About the In Between

After the Baileys bailed on us for the Connecticut leg of their 5-week escapade (Sweden takes summer vacation time very seriously!), and before we steamrolled through the North Country to deliver Greta to Clarkson, the kids enjoyed a variety of activities.

First up: a "Create Your Own World" course at UAlbany. Both Greta and Lincoln participated in the half-day "camp," conveniently located across the quad from Dad's athletic complex. They conceived of new lands/planets and their origin, developed maps and timelines, created some type of art, and started to form ideas for stories. The week culminated in an author/artist showcase.

Greta created "Juvelträd" -- Swedish for "Jewel Trees" -- a land of sentient trees with complicated social structures. In addition to the backstory and map, she made a model tree by reassembling a geode she smashed a few Christmases ago and connecting wire and beads.

Lincoln envisioned a dystopian Mars circa 4020-4300, where humans have populated Mars after destroying Earth. He formed multiple clay figurines to demonstrate animals, fruits, and vegetation.

The following week, Greta attended the College of Saint Rose's Summer Academy from 9-4. In the morning, she enjoyed a mixed media art course which included self portraits, artist's maps, and deconstructed book art. After lunch in the dining hall and group games, she spent her afternoons in a play writing class. It was her second foray into the genre, as she earned a Girl Scout badge for play writing a couple years ago. She says she learned a lot, but prefers writing stories. I hope she finishes her play, though, as young Cora, circa 1906, is about to defy her parents and pursue an education in lieu of an arranged marriage! (Brönte, much?)

Lincoln didn't join her, and instead ventured into the world of Dungeons and Dragons with a class through the Niskayuna School District's summer enrichment program. He learned the art of creating characters, worlds, and campaigns. He especially enjoyed learning how to be a Dungeon Master, and tested that skill as Rob, Greta, and I rolled our way through his zombie-infested Pirate's Cove. I was pleased my character could wield a great axe with such ferocity that she split the beasts in two from head to toe! I am sure there will be future blog posts about our family adventures.

So now you have the play-by-play on our month of July.  The days were long, but the weeks flew by!