wheelin' and dealin'

We spent a good deal of last Saturday at our friends' house for Open Studios, which is an annual event here in the Napa Valley where artists invite visitors into their homes/studios to see and buy their work.

Our friends Will and Nikki participate every year, and they're the only studio we ever visit.

Will's art is very touchable and interactive and I like to encourage Mazzy to take part, but her fine motor skills are still being refined and caution is not her strong suit. That along with all manner of long-necked vases and breakable ceramics large and small that litter the yard makes for a good exercise in listening and self-control.

This year, though, the Callnans were prepared for kids and had lots of diversions for them. Mazzy had a good long session with the kick wheel and some clay.

Eden was happy snacking on sweet peas and kicking, stacking and knocking down all of the empty paint cans Will had out.

And no visit to Chez Callnan is complete without a little time spent on the deck on top of the van.

It was a tough act to follow, but Big Mama (never one to disappoint) showed off some of her own art on our way home:

A lovely day.