I'm running out of ways to say we like camp. Now that I think about it though, I may not have actually put it quite that way before: we like camp. Here's Friday's wrap-up, from Aliza:
Your camper especially enjoyed: singing songs with her friend R. at lunch.
We had an amazing first week and can't wait to see what next week has in store. Olive cleaned up after herself without me asking. Her constant smile and wonderfully bright clothes are such a breath of fresh air and it's a pleasure to be with her. She has started to use sign language with me and her listening skills and the ability to follow the group is exceptional. Her friend R. made her a [not legible] that is being sent home.
And Monday:
Your camper participated in: swimming, nature, music, sports, dance.
Week 2 started off with a blast from hockey where Olive scored a goal to dancing to the Alef Bet song. She was sneezing and had a runny nose for most of the day but her determination to have fun was wonderful. Tomorrow is picture day. If you could, send a purple shirt for our theme of colors of the rainbow.
Aliza's updates are often hard to read and have the unmistakable appearance of having been written using the back of another counselor as a writing desk. Yet, every day there's an update--and never one with just boxes checked on the form.
Camp Ramah also has a weekly newsletter where parents can read snippets of what all the children are doing, and each week a different age group is spot-lit with extra photos. Last week was not spotlight week for 2nd grade, but there was still an adorable photo of Olive and her new bestie. NB stripey sweater:
Back to the knitting. I've begun a swing coat from Easy Knits for Little Kids, but am using Rowan DK cotton instead of the recommended alpaca.
Yes, I am actually choosing to use cotton when the recipe doesn't even call for it.
I'm not sure what's happening, but lately I've felt cottonish instead of sheepish. For many years I've railed against knitting with cotton: its lack of elasticity, its tendency toward dreaded Hanginess, its resemblance to butcher's twine.
I'm glad it can't read all the nasty things I've written about it. For that matter, I'm glad cotton can't hear. Sheep and alpaca can hear, of course. If you're listening, little ungulates, I still love you best. This is just a phase; you're the ones I'll keep coming back to.
What hasn't changed is that my favorite color combination is red and aqua. I see it all over my old eBay pictures, back from when I used to sew. I haven't flipped through those photo files in ages, and I'm left with that Alka Seltzer feeling of I can't believe I made the whole thing.
I have no memory of knitting this fair isle vest and sewing that skirt, but given the fact that I also have professional photos of Madi wearing it (my former model, and daughter of photographer Carrie) I know I must have made this set twice.
Thank God I don't remember what it sold for; I have a feeling I'd be quickly depressed.
I do remember knitting this poncho set...

...the little aqua shrug, and the hoodie.
Both the hoodie and shrug are Rowan kid mohair.
And here's red and aqua again, sewn this time. I made that set for the Boutique Birds first eBay launch. I loved that outfit, and if Olive's eczema hadn't necessitated her wearing long sleeves and long pants at all times (before we discovered the miracle of Mometasone cream), I'd have kept it for her.
Where are you now, ruffled skirt and matching top, and are you being worn and appreciated?