It’s been a few days since I’ve put anything new on this blog. It’s been a whirlwind of activity here and not all good. We’ve had children visiting, and another grand baby.

My daughter Molly has been at the hospital over a week with her preemie. They can’t get his bilirubin count to stabilize. He’s doing fine otherwise, but the family is stressed having her away for such a long time. She’s trying to spend time at home and at the hospital nursing the baby, but it’s been very hard on everyone. I got to feed him yesterday. He’s a lovely little boy, beautiful and good. He’s a joy with his big round eyes and his little bird mouth. He LOVES to eat, and finds Miss Molly’s built in food a joy to behold.

Friday was a hectic day, and we thank Miss Kelly’s sister, Miss Mandy for all her help. She’s a fine young teacher and will be volunteering her time this summer at the GS. She teaches first grade in Henderson KY during the school year. I think what I like best about her is her approach to the children. She works hard at having them figure out the details of a situation, and coming up with the maintenance solution all by themselves. That makes her the queen of independence and that goes a long way with us.

The little awards ceremony at school went well. The children were adorable as usual, and well behaved. We gave out our religious awards and a secular classroom award and report cards. All the children did very very well. It’s always a pleasure to give a compliment and offer a reward for hard work. I don’t think I’ve ever realized just how hard our children work at behavior, manners as well as their academics.

An apology for the heat, but that wasn’t my doing. We don’t mind the heat at school because we are constantly out in it. We start the children out in the fresh sunny air in April, and we get out as much as we can until summer. So when we go on long trips or spend a lot of time in the heat, the children aren’t bothered as much by it.

We encourage parents to do the same. At my house we don’t even turn on the air most of the summer. Neither my husband nor I like hot weather. We like blizzards, and I am particularly fond of those cold wet rainy days with the low flying clouds and the damp hanging in the air. But we do live in an ancient house with three full stories, so perhaps…, but we still think it’s a matter of acclimating to the heat a little at a time and turning the air DOWN so the expectation is less and the summer heat not so shocking when you first get out in it.

As well, exercise plays an important part of heat acclimation. Those people who exercise vigorously and often seem to be more comfortable in the heat than those who don’t. That’s why we have included things like relay races, tug of war, and yoga at the school. At the same time, exrcise for parents does not have to be formal either. It can be a part of daily activity by simply doing things like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking at the end of the lot, bending down twice to pick up a pencil, and squatting instead of bending from the waist. Doing some brief exercises at the desk like leg extensions, stretches while standing or sitting and deep breathing also make you feel better. Wouldn’t it be great to do squats down the hallway or is that too much?

At the same time water drinking is helpful in minimizing summer discomfort. We have talked and talked about drinks for the children, and sweet drinks seem to make children thirstier and thirstier. Water seems to put an end to thirst. So often children come to the GS soda and sweet drinkers. We can always tell because they can’t drink OJ, only a facsimile. That’s frustrating to the teachers, because once you turn on the sweets, it’s a hurdle to go back to water. Lots of people say they would like to go to water, but can’t give up the carbonation or the sweet.

If you are not a water drinker and don’t like to choose water over soda or coffee or other sweet drinks, here’s a helpful tip that will help push water and at the same time keep the sugar drinks to a minimum: next time you go to the bathroom, let the washing of your hands remind you to fill a cup with water and drink at least eight gulps. Every time you use the bathroom after that during the day, do the same thing. The drinking of water will send you back to the bathroom within a shorter span of time, and you will find that you are drinking at least eight glasses of water every day. You will be surprised at how little the thirst bug will bite when you drink that much water. At the same time, you will find your weight down, and your skin better, your digestion remarkably improved, and your energy level at an all time high. Water drinking is good for every part of the body, and will refresh the body while sweet drinks put a high demand on insulin, affect digestion, and put stress on kidneys.

Back to the party:

At the awards day on Friday, we noticed that the children dressed for the heat were not uncomfortable, and we mentioned at the ceremony that short clothes are the ticket for success. Please remember that the longer swim suits, the long heavy shorts are a real nuisance to play and comfort. Please remember to dress children in either swim shoes or shoes and socks. Children who are dressed in long sleeves or pants will be sent home.

Thanks to all the parents who brought the wonderful food to the party. Everything tasted really good. Edith and I each had a hot dog and discovered we had dressed them the same – with a long pickle. We had a good laugh.

If anyone wants anything just call. I’m in the handbook.