October 2, 2011
We returned today from a single night of camping with Thom and his son, Noah.
Over the past year, I've been anxious to take Katie camping, wondering if she would love it as much as I did as a kid. Thom asked us a few weeks ago if Katie would enjoy spending the night in his pop-up camper out a Jordan Lake. I wasn't sure if she really would enjoy it, but I figured we had to try.
Thom and Noah picked us up yesterday afternoon, and we headed to Jordan Lake. The nice thing about this trip is that we wouldn't be far from home.
Once we finally picked out a site, Katie and Noah entertained themselves riding their scooters on the nicely paved loop road while I assisted Thom setting up camp. Katie had convinced herself that she only wanted to be a "tenter" and had protested the thought of sleeping in a pop-up when I initially told her how we'd be camping. But when she saw the camper all set up, she became excited about staying in such a contraption that contained not just a bed but a kitchen area, a bathroom, and a "living room" area.
Once camp set up had concluded, we all took a stroll around the loop and walked down to the lake shore where Katie and Noah played with bricks they found in the sand.
Back in camp, we started a fire in the fire pit. The fire thrilled Katie. Who can resist the lure of a crackling campfire! Katie couldn't!
While Thom and I enjoyed steak and pasta salad for dinner, Katie's first camping meal was a peanut butter sandwich and chocolate milk. Then, it was back to the fire. When she'd get too cold, she'd return to the warmth of the camper and played with her DS. Thawed out, she'd return to the fire.
Sleeping went better than I anticipated. Overnight lows were expected to dip into the 40s, which had me concerned. But Thom's camper had a heater that proved more than adequate at keeping us cozy overnight. Katie slept well.
At 6:30, Katie awoke me ready to start the day. It was dark outside. And cold (Thom had shut the heater off an hour or so earlier). Katie changed into her clothes for the day, but returned to her sleeping bag to keep warm. She stayed quiet until 7:00. After that, I let her watch an episode of Thundercats on my iPod.
Later that morning, we all sat down for a breakfast of pancakes and bacon. Of course, Katie designed her chocolate chip pancakes with a smiley face. While Thom and I cleaned up the camper from breakfast, Katie and Noah played with the fire and rode their scooters.
Katie genuinely enjoyed herself, got along fantastically with Noah, and said she's looking forward to camping again. Now that she's started her camping career with a pop-up camper, I'm not sure what she'll think of tenting it the next time we go out! Another adventure awaits....
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Monday, August 16, 2010
First Day: First Grade
August 15, 2010
It seems just three weeks ago that we attended Katie's kindergarten graduation and got her all hyped about how great the summer was going to be....
And the time flew and we found ourselves at the first day of First Grade. While Melissa still experienced some back-to-school jitters, I was so relaxed about the first day that I didn't even feel the need to attend the First Day ceremonial escorting of my daughter to class. We had visited Katie's class on Friday, met her teacher, Mrs. Still, and watched Katie chat easily with her for a few minutes. I was confident that all would go well today.
When I arrived home from work this evening, I noticed that Katie was as excited and cheerful as I've probably ever seen her. She willingly told us about her first day of class. Even though her first "homework" assignment was to tell her parents about her first day of class, I feel that she would have wanted to tell about her day, whether it was assigned or not.
Melissa noticed that Katie was playful with her all afternoon and wanted to be with Melissa. And I noticed what can only be described as a joyfulness to Katie's spirit all evening long.
Following our reading of "Millions of Cats," and Katie's uncharacteristically cheerful bedtime preparation rituals - normally so belabored and irritating - we found enough time left in the evening to play a few minutes of video games. And when Katie heard it was almost 8 o'clock, she instantly turned the game off and sprinted for her bed (Who are you, child!).
As I walked away after having helped her with her prayers and had kissed her goodnight, I heard Katie exclaim "First Grade!" Melissa said it was just a random and gleeful cheer from our daughter.
Her little cheer was music to our ears.
