Summer Ways

We are rolling into our second week of summer--meaning warm days without school for Joe, and summer programming at the KinderCare for Birdie. So far, so good.

Last week, Joe was at Kid's Place where it turns out he knew a handful of kids from his school, or the KinderCare. Still, it wasn't surprising when he sort of fell apart a day or two in. Julie found him wadded up in his bed before bath time still hissing tears and vinegar in the wake of a low-grade tantrum.  There was still a lot that was new that he was managing as best he could. Sometimes, even at our best, life backs up on us and we all want someone who loves us to love us still as we hiss and foam. By bath time itself, he was o-kay.

This week, Joe is at a YMCA day camp--their "Sports Sampler"--with Graham. Fans, they arrived today wearing the same cornflower blue athletic shirt and it was all coasting downhill from there. On the way home, Julie learned that they played baseball today; that they caught pop flies, in gloves that you wear on the hand you don't use to throw; that they hit balls; and that the pool was broken today because the stuff that makes the water o-kay to swim in has to be just right. Julie also learned that Joe's teachers today were girls, but that he doesn't remember their names--or anything else that happened after lunch.  Also, he's not so old that he is above running at her headlong at pick-up to be  picked-up and held.

Clara, for her part will soon begin two, half-day camps that happen twice a week at the KinderCare: Art Camp and "Ball Camp"--Sports Camp. Julie had signed Clara up for Art Camp, reasoning that Birdie liked coloring, drawing, and painting, so she was sure to like Art Camp. And although this was not off the mark, Clara also said she wanted TO. GO. TO. BALL. CAMP!!!!! Julie said o. KAY!!!!! Clara said maybe other girls would sign up, too, but confirmed that she would still want to do it even if no other girls signed up. Since then, at least two other girls have signed up. Sporty Birdie leads the way?!

And so we are making our way through summer.