Author Archives: Natalie King

Lead staff meeting completed with tiny assistants

Lead staff training ended today. Most of the programming for the summer is planned, tasks divided, and our team is trained and ready! We celebrated by taking a trip into town to get ice cream.

I breathed a brief sigh of relief today when training officially ended and everyone headed off to enjoy 24 hours of freedom. And then I remembered we have 2 more full weeks of training and went back into planning mode.

Grandma Debbie headed home today. We miss her already. It was fun having her here to play and hang out. She will be back late next week, so luckily, it’s not goodbye for long. 

We played for a while after she left and then we had dinner, followed by MORE treats. It was just that kinda day. Without Grandma Debbie, Xander went right back to bossing Meghan around.

Tomorrow we have 8 lifeguard candidates arriving for training that begins on Sunday. We’ve gotten used to our small group, so it will be a big change to have so many more people here!

It’s been a busy few days! Lead staff training is going well! I think 2019 might be the best summer yet. Xander and Augustus have been staying busy with Grandma Debbie. They have been playing nonstop. I know it’s been busy because I have gone entire days in a row without taking any pictures except once they fall asleep.

I spend a lot of time planning fun things for Xander and Augustus. But I also see the benefit of allowing them to be bored sometimes. Since we’ve been at camp, it’s been a lot of fun time for the boys, but today there was a lot of bored time.

The days started rough- it was fun to be home, but I knew it would mess with their adjustment to camp- and it did. Bedtime last night was difficult. On the 15th time they called out, I said, “I’m not coming up there again!” to which Xander replied, “”Daddy would if he was here”. Then he said, “maybe next weekend, you could go home and see your friends and go golfing and Daddy could stay here with us.” Ugh- break my heart. Normal, but still. Ouch.

This morning, there were approximately 5 meltdowns from 7am-9am, before we even left the camper. Both kids ended up in my arms, crying and snuggling, which is unusual- they are usually too busy playing and having fun to stop for hugs or snuggles. Overall, both boys love being at camp and have a lot of fun. But when Xander is tired or frustrated, he will burst into tears and say, “I want to go home!” or “I want Daddy” so there are some tough moments mixed in.

Today was already going to be a tough day because lead staff training started and Grandma Debbie couldn’t be at camp until late this afternoon, which meant the boys and I were just going to have to deal with our situation. They played quietly and independently for about 5 minutes. They ate breakfast while the staff started the day. Then it was a lot of independent play for the boys, while we worked.

Xander and Augustus were very patient. They found things to entertain themselves (yes, that’s a picture of my toddlers playing with chains).

After lunch, Augustus took a 3 hour nap, which was very needed. We moved staff training outside of the camper for a while, so that I could be within the range of the baby monitor while he slept. Xander spent some of the time sitting in training, and then some time wandering around- riding his bike, picking dandelions, throwing rocks and being bored.

He was, overall, very patient. And then GRANDMA DEBBIE ARRIVED.

We were in the dining hall meeting with our kitchen manager when we got the call. I’m not exaggerating, when I say, cartoon like, they both ran in place for a good 2 seconds before dashing out the door screaming GRANDMA! We hopped on the golf cart and raced across camp. Both boys attempted to jump off while we were driving.

Grandma Debbie’s car exploded with Happy Meals, toys, a teeter totter, new outfits, shovels and bags of food. Tic tacs were flying, chocolate milk was flowing, in my mind, there might have been confetti (but maybe that was just my imagination). Both boys were screeching with delight. In a blink, the three of them disappeared somewhere at camp and I headed back to staff training.

We had a picnic dinner outside, played, had snacks, took quick baths and then both boys headed to bed. Tomorrow is sure to be a whirlwind of fun for the boys and more staff training (probably much quieter without 2 little participants).

In January, Nate left his job at Gander Outdoors and began the training program with Edward Jones. He is in the final weeks (in 2 weeks he will be an official financial advisor!). For the first time, I don’t feel quite as guilty leaving for 3 months because this summer, he needs to focus and work hard. It’s a great opportunity to work long hours and really establish his business without any distraction. But for these last few weeks of training, his schedule isn’t quite as flexible as usual, so, even though we just got to camp a week ago, we came home this weekend so we could all be together.

