Summer of Flaherty, Update One

So we have many, many activities and goals for our summer, which, when you get down to it, is only going to be about three weeks of open play and work and almost-two weeks of out-of-state vacation. That's not a tremendous amount. Anyhow, we have already started with our activities and goals. Here:

Activity One, Part One: Swimming at the Eno. We are going to be meeting some friends and their children at the Eno several times this summer. (It's a "weekly" thing, but we can't always make it. The Eno is a main river that runs circuitously through Durham (I think it is part of the Cape Fear River Basin) and has its own state park which covers random swaths of territory in northern Durham. Basically, we live right on top of the Eno River State Park. There are a few places where you can meet up with the river for hiking, picnicking, primitive camping, canoeing, or swimming and some are only minutes from our home). The first week involved a dip in the river, wading, tossing stones, lingering in the eddying pools, keeping a watchful eye on the non-venomous snakes; a long hike up alongside the river with three women and seven kids under eight along (small) cliffs, over bridges, through woods; and more swimming and wading and chatting and river-side lunching, of course.

Activity Two: Library Summer Reading Festival. Okey, so that was the plan, but because of a family emergency, we were briefly out of town on the day of the festival. Instead, we registered for summer reading online. The online log is terrible, however, so we will have to journal by hand and update at the library--which might be a nightmare--and claim our prizes that way. So far, we are a few hours into Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, The Last Enchantment, and Genesis. This is a Flaherty family tradition.

Activity Three, Part One: Summer Camp. Pretty much her first day of summer vaca and Girl has already started her two week Japanese Art Camp. Boy will head off to his own one-week camp next week. They are just day camps, but this is a camp Girl did last summer as well. They give generous scholarships and offer interesting subjects. Girl is hoping to learn origami and so far has painted Mt. Fuji and made a rice bowl. There will be a musical performance on the last day. Oh, and she also has made three friends and one buddy (?), which has helped her to deal with the transition from kindergarten to first grade, where she will lose several of her friends to other schools.

Activity Four, Part One: The Museum of Life and Science. So, it's true, we spend many Wedesday afternoons every year at the Museum, when they let Durham residents in for free from 1pm-5pm. (This is an especially awesome deal because the $11 entrance fee is not a complete reflection of just how incredible this museum is. Again, within minutes of our home in north/downtown Durham, this has to be one of the best science museums in the country.) Anymore, it's usually just Boy and I in the hour or so we have before picking Girl up from school. But for the summer? More of the family, and more time. Today we picked Girl up from camp and still had a few hours left (which was quite enough in the suppressing heat) to play in the water section, visit the bug and butterfly houses, and then wander around the farm-zoo and inside exhibits before heading home to make dinner.

Goal One, Part One: Mow the Lawn. So, we are a little slower with the goals, as Kevin is still finishing up his schooling. (Less than a week to go!) So far, all we have managed is keeping the lawn mowed, which, if you know us and our schedule, is no small feat. Kevin has been mowing sections of our half-acre in his 15-minute study breaks, I kid you not.

And just to give it a mention, so far I have spent a grand total of $1.50 plus tax (on rock candy at the museum) and $65 (for the camp) on all activities and goals.