Category: <span>Moments</span>
Summer 2015 marks Sophia’s first foray into the big leagues … aka camp. We enrolled her into camp in preparation for her starting pre-school this fall. Sophia’s only experience in a group setting with kids her own age has, so far, been limited to two classes: a little gym class when we lived in Maryland and a dance class she attended here in Philadelphia over the summer.
She loved both her classes and we were excited to see her transition to an independent, multi-hour activity. Camp, for her and for us, is a big deal. Sophia will have to learn how to interact with children in a group setting, teachers and counselors. She has to learn to be more independent, to function within specific time boundaries, and follow instructions. As for us, we have to get her ready for camp each morning, drop her off, and pick her up.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that of course there have been tears at drop-off and that is entirely expected though very difficult for us as parents. The only thing I can do, short of pulling her out of camp, is be supportive. Each and every morning if (and this week is really a matter of when) Sophia breaks down during drop off, I say “I know you’re upset and it is okay to feel this way. Mommy is going to be back to pick you up. I will definitely be back at noon to pick you up.” I am told the tears eventually subside (for her anyway).
Once upon a time there was a young couple who loved to travel. Travel they did, to places far and wide but then, they had a family … 
Traveling with children is not always easy, and yet, traveling, getting away, vacationing, enjoying time just the two of you, and nurturing your relationship is of utmost importance. Having recognized that, Evan and I took a trip to Denmark. Just the two of us. Just last week. No kids, just us.
This is exactly the reason this blog has been quiet while our own lives and those of our children have been anything but. I couldn’t share news of our upcoming trips for reasons which I am not able to share here publicly but am more than happy if anyone is curious.
We took a just-us getaway a few years ago when Sophia was 18 months old. At the time, and rightfully so, we decided that it was imperative to recharge after surviving our first year as parents. Now, we decided to repeat and recharge after surviving our first year as parents of two.
The nitty gritty: 8 days, in Denmark. Just Denmark. A direct flight from Newark on SAS which is Scandinavian.
Just after the take off—the way we like it.
Just before landing.
Eight days may, for some, mean endless traveling and ambitious itineraries. For us, eight sun-filled days meant the Danish Riviera and Copenhagen. It meant the sun, lazy drives along the sea, castles that are the stuff of legends (Kronborg), Christiania, the Glyptotek, coffee, Smørrebrød, Danish design principles, antiques, crafts, and meals taken at leisure. In reality, it meant just the two of us, partaking in a shared passion, rediscovering our interests, old and new. 
We are very pleased with this trip. Grateful to our parents who all chipped in and helped with the kids. We didn’t worry about Sophia and Eliza, we knew that, just like my sister and I loved our time with Baba and Deda, our kids would like theirs with Baba and Deda and Grammie and Pop. The rest of this trip, how we went about it, what we saw, did, didn’t do, and more will follow this post.
Thank you cards are sprawled on my desk waiting to capture our sincere gratitude for the friends and family who came out to celebrate Eliza’s birthday. Eliza loves every single gift she was showered with. We tried our best to find a home for each new item in our compact play area including this:
This chair, not the dolly, though we love the dolly, too. This chair, to us, is extra-ordinarily special. It is special because it was hand-painted by our nephew Alex especially for Eliza on the occasion of her 1st birthday. We seem to have started a tradition in our family where the girls receive a hand-made piece for their first birthday. My father made a doll’s bed for Sophia. My sister added to the already-special piece by hand-making all the bedding including the two-tone pillow cases and a real quilt.
When I really think about it, the doll’s bed (sitting sadly in our storage) and this beautiful chair are just things. Many kids have little beds for their dolls and chairs, but these were made for our kids—someone took the time to think about the girls, spent hours designing, polishing, painting, and sewing something that will be used time and again. This chair will stand the test of time; It will be with Eliza (and Sophia) as they grow up together and, one day, they will pass it on to be used by their kids, and their kids’ kids. More than that, they will pass on not just the item, but the story and lesson that goes on with it. Being an aunt or a cousin isn’t just about the label. It is about the relationship you choose to have with your cousins or nieces and the time and effort you invest in being with them. Little she may be, but she knows she is loved—there is no other way to validate her knowledge than the wide smiles she gives to those who surround her (with love).
I am blessed to have a nephew who values the importance of family and a sister (and brother-in-law) who have cultivated this in him. The chair, the chair is beautiful.
