Monthly Archives: July 2020

The day started out rainy, which usually fills me with a sense of dread, imagining re-arranging programming the whole day and disappointed kids who won’t get to shoot archery or swim. But if there’s one silver lining to no campers, it’s that when it rains, I thought, “eh, no big deal.”

After breakfast, we all headed to Sweeney- me to clean and organize the back of the kitchen that is currently kind of a mess, the boys to ride their bikes and run around with Mary. Axel came too and hung out with them while I cleaned. 

The rain didn’t last long and the boys were off and running with Mary- they all had spy names and were solving mysteries. I don’t know all the details, but I do know that Mary is the MOST fun person on the planet and the boys are in heaven that they get to play with her all day long. I am so happy she was able to be here for this month! 

I had a headache of a day. Have you ever read that book, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”. It goes like this- If you give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to ask for a glass of milk. When you give him the milk, he’ll probably ask you for a straw. When he ‘s finished, he’ll ask for a napkin….” and so on.

the boys helped us unload some kitchen stuff

Here’s how my day went. I took the golf cart to go get water to clean in the kitchen, but on my way there, I ran out of gas. I went to the gas shed, but there was a GIANT (like the size of my head) bees nest. So I got bee spray to get rid of it. But then all the gas cans were empty. I wanted to take the camp van because Nate has my van (it needed to be fixed), but the battery was OUT of the camp van. So I found some tarps to protect Nate’s fancy clean trunk. I brought the gas back and decided to fill both the golf cart and the 4 wheeler. But it turns out, filling the golf cart is not a one person job, because as I was holding the seat up (the gas tank is underneath), it fell and I managed to spill gas all over myself. So then I had to take a shower and google how to get gas out of clothing (vinegar- FYI). Then I decided I was DONE with that project for a while, because I was OVER it. 

Later in the day, Sean and Meghan (and the boys and Mary) helped me move all the garbage I’d cleared out, all the stored food that needed to go and I also packed up some of the paper products. I need a bunch more bins, but some wonderful supporters have already donated, so I will have those in a few days. And I never ended up getting the water to clean the kitchen, so that will have to happen another day. 

Axel’s new bed arrived in the mail today. He loves his kennel at home- it’s his safe space. But since arriving at camp, he won’t go in it. I thought maybe it was too hot, but even when it’s been mild, he’s not interested. So I bought him a cot. He’s laying on the floor as I type this, but he seemed to like it initially. Hopefully he will like it. 

We’re still adjusting to camp life, and this super hot weather is so draining, but we’re only 3 days in and have already made a lot of progress. I am excited to see what camp looks like after a month!

We’re settling into camp and trying to figure out what the summer will look like without the normal daily/weekly schedule, programming, kids, and staff. Luckily Xander’s shyness with Mary went away quickly and they had a fun first day together. In fact, every time I saw him, he would say, “don’t you have to work?” or “Mary is still going to play with us, right?”  

Meghan, Sean and I spent all day Monday tearing apart closets and the office in the staff house. It’s been years of random junk piling up and it was good to get things cleared out and organized. After a hot day of work, all of us headed to the beach for some swimming. Augustus swam for a few minutes and then was done, so he and I hung out on the beach. Xander swam with Mary, Sean and Meghan. I didn’t get a good picture of Xander, but he was BEAMING. He loved every second of their undivided attention.

Both boys were still tired from the weekend and adjusting to life at camp. Augustus fell asleep while I was cooking dinner. He wasn’t happy when I woke him up, but they both ate well and then I took them back to the trailer for bath time and early bedtime.

The problem with early bedtime is that this morning, Xander woke up at 5:50! I convinced him to stay in bed until about 6:15, but it was an early morning for all of us! Xander started the day hanging out with Meghan and I while we worked, but got bored of us quickly and went back with Mary and Augustus.

