Last week was definitely weird… You went to a new camp with new teachers and new friends in a new building with new things to do, and I was in Chicago at my conference the whole week… It was strange not being able to picture where you are or what you are doing.

I’m sure you’ve figured out by now that I am kind of what-they-like-to-call a helicopter Mom – one who likes to hover. : ) not really – but I do like to be involved and know where you are and what you’re doing. I do like to really know your friends and teachers… On your first day of your new camp, I called the camp director from Chicago and asked her to spy on you specifically and make sure you were doing okay – not surprisingly, she reported that you were having a BALL on the playground with the other kids… my heart smiled..

Anyway – it sounds like you had a FANTASTIC time. Kate picked you up every single day so you had that consistency in your week – she said you were fantastically happy and well behaved every day. She said you liked your new teachers and you were waving goodbye in the parking lot to your new friends. Kate was sweet enough to send me pictures of your adventures together… Here are some of them…

Strawberry Picking

You and I are both so very grateful for Kate – her kindness, her playfulness, her love, her attention to details, her consistency… She rocks!! How much more blessed could we possibly be!!

So many of your baby language is gone – but “bemember” is one sweet word that lives on. So is “useum” (instead of museum). So so sweet.

I took this picture of you today, and you look SO grown up to me.

It’s the first day of what we call “Barbie Camp.”

You are so articulate, creative and insightful. Tonight after camp, you decided to design and build your own shower. You filled a plastic target bag full of water, and asked me to hang it from the tree. We poked a couple holes in the bottom – and viola – a shower!! Very impressive.

You LOVE to make up stories – and they are quite involved – often starring a little girl. : )

Our favorite thing to do each night this summer has been to “Stoop Squat” – that’s where we eat watermelon or popsicles or cherries while we sit on our one step in the front of the house to watch the sun set and wave to neighbors walking by. It’s so fun b/c we have literally watched our flowers bloom between our stoop squats before bed and those at breakfast time. What a wonderful and amazing time – watching miracles together.

Pill bugs & flowers – “These are a few of your fav-or-ite things”

One of my favorite pictures of you

Tonight in bed (we still snuggle in together every night until you fall asleep), you said 2 things that were especially sweet:

1. “Mama? It’s really uncomfortable when you’re not here.”

and after much chatting and arm flying and re-positioining, you said…

2. “Mama? I am really sorry.” “For what Baby?” “For all the bad things I did today.” And you were so very sincere… it totally melted my heart.

I’m tired… but I wanted to tell you HI and a little about why I’m treasuring you tonight…

Love, your Mama