On the road to Independence

Pictured is a sweet letter I received from Elias while he was at church camp.  Elias and Adelaide spent three nights in the woods of West Virginia running by the "crick", singing those camp songs that most kids don't know anymore, and Elias said, "The kids had fun and there were no toys."  It seems that the creaking of the old worn lodges coupled with the creativity of the camp counselors really made an impression.  He wants to go next year and stay on his own.  I think tomorrow is going to be a shock as he is starting a little day camp from 9-12 at an organic farm.  The kids will be picking vegetables, making food, and doing more play without toys.  He has already asked me where the dining hall is...I had to explain those only exist at overnight camp.  So, he rather matter of factly concluded that there wasn't going to be a chapel either.  Phew.

I read a very interesting article in the Atlantic about the self-esteem culture that has hurt kids who are now in their 20's.  The article argues that upper middle class kids got everything they wanted from their parents and landed in therapy because they didn't know how to be happy.  It seems from the therapists viewpoint that parents used their kids to fill their own emotional needs.  In fact, toddlers who aren't allowed to start to cry on their own after a fall never get to experience how to feel safe because they are, in effect, always safe. I thought of that today as Josiah took a rather dramatic face plant on the concrete at the pool.  Not wanting to use him as an experiment, I did pick him up, but certainly we knew he had true feelings--and he was upset.  The article said that with two parents working, parents are often more interested in being their children's friends than their parents.  Therefore, following through on chores is the first thing to go.  I do find our chores are harder to follow on the weekends, but on the weekdays we are pretty consistent about looking at the daily schedule and making sure chores get done.  Recently, Elias has been teased by a few kids who are our friends.  He doesn't seem to mind too much, but I've had to check myself to not say anything.  I need to let this be his problem to resolve.  I need to allow him to feel what he feels when kids tease him and call him a baby.  But, it's not easy.  He is a quirky kid, and combined with his sensory issues, he could either feel completely upset about this or unfazed.  I, however, have always told the kids not to tattle and instead tell the other person how they feel.  It sure is interesting to watch.

I guess I am hoping that by the time my kids get to college that they will have been able to problem solve on their own, feel their own feelings, and make their own mistakes.  Perhaps, then, they won't feel this false sense of self-esteem, but rather a real sense of  who they are and who they hope to become.  In the meantime, I know it will be even harder as each one of them moves out of the cocoon of home and into the sparse world of kindergarten and name-calling.

Who Needs Toys Anyway?

It is a sink plunger if that maks you feel any better

The beginning of a new game

Pure delight

I can do what my big brother can do

The Fruit of the Vine

When we moved to Media almost 22 months ago, we felt like our house was a true mix of country and urban.  It was country in that we had a sprawling front lawn, the churchyard, and a beautiful three story stone Victorian home.  It was urban, though, in that our house is perched on a concrete parking lot, on a busy street with lots of ambulances and the sounds of people making shift changes at the nursing home across the street.  Country in that just down the road one way is the creek and large shady homes.  Urban in that down the street the other way are all the restaurants, banks, Trader Joe's and the school within blocks.  So, our "backyard" we nicknamed the back slab and have tried to beautify it every summer since we got here.

Our first cucumber of the season

Our veggie garden with tomatoes in the background

Josiah sampling the cucumber

Last summer was tough with a newborn baby an incredibly hot weather that killed much of what we planted.  So far, our urban garden is thriving.  Tonight we picked our first cucumber and relished it (No pun intended.)  I also picked some Swiss chard and cooked it with pine nuts.  I made my first batch of basil pesto last week for the preschool staff party we hosted.

I also managed to plant some flowerboxes and keep a variety of herbs and flowers in containers.  We are eagerly awaiting the flowering of our sunflowers as they climb up in front of the rattan type screens I purchased for a little privacy, a little shade, and a little decorative pizzazz.

Preparing for the Inevitable

The Five Miler

Media is dubbed as everyone's hometown.  It is a cute and quaint place and last night we got to experience some of its vitality.  We went to one of the parties hosted during the Media 5 miler race while our very own runner made his debut.  The kids really relished seeing Daddy and slapping five to all the runners who were just as "recreational" as Daddy and were willing to waste a few seconds of their time for a high five.  I took Josiah home at 9pm and he was still awake.  The rest of the crew joined us even later than that, but it was fun to see the whole town hopping with parties and bounce houses and playing music and playing in the streets.

Moving On!

Friday was moving on day for both Elias and Adelaide.  Adelaide will move on to attending school four days a week next year while Elias heads off to kindergarten.  We are so grateful to Christ Church Preschool for their warm and caring environment.  We have been so pleased with their ability to allow children to be children.  And, we're really pleased thay got their NAEYC accrediation this year.  This school is a real gem for our borough.

Last year...

Singing his heart out

Loved his teacher

Singing La Cucharacha

Here are some pictures of the kids singing some of their favorite songs.

Mommy and Me

When it's just the two of us Mommy likes to scrub the floor, get rid of old toys, play in her garden, go on long walks with me, and take pictures of me!  We have yet to run the dishwasher, hear someone call another a "poopy head" or put anyone in a time -out.  Mom is loving the quiet so much that the house is silent and I just grunt and point to things.

Water Days

Last week, we had some terribly hot weather and school was still in session.  The preschool designated Tuesdays and Fridays as water days.  The kids would come into school with their suits on, and play outside in the parking lot for much of the morning.  I snapped a few pictures as Jed and I were walking by.

The other pictures are of the opening days at our pool.  Adam is insisting that Josiah wear a lifejacket, which is a good idea.  (A three year old girl drowned at a pool in the area over Memorial Day weekend.)  Elias is really swimming on his own, but lacks the confidence for us not be be by his side in the water.  Addie is still a bit tepid about the pool.

Jed's Walking! Finally...