Ross and Julia are former staff members who met at camp and got married and are back for the week to volunteer. They are also the hardest working, most talented people I know and I am thrilled that they are our first volunteers. They worked in the hot sun all day, rebuilding our gaga pit. They were AMAZING. Sean was also a rockstar, as he spent the day cleaning and organizing the Welcome Center and I can’t believe how awesome it looks.

Meghan and I tore apart all of the old camping gear, sorting, taking pictures and trying to figure out what to throw out and what to sell. I am trying to get rid of some junk we don’t use and hopefully raise a little money in the process.

trying out the old camping backpacks

a mess of stuff

Xander and Augustus were THRILLED to receive their first care packages of the summer.

By the late afternoon, all of us were exhausted and sweaty. Everyone else headed to the beach, but Augustus wasn’t interested. It worked out well because it gave me a chance to cook dinner while everyone cooled off.

After dinner, Mary, Sean, Meghan, the boys and I headed back to the beach to take the boat out to jump off. Both boys LOVE jumping off, and after Xander watched Meghan jump off the rail of the boat, yelling, “cowabunga!” he insisted on doing it too. And then “cowabunga-ed” off about 15 times. 

After swimming, it was bathtime, rest time and regular bedtime, which hopefully means a normal wake up time tomorrow. I am exhausted, but very excited how much progress we made in just the first 2 days. I was unsure how camp would be without campers. It’s not as energy-filled and exciting as usual, but so far, it’s as good as it could be. I’m feeling happy and grateful we are here.

My original plan was to arrive to camp on July 5, but Christine convinced me that we should be at camp for 4th of July. I used to love 4th of July at camp- the fireworks over the lake are spectacular. We’ve missed them the last few years and I thought that the boys were still too young, but we decided to try it out and I am SO glad I listened. We had such an amazingly fun weekend! It was the perfect way to kick off this crazy weird month of camp with no campers. On Friday, we got up and were so excited for our friends to arrive. We started the day going swimming. Axel spent the first 2.5 years of his life in a kennel, not well cared for. Then he spent 3 months with an amazing couple who nursed him back to health and saved his life. He lived a quiet life in the suburbs. And for the last month, he has been with 2 very loud, crazy boys who jump and scream and run and make a lot of noise. And now he’s at camp, swimming in the lake, so much to explore and I am sure he is thinking, “wtf is going on?!” but he’s SUCH a good sport and so easy going and I think he’s enjoying himself. It’s been SO hot this weekend, so he’s been stuck inside more than I’d like, but bulldogs don’t do well in 90 degree humid weather. He enjoyed the water and a boat ride though.  

swimming in the rain

When the Nelson family arrived, the kids and I took a golf cart ride while Derek and Christine unloaded and unpacked. And as soon as everyone was settled, we all got into swimsuits and headed to the beach… just in time for a huge unexpected thunderstorm. We swam in the rain for a few minutes before the thunder and lightning sent us inside. We ate dinner and when we were done, the rain was done and we went back to the beach and out on the boat to swim in the middle of the lake.

After swimming, we got into the 4th of July spirit and Derek put on quite a fireworks show! Augustus was very afraid and did not like the loud booms. But Xander was all about it and loved holding the sparklers. He was very excited about the big, loud ones that shot into the sky. We’ve never bought any fireworks, but they were very impressive and I totally understand the draw of them after watching them.

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Despite staying up 2 hours later than usual, Xander was up early on Saturday morning, and so he and I hung out in the trailer for a while, and then eventually headed over to prepare breakfast before everyone else woke up. We took our annual 4th of July flag photo first thing in the morning and then everyone was ready for more jumping off the boat to swim (it was already hot)

Everyone except Augustus, who was NOT ready for activity. He slept in, but was still tired and at 10am, already overwhelmed and melting down. He demanded some cut up bananas and his ipad, and since we had a full day planned, I thought it was probably best to start slow. So we hung out in the trailer while Xander, Nate and the Nelsons enjoyed swimming. Xander had cannon-balled off the boat the night before and was eager to do it again. He was VERY proud of his big splashes.

