Camp Week

This week is all about camp.

My Shelly - Always ready with a pose and a smile

Shelly's been at Zoo Camp, she brings home crafts and sunburn and her little lunch box almost-emptied of her lunch and snacks. She doesn't tell us too much about what she spent her day doing, and doesn't remember the names of the animals she's seen. Oh well. She must be doing somthing fun, because she's excited to go back every morning.

What a wild bunch of boys!
I mean, what a good looking group of respectful and courteous Cub Scouts.

Archer' been at Scout Camp with David. They bring home lots of stories, a couple of projects, and near-heat-exhaustion. Its been very, very hot (over 100 degrees the first two days) and when it cools down (all the way to a chilly 86) the humidity nearly suffocates the campers. But that hasn't slowed them down! There are sports, Scout Skills, archery and BB gun shooting, swimming, nature lessons, and lots of walking between everything.

Scout Skills - Knot Tying

Today I got a message from David that someone stepped on a bee hive between activites. Total injury count came to 3 adults and 9 kids. One of the boys was stung 8 times. I was so sad to hear it. What a story, I'm sure it will be told and re-told for years to come. I can only imagine the panic and running and screaming that probably happened. I'm sure I'll get the full report when they get home tonight. After it was all over, the boys were able to settle down enough to move on to the next activity, and David sent me this picture...

Archer's turned out to be a pretty good shot, hitting the target nearly every time he fires his gun. I'm so proud!!

The funny thing about this week is that, while its been exciting and busy for Shelly, Archer, and David, its been pretty quiet for me. Its been my most relaxing week all summer. Elijah and I hang out, just the two of us, and I'm seeing a little preview of what its going to be like this fall. Shelly called it a practice week, when she and Archer start school, this is what our lives will look like. I'll have time to get the laundry done. We won't be running off to the beach or pool. We'll go back to the real world. And I'll really miss having them home with me, but I'll enjoy the one on one time with E. And the routine, and peace and order.

David and I spend a lot of time discussing what the kids are going to do, how many activities we should sign them up for and the benefits of each. There's always the balance of over-scheduling and running around from one thing to the next, vs. the desire for them to have opportunities to learn and grow and have fun. This summer has been SO busy, but I don't think I'd change it at all. I couldn't pick a single thing that I wish we hadn't done. Its been so good.