New Paradigm

So today marks the first, of what will hopefully be many, of Harry & Ainsley’s adventures together, but without one of us to accompany (and more importantly to document).  Today the local YMCA camps that each are attending, are coming together as a larger group with all of the YMCA’s around the region… they’re all piling on buses, heading across the river, for a big thing called Thingamajig.

This is really the first time that I’ve really come to the conclusion that I really wish one of them had a camera, a phone, something… What are they doing?  Where are they? Are they together? Are they having fun? 

It’s not that I’m worried about them, I’m sure they’re in great hands, and their counselors are wonderful (and even if there was a problem, Harry has become quite the shepherd for his little sister). I’m not sure that came across as me convincing myself or not… So back since about a month before Harry was born, I started this little blogging endeavor, and similarly for Ainsley.  Granted these days of 16 gazillion various social media outlets (yes I’m looking mostly at you, Facebook & Twitter), the entries have certainly fallen off a bit, but rest assured there’s a digital record somewhere of just about every event/happening/occurance/participation in varying levels of significance, from the last 9 years.

What will we have for THIS event?!?!?! 

The thing is, I feel pretty confident that 2 things will happen upon their return today… 1) neither of them will offer up a straight answer on what they did, did they have fun, etc, even when pressed, and 2) neither of them will remember (to the point of being able to recall) any of it by tomorrow.

Who’s taking pictures this time?  Who’s updating statuses? Who’s tweeting???

Wait… wtf just happened there?

3rd Last.

Well, this is a little embarrassing.  We went an entire school year without a single blog post.  Not one picture made it up.  Zippy.

Well, that is certainly not to say that nothing happened this year.  On the contrary, so much has happened, so many places gone, people & things seen, that unfortunately the blogosphere (or whatever social media archetype it's morphed into) has taken a backseat to... well to a whole lot.

Harry continues to grow into the wonderfully charming big brother we all knew he would.  He puts up with a LOT from Ainsley (and her friends)  He had another outstanding year in school with Ms Davidson, participating in several after-school clubs & activities, having a great showing in the 3rd Grade Recorder concert.  While karate, lacrosse, and soccer continue to be the athletic pursuits of choice, there's still somehow time to squeeze in rugby and time at the pool.

His summer is in full swing at several camps, but the propensity of afternoon "tropical downpours" have given us a new appreciation for hot afternoons.  We enjoyed a great hike on the Billy Goat trail for the 4th, with Harry as the designated trail guide.  It also served as Ainsley's "test hike" for family camp.  Consensus is that she'll be on the "easy" hike this year, while Harry & Kim take on greater challenges with the big kids.

As I think back on my own foggy memories of this time, I seem to continually point out to Harry that 3rd grade was a very formative time for me.  I don't remember many faces or names from before 3rd grade, but seem to remember everyone, from then on.  Unfortunately, the message he seems to get from this, is that he's going to forget everyone he already knows... I think it will be quite the opposite for him.  He continues to make fast friends, and lots of them.

Such a wonderful boy.