We just spent a wonderful week upstate NY. Just the break we needed from this traffic jam we call East Hampton. But there is a feeling that summer is winding down so I'd better "publish" Viggo's second summer journal : )
We made a fire. We ate outside.
I like to walk my cute dog.
Grandpa and grandma are on a plane.
This is my calendar. The teacher is teaching.
This is Angelo in a rocket.
I like my house. My house is big.
I want to eat ice cream because it is hot outside.
I like rainbows. Rainbows have colors.
I read about earth and the sun.
My mom made a fire outside. Mom made a hamburger.
I like to make maps. I like to draw at summer school.
I went to the beach. There was a red flag. No one could swim.
I like to go to school. I want to go on the big school bus.
When the flag is red we can't swim. We can not swim now.
We will go to the movies. We will watch an action movie.
It is a rainy day. It looks stormy outside. There are clouds.
(My journal) Last summer when we had just arrived in Springs I wanted to join an organic farm/coop down the road. I don't think they had any shares left then, but now it's finally done. All of my boys have had a chance to harvest with me and Viggo came with me for the first time on Saturday. Above he is hunting cucumbers.
Found one!
Oh! So potatoes do not grow on trees. They grow in the earth.
Farming can be hot work but it is well worth the work.
(Viggo's journal) Viggo has produced two journals so far at summer school. Below is journal number one. (looks to me like he was in charge of spelling on these pages. I will translate for those of you who need it).
I go to the car wash. I like the sun.
I will have a pic-nic. I will eat beets. I will go to the beach.
I watched fire works.
I drink water. The water is cold.
The school. It's summer.
Flowers in summer.
I jump on the trampoline in the fall. I like summer but it is fall.
My dogs are named Rocky and Dustin. They are black and brown.
I like to go outside to play.
I swim in the pool.
I want to go to the beautiful city of New York.
I want to go to New York City. I like the buildings.
A red flag kept the boys out of the water for a change. . .
Yes, it has been so hot that even horse back riding was cancelled this week. We've had plenty of ocean time and have enjoyed bringing our summer reading to the beach. And as summer is speeding by I am considering going back to the first part of the Gaps Diet once more. I admit there have been many "gaps" in our Gaps diet lately. It is difficult in this social setting to keep pure feeding routines. Anyway, if I do go back to the first part of the diet I will definitely make sure to post how that goes. But for now, happy reading!
Viggo has graduated to slightly more advanced books. He is slowly mastering his new level of reading.
Viggo is finally on horse back again! It took a while to find the right place but it was worth the wait. We've only been to our new horse back riding home twice but as we are settling into summer school and summer activities, the horse back riding is also taking shape.
I wish I had more time on my hands. I would be able to do so many more meaningful things if I did. And the blog could use some more of my attention. That is not the case however. Luckily for me Viggo is doing the writing this time around. I hope you enjoy his journal:
A drawing of us getting on the Hampton Jitney for NYC
When we visit New York we stay on the 4th floor.
I do eat food.
I do slide down.
Mom is working in the house.
And on Friday I will take my boys into the city for one last visit before school is out for the summer. I hope to get some good stories and pictures from our trip!
I must be the worst blogger ever! How long has it been? I've just been incredibly busy but I will try not to wait this long before my next post.
Today I'm writing because my camera is filled to the brim with pictures of Viggo's drawings. I just have to post some to make space for more. Lets start with a few inspired by Super Mario bros.
Academic achievement.
this is still on our fridge. Viggo was absolutely full of himself for at least two weeks after receiving this.
science
Math test top score!
home work time
The level of reading that Viggo has reached!
Maps
Really there are so very many more images to post but it will have to wait a little. Let me leave you with a photograph Viggo took the other week. He took a picture of Google Earth on his iPad.
On Saturday afternoon Viggo and I were in the car. We were waiting for George and John to join us. While waiting we listened to Viggo's all time favorite album, "The Rising" by Bruce Springsteen. "Missing" started to play and Viggo's eyes began to fill with tears. "The mom is missing", he said. "She's gone. Where is she?". We listened to the song in silence. We both had tears in our eyes I'm pretty sure. When the music ended Viggo looked relieved. "Mom, you're here. You're not gone. Ok, now we can be happy". Viggo smiled. Then he pulled out a drawing pad and made a drawing and said: "Mom, what's this?".
t-rex eating some poor fellow. . .
WE
BOTH
BURST
OUT
LAUGHING
Less than a year ago when we listened to this album Viggo did not understand a word of it. When "Empty Sky" played Viggo used to sing: "Indentkaj, Indentkaj, Ajokupnmoni indentkaj". Now he translates parts of the lyrics into Swedish for me and is emotionally moved by the songs. Unbelievable!
I am trying to keep up. I am. But I'm afraid I'm not succeeding. The boys and I took a trip to NY almost three weeks ago. I meant to write about it as soon as we got home. . . . . . well, it was a terrific trip. We took the train this time and all three boys enjoyed it. It seems to me that Viggo is embracing the world a little more these days. His grasp of his surroundings is deepening. He is able to apply himself to a greater variety of interests. Instead of just focusing on one thing (like a train crossing) he is talking about so many things. He knows his months and tracks every day on his own calendar. He keeps track of birthdays and holidays. He makes maps of the route the bus takes to school and of New York City. He wants to plant flowers and is excited about winter giving way to spring. He is growing more independent. He wants to tend to the compost. He wants to cook. And most of all he draws, draws and draws. Everything he thinks about ends up on a piece of paper.