Summer flashback: Monkey Bars

We went to NOLA this summer, and I didn't take many photos at all. I did get this video though of my Freddie who finally got up the nerve to test his strength.

He was so proud!  Love seeing him beam.

Musical Theater Camp

Freddie in the "Playbill"

After a week of zoo camp, Freddie attended musical theater camp.  He was game for trying something new, and performance is a valuable experience for kids, one that I think is currently lacking in his school, so I was excited to sign him up.  We explored his taking a once a week after school class during the school year, but timing and commute didn't make it feasible so we made the summer work.  I wasn't thrilled with the idea of him being in a dark, windowless theater all day, each day for a week, but thought it was worth trying.

On stage as the parents entered and oh so obviously nervous!

Turns out he was the only boy and one of the younger, if not the youngest, campers.  He seemed fine with the situation, which is one of the things I admire so much about him.  He handles the new and unknown so well.  He is excited about everything.  Each day he said it was a good day, but it seemed to take him a while to begin dishing and giving details and then finally gushing about the experience.

The group of campers wrote their own play together and performed it for parents on Friday afternoon.  The music was a mix of songs from Broadway shows and from songs the children's theater group has written.  Freddie was singing and humming to himself all week, but he wouldn't tell us anything about what to expect at the Friday performance.

When I saw Freddie on stage when I walked in he looked so nervous.  His lower lip and chin seemed to be quivering.  I really thought he was going to cry.  But once the vocal warm up started he seemed ok.

To say I am proud of him his an understatement.  He handled himself so well on stage and throughout this whole experience.  He really put himself out there.

I'm not sure if he'll want to do it again next summer, and I think that has to do more with his being a 6 year old boy and wanting more during his summer beyond working in a dark, windowless theater for an entire week of summer vacation.  I do think he is interested in doing another play or musical but with a different schedule.

Camp is a huge splurge, especially considering the cost of summer camp in NYC.  It is not necessary for child care because I am home full time, but it has provided some rich experiences for the boys.  I look forward to seeing what interests him next.

Check out some highlights I filmed here:

Or the entire 17 minute performance here:

Summer Flashback: Victorian Gardens

A trip to Victorian Gardens which opens each summer in Central Park is another of my favorite traditions with the boys.  It won't be much longer before they've outgrown the small thrills here.

I smile just thinking about how much they've grown since we started our summer adventures here.  Neither is afraid of anything anymore.

Luckily we timed our trip just right arriving just as the summer camp crowd was leaving for the day.

It's a tiny space and can get crowded but the boys didn't have to wait in lines for anything.

I am thankful for summer days with them where we could explore and wander or just stay right at home.  It is a gift to experience so much with them.

Summer Flashback: Zoo Camp

Both boys signed up for zoo camp ways back in December.  Freddie knew he definitely wanted to do it this summer since he had such a great experience the previous year.

This year a different friend joined him, but the boy could care less if he knows anyone when he joins something. He's content to do his thing and make new friends along the way.

Camp posted another blog this year so I was able to pull some pictures to add here to help him remember his week.  Not the best quality photos, but good to help jog the memory.

Zoo camp is a good mix of activities perfect for Freddie.  He gets his fill of two of his loves:  animals and crafts.

Middle roe, right in the middle, between the F and the W

Hansie had his very own camp experience this year, and his very first experience away from his brother.  He was completely on board in December when we signed up, but not surprisingly he was reluctant when camp finally rolled around in August.  He got a brand new lunchbox to mark the occasion.

He kept telling me over and over in the weeks leading up to camp that he didn't want to go.  I was completely prepared for tears on the first day.  He gave me an extra tight hug and held on for quite a long time but he did eventually let go and wave good bye.

He was all smiles when I picked him up.

There was still another mention or two of not wanting to go but by Friday he was pretty much excited and proud that he was a camper.

His experience was just as rich as Freddie's and I fully anticipate he'll want to do it again next year.  I also anticipate he'll be nervous and may say he would rather stay home at the last minute, but I know he'll be ok.

So proud of my baby boy.  He's growing up!

Bottom row second from left