Camper

No more preschool means Freddie gets to experience Summer Camp! He has been pumped for weeks about going to summer camp, and although a lot of that excitement has to do with the mystique of something new, I am fairly certain this kid is going to thoroughly enjoy summer camp each year.

I ordered him a new lunch box for the occasion.  

I searched and searched for camp opportunities but like everything else in the city they were too expensive.  $700/week for a 9-3 camp wasn't going to happen especially if I had to schlep into the city with Hans as well.  So when our neighborhood camp started registering for summer sessions at half the cost I went ahead and registered him.  Although it wasn't the "specialized" sort of experience I had been seeking out (baseball camp, lego camp, soccer camp, art camp) I figured it would be a great way for him to meet some kids from the local public school and he'll get to spend some time doing sports, crafts, swimming, and other general camp experiences.

There were a few familiar faces and he came home with a great report about the first day and on top of that that he managed to keep track of all of his things on his own, including his lunch box and accouterments and all of his swimming gear.  I thought for sure something would be lost or forgotten, but evidently he's pretty responsible.  He only ate three bites of his sandwich though, and didn't even touch the rest of his lunch including his cookie, on the first day but I imagine this will improve as he gets used to having so much wiggle room during lunch.  Camp seems to lack structure, but I think Freddie loves just that.  I am smiling just thinking about it.  It is summer after all, right?

This is definitely a big step towards independence and responsibility, and a great transition into kindergarten.  I am also glad to be putting a bit of time and space between his preschool experience and kindergarten just to help his comparing of the two.  (Probably good for Mama too!) He'll be under the care of some young (college aged) counselors who will take the group about the neighborhood and even on subway rides for field trips and mingling with kids whose families I don't know.  It's a big leap of faith and trust for me, and the first time I think I'll really have my parenting tested since he'll be making his own choices in a larger unfamiliar setting where he isn't quite so protected and connected to Mama.  But things are looking good because his camp counselor commented to me "Freddie is a great role model for the other campers.  I am really happy he's in my group."

Onward, my dear, the world awaits.

Last Day of Preschool

With Miss Latriece

So long preschool!  I can't believe his time here is done.  The day came and went with little fanfare.  He presented his teachers with a sweet card he made and a gift, and he was thrilled they made a card for him with special notes from each of the teachers in the center and signed by all of his classmates.  Since the preschool is year round (work sponsored childcare never stops and is always open!) and most of his friends and classmates will finish out the summer there before kindergarten, the end of the  year ceremony isn't until late August.  He actually has camp that day, so it will be interesting to see if he chooses camp or the end of preschool ceremony.

With Miss Jelena

I thought he'd be a little more sentimental about leaving his class, but he really didn't seem bothered even with a couple of his closest buds repeatedly asking why it was his last day and insisting he not leave.  He'll be along to drop Hans off so he still will remain somewhat connected to school.  Ultimately I think he likes the idea of moving toward something new.  I sure hope he always embraces new, change, and transitions with such a positive attitude.

Scenes from NOLA: Street Car Ride

I love the sound of the streetcar.  I used to be able to hear it from my bedroom when I was much younger and living on Prytania Street.  It's certainly one of those NOLA sounds I hope my boys recognize.

Thankfully neither one of them called it the trolley!

Scenes from NOLA: A Snowball

Cherry snowballs all around.  Mama couldn't finish hers because of brain freeze and both the boys abandoned theirs before they were even halfway done.  Shaking my head.  A crying shame.  We're out of practice and that's unacceptable.

Scenes from NOLA: Bay St. Louis Beach

Their swimsuits were stained brown by the murky water draining into the gulf from the Mississippi River, but that didn't matter one bit.  It was a beach with sand and the water was so calm and shallow they could wade out for yards and yards.

Having friends to roll in the sand and water in made it even better.

Scenes From NOLA: Suburban Pleasures

We L-O-V-E Target.  And not going on a regular basis is most likely a good idea for all of us, although my boys needing to touch and examine every last item on the shelf tells me they need some more live retail shopping practice.  Oddly enough they didn't know if they asked for a new set of bakeware or a disco ball to hand from the rearview mirror they'd be met with a firm "Nope."  I wonder how many trips it'd take to break them.  

Nevertheless, time meandering the aisles at Target was enjoyable for all of us.  The boys could have rode the escalator with their cart on the cart escalator all afternoon.  It blew their minds.

Another mind blowing moment was the bouncing, harness contraption in the mall outside of Target.  Sweet Aunt Lizzie sprung for a 5 minute jump session.

We don't get this stuff in the city, but the boys do a good job lapping it up when we're home.

Scenes from NOLA: City Park Edition

One of Mama's childhood memories...

...playing in city park and visiting Storyland.

Filthy, sweaty, and oh so sweet

Always a hit.

And an improvement since I was a kid...Morning Call is now in the old Casino building.

Mr. Pink cheeks needs a old chocolate milk

Who doesn't love a beignet?

Ot I suppose the question is "who doesn't love powdered sugar?"

Busted!  Cannot leave any sugar on the plate.

Scenes from NOLA: Zoo Edition

We've been traveling and had visitors and generally out of pocket, hence no action on the blog.  Sorry to neglect it and my readers.  I do hate not being here, mostly because I love having these posts to look back on.  (If you've been reading for a while try scrolling through some posts from a few years ago...pretty amazing to see life change.)  Anyway, I'm getting caught up and will most likely not do such a great job providing the details but at least it is a glimpse.

While in NOLA we did go to the zoo, but aside from the elephants we didn't visit any animals and headed straight for the Cool Zoo to give the boys some play time.  

The zoo is adding a lazy river to the Cool Zoo which will take floaters on tubes past some animal exhibits.  Cannot wait to try that!

Freddie had been a little timid in years past when it came to the slides and spraying water, but not this year.  I suppose our trips to the Great Wolf Lodge have made him a seasoned pro.

Hans on the other hand was not so interested, I think mostly because he was behind on sleep and a general grump.  Besides, he had other entertainment...

He did get out there a bit though.

We rode the carousel and the boys played at the playground, but the heat had the adults wanting to get to a cool restaurant with frosty mugs.

The heat didn't bother the boys at all, and I loved their pink cheeks.

Great Day!