her creativity.  The house that we live in also allows her to have her own personal space, or "Bailey Cave" where she sits downstairs for hours and draws.  I encouraged her to take her drawings in to the school to show her art teacher who asked her if she would be interested in drawing for the yearbook next year.  This girl definitely has a talent and I'm grateful that her art teacher has recognized it and will give Bailey this opportunity in 7th grade.

Bailey would say that because I'm her mother, I have to say I like all her artwork, but I really do.  However if I had to choose some of my favorites, here is what they would be:

Tribal Image: School Art Project

Eagle: Oil Pastel School Art Project

Monster High Andy Warhol School Art Project

Flower from Bambi

7 Dwarves from Snow White

Like any artist, Bailey is now challenging herself to a new kind of art called Anime Art.  She titled this one '6th Grade'.

With less than 2 months before the Bremer County Fair, I have a feeling there will be more art projects to share in the future.

The Year Was 2013

Although I didn't find much time to blog in 2013, here are the highlights from the year.

20 Year Reunion of West Central Girls Basketball 6-on-6 State Tournament Team

Class of '93 Reunion With Coach Klinge

Heidi Accepts New Position at University of Northern Iowa, Leaving Behind Many Great Memories From 7 Years In Mount Pleasant

Forever A Mt. Pleasant Panther

Heidi Reunites With High School and College Friends

West Central Class of '93

Panther Reunion In Okoboji

Bailey Crushes On James Maslow After Big Time Rush Concert In Sioux City

Big Time Rush Concert Summer 2013

A couple other highlights I didn't get around to blogging about were our 8th March for Babies in Iowa City and the 4th Annual Fall Harvest on the Seegers Farm.

B and Me

Grandma and Grandpa Seegers Offer Their Support

Aunt Hope Walks With Us

Graham and Bailey

Proud To Be A Farmer's Daughter

Proud To Be A Farmer's Daughter

Hanging Out In The Ranger

Bailey and Graham Ready For A Ride

With so many blessings in 2013, we look forward to what 2014 has in store.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love, Bails 'n Me

Summer's Over

1st Day of 6th Grade-Janesville CSD

Well another school year started today.  Here's a look at Bailey's First Days Of School over the years.  Just as beautiful as she was her first day of preschool. 

 

Before heading into the new school year, I thought I'd recap some summer highlights.  With the move in the beginning, we kept the summer fairly low key, but still worked in fun with family and friends.

 

It started with my 20 year class reunion.  The weekend was filled with dancing to retro 80's and 90's music in the Maynard Community Hall, a tour of the school building, dinner and drinks, and capped off with stories around the campfire.  It was another great reunion of time spent with lifelong friends.   


West Central Class of '93



20 Years Later

 

A couple weeks later was the annual Panther Reunion with my girlfriends from UNI.  It actually fell on the weekend of my birthday so it was fun to celebrate in Okoboji with my birthday twin, Breck Danner, and other great friends.

Cheers To Turning 38

Fun With The Photo Booth At The Reagle Beagle





Panther Reunion 2013 in Okoboji  

A new adventure for Bailey this summer was attending church camp at Camp Io-de-sica for a week. Of course it would have to have been the hottest, must humid week of the summer.  The camp shared a CD with pictures it so I could see all activities during the week.



 

Bailey's Cabin Mates

Shooting archery

Pool Pals

Summer Camp 2013

The final highlight of our summer was out to Sioux City's Tyson Event Center for the Big Time Rush/Victoria Justice concert.  It was great to stay with my friend, Kathy Thode, while we spent a couple days in Sioux City.  We had seen BTR at the Iowa State Fair last summer and it was a blast!  This year's concert did not disappoint and was filled with even more energy, dancing, trampolines on the stage and a "felt like the front row" view of Kendall for one of the songs.  Bailey has been a Rusher for many years, but after this concert, I think I may have become a Rusher as well.  

BTR Concert 2013

 



The guys came out to the arena and sang a song.  Kendall sang in our section.

BTR/Victoria Justice Concert at Tyson Events Center

 

Bailey's Tee Shirt Of The Guys: Kendall, James, Carlos and Logan

 

Tomorrow marks my return to UNI, with the fall semester classes beginning on Monday.  It's been great to have the summer to relax and recharge.  Now we're looking forward to cheering on the Panthers and Wildcats at football and volleyball games this fall, as well as a return to Mount Pleasant for the Old Threshers Reunion in a couple weeks. 

Getting Settled In

After a month of packing, moving to Waverly, unpacking and getting in a month of work at UNI, Bails and I are beginning to settle in to our new surroundings.  The larger split-foyer house has taken some getting use to, but we are both enjoying the extra space.  Bails has staked out the downstairs while I've claimed the upstairs and am looking forward to breaking in my cropping room this week while Bails is with the grandparents at the county fair.  Thought this would also be a good time to get in a blog entry on Bailey's 5th grade year since we moved on her last day of school and life was somewhat of a whirlwind during June.  More about those happenings in a future blog.

Bailey's final year at Van Allen Elementary was once again filled with activity, memories and changes.  As you can see, she grew a few inches and is almost eyeballing her mother at 5'8" tall.  And after 11 years of glasses, she's enjoying her new contacts.

First Day of School

 Last Day of School

Speaking of growing, she looked particularly grown up when Grandpa Seegers escorted her to the Daddy Daughter Dance in February.

 Bailey With Friends

 BINGO with grandpa

 Kicking up her heels

 My Cowgirl

Shooting pool 

Yee Haw!  She had a great time!

Other photo opps during the year included...

 Hawaiian Day With Kanani

 Hat and Crazy Sock Day

 Class Color Day

USA Day

Spirit Day

School Picture Day

Bailey was also involved with the 4th and 5th grade chorus and began playing in the band this year.  She's taking after her mother, playing clarinet.  It was amazing to hear the improvements the 5th grade band made from their first concert playing the classic, Hot Cross Buns.  

I'm sure the next 6 weeks of our summer together will fly by.  Bailey's first day of Middle School at Janesville is August 20th.  In the meantime we are looking forward to fun in the sun, some relaxing and a few more exciting adventures.

7 Years Of Memories

Last Friday was my final day working at Iowa Wesleyan College.  Prior to my departure, the wonderful Student Life Office had a Purple Punch Farewell Reception for Bailey and me.  Being the sentimental sap that I am, I went through my picture library and pulled together memories from Mount Pleasant and Iowa Wesleyan College to share at the reception.  The picture slide show can be seen at https://vimeo.com/66828483  We will cherish these 7 years of memories and friendships forever.