It seems just three weeks ago that we attended Katie's kindergarten graduation and got her all hyped about how great the summer was going to be....
And the time flew and we found ourselves at the first day of First Grade. While Melissa still experienced some back-to-school jitters, I was so relaxed about the first day that I didn't even feel the need to attend the First Day ceremonial escorting of my daughter to class. We had visited Katie's class on Friday, met her teacher, Mrs. Still, and watched Katie chat easily with her for a few minutes. I was confident that all would go well today.
When I arrived home from work this evening, I noticed that Katie was as excited and cheerful as I've probably ever seen her. She willingly told us about her first day of class. Even though her first "homework" assignment was to tell her parents about her first day of class, I feel that she would have wanted to tell about her day, whether it was assigned or not.
Melissa noticed that Katie was playful with her all afternoon and wanted to be with Melissa. And I noticed what can only be described as a joyfulness to Katie's spirit all evening long.
Following our reading of "Millions of Cats," and Katie's uncharacteristically cheerful bedtime preparation rituals - normally so belabored and irritating - we found enough time left in the evening to play a few minutes of video games. And when Katie heard it was almost 8 o'clock, she instantly turned the game off and sprinted for her bed (Who are you, child!).
As I walked away after having helped her with her prayers and had kissed her goodnight, I heard Katie exclaim "First Grade!" Melissa said it was just a random and gleeful cheer from our daughter.
Her little cheer was music to our ears.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
We went to Dickey's for lunch today. Kids eat free there on Sundays, and we're frugal enough to be drawn in by such an enticement.
As we enjoyed our sandwiches, Katie felt compelled to let us know her unsolicited assessment of her classmate, Noah.
Katie: Noah can't be my boyfriend. He's not tough enough.
Ouch!
Whether or not Noah was auditioning for the part of boyfriend, we can't be sure. All we do know is that if he's going to impress Katie, he's gonna have to beef up his machismo. His options are limited. If I'm Noah, I'm probably considering some outrageous stunt...during recess on the monkey bars...while the teacher isn't looking.
We went to Dickey's for lunch today. Kids eat free there on Sundays, and we're frugal enough to be drawn in by such an enticement.
As we enjoyed our sandwiches, Katie felt compelled to let us know her unsolicited assessment of her classmate, Noah.
Katie: Noah can't be my boyfriend. He's not tough enough.
Ouch!
Whether or not Noah was auditioning for the part of boyfriend, we can't be sure. All we do know is that if he's going to impress Katie, he's gonna have to beef up his machismo. His options are limited. If I'm Noah, I'm probably considering some outrageous stunt...during recess on the monkey bars...while the teacher isn't looking.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Last Night of Five
February 8, 2010
Katie's last day of being five was a good one. She behaved good enough in kindergarten today to earn another stamp -- her fourth consecutive stamp, in fact.
At dinner, she ate a grilled cheese sandwich while Melissa and I ate a diferent dinner that Melissa had prepared. Katie understood that this was the last night that she would be provided a different prepared meal than her parents and that beginning the night after her birthday party, she would be served the same meal as her mom and dad.
After dinner, she played for a few minutes on an educational website for kids called Moshi Monsters. The games included timed puzzles, which challenged Katie but also gave her satisfaction from answering a lot of the puzzles before time ran out.
After the computer games, I sat with Katie while she read her library book Lucky. She read two chapters of the book. She continues to impress me with her reading skills. She'll tell anyone who asks that she's by far the best reader in her class. And of all kindergarteners in the world, too.
The book finished, Katie ran upstairs for her shower and teeth brushing. Then into bed and prayers. She prayed for Wyatt, a boy in her class who caught a cold and missed school today. She prayed that he'd return soon. She prayed for all the sick people. And for the people who don't believe in God.
Then hugs and kisses and "goodnight" and "I love you."
Five was a good year for our Tiny Katie.
Katie's last day of being five was a good one. She behaved good enough in kindergarten today to earn another stamp -- her fourth consecutive stamp, in fact.
