Summer Camp Or Why Dolphin Stencils Are Not Your Friend
I’m baaaaaaack!
I know, try to control yourselves.
It was a great week. It started off shaky when we had to drop the kids off at camp. I handled it with all the panache I expected….which is to say I was a total basketcase.
The crying started in earnest on Saturday while I was packing them. Putting twenty little outfits together, each individually sealed in plastic bags.
Stop it with the eye rolling. I had my reasons.
For Mr. C, it’s that he is totally and completely color blind. Left to his own devices, he will appear in an outfit that will make you ask if his name is Mort and if he is, in fact, a retired 75 year old banker getting ready to search for shells on the beach in Miami, white socks and all. Miss G on the other hand has two fashion theories. First of all, short is good and secondly, shorter is better. Call me cah-razay, but Mort the retired 75 year old banker from Miami and his sidekick, Daisy Duke, seemed to not be the best representation of my family.
By the time Sunday morning rolled around and it was time to go, I had pretty much lost it. Found my giant black sunglasses to hide behind and started my mantra of “You will not lose it at camp, you will not lose it at camp. No, really. YOU WILL NOT LOSE IT AT CAMP….”
Really?
Oh yes, I would.
Here’s the thing you should know, the camp we send our kids to really is the happiest place on earth. I’d put Disney up against it any day. When you arrive, there is a pretty long line of cars filtering in and all the kids hang out the sunroofs to wave at all the camp counselors who are greeting you on horseback, from boats as they water ski by or handing you cookies as you enter the gates.
Every single one of those happy people caused me to cry until I was a heaving mess hiding behind my big dark glasses in the back seat because on camp drop off day, the only word that applies to me is unstable.
I would have killed for an experience like this when I was a kid. I went to Camp Grady Spruce here in Texas and when you pulled up and got out of your poorly air conditioned car, you walked through a dusty parking lot and were greeted by a line of surly people with buckets full of sulfur they dusted all over you to keep you from getting eaten alive by mosquitos which subsequently made you stink and turn an alarming shade of day glo yellow as your parents peeled out of the parking lot laughing at you getting to spend a week in an un-airconditioned cabin.
Wow…that sentence was a gramatical nightmare, huh? Sorry, punctuation is not my forte when remembering the horror of summer camp as a child.
Anyway.
Here are a few pictures of them as we dropped them off at their cabins.
This is Mr. C’s third year to go to camp. I love the “Oh here we go again” look on his face. He looks a little sad. But you can also see he’s hesitant, sort of like, “This situation could turn south any minute now….” This was taken moments before he gave The Man the secret signal to get me out of the cabin before I melted down. He’s a smart boy.
After being forcibly evicted from Mr. C’s cabin, I headed on to the next challenge, unpacking Miss G. We got her to her cabin and got busy while she socialized. I should tell you that we let each of the kids pick out stencils for their trunks. Mr. C went with a baseball and pokemon theme, Miss G chose dolphins.
Naughty, naughty dolphins.
Folks, this is a Christian camp we are talking about. We raced to get that trunk stored away before anyone could ask what was going on with Flipper and his little lady friend.
Finally unpacked, The Man asked Miss G for a final hug and kiss at which point she completely and totally ignored him. His only purpose in her mind was to get the crazy lady in the big dark glasses she sometimes calls Mommy out of there before a scene started. I can’t be sure but I think she would have given us the finger at that point if a.) she knew how and b.) she was not at aforementioned Christian camp. Come to think of it, I’m not sure that second point would have mattered to her. She calls it like she sees it…the apple definitely did not fall far from the tree with that one.
The Man did manage to drag me out of there before I embarassed us too much and I’d like to thank all my friends who saw me that day that were kind enough not to laugh in my face, because I totally deserved it.
With the reality of an entire week to ourselves, The Man and I did what any responsible parents would do while our kids were away at camp.
We got on a plane and headed to Napa.
