It was off to Scout Camp for Rick and Ryan last week, and besides my excitement for them (it was their first year!), my insides were full of trepidation. They would be gone for 6 nights, and that, to be honest, scared me a little. The days would be no big deal--I was used to that. It was that whole dinnertime/bedtime part of things that I knew would be difficult.
It turned out to be a really good week, and I'm still alive! We actually had our own "camp" (the girls were pretending we were doing scout camp, too), and filled it with a lot of really fun things. We went swimming, to the splash park, on an adventure with some friends to another town, made yummy treats, and made dinnertime very low key. Thanks to some wonderful friends, I was also able to enjoy the week with chatting time, treats, and even a night out.
Did we have our moments? Absolutely. Do I want to be on my own again anytime soon? Not so much. But I realized that I can do it--that I can figure it out, and make it work, even if it's hard. My girls stepped up to the plate, and were huge helpers--I think it was a really good opportunity for them to have more responsibility.
Splash Park:
Swimming:
Why did I buy EVERYTHING pink when I had the girls?
As for the boys, they couldn't have had a better week. Rick loved being with Ryan, helping with all the boys, and hanging out with his friends that were there, too. Ryan had been looking forward to it since last year, when one of his good friends was old enough to go, but he wasn't. It was everything he wanted it to be, and more. He bunked with one of his best friends, ate SO MUCH FOOD (Rick used an an entire vial of insulin while he was there!), and learned many new things. He and his two friends earned the most merit badges of their troop, and they worked hard the whole week.
Ryan, writing in his nature notebook for the Fish & Wildlife merit badge--Rick sent this to me from his phone.
Rick and Ryan, home from camp!
I also learned a few things...
1. Boys do not put a lot of emphasis on changing their underwear or socks, brushing their teeth, or changing their clothes while at Scout Camp.
2. I cannot send any piece of clothing that I want back in the same condition as it left. If only you could see the pair of socks Ryan was wearing when he got home.
3. Boys are boys. Through and through.
We missed them terribly. I'm so glad they had a great time, but I'm also so glad they're home!
It turned out to be a really good week, and I'm still alive! We actually had our own "camp" (the girls were pretending we were doing scout camp, too), and filled it with a lot of really fun things. We went swimming, to the splash park, on an adventure with some friends to another town, made yummy treats, and made dinnertime very low key. Thanks to some wonderful friends, I was also able to enjoy the week with chatting time, treats, and even a night out.
Did we have our moments? Absolutely. Do I want to be on my own again anytime soon? Not so much. But I realized that I can do it--that I can figure it out, and make it work, even if it's hard. My girls stepped up to the plate, and were huge helpers--I think it was a really good opportunity for them to have more responsibility.
Splash Park:
Swimming:
Why did I buy EVERYTHING pink when I had the girls?
As for the boys, they couldn't have had a better week. Rick loved being with Ryan, helping with all the boys, and hanging out with his friends that were there, too. Ryan had been looking forward to it since last year, when one of his good friends was old enough to go, but he wasn't. It was everything he wanted it to be, and more. He bunked with one of his best friends, ate SO MUCH FOOD (Rick used an an entire vial of insulin while he was there!), and learned many new things. He and his two friends earned the most merit badges of their troop, and they worked hard the whole week.
Ryan, writing in his nature notebook for the Fish & Wildlife merit badge--Rick sent this to me from his phone.
Rick and Ryan, home from camp!
I also learned a few things...
1. Boys do not put a lot of emphasis on changing their underwear or socks, brushing their teeth, or changing their clothes while at Scout Camp.
2. I cannot send any piece of clothing that I want back in the same condition as it left. If only you could see the pair of socks Ryan was wearing when he got home.
3. Boys are boys. Through and through.
We missed them terribly. I'm so glad they had a great time, but I'm also so glad they're home!
8 comments:
I can't wait for Harris to go next year. I am not sure why they didn't do it here this year? I get you on the sock thing. Harris went to camp overnight with his 5 th grade class and his socks were disgusting.
1- It is a nice feeling of "I can do this." (though you are better than I am. I am still behind on posting about Ryan's adventures at scout camp and mine at home.)
2- I laugh at your comments on scout camp. Ryan said he had to force boys to take showers. One disappeared for a mere minute and tried to pass it off that he took a shower.
3- I wonder why I bought all things in neutral, because I could have gone all pink.
How fun! I'm glad you survived your week. Looking forward to my little boy doing that someday but also glad it's not for a while. ;-)
I was just thinking about this. I don't know if I am ready to let JJ go and if so Jeron has to go with him. I am glad that they had fun and that you survived. I never doubted that you would though. You are pretty amazing.
I wouldn't have doubted for a moment that you could do it. You amaze me.
As a mom who has sent a few boys off to Scout camp, I am still laughing after reading the things you learned. Soooooooooooooo very true. (I usually just through the socks away ; )
I'm glad Ryan and his dad had such a great time.
I am glad you survived! I loved the lessons learned part. I will have to check back to this post in a few years when I start sending my boys.
i love the father and son picture! you can tell they really had a great time together!!! and I'm so glad you survived :)!
I love those pictures! How fun for the boys to be able to go to camp together. I would be looney from dealing with all of the other kids by the time they got home. You're amazing!!!
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