For the first time ever, we used the DVD player in the van. The boys giggled the whole way home. Until motion sickness took over and Xander puked 3 times.  Once we were home though, we had a super fun weekend!

On Saturday, Nate and the boys went to 2 parks while I went to my office and then got a pedicure. We played outside, blew bubbles, swam, Xander helped Nate mow the lawn. 

Grandma Debbie came over for dinner (which we ate outside!) and then we all walked to the ice cream store for ice cream!

Today we went to our friend Oliver’s 4th birthday party, which was fabulous! There was a slip and slide, a pinata, cake and ice cream… it was a great party!

After the party we headed back to camp. Our lead staff team arrived today and we will begin a week of training tomorrow. The lead staff are the people who plan the programming, lead the all camp activities, help oversee staff, and take care every little thing that happens at camp. We have a fabulous group- Mary, Liberty, Jacob, and Katie (in a dual nanny/lead staff role). I am super excited to work with them this week to talk about leadership, programming and all of the finer details of running a camp. I think it is going to be a great summer!

I gave a tour of the Executive Suite last year-
https://thekingwhitedfamily.blogspot.com/2018/05/home-sweet-home.html, but since we got rid of the crib, I thought I should show you around. This is the first year that I haven’t put plastic over the beige carpet. When I got to camp, all of the plastic flooring had stuck together and I just couldn’t deal with it. So I’m trying out some rugs and we’ll see how it goes on the first rainy/sandy day.

Nate and I watched a documentary recently about tiny homes and minimalism. I was sort of inspired until I realized I was going to live that life all summer. We’ve got more space than it looks like from outside and have crammed a lot of junk inside!

400 square feet of luxury, filled with toys and sand.

Home sweet home.

For the first 2 weeks here, we are eating our meals in the staff house next door. It’s easier than going all the way to the dining hall, which isn’t summer ready yet. This is the boys, barefoot, in jammies heading over for breakfast this morning.

Speaking of the dining hall, our new kitchen manager started today! He’s got a week to clean every inch, organize, plan menus and get ready for the summer. While I met with him, X&A helped Meghan gather some supplies, they played and hung out.

And then Nanny Katie arrived! This is Katie’s third year at camp and the boys have been very eagerly anticipating her arrival. She brought with her Monty the cat, so they were extra excited. They got to play with her a lot today and they were very happy to have her back!

After dinner, Meghan, X&A and I headed to the beach. It was 75 degrees today, and the water was COLD, but they were tough (not me).

Our new mini couch arrived today and so this evening, they’ve been relaxing in their own space.

Today was sunny and warm and wonderful. We started the day with some rock throwing. Then Xander learned the hard way that if he shot me with a water gun, I would take it away and shoot him back. 3 broken truces later, I think he finally got the hint.   

We got a new rug that is going to be garbage within a few weeks of sandy, muddy camp, but today was soft and wonderful for laying on and rolling around on.

Then we took a trip into town to check out the brand new Dollar General store where Augustus got some new cars and Xander talked me into a bow and arrow. We followed that up with a pre-dinner trip to Dairy Queen, because today was all about embracing that summer vacation life.

When we returned to camp, Xander practiced shooting, and then demanded to be golf carted down to the archery range to shoot. After that, we went to the beach to check out the water temperature. The docks aren’t in yet, so it’s like a jungle gym of things to climb on. The water was still pretty chilly, but we all decided we want to try swimming tomorrow.  It was a great day at camp!

I was feeling pretty good after our smooth first day of camp! But last night was rough- Sick Augustus was up all night- he just has a cold, but he couldn’t seem to get comfortable and was just restless and miserable. Olivia was also up all night- she woke up every time Augustus fussed and also seemed uncomfortable too. And then Xander was up bright and early at 6:15 and ready for the day, although more emotional than yesterday. 

