Rock Climbing

Well last week was my little Heather's first rock climbing experience. She only made it just over 10 feet up. She would get scared then they would give her some encouragement and she would go up a little more. I think that she was a little more nervous about not being as good as some of the others. Lori, The girl that is above Heather, has been rock climbing for about 4 years now and helped Heather quite a bit. They hit it off really good. She goes again tomorrow and is really nervous, but she still wants to go. This week at the PYW Heather practiced belaying and they think she is ready to do it independently tomorrow and Lori is going to let Heather partner up with her. On another note Lori is going into 11th grade and we are trying to work it out for her to be a "big sister" for Heather in school next year. Mr. Martell, who works for the Middle High School and at the PYW, said that they both are hitting it off great and they would be a great match. I am so proud of Heather for trying rock climbing because it is new to her and challenging (we know how much courage this has taken for Heather to try something new infront of so many people).

Theresa at Teen Institute Leadership camp

Theresa went off to the Teen Institute Leadership camp on Sunday July 19th. The Camp had about 60 kids and 40 staff. Here is a picture of the whole camp group.





















Theresa stayed in a bunk with other girls that she had never met. Good thing she is so easy going and can make friends so easily.






















During the week Theresa went to several large group workshops that included date violence and Don't dis ability. The teens then broke up into their small groups for discussions and share stories. This is Theresa's small group finding a hidden area in one of the cabins where they met for small group. They made a time capsule and put it in the hidden area.























They had many whole group activities such as a dance and skit night. These are some photo's from the skit night. Theresa's group acted out the movie Juno.





















Here are some friends that Theresa made while she was at camp.

Theresa came hope with great stories and experiences to share. She came home with new knowledge about the world and strategies to use and share in the community. I am thankful she was able to take part in this experience.

Summer

Well our summer is moving very fast here in the Cole house. The summer has been filled with softball, field trips with the PYW, camp, and summer school.

The kick off to summer was the Relay for Life (Cancer walk). Julia and Theresa got donations from community members and on June 21st they headed over to Concord for the all night cancer walk. Of course it started raining so the girls came home early. The top photo is the girls whom participated in the walk. Below is Julia wit a couple of her friends. Paula is on the left and she is one of the PYW staff.

Next the girls enjoyed a trip to Hill Top Fun Center for some miniature golf, Lazar tag, and some arcade games.


Above is Heather, Paula, and Julia in their game of miniature golf.


Heather then enjoyed a trip on her own because the other two had a game. She went to York's Animal Kingdom.


Below is Heather with Zach. Zach is the director of the PYW and just a all around great guy. Heather really enjoys hanging out with him.






















Then Heather and Theresa enjoyed a day watching the Fisher Cats in Manchester.





Heather started rock climbing and did great. Theresa has been at camp since Sunday and comes home tomorrow.

Laundry

I have a story to share with you all.

We do not have a washer and dryer in our apartment so we go to the laundry mat across the street. For three days I asked Julia to get her dirty clothes. Well yesterday while she was gone to the Harry Potter movie with the PYW I did laundry. So today I told Julia that she needed to do her laundry, however she was going to need laundry soap. I left her money to get laundry soap and do her laundry. I told her to get the cheapest kind that they have. Well off I went to work and she did laundry. At lunch time she brought me my salad to work and said "my clothes smell so good". When I came home on my lunch break we had this conversation:
Julia-"mom smell these they smell so good"

me-"they do smell good what kind of laundry soap did you get?"

Julia then left the room and came back with the bottle and hans it to me

me- "No wonder it smells so good this is fabric softner-did you use this as you would laundry soap?"

Julia- "yes why whats the difference?"

Summer

I am amazed because it looks like we might have a nice summer day today. I hope everyone enjoys it.