Summer Camp and Other Fun

 On Sunday we dropped off C for his very first sleepaway camp experience! It was a mini camp, so just 48 hours and 2 sleeps which I thought was a good way of seeing how he’d do. Camp was a BIG part of my childhood and I loved it. I really want my kids to have the same kind of experience, but I also know that everyone is different.

But you know what? For the most part I think he really enjoyed it. And he is wanting to go back next year which is the indicator that he did have a good time. Here is a little before and after.

Sure, not a lot of sleep was had. (Yay fitbits for tracking that!) But any time you have to learn to sleep in a room with a bunch of people it’s an adjustment for sure.

M is DYING for her turn to go. She can go next year when she is going into second grade. Going into third grade is the last year you’re eligible for mini camp so I am thankful we could get C there this summer. M’s personality is such that if I had to drop her off for a week, she’d be fine. (Though she has no choice but to be a mini-camper next year.) I am glad they have the shorter offerings for kids to see what camp is all about before they commit to a week away. 

C's personality is such that 2 days was the perfect first experience for him. He doesn't love the unknown and will be 100% more contented next year now that he knows his way around the camp and what to expect. 

The only downside to the camp experience was that the camp was supposed to be posting pictures, but they only posted a few on Monday and nothing since. Yes, he's home but I still would love to see what he got to do you know? 

This was the only glimpse I had: 

It was hard to discern how he was doing by half of his forehead and one eye. I don't think there's parent feedback but that would definitely be mine. They even have an app to post the pictures and still on Wednesday there are NONE from this week. Why even have an app? (Especially for the first time nervous moms who are refreshing every ten minutes.)

It was a new camp for our family. Since we aren't from the area we weren't familiar but a lot of the kids from our school and parish love it. C's teacher  this past year even worked there! In fact, while C didn't know anyone in his cabin, there were 5 girls from his grade all there at the same time which was comforting to me that at least there were some familiar faces there. 

Overall, he loved the Craft Barn and hated Dodgeball but still wants to go back and try some of the other activities! I am so happy that it went well. He was so serious at the closing program I wasn't sure how he was feeling about it. 

While C was gone, M got spoiled. We went to dinner, to Five Below, she got to paint. And we even saw a rainbow and honest to blog I don’t know that I’ve ever actually seen one before. Husband was aghast at how excited I was. But it was really cool okay?

The perfect way to wrap up a busy June! Bring on July!

VBS Week is OVER!

 Hey!! Can you believe June is nearly over? 

This week was a BUSY and fun one because it is VBS week! 

We had a great time learning to Trust Jesus! I mean, I am exhausted. But the kids had fun and I am so so thankful to be able to have made it work to be there with them. 

A Busy and Fun Weekend!

Saturday was JAM packed full of things to do. We woke up super early and headed off to pick strawberries! We've been going to this new place for 5 years now. It takes about an hour to get there but if you drive about an hour in another direction to the strawberry patch most of our friends go to... the price DOUBLES! ($2.50 vs $4.50 a pound!) That's insane. 

Did we get McDonald's breakfast to eat on the drive? Yep we did! It was a successful trip. We had hoped to get there as they opened, pulled up at 8:02 (they opened at 8:00) and the parking lot was already full!! So we had to wait in a line to get taken out to the patch but... still worth it. 

After getting home, having a little snack, showering and resting... we went to see Elephant and Piggie's "We Are in A Play." 

We liked it! Then we went out for linner/dunch and that was SO tasty!! I didn't take any pictures of that though. 

Then still later that evening, we went out to see "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" at a totally different theatre. 

And you know what? We loved this one too! And what a treat to see a double feature. Theatre is back!! 

We had an excellent family day and I am so thankful for it!

We Made It!

 I sent my kids off to the last day of Kindergarten and Second Grade today. When they left the house they looked like this: 

But don't worry, I made them get dressed in their uniforms first so I could get a true first day/last day picture. 

I am in some serious denial about my baby girl becoming a grader. How? How can that be?!

This handsome dude is going to miss second grade. But he's ready for third. 

Hello Summer! We are excited you're here. (Well... this afternoon anyway.) Thankful for a year of all in-person learning with no shut downs or quarantines! I will never take that for granted again. 

