Camp Week

 This week was camp week. Emma went every day to a Girl Scout camp that she loved. I just had to drop her off and pick her up at school and a bus took her to the fairgrounds each day. It worked out so well and she absolutely loved it. She loved all the social time and activities and being busy each day. She loved the singing and arts and crafts and water play and she loved her counselors. Lily went to girls camp (which was a day camp) Monday through Wednesday and had a good experience. Thankfully the moms worked out a carpool so I only had to drive once because even getting the girls that one time was tricky. 

The boys and I had a good couple of days. We did laundry and cleaned and they played lots of Legos and had friend time. One morning we went to the pool and swam for a long time. I wanted Curtis to do some laps to get some exercise and practice his strokes but he was being stubborn. He decided to challenge me to a treading water contest (thinking he would win) and if he won then he didn't have to do the laps but if I won, he would. So it was a win for me either way. As it worked out we tread water for almost 30 minutes before he finally gave up. I was still doing just fine and that made me feel really good about myself and like all my gym time really does pay off.  I wasn't winded at all and only my shoulders were a bit tired. So we tread water for 30 minutes and then he still had to do the laps which felt like a big time parenting win on my part. It was a fun day and so we went out for Sonic afterwards and then got Emma and went to baseball practice. Curtis has still been going even though he won't be here for the state tournament but I suppose it is all good experience. Wednesday I went to the gym and then Brandon's friend came over to play and Curtis went to his friend's house so it was pretty quiet here and I just kind of hung out. Then I took Curtis to batting practice, dropped the kids all off at home and went and picked up the girls from camp. They sang camp songs all the way home and that was fun.

Thursday Curtis got to go to camp so then it was just me, Lily and Brandon.  We took Lily to the dentist and went shopping. Then Lily took Brandon to Lily Camp (since he was sad he was the only one that didn't get to go to camp). She took him on a hike through the woods down to the school and taught him first aid and some camp songs and how to build a campfire. It was the sweetest and I love that girl. Josh was in St. Louis for work from Sunday until late Thursday so I was happy to see him when he finally got home but then Friday and Saturday he went to camp with Curtis. He has never been to a church camp before (he has only ever run his own ward camp thanks to the pandemic) so he loved it and enjoyed not being in charge and just being with a big group of awesome boys and leaders. Curtis had a great time too.

 

Meanwhile on Friday Lily and Brandon and I went to the pool and they made ice cream by shaking it (another Camp Lily activity) and then we had a great time then that night we ate dinner while watching Bug's Life. Brandon was only 4 when we watched every Disney movie in order so he doesn't remember a lot of them so my goal this summer is to reintroduce him to a lot of Disney. Saturday we had Emma back so the four of us went to the library and the park and we stopped by the Ainas for a bit. Then Lily went babysitting and the rest of us went to the Imaginarium for a birthday party. It is Josh's co-worker and we're friends with them but it was kind of a tough social environment for me, especially since Josh got there late. But we were happy to support them even though Marnie cried if you wished her a happy birthday and we couldn't sing to her because she would freak out. Being two can be tough. 

 

Yesterday was a nice church day but my family is grumpy on Fast Sundays (except Josh who was busy in meetings from 9:30 until 6pm). None of us do well when we are hungry so we kind of avoid each other and just read or relax. Something for us to improve upon. I really try to appreciate fasting and its spiritual purpose but it is honestly one of the hardest commandments for me to like and live. 

Today is one of my favorite holidays and we had a nice breakfast at church this morning and tonight we're going to fireworks. I'm so grateful for our country and my freedom and though our society feels pretty messed up to me right now, I'm grateful for truth and God and my knowledge and understanding of Him and His plan for us. I'm grateful I can worship how I choose and live in peace.