Dread Pirate or Van Gogh? Just Simply my McKinley

The Princess Bride

About two weeks ago, I decided McKinley was old enough to be introduced to a classic movie: The Princess Bride. It only took one viewing for her to be hooked and it is the only thing she wants to talk about, play, and watch these days. But typical of McKinley, her favorite character was not Buttercup--who wants to be confined to a fancy dress and boring lines? As any of you who know her at all can guess, she is obsessed with Wesley/Dread Pirate Roberts, and takes her role playing very seriously as evidenced in the photos below.

 I love the above picture not just because of her "no-nonsense" expression, or how her mask is on crooked, but also because in this one you can see the mustache she gave herself and how she tried to darken her eyebrows in order to look as much like Wesley as possible.

Erie Summer Festival of Arts Exhibit

Tuesday morning, we received a letter in the mail from McKinley's school art teacher, informing us that she had entered one of McKinley's paintings in the Junior Panorama Division of the Erie Summer Festival of Arts Exhibit, being displayed in Gannon University's Art Gallery. Also included was a special invitation to the Artist Reception Thursday night, which would precede an award ceremony. This was thrilling news to a six year old and we promised her the whole family would be in attendance. We wrongly assumed that this occasion would be limited to school children and their families but discovered upon arrival that the select pieces of art done by children were on display side-by-side with some really impressive pieces done by university students or other local artists in the community. There was this gorgeous display of catered food, hors d'oeurves, cocktails, desserts and a very large crowd of Erie's most "culturally refined".

After about an hour of viewing, admiring, and mingling they began the award ceremony, and to our great surprise, McKinley received 1st place out of the elementary age entries for her jungle painting. Her award included a $20.00 gift card to the arts and craft store, which she, of course, thinks is the best part.