Summer Snapshots Weeks 7 - 9

Week 7 began with a trip to Purdy, MO. A little town home to a camp with a big purpose -- for more than 20 years Camp Barnabas has been offering sleep away camp to kids and adults with physical, cognitive and learning challenges. A Christian-based camp, they provide 1 on 1 support to campers and have been developing a program for siblings, too. This summer both Noah and Natalie spent six days and five nights - swimming, floating, canoeing, and more while making new friends and growing their self-confidence in a safe, loving environment.

Noah meets his missionary and "cabin dad"

This year Barnabas built two new cabins called "Ewok village" for siblings.

 

While the kids were away, Steve and I enjoyed a belated, 15th anniversary dinner. We dined at Pietra's -- a delightful, Italian restaurant located in St. Louis Hills. While the restaurant has been in business for 50+ years, we had never heard of it and likely would have never eaten there had it not been for a gift card Steve received from a job well done. We filled up on steak and pasta and finished with one of the best-tasting tiramisus I've ever had.

To distract myself from worrying about whether the kids were having a good time at camp, I took part in a free painting class offered at Oak Bend Library. My friend, Stacy and I enjoyed a morning of getting in touch with our creative side.

Once the kids had returned from camp, we I took part in Rockhill Library's "Terrific Tuesdays". One week we programmed ozbots and played with 3D pens while another time we dusted off our wands and made a trip to Hogwarts via some Harry Potter yoga.





School is just around the corner and Natalie loves nothing more than shopping for supplies. "I just love the smell of new pencils!" After shopping we stopped in Culver's for a little treat. She's been dying to try a malt. She loved it. This one made with their "flavor of the day" - chocolate custard, salted caramel and bits of Hershey bars. It was so thick she had trouble drinking it through the straw.

I am always amazed at the number of fun, engaging classes offered through our local libraries. This time Noah took part in Webster Groves Library's LEGO Star Wars event. They brought in a rep from Snapology and the kids went to town building characters and light sabers from galaxies far, far, away.


For two weeks we (and when I say "we" I really mean Steve) has been caring for our friends chickens who were out of town. They gave us their tickets to see COCA's production of Beauty and the Beast. Though I've seen the show several times -- the live orchestra, costumes and story line never ceases to give my heart a squeeze. "Mom, are you crying?" asked Natalie. "No," I replied while turning my face away from hers. sigh. Noah had had no interest in going. "I DON'T want to go! I've seen it before." However, he was one of the first to give the performers a standing ovation. hmmm...