Summer Days
Lou’s school offers an optional summer program for the youngest kids; while we did keep Lou home in June, he will probably be attending for the rest of the summer. The great thing about the summer program is that the summer teachers have outings planned for nearly every day. Today, the kids visited to the art museum.
I couldn’t resist stopping by to see how the trip was playing out. Young children and fine art are, unfortunately, and unlikely pairing. Cedric and I have never had much luck taking Lou to art museums; children are tactile and don’t much enjoy exhibits that are only for looking. However, when I arrived, I was surprised to find the kids so quiet and attentive. Many of them, as kindergartners and and almost-kindergartners, are apparently able to grasp some of the significance and beauty of these works. Lou was very engaged with the explanations from the docents.
When I lived in Paris, I enjoyed visiting museums. I was enrolled in an art history class that frequently met in the various museums. It was through experiencing the true size, color, and beauty of the works that I began to love art. I still do, even if I am only rarely able to visit the museums. This museum is only ten minutes from our house; but somehow I doubt Lou will be in any hurry to visit again. Someday, I’ll walk through the art museums freely and leisurely again, but that will not be anytime soon I’m sure. Such is life for the mother of small ones; for the moment, there are other rewards.
