Summer has officially arrived, bringing the heat that drives us all indoors. When the sun makes outdoor play impossible, I usually aim for fun indoor activities - though this weekend, the reality was a mix of high-energy connection and much-needed rest.
A Weekend of Connection
We kicked off the weekend with a wonderful visit from my niece and her friends. It was so heartening to see Elliot so excited to connect with them! Watching him engage in back-and-forth conversation was a highlight. We had actually read The Conversation Train, a fantastic visual guide to how conversations work, shortly before they arrived. Whether it was the prep or just pure excitement, seeing him so social and animated was a joy.
The Reality of Summer Down Time
By Saturday, we were all in “recovery mode.” We cleared our calendar, retreated to separate spaces, and embraced a low-demand day. We capped it off with Elliot’s current favorite movie, Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, complete with a popcorn feast and dramatic reenactments of our favorite scenes.
Navigating the Bumps in the Road
Sunday brought a little unexpected drama when Elliot rolled his ankle in his sensory room. Seeing him sobbing at the table was tough, but we handled it together. There were frozen peas, a supportive wrap, and lots of monitoring. It’s still a bit swollen, but we are keeping a close eye on it—fingers crossed for a quick recovery so we can avoid a doctor visit!
Looking Ahead
As we head into this new week, my focus is on keeping learning fun and remembering that my to-do list doesn’t need to be finished in 30 minutes. We’re prioritizing fun experiments, plenty of swimming, and enjoying the summer rhythm.
I’m also carving out time this week to advance some of the projects we have in the works to better support our community. At Little Village, we believe that education is built around belonging, and we are working hard every day to bring that vision to life.
Does your week look like a balance of “go-go-go” and “down-time recovery,” or are you finding a different rhythm this summer? Let’s talk about it.