June's Bustin' Out All Over

 We made it to June. And I am glad. 

We have this weekend but school only on Monday. And yes, that is weird to go back for one day but we are actually getting out way earlier than most people. Our state counts school by hours and the public school district (who's calendar we follow) isn't getting out until June 17! So we are a full 10 days ahead! 

Wednesday M brought home her rest mat! And that choked me up because I am not ready for her to be a grader! 

Yesterday was the last uniform day of the year. Kindergarten had a State Fair to celebrate and it was SO stinkin' sweet. 

I did face painting, (along with 2 moms and a teacher) and the kids rotated stations. They also had musical chairs, spoon races, ring toss and the duck pond. Before coming back to their classrooms and eating mini corn dogs, lemonade and cotton candy. 

She has such a good class. Like both rooms of kids are so wonderful. We are very lucky. 

Today was the Day of Awesome. It was a fundraiser reward to have a fun day and hopefully it's great. My kids were excited to go at least. 

Have a great first June Weekend! 

Birthday Fun

 Wednesday C turned 9! 

He unfortunately had to stay home from school because he was sick. Masks became optional and woosh a cold and stomach flu swept through the school like wildfire. Alas. 

His big present from us was a fish tank and a betta. We are not pet people. Well... we are not dog people. I like dogs, I just don't want a dog. Does that make sense? I would have a cat because they aren't as needy but Husband and C are allergic. But C has been longing for a pet for ages. So on Sunday we told him that for his birthday he was going to get a fish! Then we took him to the store to get the tank so we could have it all set up. 

Here it is all set up on Sunday, cycling and filtering and getting ready for a fish! He picked all the things and was very proud of his tank. 

Fast forward to Wednesday when we took him to get the fish. 

Meet Waldo. Two days in and he already looks WAY healthier. 5 gallons to swim in vs. a little cup will do that. 

My guy wanted a Nothing Bundt Cake with a Pinata on it. So... we got one. 

He had a very nice birthday! He was well loved. He got so many texts from school mates (via their parents) and his class sent a video to him. They also sent home a big card. And they even held off on saying his name on the announcements until he went back to school yesterday. 

This was him finding out the other present from Mom and Dad was that our family is going to see For King and Country. 

Now we are heading into the weekend and I am looking forward to it!! We have only 5 more days of school which is great too. 

Have a nice Memorial Day!

Happy Birthday to My Boy!

 

Oh my Goose,

9. 9 is halfway done, but I cannot dwell on that because where would that get us? This past year was full. Full of your joy. Full of your passion. You still feel your feelings bigger than those around you and that can be difficult sometimes. But watching you grow never gets old. You are my best snuggle friend forever and I am so thankful you are mine.

Your faith is so big and watching you learn about Jesus this year is probably my favorite. Not only did you rock first reconciliation but your first communion as well. I only teared up a little at the enormous occasion. To be there with you as you received Jesus for the first time felt really big to me. And you looked so stinkin’ handsome.

You still like things the way you like them. And you crave alone time more than most kids your age. I love watching your imagination. You can entertain yourself with just a few things. If I could bottle up that imagination I could make a fortune but you’re just you. What a gift it is to know you and love you.

This year as I transitioned to working you didn’t like it as much. You have never been a big fan of change and so it doesn’t surprise me that you would have feelings about this one. Never mind that Dad was home with you the whole time. This summer is bound to be an adventure as we navigate what that looks like.

Your first all day program, swim lessons, your first time going to sleep away camp. No matter what though I will be here rooting for you, praying for you and being your biggest fan.  Like I always say, Jesus loves you the most and then Mom right behind. That’s it. I am happy to take second place to Jesus but I still love you more than anyone on Earth. And today is your birthday.

It stinks that you are sick today and couldn’t celebrate in school. I know that was important to you. But I think you are enjoying being at home and playing on your birthday more than you’d let on. Besides, you can bring in those cosmic brownies tomorrow.

9 is bringing you big responsibility with your first pet today! I already love how you love your Betta fish that we haven't even gotten. You're going to be a good pet owner for sure! 

Happy Birthday C! I love you!!

Gotta sneak in a first thing in the morning birthday present!