If Alice had a Sister - The Mad Tea Party 2011

Hello and welcome if this is your first time to my blog! This is my first time participating in the Mad Tea Party, and I am super excited, if not a little late, to join in the fun!

Below is my painting for the big day. It's a picture of my daughter, Mackenzie, when we took her to her very first afternoon tea. I snapped the picture for posterity, but when I saw it, it reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. And I thought to myself that she looked like Alice's little sister. My mind began to wonder into my daydream world, and I wondered what Alice's little sister would say and do. Thus, a poem was born! (It's under the painting).

I had a burning desire to paint my daughter as Alice's little sister, but alas, I had no painting skills a year ago when the idea was born. I've gained a few since then, gradually working up my nerve to give this a try. I typically do collage work and abstract pieces, so this is my first portrait.

Although I am pleased with it overall, I can already see the things I need to adjust in it. Unfortunately, I ran out of time today, so I am posting where she is at now.

I hope you like it (be kind and lie to me if you don't)!

Without further adieu...


The poem reads:

If Alice had a sister,
I think she's have a lot to say.
I think she'd make up stories
and dream her day away.

If Alice had a sister,
I think she's want to play,
and have lots of tea parties
throughout the month of May.

If Alice had a sister,
I think she'd be okay
with taking a trip to Wonderland,
but only if Alice would stay.

This is the original picture the painting was based off of:

These are Mackenzie's rules for tea - taken from my original post.

Conversations with Mackenzie:

After what I felt was a thorough review of appropriate behavior for tea, I say
"Okay, what are the rules for tea?"

Mackenzie (age 4) says very matter-of-factly "We are not supposed to burp or toot!"

Jack (age 7) "WHAT?!! I'm not going to tea!"

Me "Don't start! Don't even think about starting, Jack"

Mackenzie "I'm not supposed to show my underwear either, am I, mommy?"

Me (stifling a big giggle) "No, honey. You aren't supposed to show your underwear at tea"

So, if ever you need to review the rules for high tea, remember that you aren't supposed to burp or toot and you shouldn't show your underwear. Just in case you weren't clear about that.