Come back later this week and I’ll share our travels throughout the wine country and tell you about the hotel room that caused me to think we were on an episode of “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here”.
We are so totally the new Speidi.
I never have any problem dropping my kiddo off at camp, my whole family is there .. sisters are counselors, mother is a teacher, grandparents are there to cook and fix stuff.. and she’s always on the go anyway, I’m used to it. I get bored after she’s been gone for a day .. and really bummed by day 3 though. I hate when she’s gone.
Love the dolphins *grins*
Divine Chaoss last blog post..Privacy. We has none.
Soooo glad to have you back!!!!
And the dolphin stencil… *snicker* I likey.
Amos last blog post..Where the hell are my bonbons?
Napa, eh? Living the life while the kids are away. Cool!
And the dolphins? Priceless. Weren’t you supervising this artistic endeavor, or is your little one just that witty . . .
What did they learn about Jesus?
tysdaddys last blog post..And We Danced
I sent my kids to a Jewish camp when they were young.
I got called the first day because my little one didn’t have any clean clothes?
He had packed himself, you see. And he does his own laundry. And because the things weren’t neatly packed and some were inside out, the camp lady had just assumed that they were all dirty and that I was the horrid mother of the century.
Yep. I am. I make my kids do their own laundry.
The Mothers last blog post..The One True God v. The Goddess (NefHxMotherhood)
When I was ten, I went to camp for SEVEN weeks straight! And here I am, still unscarred enough to tell the tale.
Now, then: “I’d like to thank all my friends who saw me that day that were kind enough not to laugh in my face,–”
Please don’t tell me there were friends who did! Because if so, I’ve got a stock of friends who can replace the laughers in fairly short order.
Ah, these are the days my friend. At least it wasn’t college!!!
The Lawyer Moms last blog post..And the Chief said Beat It
Did you get that stencil from Bobbi because she has that exact scene tattooed on her belly.
Can’t wait to hear about Napa!
Connie @ Young and Relentlesss last blog post..The Bachelorette Drinking Game
I watched a show on the mating and birthing habits of sharks this past weekend, and if those dolphins were actually sharks, what you’ve got there is a pretty damn accurate representation of shark lovin’ right there!
Glad everyone survived their week, and glad you’re back!
btw, this is me, supposedly taking a week off from the Internet. If anyone asks, you didn’t see me… now, I just wish my kids were at camp…
foradifferentkindofgirl (fakdog)s last blog post..vacation all i ever wanted it, vacation had to stay at home
Glad you’re back!
A week alone in Napa with The Man? In 8 weeks you’re going to be telling us you’re pregnant aren’t you?
And I have a whale (1 whale), not 2 humping dolphins tattooed on my belly, thankyouverymuch!
Bobbis last blog post..Pocket Edward
Love the look he’s giving you. MooOOOOoooooooOOOMMMM!
Also love that you packed each outfit in it’s own baggie. You’re so, um….green.
Keelys last blog post..I’m rationalizing that chocolate cupcake, can you tell?
Me? I would nap the entire week
Wow, Flipper didn’t exactly Flip her, did he? Kinda got stuck on the execution..
Sprite’s Keepers last blog post..HASAY: My Way Isn’t Always the Best Way
Oh, I know just what you mean. I used to get totally emotional dropping them at camp each year. Now I kinda wish they were still going…
Maureen at IslandRoars last blog post..Lightning Bugs
Too funny! I would be just like you! Your little guy looks like ya I’m cool now get outta here! Can’t wait to hear about Napa it is on my list of must do when we return to States. Have fun!
Where do you get those pornographic stencils?
The Dental Mavens last blog post..The Old "Slip and Swallow" Routine…
I feel that some photos of some of Mr C’s crazy outfits are necessary.
Sneaky. Dropping the poor dears off at camp and heading off for a vacation.
Jims last blog post..The Canoe Trip
Love the dolphins! Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story.
