Pieta

"The transport of Christ to the sepulcher" Antonio Ciseri (1883)

William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) - "Pieta" (1876)

Beneath the cross the Mother kept
Bleak vigil under darkened skies.
Upon the cross her Son hung nailed,
Stabbed through by crowds of hostile eyes.

"And your own soul a sword shall pierce,"
The old man in the Temple said,
The Spirit's sword, the word of God--
God's word be done, was all she said.

Upon the cross the Savior died;
Beneath, the Mother bowed her head;
Above, the storm broke harsh and wild-
God's word be done, was all she said.

A soldier came and thrust him through;
The blood and water proved him dead,
They laid his body in her arms-
God's word be done, was all she said.

At vigil's end, the Crucified
Arose from death her glorious Lord.
O Father, Son, and Spirit, God,
We praise and magnify your Word.
Genevieve Glen, OSB

What possesses a three year old to....?

When Dave and I walked into the girls' room this morning I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Frankie was in Teresa's crib, scissors in hand, with most of Teresa's locks in piles surrounding them. Dave and I looked at each other. He pulled me by the hand to our room where we started snickering quietly, careful not to give Frankie any indication that we were amused (albeit horrified) by the scene.

Dave had words with her. She's on dessert probation for a week. And scissors? They don't exist in our house anymore.

I collected Teresa's lovely baby curls and put them in a pile. As I carried her to the bath she simply said, "My hair hurts." And indeed, it had been murdered.

Lunch Al Fresco

....more like "al freezing". Big Edie and Little Edie wishing it were Spring.

The squirrels have been busy...found these in the middle of the yard.

CAPTION CONTEST

You've seen the artwork. Here's your chance to get a 10% cut of its future sale. Leave in the comment section of this post a caption to Francasso's modern art masterpiece. If you are selected by Francasso's mommy as the winner of the caption contest, you will share in the GLORY and RICHES that will come from its inevitable sale to the Tate Modern. Fire away!

(Hint: Her primary passions are ballet, changing outfits 35 times a day, and jelly beans.)

Art class

Frankie is one of three little ones in her new art class, which was a bit of surprise. On the bright side, lots of one-on-one interaction with the instructor .

The instructor has a background in abstract art. Can you tell?

Teresa's polishing her own art skills in preparation for when she'll be able to take a class herself (photography for 3 year olds...let me know if it exists).

Pretty capable 3 year old

Frankie fed David his breakfast in its entirety. She did a good job!

"Don't care who does it, long as it's done..."

David comforts Dave

Nothing like a little bundle of baby to brighten your spirits.

"Ah gah!"