Writing Camp

E has always been a writer, ever since she could put together letters into words she has written stories, letters, journals. So it didn't surprise me when E's teacher recommended that she attend a writing camp this summer. We signed her up for one that was called "Nature Journaling" that took place on the grounds of Highland Mansion. She will never be a kid who would go to a soccer or basketball camp, running around in the hot sun. And I have to say, in this she is my daughter. I knew that she would enjoy writing camp, because I would have loved it myself. My sisters and I were laughing, because they could never imagine wanting to go to a writing camp and I could never imagine wanting to go to a sports camp. What is a fun time to them is torture for me, and vice versa. Anyway, E was in her element as each morning she had different lessons that incorporated both writing and drawing.

The last day of camp the parents were able to come and take a tour of the grounds, which I was excited about, since we hadn't been able to when we went there for our family photo shoot. I loved walking around and taking pictures, and E loved giving us the tour. It would be a great place for a wedding/reception, I will have to file this away for the future.

Slip Slidin' Away

This week's raw(e) challenge is to open up your 2nd folder, and pick the 6th picture and post it. I usually make a folder for each month of a calendar year and then stick the pictures in it, after that month is over. So the top folders right now are from early July. This picture was taken when my good friend Jess and her kids stopped in for a visit. They had a lot of fun on the slip n slide that day...

lego cupcakes

My latest entry in the raw(e) challenge:
The subject is dessert, so I decided to enter this picture of the lego cupcakes I made for N's party

July 4th

This year we decided to stay home for the Fourth, since we had been away the past two years. I love the festive feel of the holiday, and it was really nice to celebrate in Glenside again. We started off the day at church with a joint service where the energy of the worship was awesome. Then I went to my mom's house to get the house ready for the picnic. We moved tables and chairs up to the porch, made flower arrangements, and gallons of lemonade.





Around 4:00 people started arriving. We had invited several of our friends, and most of them could make it. We spent the next 3 hours on the porch, in the front yard and on the curb eating, talking, and watching the parade.

When I tell people that the parade is two hours long, I don't think they really believe me until they see it! It is a pretty great parade, and it is always fun to see the New Life float coming down the street. The worship team sings songs while volunteers hand out freeze pops to the crowd.

After the parade was over, several of the families stayed behind to help with the clean-up, and then we all headed up to the highest point in Glenside to watch the fireworks- the Burger King parking lot! We got there just in time to get parking spots, and then we set up camp for the next hour as we waited for it to get dark enough for the fireworks.

The time passed quickly as the kids played with sparklers and entertained each other.

Around 9:15 the show started, and it was well worth the wait.

All in all, it was a very satisfying day. I love the festivities, but even more I loved spending time with family and friends. For me, nothing can compare to celebrating the Fourth in Glenside.