WHO SIGNED ME UP FOR CUB SCOUT CAMP???

Okay, I admit it, I’m the one who signed myself up to help out at cub scout camp. (No, not overnight camp. You must know by now that I DON’T CAMP!!! This is just day camp.) But when I signed up, it was lovely spring weather. Yes, you’re right, I should have been thinking ahead. St. Louis in July is rather predictable. However this week is anything BUT. 100 degree days with heat indexes of 110+. UNBELIEVABLE!!! And to make it worse, I signed up for TWO days!

So yesterday was my first volunteer day. I don’t think I have ever been so hot for so long in my life! I have never had so much sweat pouring off my body in one day. Normally, I would say that Jewish Women don’t sweat, we glow. But honey, there was no glowing yesterday! There were buckets of sweat. (Don’t tell the other members of the tribe, please!)

It was so bad, that when we got to the pool, I just jumped in with all my clothes on! I brought my suit, but I figured, this way, I would remain cooler the rest of the day with wet clothes. Actually, it somewhat worked, and I think I’ll do it again on Friday!

Now the boys, bless their little hearts, were really troopers. We kept encouraging them to pour water on themselves and to drink as much as possible. And really, there was very little whining, which surprised the heck out of me! I was so proud of them! They seemed to hold up better than the adults. But definitely, by the end of the day, we were all slow and drooping and ready to go home.

Well, I get a couple of day’s rest, then back again on Friday. The light at the end of the tunnel: This is their last year of cub scouts. Once they’re in boys scouts, Dad gets to take over. WOO HOO!!!

Karen

 

Monday Madness

I'm sorry dear readers. It was completely my fault that there was no Friday Funny last week. I guess you'll have to read all about Zoe's camping trip this coming Friday. (Nothing like shamelessly building a little anticipation, right?)

And I'm grateful to Karen for blogging last Monday while I was stuck in San Francisco. That's an entirely different matter that I'm not certain I'll be able to truthfully blog about without repercussions. Let's just say, this time, it was CLEARLY NOT.MY.FAULT. And yes, I'm holding on to that card for the appropriate moment (insert knowing smirk here).

Today is the Monday that I come to kicking and screaming every single year. I know it's coming. My subconscious has been warning me for two months now, diligently ticking off reminders. I'll bet you have this Monday in your household as well.

Yes, dear readers, it is:

The Last Monday Before Summer Break (Chaos/Boredom/Complaining/Threats Involving Military Academy) Begins.

(Insert hair raising screams and quite possibly an ugly adult meltdown here).

I'm breaking out in hives just thinking about it.

This summer, however, taking a cue from Karen, and from memories of summers past, I have signed my children up for some camps. And swim team. You see, I don't get my summer off now that I have a job that is administrative. Yes, I'll be working a lot from home. And trying to mind the children while I do so. (OY!) Don't get me wrong, I love my children with my entire being. But you know how it is- the moment you MUST get something completed, you become a magnet for all things child related. It's the law of the universe. So this year, I've decided that my Z1 and Z2 will not spend EVERY moment of Summer together. I think it's going to be okay.

If not, there's always chocolate....

Yours, trying to get EVERY last possible thing completed before their break begins,

Melissa

THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE…FINALLY!

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!  I’ve been waiting for this day for 10 years.  To be more precise, since the day I had my amnio and found out that both my babies were going to be boys, THIS is the day I’ve been looking forward to.  The day my husband takes my boys camping! 

You think I’m kidding, don’t you?  Seriously, when I learned that my twins were both boys, one of my first thoughts was, “How long before they camp overnight with Cub Scouts?  And how can I make sure Kent goes with them?”

So here it is; they leave today for 3 days and 2 nights of SILENCE in my household!  Unfortunately, due to some extenuating circumstances (you know, life happens) my 3 days won’t exactly be the solitude and blissdom that I envisioned, but I’ll still get in some quiet time and maybe even a massage.  What more can I ask for, really?

So here’s to peace and quiet, and a little bit of missing my boys, all of them!

Karen

Thursday Thought

Today's thought is pretty simple and straightforward:

If you are going to send your daughter to summer camp in a dress, please make her wear a pair of shorts under it, no matter how old she is. I've been flashed enough in the last two weeks to last me a lifetime and then some.

Happy Thursday!

Melissa

Thursday Thoughts

It's Thursday, and I'm supposed to post a thought. Something inspirational? Something funny? Something thought provoking?

Well, peeps, I'm thought-less. Not as in inconsiderate, but as in writer's block.  You see, I'm teaching a summer camp for the next three weeks, and the first two weeks of it are, how shall I say it? Less than stellar. Imagine teaching a class of 6-8 year olds, about 1/3 of whom do NOT want to do anything you ask them to although they chose the class. And they're not mine, so discipline is a sticky issue. 

So right now, it's about hunkering down and getting through. Hopefully with a smile and a little bit of finesse. And preferably, being able to stay on long enough to collect that paycheck at the end of camp. 

Feel free to send me some thoughts of your own! Would love to hear how you all make it through moments like these.

Wishing you a pleasant Thursday,

Melissa

Tuesday Debate- It's Time for Summer Camp!

I don't know about you, but by about mid-February, the area I live in starts planning for and advertising- SUMMER CAMP. I'm not even remotely close to being thawed from Winter's Chill, and they want to know what I'm going to do with my kid every day for those precious 11 weeks.  For us, summer is freedom to do whatever, whenever, however and with whomever we choose.  If we want to go to camp, so be it. But I cannot process all of that in the middle of February. There are, however, some parents who have their child's summer planned by the end of March. Wow! I marvel at their organizational skills.  But camp every week? 

So here's the debate: Summer camp- how much is too much? What are you doing with your kids for the summer?

Let the comments begin!

Melissa