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We have been anxiously awaiting this night for weeks. Several of the girls’ friends have been rehearsing their lines for their part in the HMS Pinafore, put on by the Campground kids here in the MVCMA.

The show was adorable, the cast (7yos to teens) did a wonderful job and the whole audience had a great time.

Esme practically rushed the stage afterwards to see her friends and congratulate them on a job well done.

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I had to stop reading my book thanks to the enthusiastic help of these hammock pushers. Motion sickness on the front porch. Who’d have thought it possible?

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A girl and her own personal librarian!

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Question: Is it easier to fall asleep on the floor than in bed?

Hypothesis: Falling asleep on a pillow on the floor in front of the fan to keep cool will be easier than falling asleep in bed.

What Happened:

*cold head

*legs on hard floor

*second attempt with Mama as the sleep surface (Success!)

[huge hat tip to the authors of 11 Experiments that Failed. A book that you really should read.]

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Just Esme and I took a bike ride out to the playground at the airport today.

Esme is that kind of kid who finds and makes friends almost everywhere we go. She befriends older kids, younger kids, kids she’s met before, kids she’s never met before, adults of every flavor, and especially dogs! She just has that sort of personality.

It means that sometimes, just sometimes, I get to sit on the park bench, drink my water and enjoy a little time to myself. Today I was kicking myself for not bringing a book. She hopped off the bike, and moments later had a new bff and they were off playing. We could have been there hours if our schedule had allowed.

After a sweet, sad goodbye between new friends we pedaled back home.

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As much as we love actual libraries (and boy do we love them!), I have always wanted to stumble across a Little Free Library– and maybe even curate one someday!

To my surprise, and glee, we have discovered one a mere minute’s walk from our cottage. We’ve borrowed a couple books and a magazine and some of us like to “just take a look” as we pass by on our way to the post office.

Such a sweet little community thing, and perfect in our little beach town. Borrow a book in the morning on the way to the beach…return it full of sand as the sun sets. I can’t think of anything better!

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Summer Sunday

Swing

Stringing Seeds

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During our stay here on Martha’s Vineyard, the girls have been attending what they call “Nature Class”.

For the rest of us, that means “Saturdays on Senge“, a kid-oriented, family activity that is put on as a cooperative endeavor between the Friends of Sengekontacket and Felix Neck, two local environmental groups.

Each week has a slightly different topical theme, water creatures, shells, and shorebirds are a few that we’ve taken part in. A naturalist from Felix Neck comes with just the right gear for the day- today all the kids had binoculars to search out birds! She also has a little talk and some activities up her sleeve to keep the kids interested and asking questions.

I love bringing Catherine and Esme to these kinds of activities. They are fun, free and give them an on-the-ground appreciation for the Earth around them. In fact, I should credit both organizations for helping to support my love of nature. I went to camp at Felix neck in first grade and then 8th grade and as a teen I helped the FOS plant beach grass along the same beach we were at today.

[Photo caption: Catherine sitting near her camouflaged plover nest, from today’s shore birds class]

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