Cathys last blog post..Fashion
I remember getting the sulfur s**t thrown on my ankles at day camp. Do you remember having to make something called “sit-a-pons”?
Can’t wait to hear about the trip! I can’t even imagine a week away from the kids. I’m both jealous and horrified. It’s a real push/pull, this motherhood thing…
Kate Coveny Hoods last blog post..Guest Posting over at Scary Mommy’s Place Today
Wow! Handsome son!
Dolphins are a funny species. They’re so randy. They try to pass it off with those graceful dives and leaps, but they’re not fooling me. Randy wave dippers.
PAPAs last blog post..Best Kept Diet Secret REVEALED!
It was nice that you had a week to yourselves. I miss camp. I went to basketball camp every year and had a blast. Basketball camps are a lot of work and the competition is an improvement from the local playgrounds. Plus, many years we got to stay on a college campus so that was fun. The good old days were a blast. Tweeeetttt…now go run some sprints….
Now I understand the crying… just getting your Napa guilt out of the way so you could enjoy your wine adventure. I bow down to you and your efficiency.
the mayors last blog post..The New Normal
I have no camp stories to share. I honestly thought all that camp stuff was made up as the plot line for pre-teen sex romp films. I shouldn’t have said that just now should I?
Steenky Bees last blog post..Sometimes We Run Fast
My kiddo hasn’t gone to camp yet, but I think I’d be OK because she’s only with me 50%.
My mom never cried when she dropped me off at Girl Scout Camp. I was so relieved to be there, away from my snotty little brother and sister. For about 2 days, then I got so homesick I’d write them letters and tell them how much I loved and missed them. Which they’d subsequently lord over me when I got home.
What’s wrong with the dolphins?
Lynn @ human, beings last blog post..Random Tuesday Thoughts: 3 W’s
I long for the summer camp in the mountains far from home. I did attend a Christian camp in Yosemite for two consecutive summers complete with horseback, swimming, candle making, camp fire songs…the works!
My best memory of camp is what I didn’t do. Bathe! My parents picked me up after the first summer and had to drive me (& my best friend) home for five hours with windows down breathing out their noses. The second year, they wised up and kept a hotel room to scrub me (& my friend) down after pick-up. My Mom won’t ever let me forget this…….
Damons last blog post..Summer has really really arrived! Random Tuesday Thoughts
fucking dolphins.
(you left me no choice. i had to say that.)
Pamelas last blog post..new hotslings promo
I just packed my girls for a 2 week trip with their dad (my ex husband) and I’m a wreck. And I’m normally the one pushing them out the door on their every other weekend visits… TWO WEEKS is way too long.
And while I didn’t board a plane to Napa, I popped a new bottle of wine and we’re heading to the beach in a few days….
Wait, did I say I missed them??? (smile)
Sues last blog post..Happy Birthday, Sydney!
What a great week for you!
I just love the age your kids are……….they love to pretend they have no parents and were put on earth through scientific means. And yes, I did everything I could possibly do to annoy them….
(I think that is in my job description)
zelzees last blog post..Tax Man Commeth…………
omg, a week all to yourselves??? *jealous*
Would it be crazy to suggest that perhaps the camp drop-off be handled by The Man only? Yeah, I thought so.
I love that you went to Napa! Can’t wait to hear the stories…
Dana’s Brains last blog post..On Three
Those dolphins are hilarious. And yes, my memories of camp were similar, you kids’ camp sounds much better! Also, my 9-year-old seems to have the same fashion sense as your son–he CANNOT BE TRUSTED to dress himself.
Napa? I am sooooo jealous! That’s one of my favorite places in the world (and yes, I am a drunk, but a happy one so it’s OK.)
Petra aka The Wise (Young) Mommys last blog post..Sex and The Suburbs: The S-E-X Talk
Your sentence with the parents peeling out of the parking lot laughing was so funny.
Cocos last blog post..CHANGES IN LATITUDE