By lunch, I thought Augustus was in a little better mood, but shortly after we ate, Nate took him for a car ride to see if we could get him to fall asleep. He ended up sleeping for 3 hours! He obviously needed the rest!

While he napped, we made some mid-day s’mores because we ran out of time the night before and the gaggle of kiddos was demanding some sugar! We had fancy chocolates, fudge striped cookies, caramel syrup- these were extreme s’mores!

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Eventually Augustus woke up, ate a s’more and was ready to keep up with the big kids. We tried to get everyone to rest a few times during the day, since we were planning to keep them up super late, but Xander was very excited to have friends to play with, and the Nelson’s were excited to be at camp, so no one was interested in rest (except all of the adults!).

The kids played all afternoon. We ate amazing food all weekend long, and lots of treats too.

After dinner, we shot off a few more fireworks. Augustus watched from the jeep, across the field, on the road, and he was not scared that time. 

By the time we were on the boat (about 9:30), Xander was very tired and not entirely excited for fireworks. He played with his glow wand, ate a snack and then said, “I’m just so tired! When can we go back?!” Augustus was popping skittles, chatting away, living his best 2 year old-up-hours- past-his-bedtime-life.

It was still hot and humid, but both boys snuggled under blankets in my lap for the fireworks. I think Xander saw one or 2 before he fell asleep. He slept soundly through the entire show and it was a VERY good (and loud) show!

The other 4 kids made it and the adults definitely enjoyed it. It is SO fun to be on the lake. Before kids, we used to get directly under the fireworks (as in, your shirt would end up with little burn marks because the firework fall out would sprinkle down). We didn’t get that close this time, but we were still close and it’s SO magical. Photos do not capture how amazing they are and how cool it is to be on the boat.

Today we got up and were ready for more fun. Me, Xander, Augustus and Char went swimming and Nate, Christine, Derek, Evie, and Lucas went fishing.

We had lunch and the kids played, and then we all went back to the beach for more swimming.

The Nelson family and Nate all left camp around 4pm. I was sad to see everyone go, but also very tired! The boys and I headed to the trailer for some quiet time until dinner.

By the time we headed over to eat, Meghan, Mary and Sean had arrived! The 3 of them will be at camp with us the whole month. Xander squealed, “my favorite Mary is here!” and did a little dance. And then 10 feet later, he got shy and refused to go with us to have dinner. He paced outside the trailer, hung out on the ATV, and eventually (when Mary tried to go say hi), ran into the trailer and slammed the door). I tried to convince him to come join the group, but he was overly tired and overwhelmed and he wasn’t having it. I brought his dinner back to the trailer and hopefully tomorrow he is a little calmer. His friends and dad had just left, he was tired, hot and he’s still adjusting to being at camp overall, so I knew it was going to be a tough afternoon.

 It was a FABULOUS weekend filled with swimming, sun, good food, treats, excitement, gorgeous sunsets, drinks, boat rides, and so so much fun. I am SO happy we decided to come to camp for this weekend- it was amazing!

We’re here! It’s 90 degrees and hot and I always forget that arrival day is the WORST day of the year. But as the sun is setting behind me, we are unpacked and settled in and I’m already forgetting the long, exhausting day.

Nate and I had the van and his car mostly packed yesterday and we finished this morning. I left first- a head start so I could get some unpacking and cleaning done before they arrived.

I got to camp and unloaded 5 coolers and 4 big costco boxes of food. I started scrubbing and vacuuming every inch of the trailer. It looked surprisingly good considering it’s been empty in the middle of the woods for 10 months. There were a few mouse poops, some dead ants, a little dirt, but overall, it wasn’t bad. I had half of it cleaned or organized by the time the boys arrived. Lucky for us it’s only 400 square feet, so I can deep clean it quickly.

Xander and Augustus have been very excited for camp. One of the biggest reasons is the magic cabinet. They have a cabinet in the trailer that produces surprises every few days. When we were here in April, Xander was adamant we go into the trailer and see if anything was in his cabinet. Because the trailer was popped in at the time, the cabinet was blocked and he was insistent that we get it popped out so he could look inside. He has been fixated on it since April.

