The Playful Panda Art Studio

Today is the last day of school for our little 8 year old. We found out today he has been promoted to 3rd Grade! Oh me! Oh my! Yesterday, his teacher presented him with an award! Most Improved Reader of the Year! We are so proud of our son. We have 15 more days here in Fort Benning, Georgia! Then off to Disney World and see our family in Savannah Georgia! Then home to Texas! We're the bluebonnets grow! and the Sweet Tea is Sweet! BBQ is a staple item of food and family is big and strong! I can't wait to see my Family back home in Texas! Fort Bliss El Paso here we come!

Yesterday afternoon we arrived at Fort Campbell, Kentucky to visit with our family. The Tuckers! A background story: Sgt. Tucker and my husband met back in 2005 while both stationed in South Korea. They became the best of buddies and have been inseparable ever since. The Tuckers are made up of 3 most wonderful people. Annie, James and Baby James. So, I have spoken to Annie over Facebook, Myspace and finally had the gift of meeting her in person back in March of 2011 !!! 1st time meeting her and the family! But in the Army, you fall in love with people and you can spend an entire lifetime talking via Facebook or cell phone conversations and it completely is perfect and or fine. Until the greater day when God allows you both to actually see each other in person. THAT is the gift of being an Army family. Best friends via internet, best friends in life, for life. So last night we all sat to watch Tangled, Yes...my suggestion. Then we watched another more intense movie called The Mechanic. Sooo suspenseful! During that movie I began to doodle and sketch out my rendition of the Tucker Family as Cariactures. Here they are

This morning my husband graduated from AirBorne School in Fort Benning, Georgia. We are so proud of you Daddy!! We pinned Daddy with his wings!

Today I am sun burned and loving it. Yesterday morning and all afternoon long, I had the honor and privilege to watch my husband parachute from a plane. Many other wonderful soldiers accompanied my husband on their journey towards receiving their Airborne Wings. While I was out there watching and waiting I had a chance to meet some pretty amazing women and families. One Mother and Father were there supporting their son, another 2 ladies were there supporting their husbands. It was pretty amazing to watch them jump out of that open door and watch their parachutes open! One beautiful little girl was sitting out there watching her Daddy and when she saw the chutes all across the sky she shouted, "Look at all the cookies!" to her they seemed like cookies falling from the sky! Ah, the beauty and wonder of a child. Amazing and princess. I wore a bright orange University of Texas at El Paso sweatshirt so that my husband could differentiate who's who on the stands waiting and watching their loved ones. It was cool enough for my sweater, but the sun was out all day, so the sun won. My face is red and my hands are darker....but everything else is safe. I'd take a burnt face all day long versus hot red burnt shoulders. Tomorrow he graduates, and I've purchased his subdue airborne wings as a gift to give him on that day.

Tonight's the night!
I'm baking a topsy turvy tier and a graduation cap for a very special little lady! This cake will have hot pink! Bling! and polka-dots! Yes! The Princess is in town and for a very limited invitation! I'll post pictures by Friday afternoon! I love you all so much! Keep reading and ask as many questions as you want! I'm here all day! Heehee! :-)

Earlier in the month I was motivated to draw my favorite little Princess...Rapunzel. I absolutely love this movie and I watch it just about every Family Night that we have. Surprised my husband and son are not tired of it? So am I. They seem to love Maximus the horse and Flyn Rider. I, on the other hand, love Rapunzel. Enjoy ;-)

This is a new day, and a new chance for me to introduce myself to you. My name is Iris, I'm a well rounded Artist. I do a bit of everything from baking and creating fun cakes, to painting children's bedroom murals. I do party face painting, knitting, and everything in between! I'm currently a student at The University of Texas at El Paso and studying Art Education. This site is my mouth to the world about our little in home shop and we will discuss anything from art classes, sketching, pottery, painting, baking, knitting and more! I want the children to have a place where they can creatively express themselves and find the little artist inside them. This is a program for all children, because all children deserve that chance to shine and to grow. Thank you for your time, I'm learning how to set up this page, so once it's complete...I'll post again. Have a blessed, fun and creative day! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and I will answer below them. Thank you!