Where Is Everyone??

Not to worry--these books and backpacks and toys have only been abandoned momentarily!  Come the next Langsford break there will be children crouched around this table laughing, playing, and talking.  It's amazing how much fun and connectedness kids can have amongst themselves in 5 minutes!  We grown-ups should take a lesson!

QUESTION: How Many Boys Does it Take to Operate a Robot?

Answer: A Center full of boys! At least that's what it took one recent day in the Langsford lobby. The big boy with the directions is our Director, Stephen McCrocklin. It's his robot too. Stephen is a child at heart and couldn't resist coming out to play with the kids on break.

Of course boys will be boys and they always like to show off their favorite toys. And it just so happens that Stephen keeps a stash of toys in his office for those rare occasions when he takes a respite from his daily work. I guess it's true--you can take the boy out of the office, but you can't take the toys away from the boy....or something like that.

The Family Who Reads Together, Learns Together

DAD AN INSPIRATION

For some Langsford families, reading is a family affair. Parents who lead by example and make reading a family-centered activity are creating an environment which fosters life-long readers.

Ethan and his dad, David (right), are a perfect example. Ethan came to Langsford throughout the spring to work on reading and spelling. Often, while Ethan was in sessions working on reading, Dad could be found in the lobby working on his reading, too.

When students took breaks from sessions to play in the lobby, they could usually expect to find David sitting and reading, and even taking notes.

Here, Ethan is pictured on the day of his celebration marking the completion of a phase of work at Langsford. Typically, on celebration day, students receive a certificate and are asked to pass out cookies. Ethan’s celebration, though, was different. Ethan chose to let Dad pass out the cookies, because he’d put in so much hard work, too.

Ethan’s family isn’t the only family like this, however. Many siblings and parents of Langsford students pass a quiet hour or two in the lobby with a good book. Situations like these aren’t just heart-warming, they support the belief that reading skills are one of the most important things that families can nurture in children. We commend Ethan's family and those like them that inspire by example.

Betsy Rocks!

One o'clock, two o'clock, three o'clock, Rock! This is Betsy all dressed up and ready to go to a sock hop after her sessions. Her poodle skirt was so cute it made us all want to twist and shout!

But Betsy doesn't just rock at sock hops-we think she rocks in sessions too. Hmmm...Rockin' and Readin'.......sounds like a hit!

Creative Moment

This is Haysley in the lobby of our office. We didn't think she could have a more beautiful name until we saw this. Haysley recently completed some work in reading and spelling at Langsford. Mom says spelling tests are now a breeze for her!

More Langsford Lobby Fun

This is Katie, another sister of one of our clients who enjoys playing in our lobby with the blocks. This summer she's also come in with her swim suit on, ready for a day in the pool. As I've seen quite a few swim-suit clad families picking up their kids this summer I've been thinking Langsford should figure out a way to have our summer sessions at the pool too!

What Can You Do In Five Minutes?

I took a photo of these energetic boys while at the Middletown office a few weeks back. Langsford's sessions are 55 minutes long and the students get a 5 minute break, so sometimes we all like to go outside and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.

And if you're wondering why the fellow on the left, Will, has that look on his face, well, gee, you would probably look like that too if you had to hold up 3 other boys. (By the way, those other boys from left to right are Kasey, Austin and Scott.)

Blocks and Dogs

We never know what will happen during the 5 minute breaks between sessions or when students are waiting for someone to pick them up after they are done for the day.



This is Anna, who ran back into our office one day because she wanted to show off her little puppy to one of our Instructors, Kim. Kim was already back teaching her next session so we took this picture for her. Looks to me like these two are going to be great buddies. But I don't know how much longer Anna will be able to carry her puppy around for visits with her friends!



And this is Patrick. He's another one of our block builders. He was excited to show off the height he managed to build this tower so we took a picture for him as well. I'm almost to the point where I may have to just hang my camera off my neck so I'm always well prepared to record the activities of our busy students!

Alex's Favorite Toy

In the picture above, Alex is playing with one of his favorite toys. The orange star in front of Alex has proven to be a very popular item during student break times. The star consists of thin plastic colored pegs that are loose and will conform to whatever shape is pressed into the back side of the toy. For example, if you put your hand on the back, then look at the front, you will see the shape of your hand in the orange pegs.

A simple idea I know, but lots of fun. Wish I had thought of it!

It also works as a good stress reliever. I've been known to just pick one up and play with it a bit after I've had to battle some traffic. Or after a student absolutely obliterated me during a reading and spelling game we played in session!

Langsford Little Sisters Are Great!

This is Kendra and she is the sister of a client, Brandon. Brandon's family drove quite a distance from Indiana to get to Langsford sessions, so Kendra and her mom passed the time in Louisville. We showed mom where a couple of local parks were located and they also were able to do some errands periodically. But many days, they would hang out in our lobby. While here, Kendra played with our toys and puzzles, or she and mom read books together, and a few times she had a laptop and watched a movie.

But the best days, at least from the perspective of Jenny, our Scheduler, and me, Debbie, Admissions Coordinator, were when Kendra drew or colored pictures for us. As a matter of fact I have a bulletin board full of drawings, mostly from younger siblings of clients. It really brightens up my office!

Oh, and every once in a while Jenny and I might come back into our offices and see a surprise treat that Kendra cooked up from home. She makes a yummy cookie!

On the day this picture was taken, Kendra was warming up her camera skills in order to take pictures of Brandon during his last day celebration. But Brandon was not quite as excited about having his picture taken, so Kendra said we could post her picture holding her camera. When this was taken, Kendra had just finished taking a picture of SpongeBob Squarepants that I have on my door handle.

We really enjoyed having Kendra hang out with us and we'll miss both her and Brandon!

Nothing Goes Better With Cookies Than Milk

Rhonda, one of our Learning Coordinators in the Middletown office, recently had this story to share:

Jackie, an eighth grader, was having her celebration today. Mom ran in just as Jackie was coming up the hall, Mom breathlessly saying " I GOT IT!" to Jackie. She was carrying a jug of milk. Jackie said, "Moooooooom--I was just kiddin' about the milk."

Mom said, "I brought milk for the Oreos, surely you all have some cups here. Whoever wants milk come with me." So several folks had milk and cookies in the kitchen. Then mom did the dishes.

Oh and she made us have one of those Oreo licking contests too. ;-)

Three Langsford Musketeers

When waiting for sessions to start, students who come to Langsford get a chance to play with each other in our lobby. We have many puzzles, games and toys on hand and Lincoln, Julian and Joe, always had quite a good time together.