One of my jobs as a camp director is to talk to nervous parents about sending their kids to camp. They worry their child will be homesick, sad, or struggle with something. I could talk ALL day about the benefits of camp, INCLUDING the adversity they face. They WILL be homesick, or not like a meal, or argue with cabinmates. But all of that is SO good for them. That is how they build confidence, resiliency, independence. I believe so deeply in the camp experience.

The first time Xander was old enough to realize he and Nate would be apart for big chunks of the summer, he cried while saying goodbye. Nate cried. I cried. And I was left with a crying toddler, in a trailer in the middle of the woods. And all of my strong beliefs about resiliency and growth went out the window and thus a magic cabinet was born directly out of mom guilt. Overcoming challenges are easier when you get surprised with toys on a regular basis.

The magic cabinet is not my proudest mom strategy, but hopefully it can fall into the tooth fairy, Santa Claus, Easter bunny category of childhood magic and not the bad parenting ideas we shake our head at when we look back.

Anyway, needless to say they were VERY excited when they pulled up to camp, and when I told them to come quick, something about the cabinet looked different, and they saw Power Ranger stickers on the outside of it, Xander was beside himself. There were toys for both the boys AND Axel. The cabinet also has new toothbrushes, pajamas, 4th of July tee shirts, socks, and sunglasses for later in the month. It’s a generous cabinet, but also mostly practical.

Nate and the boys explored camp as much as they could in the heat. I continued cleaning, organizing and unpacking. They swam a little bit and then we had dinner. They are bigger and more energetic and the trailer feels smaller this year already, but we’re all excited to be here.

By the evening, everything was unpacked and clean. The air-conditioning was keeping the trailer very pleasant. The boys and I went out to watch the sunset. Behind the trailer is a field of daisies and after a LONG, hot, sweaty, hard day of work, my whole body was aching, I had to pause to take it all in and remember that this is also sorta paradise and worth the hard work.

Our sweet Axel is finally calm after a stressful day. When I started packing yesterday, he was curious and followed me around. Today he was anxious and unsure of what was going on. When we took down his kennel, I was worried he would think we were giving him away, and I had to remind myself that dogs don’t think the same way people do, but he has had a lot of transition in his short life. And dogs DO know when something is going on, and he definitely realized something was up. He has been pretty stressed all day. It’s a new place and it’s also so so hot, which makes it hard to take him out and explore. We’ve been focused on keeping him cool and reassuring him so that he knows this is a good place and he is ok. It is supposed to be cooler in the morning tomorrow, and I am eager to take him out for a nice walk so he can explore.

Summer 2020 is entirely different than any summer before, but we’re here and I’m happy to be back.

We’ve been working on his manners while he walks- he is super easy going until he sees a squirrel or other dog, and then 60 pounds of muscle turns into a rocket that nearly rips my arm off. Also, the few times I’ve let him greet another dog, he has tried to snap at them, so I’ve been working on getting him to sit and look at me every time another dog is nearby. He’s doing really well (thanks to lots of treats) and I am impressed with how smart he is. 

The boys (and me too) are ridiculously excited for camp. We are all ready for a change of scenery. I am ready to live in the nice shady woods on the edge of a breezy lake. It gets hot at camp, but nothing like it is right now. I am so sick of the heat and humidity. I am excited to swim every day, paddle board, have campfires, and make some progress on projects around camp. Today I went to Costco and Walmart. Packed, loaded the van, made some lists… Nate was a ROCKSTAR and an expert packer. He carried, loaded, moved, as well as helped clean, and calmed me down several times as well. But we are packed (mostly) and ready for our trip up north. 

The boys had one last day at Grandma’s house. They had a blast and got to order McDonald’s for lunch. They were happy boys when I picked them up and they will miss their days with Grandma.

Tomorrow is the day we’ve been waiting for! July is here. Camp is here.