Loving Cohousing

I just love living in cohousing. Here is a glimpse of a morning here in our community:
I wake up to the sun shining through my windows and the geese flying overhead to rest in the ponding basin just behind our community. Getting the girls off to school, I visit with Heidi who has just come in from walking her dogs. Barbara is walking along the pathway and stops to visit aswell. Samantha is trailing behind me and decides to stop and say good morning to the dogs. The morning air is finally cool and we feel at ease taking our time and enjoying the fresh air.
Later in the morning Tessa hears that it is Ms. Pat's birthday and so runs inside to make her a card. She then runs to her house to deliver the gift and ends up playing and visiting with Pat and George (who are in their 60's) for some time. As I write this she is helping George with his chores around the community. The wonderful thing is that she is completely safe and is welcome in the home of others. Samantha has made friends with Jenny across the path. Jenny has a cat named Bebe and has become a special friend to Sammi. Jenny has welcomed Samantha into her home aswell and loves the freedom she has in 'visiting'.
I can't express the safety there is here in our community. The loving nature of all our neighbors and how they welcome our children into their lives. Through this, our girls are learning how to love others and create inter-generational relationships. I pinch myself....is this for real?

1st Day of School

The girls had their first day of school at Mountain View Elementary. It is a new school in a new district, so we are excited about all the changes. In our community there are several kids who will be attending this same school.


Lilly is a little girl here who is also starting in the 4th grade with Kamryn. Mtn. View is a new school for her as well. Kamryn is in 4th grade with Mr. Dritz.

Addi is in 2nd grade with Mrs. Washington.

Tessa is anxiously awaiting Kindergarten. :)

While the kids are at school, Tessa and I will be working on some Kindergarten activity books, and learning her basics so she is ready possibly in January to enter Kinder. We'll see.

Here is Sammi clowning around. It sure is quiet without Kamryn and Addi around.

Summer Series

We had a great summer here at the Schultz household. Kamryn finished up a great swimming season, finishing off with a medal in her first showing at the Junior Olympics.

Addison lost a couple of teeth and made some new friends here at the cohousing community. She also turned 7 and went for her first canoe ride, which landed her in the middle of the lake!

Tessa also made some huge strides: she taught herself how to swim, and gained enough courage to go into sunday school without crying! (This was a much-needed improvement for Mommy!)

Samantha discovered her love for the pool as well this summer. She has also proved herself to be a very courageous little girl who loves to study animals. Not so much "touch" but will squat and study, with great focus and concentration. :)

Chris and I have loved being apart of the cohousing life here for the past 2 months. My mom and dad moved in at the beginning of August after a month long (and much needed) vacation in Nebraska. We have already adjusted back to living together once again.