It's A Jungle In Here Now

"Aunt Hol, I was wondering if you could paint a palm tree and some grass on Livy's nursery walls. I'd like to add some color in there and since we have the whole jungle theme, I thought it would be cute."

"Sure, I think I could do that for you! Let's do it the day after Thanksgiving while I'm down there. It shouldn't take me that long."

So, that's what I did for my Baby Girl and her Littlest Girl. When I looked the space over, I asked, "Do you really only want one palm tree? I'm thinking it would be more fun if there were more, but it's your call." Laura answered, "Well sure, I'd like them but I was afraid I'd be asking you to spend too much of your time if it was more."

One or several, it's about the same time I explained. So, she sat on the floor and chatted with me while Michael and Eric kept Livy occupied downstairs. Of course refusing to be left out, you can see Georgie, my assistant, in this picture. She was quite the good Boxer girl through the whole process.

This is the artist's publicity shot. I will autograph it for you if you wish! You can see my absolute delight in being a daily part of Livy's world. Even when I am not there, now I will be.

Monkeys and critters now have a place to rest instead of being mid-air without anything to catch them while they swing about.

And, now when Princess Olivia gets her bottom changed, she'll have more than just a blue monkey to capture her attention. Laura says that every morning after she's changed Livy, she stands up on the changing table and with deliberation, waves at the animals marching along the wall. How fun is that?

When it was complete, the client was invited in to examine the work and determine what she thinks of it. No sense buying it if you don't like it. She was quite a critical eye and looked very closely at it all.

She stopped to carefully ponder it before giving her vote of approval, "Hmm...let me consider it all first."

And, then, very suddenly, I got the biggest reward ever for some paint and a wee bit of time. I'll remember that smile forever, I think!

So, the day after Thanksgiving, three girls got together and made another great memory. My Baby Girl and my Littlest Girl were as pleased as they could be.

Here's the best surprise of all, and Michael was there to witness it so you can ask him if you don't believe me. I know that everyone thinks their baby is the most miraculous thing, the most talented, the most adorable, the brightest, the fill-in-the-blank. And, I often remark how fast babies seem to develop in our fast paced world.

But, Livy is only 10 months old. And, this is what she did when she came in the room to see the mural for the very first time. She sat in Eric's arms starring at the walls. She stopped for a bit and then, she clapped her tiny hands! Olivia clapped!

Can you imagine being so small yet so aware of your surroundings and so tickled with the changes?

Amazing I tell you! Simply Amazing.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Great Aunt Holly the Painter