Fun Stuff We're Up To

Nora Lee just finished three half days of summer camp. It worked out okay. We all had some learning experiences. Nora Lee was pushed and bitten in the first half hour of attending and had some tender moments in the following days. She continued to be willing to show up the following day but only knowing that she wouldn't have to go after that. On day two Matt picked her up early because she was homesick. We were reminded of Nora Lee's sensitivity. That morning she and daddy had buried some stones in the dirt. Later, some kids were beginning to dig up the stones and it made Nora Lee really upset and really miss her daddy. She cried for a while and then the school called us. She happily went back the next day and had no problem.

Im also happy to report how lovingly the school handled the little boy who was rough with Nora. After some loving training in the few days they were together, by the third day I saw him go up to Nora Lee and give her a big hug. Matt and I both felt good about Nora Lee getting a taste of the school environment and he and I getting to feel the rhythm of school for our family - getting up in the morning, packing lunch, dropping off, picking up, etc. Since Matt and I have been considering homeschool and are now moving forward on that path (more on this in the next post) it was nice to see more of the school we had been looking at for Nora Lee.

It was also nice to see that many of the elements that make this school so special, we have created here at home. For example, they have a small vegetable garden and some fruit trees. The kids take turns watering the plants and picking up the fallen fruit. They play in the dirt and in the water. All in all, it was good for our family to have this experience.

Nora Lee and I have been spending lots of time at the library both for story time and library events. They have a program where grandparents read to the kids each day and Nora Lee loves it. They also put on great puppet and magic shows. This has brought us out to libraries all over the valley. We've enjoyed checking out tons of books and some kid videos.

Last week we discovered a shop called Lollipop Dreams. It is decorated in a style that I LOVE, french boutique! One half is a shop and the other is a play area. Each Friday at 11am kids can listen to stories, then they get to dress up in princess costumes and get their faces or arms painted. All for free! What a deal! I think we'll head there today again.

Last week Nora Lee went dressed as Dorothy and then got to change into Snow White.