[namaste04]

Olivia was 5 this summer and she definitely was more into boating than in previous years. She really enjoyed coiling dock lines for us and everyone else on the dock....and amused herself coiling the unused sheet ends when underway. She took the helm for me while we were on a mother/daughter sail and I was anchoring in a tight cove...I called, "push it to the right, just a little!" type instructions from the bow and she did a great job. She was SO proud of herself and I''m sure next summer she''ll master steering and maybe even begin to learn about sail trim. (Interestingly I don''t think she ever would have had this experience if we weren''t so short-handed. We would not have risked it...but it turned out really well!) She also likes to keep an eye out for porpoises and seals when underway. However, the majority of her time is still spent in the V-berth with books, drawing, or tapes on a Walkman. She enjoys "fishing" at anchor.

When we take off next year on our cruise, she will have specific duties and responsibilities. have not figured out what they will be yet, but simple things that will help her feel a part of the whole thing.