I have a lot of work to do, but the goal of this week is just to get settled. In between the fun stuff, there were a lot of meltdowns, Augustus still hasn’t eaten much, and every time I told Xander “no” today, he said, “I miss Daddy!” which made me both sad and tired. It’s all normal, it’s all expected. That’s what this week is about, so that when the staff arrive and I have 3 straight weeks of intense training, my children are adjusted and stable and able to roll with the hectic pace. So we’re enjoying the days, I’m squeezing in work in the quiet moments, and we’re all just wearing our emotions on our sleeves.

Unexpectedly we said goodbye to a member of our family today. My 11 year old bulldog Olivia died and I’m trying to be strong but did burst into tears, which made Xander cry, so then we were both crying and he said, “we can be sad together” which seemed very wise, so we all crawled into bed and I bought Toy Story 3 and we snuggled until they fell asleep. I’m drained and sad and will have to write more about my beloved first baby later.

This is EXACTLY how I felt after a day of cleaning and unpacking

Day 1! Last night, Nate and the boys arrived around 10pm. I had spent the previous 7 hours scrubbing every single surface of the entire camper to get ready for them. I was exhausted and hoping we could just slide them from the car into bed, but both were bouncing off the walls with excitement and were up until 11:30pm! They slept in until 8:15am this morning!

And then we were off and running for our first full day of camp!

We ran around all over, looking at the fire pit, the beach, the archery range. It was 50 degrees today, so we decided to go to the lodge for a while and go swimming and have lunch.

I thought they would nap, but instead, we returned to camp and did some chores- drove some random garbage to the dumpster in the golf cart, more unpacking, organizing, etc.

Nate left around 3, so we played some more and then had dinner. Xander had been asking about s’mores since he woke up, so we started a fire in the fireplace and made s’mores.

Then we headed out for another golf cart ride and some rock throwing, before it was time for baths, quiet playing and then early bedtime.

It was a great first day. They were both in good moods and everything was relatively smooth. But the first week is ALWAYS hard (even before I had kids). It is an entirely new schedule and it takes some time to adjust. I’m getting better at being patient and accepting of the chaos and feelings of being unsettled. EVERYTHING is different- daily schedule, meals, bathtime, bedtime, our living space, the people around us, everything. So I am trying to find balance between re-establishing routines and accepting that a little bit of “anything goes” is ok in the midst of all that. Each day we secure a little more of a routine and adjust a little more, and so I’m not feeling too guilty about the 12 marshmallows (and little else) that Augustus ate today. Every day will get a little more normal.

Well, I’d planned to continue this blog throughout the year. I was going to post cute pictures and updates about the boys were doing. But since the last time I posted was from the day we left camp, I guess you could say I fell behind… but it’s been a great 9 months.

Summer is here again. We leave for camp in ONE WEEK. Xander has been asking about it for months. I have 1 million things on my to-do list for this week and I am not sure how I will ever get all of us ready for the summer in these few days, but ready or not, we’re heading to the woods soon.

I thought being pregnant at camp was hard (2015),
until I brought a baby to camp, which I thought was hard (2016),
until I brought a toddler to camp, while also SUPER pregnant, which I thought was hard (2017),
until I brought a toddler and an exclusively breastfeeding baby last summer (2018).

So… 2 toddlers? One of these years the pendulum of DIFFICULT has to start swinging back in the right direction, right? Here’s hoping it’s this summer.

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So here we go with summer! This will be Augustus’s 2nd summer, Xander’s 4th summer, Olivia’s 11th summer and my 20th in camping (12th at CYC). As always, I expect it will be an adventure, with many surprises around every corner.

If you’re new to the blog, welcome. You can catch up on how camp works here-
https://thekingwhitedfamily.blogspot.com/2018/05/sleepaway-camp-in-nutshell.html

If you are curious about the luxury accommodations provided to a camp director, you can check out last year’s pictures of the executive suite here (I will do an updated post when we move into camp next week. We’ve removed the crib, so we’ll have to do some re-arranging with all of our newly open space)-https://thekingwhitedfamily.blogspot.com/2018/05/home-sweet-home.html

2 toddlers, a fat bulldog, and a crazy woman walk into the woods… Sounds like the beginning of a funny joke, but no, that’s just our life for the next 12 weeks. Join us on our journey.