First Day of Camp!

Unfortunatley we were running late and so I didn't get a great picture-not even centered! However, Alette was a bundle of excitement to begin a week of camp at a local YMCA. She was a little nervous once we got there and saw all the other kids, but was confident enough not to want me to stick around. I had a much harder time! I guess it is the curse of being a homeschooling mom, I am so used to having my kids with me all the time that it felt weird to leave her in the care of strangers. Needless to say, I worried and thought about her all day. She has had a great time and has come home everyday full of stories and exhausted. Perfect! I've been reminded that my children are in God's hands and although my job is to nurture, challenge, teach, and protect, ultimately, He is in control.

Ironically, the week is much more tiring with only one child at home! Normally the girls and I spend some portion of the day either in 'school' or out together. Obviously there is a lot of interaction, but I've realized that if Abria doesn't have Alette to talk to, I am her only receptive audience. I've had my ears yakked off this week!

Summertime!

Our good friends, the DiMarcs, have opened their pool and thus summer has begun! It was a cool, cloudy day and the water was COLD but both girls were eager to go to their first swim day. I made it very clear that I was not going to participate (at least actively in the water) but would give all sorts of encouragement from the sidelines. They spent nearly 3 hours in and out of the water, I honestly thought they would chicken out once they felt the temperature. We are looking forward to many more hours with our friends.

Away she goes....

Sort of! Alette outgrew her bike that had the training wheels, and desperately wanted a new bike. I refused to put training wheels on a new bike. Andy has taken her out a couple of times to a local park to learn. She's fallen a lot, but thankfully is always willing to get back on. Part of the struggle is she is scared of going 'too fast' and thus cannot get enough speed to balance smoothly. Ironically, I'm the cyclist in the family and yet cannot help her. Andy is way more patient. I tend to get annoyed and start to nag instead of encourage. I figure my turn will come when she needs to learn how to ride in a paceline or use clipless pedals.