Reading is Fundamental

Since we are staying home today, I bought some activities from the craft store for indoor fun. Zoe is working on a weaving kit and I bought Pretlow a book on drawing animals. Vikki is napping, but there is a cute little board book about animals waiting for her when she wakes up.





Pretlow is moving right along with his summer reading. He has 25 books logged, and there are a few books he's read that we haven't yet entered. Fortunately for him, he does not have to wait for Mommy to read to him. Zoe and Victoria, on the other hand, have a paltry 12 books logged. There is nothing entered from June 30 to July 8. Did I really not read to them for 9 days?! (Pretlow reads to Zoe and Vikki, but he also reads in bed, which doesn't help much with the girls.) We'll have to read two books per day to have 50 by the 11th. That does not seem like very much, but it's amazing how quickly each day goes by. Before I know it, it's bedtime and I'm so ready for them to be asleep, and I don't even think about reading a bedtime story. And I know the point is to read throughout the summer, not cram it into the last several days. But I would hate for the girls not to get a certificate. :-( Clearly, though, the summer reading program is having a positive effect. If it weren't for that, who knows how many times (if any) I would read to them!

Stomp!

I took a poll Thursday to find out which activity the kids have liked the best so far. Pretlow and Zoe voted for the llamas. Pretlow asked Vikki, who also said llamas, but I don't think she knows what favorite means. She seemed to enjoy herself most this past week at Wolf Trap's presentation of Lesole's Dance Project, an introduction to traditional, tribal, and modern dance from South Africa. Vikki is usually the most reserved, but she clapped and shook her little booty. She even raised her hand when the audience was invited on stage to participate. She wasn't selected, but I was impressed nevertheless.

I have to say, it might have been my favorite outing, too. I appreciated the short naps I got to take during the Veggie Tales movie, and I was very proud of how Pretlow and Zoe conducted themselves with the seniors. But I LOVE to watch dance, and Mr. Lesole Zachariah Maine and his crew did it well.

After we got home, we looked on the world map for some of the countries that Lesole has visited. (I did not know that the nation of Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa). I told the kids the names of the dances we'd seen, and explained that the Gumboots dance originated with the goldminers who slapped their boots and stomped their feet to communicate in the dark, hot mines. Then the kids ran off to play while I read the rest of the study guide. Later, Zoe decided that Wolf Trap was her favorite trip, too. Pretlow didn't clap or shake his booty, but I think he liked it, too.

Sunrise

Last week we had a lovely time with some beautiful ladies at the Sunrise Assisted Living Community. We went to visit Nana's good friend and landlady (Nana passed away earlier this year), and made some other friends, too. Pretlow and Zoe generously distributed hugs and handmade cards, which were gratefully received. And I listened to very interesting stories about living in the mountains of Lebanon, and being a schoolteacher in the days before it was illegal to fire someone for getting pregnant. I forgot my camera at home, so all I have are small dark pictures from my phone. But now that I think about it, I should probably ask for permission before posting someone else's pictures online? Anyway, I was very pleased with how the afternoon went. I think Pretlow and Zoe would have liked staying for peach yogurt and apples. I do believe we may go back. Next time, I'll take my camera.

Llamas!

The picture above pretty much sums up Victoria's initial reaction to the llamas. She didn't want to have anything to do with those funny looking animals. But with some encouragement, Victoria eventually joined the rest of the kids as they fed and ran among Ivy Lace, Dancer, Cocoa Puff (the grandma llama), and Cookie Dough.

Mr. and Mrs. Hall of Posey ThisisIt Llama Farm were extremely patient with our inquisitive and active crew. And after the kids fed the llamas carrots and hay, they got to make little pillows out of llama fiber. The Halls even gave us pens, notepads, and little plastic rulers to keep us entertained on the ride home. (As an educational bonus, we looked for Virginia cities on our map as we passed their signs on the road.)

MUCH more fun than watching TV!