Hi, There!

Heidi, here. I haven’t chatted with you all for a week or two.

How are you? How is life? Anything new happening in your world? Do you have fabulous summer plans?

The past few weeks are a blur. I really prefer to stay home most of the time. Maybe a little outing each week (preferably on my own agenda).

But we’ve had multiple park days related to ‘school’ activities. Book club (wouldn’t miss it for the world). A big birthday party for Luke. Russ took the boys to the beach. There were the routine piano lessons, the haircut, and the endless cooking. A fabulous visit with friends.

Levi joined the swim team. Add three practices each week and swim meets here and there. This is an era I assumed would be coming, and I really am excited to have Levi participating. I’m thankful that Russ is taking on most of this commitment. He’s been out of the swim world for a few years, but it is an arena he is more than familiar with and is diving in again with enthusiasm. He’s swimming laps with the team and looking into renewing his coaching certification as well as becoming an official. Luke may join his brother in the near future.

I made ambitious plans for this week. Our local Classical Conversations community hosted a parent practicum with student learning camps. I bravely signed us all up: Levi in the Trig Camp (even though he was the youngest in the class (with a large age range) and math is definitely not his favorite nor forte), Luke in the Geo Drawing Camp (even though he dislikes map drawing and has serious wiggles and the attention span of a gnat), Leif in the Play Camp (even though he has been going through a weird shy/stubborn phase), Lola in the nursery (even though she has never been left with anyone other than Daddy or Grandma for short periods of time), and myself for practicum sessions (even though I’m, well, shy, and usually need a nap after a couple hours of socializing).

We had to be there with bells on at 8:45 am. Until 4 pm. Three days in a row.  Yep, definitely the most ambitious thing I’ve attempted since… I don’t know when. Does that say something about me? Wimp, maybe.

I could share bunches about our time. Leif did awesome (and learned about Georgia O’Keeffe, Norman Rockwell, some parts of a plant, and the moon)! Luke loved the camp (whether his camp leaders felt the same is another question). Levi survived (and really enjoyed the social time during breaks and lunch). Lola did really well, though was progressively less happy to be handed off as the days wore on (which could have something to do with the nap disruption). I loved every minute of the practicum. I’m inspired. Smarter. Full of ideas. Many acquaintances richer. In fact, I think the social aspect was one of my favorites! I enjoyed catching up with old friends, making new friends, and having great conversations! There is something to be said for a group of intelligent women with passion for their families and education. It made me overflow with excitement for our upcoming year at CC.

(As an aside:  I need some serious credit for the amount of quality socializing I’ve done lately! You all would be proud of me.)

I just love how things come together. My sister and I had been talking about starting a parent/child book club for our grammar-stage students (with literature analysis a la Deconstructing Penguins). We were also thinking about practicing literature analysis in our book club using excellent picture books. Teaching the Classics was on our must-have list. Would you like to guess what was scheduled for the afternoon practicum sessions? Teaching the Classics! After three afternoons of watching the DVDs and enjoying Socratic dialogue with the practicum leader and other adults, I’m feeling more excited (and prepared) than ever.

I have so much I need to post here and so little time. The boys (and Lola!!) are due for another photo shoot. I have months worth of fine arts resources to share. I haven’t done our weekly report for a while. My sister tells me I’m due for another ‘reality check’ post for all of you who think life is quiet, organized, clean, beautiful, productive, or anything close to perfect around here. I should post pictures that would make the hair on your toes curl. {exasperated grin} But another day. I desperately need some sleep, so I’m heading to bed. Have a wonderful week, friends!