At dinner, she ate a grilled cheese sandwich while Melissa and I ate a diferent dinner that Melissa had prepared. Katie understood that this was the last night that she would be provided a different prepared meal than her parents and that beginning the night after her birthday party, she would be served the same meal as her mom and dad.
After dinner, she played for a few minutes on an educational website for kids called Moshi Monsters. The games included timed puzzles, which challenged Katie but also gave her satisfaction from answering a lot of the puzzles before time ran out.
After the computer games, I sat with Katie while she read her library book Lucky. She read two chapters of the book. She continues to impress me with her reading skills. She'll tell anyone who asks that she's by far the best reader in her class. And of all kindergarteners in the world, too.
The book finished, Katie ran upstairs for her shower and teeth brushing. Then into bed and prayers. She prayed for Wyatt, a boy in her class who caught a cold and missed school today. She prayed that he'd return soon. She prayed for all the sick people. And for the people who don't believe in God.
Then hugs and kisses and "goodnight" and "I love you."
Five was a good year for our Tiny Katie.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Smarty Pants
January 28, 2010
During our ride to school this morning, Katie was explaining to me her hypothesis as to how cold medicines kill germs in her body. As she concluded her dissertation, she finished with "See, I'm the smartest kid in my class!"
Just to get an idea of her competition, I asked "Who's the second smartest?"
Katie: "Nobody."
It would seem that the entire rest of the class is tied for "class dummy."
During our ride to school this morning, Katie was explaining to me her hypothesis as to how cold medicines kill germs in her body. As she concluded her dissertation, she finished with "See, I'm the smartest kid in my class!"
Just to get an idea of her competition, I asked "Who's the second smartest?"
Katie: "Nobody."
It would seem that the entire rest of the class is tied for "class dummy."
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Little Miss Logical
Saturday, September 5th
While visiting Grandmommy and Papa at the coast over the Labor Day holiday weekend, we had a late Saturday afternoon "lunch" of tortilla chips, nacho cheese sauce, and salsa. After we had all assembled at the table, Katie was asked if she'd like to say the blessing.
"No. I don't say the blessing for snacks."
A bit after lunch, Ed asked everyone if they'd like to take a boat ride. Carolyn and Melissa declined, but I went upstairs to ask Katie if she'd like to take a ride because she had been in the house the entire day.
Me: Katie, Papa wants to know if you'd like to take a boat ride.
Katie: Are we staying all day tomorrow?
Me: Yes.
Katie: Then, no. If I say I want to, you'll want to go right now. I don't want to right now, so we can take a ride tomorrow.
While visiting Grandmommy and Papa at the coast over the Labor Day holiday weekend, we had a late Saturday afternoon "lunch" of tortilla chips, nacho cheese sauce, and salsa. After we had all assembled at the table, Katie was asked if she'd like to say the blessing.
"No. I don't say the blessing for snacks."
A bit after lunch, Ed asked everyone if they'd like to take a boat ride. Carolyn and Melissa declined, but I went upstairs to ask Katie if she'd like to take a ride because she had been in the house the entire day.
Me: Katie, Papa wants to know if you'd like to take a boat ride.
Katie: Are we staying all day tomorrow?
Me: Yes.
Katie: Then, no. If I say I want to, you'll want to go right now. I don't want to right now, so we can take a ride tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Recess and the Ancient Playmate
August 25, 2009
During our dinner this evening, the topic of recess came up. We like to ask Katie who she's played with each day during recess.
Melissa: Who did you play with during recess?
Katie: I played with Asher.
Me: You played with Asher? Asher is in the Bible. (See Numbers)
Katie: I think it's a different Asher in the Bible.
(Laughter)
During our dinner this evening, the topic of recess came up. We like to ask Katie who she's played with each day during recess.
Melissa: Who did you play with during recess?
Katie: I played with Asher.
Me: You played with Asher? Asher is in the Bible. (See Numbers)
Katie: I think it's a different Asher in the Bible.
(Laughter)
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