Thursday

Today Laura said that she did well in the pool. I guess her injury did not bench her for the season. She was in the intermediate depth with no arm thingys (technical term) or noodles. They hold her up and she moves her arms and kicks. Alex sort of described it to Jeff in the car. No Tom's Trail today because it was too hot. Why it is called Tom's Trail is still a mystery that I hope will be answered before camp ends. We're told that the trail is a mile long. That's crazy talk. Instead they went to the sandpit and used some kind of digger. They made a big hole, water might have been involved as well. She didn't come home too muddy, nor did she have her usual dirt beard. SHe must not have been rolling around in it today.

She didn't get to go in the boat during water adventure today but next time she'll be in the first boat. Mini Adventure was Stage 2 of Knight training. Sounds pretty hard-core. This is up there with survival training. If she is in a situation where she needs to filter water and fight off medieval characters she is all set. Mini-Adventure may involve original Luke. You know, Alex's former errand boy. Could he run Mini Adventure? Is he the king of the Knights? There was something about swords and not letting something hit the ground. Next week is Stage 3.

She was in a good mood at the end of camp. Maybe she got to show off her 'fighting moves' during Stage 2 Knight Training. Barry can attest to the fact that her moves are totally badass.

Alex said that she ate all of her [cold] pizza (3 slices) [that also tastes the same cold, apparently. She would fit right in with the frat boys at this point--cold pizza and meatballs and a dirt beard]. She said that her knees were better today.

No new lice letter today. I am hoping no news is good news....

Tuesday & Wednesday

Sorry I have not been updating as frequently this week--it has been very busy and exhausting. Anyhoo...let's get right to it! On Tuesday morning, Jeff told the head counselor that Alex wanted to play sports based on our conversation before camp. She seemed pretty excited about playing and when push came to shove she said she wanted to play. Then, in a split second, one girl in the group said she didn't want to play and Alex was out. I am beginning to see how the group-think no-swim went down! Laura wasn't having it and called Alex out. She said 'your dad said you wanted to play!' Now, that would not fly typically--Alex would get right back in her face, ordinarily, and say she wasn't playing. But instead, without a word, she got up and played! YEAH! Now that's what I'm talkin' about, Willis!

She said she had fun and I am glad she got into it.Then they played capture the flag and call me crazy, but that sounds kinda dirty to me. I know--I have problems. No idea what Capture the Flag is, but I am quite certain it's not dirty. Well, not that kind of dirty. Then they played some hockey type game but with a ball and (and a stick) and then they kick the ball into the goal (no clue). SocHockey? Hocksoccer? Who knows.

She was pretty excited to tell us that "I played sports!" and seemed really happy and proud about it. They also had Sandcastles (more sandpit) and then another activity in the sand pit later instead of Ross Field Games since it was so hot. Or was it rainy? Can't remember. She was coloring in the pit with markers. Kinda weird but we'll go with it.

She ate all of her [cold] meatballs (she asked for them--she explained, 'they still taste the same'. True dat, Alex. Her banana was 'squishy' so she didn't eat it (can't say I blame her there). She had me at cold meatballs. At pickup time she was hiding from Jeff and the Tower Lady said "Alexandra, you were looking for your father for 10 minutes and now you are hiding from him?" Busted!

She was sent home with a lice letter. The letter every parent wants to receive. Now I remember, there were no Ross Field Games because instead they had a lice check. Alex was 'clean'. PHEW. They said one kid in her group was positive for lice but they would not disclose who. Hmmmm. Seems to me whoever does not show up on Wednesday may be lice-boy. Or lice-girl. Could go either way. The day ended with Alex wanting to go to the store to buy lemon ices as another treat for climbing the Tower. She is going to milk this one for all it's worth.

On Wednesday they had Music this morning. Danielle, the young counselor, said that they banged on drums. Glad I wasn't there for that. A bunch of 4 and 5 year olds banging on drums? Um, no thanks. I've already had a migraine today.

Then they had Camper vs. Wild. When the counselor was asked to explain what that means the response was "survival training." I had to stop myself from laughing at the images running through my head. We pictured Rambo. No, not Bumbo (we still miss Bumbo), Rambo. Jeff asked what they did. They learned how to filter water. They ran water through a bottle with sand (she may have also mentioned rocks, i'm not sure) but didn't drink it. I wouldn't either. good thinking.

Her lunch bag came back empty except for the juice box, with the straw missing. I think maybe they could teach them what to do with a juice box without a straw in survival training. Might prove to be more useful....

Ceramics was on the schedule but we didn't hear anything about it. Or about 'dirty play-doh' as she calls it. She tripped on the way to Snack. She fell on both knees and cried. Both knees are bandaged.

Looks like rickets....

Pool was next but she wouldn't go in, something about not wanting to take the band-aids off. No one could get her to go in. Kinda how I thought sports would go on Tuesday. In the car she said that she didn't want to get wet. Laura, the counselor, gave her a bracelet as a reward for climbing the tower and doing well in the pool yesterday. See? Milkin' it. Suckers.

My precious....(Actually, this pic kinda reminds me of the first Charlie's Angels movie with the skinny creepy guy who took locks of the Angels' hair and rubbed it on his face...)

All three counselors mentioned the fall. So did a couple of her little friends. It was the talk of the town. I wonder if Bumbo went home and told his parents about it.

They gave out yet another lice notice about her group. Didn't leave me with warm and fuzzies. She's still fine but that doesn't stop me from psychosomatically scratching....

Big News!

Alex conquered her Everest! She climbed the Tower! Now, for the sake of full disclosure, I might have mentioned, after Alex discussed Spiderman (again) and how much she likes him (and that he is REAL), that Spidey would definitely climb the Tower, would love it, and would be super excited if Alex did. I also might have mentioned that if she climbed the Tower she could have her pick of candy. I already told you....bribery works! She climbed the Tower, asked her counselor for her candy, and wondered where Spidey was. She informed us afterward that Spiderman wasn't there. And her counselor did not give her candy. Yes, she asked for her candy afterward. Not to worry, I am no welcher. She got [soy] ice cream (she loves it--don't feel bad) as soon as she got home (before dinner!) and she got three lollipops. She ate them all. In about a minute. And yes, I mean she 'ate' them. She does not understand the concept of lollipops. She chews them. Apparently all the cool kids do. Don't worry dad, she brushed her teeth very well right after that!

Her counselors where thrilled with her today--it was a great day. She climbed the Tower AND she swam. Held onto a noodle, kicked, let the counselor hold her while she floated (and kicked)....it was a very good day! Don't know what happened during Farm and can't say that I care. At all. She climbed the Tower!!! WOO-HOO!

Oh yeah, and she got dirty. Very very dirty. No surprises there.

Kids say the darndest things....

Alex's sneakers after camp on Friday (next to the white slippers for contrast):
In all fairness, it did rain, and she probably jumped in mud puddles.

I don't really know what to say about this:
Dirt on her face, paint on her arms....she REALLY gets into camp. Pajama day was fun but she came home in 'regular' clothes. It rained so they didn't have many outdoor activities. They painted something and played in the sand pit....not sure what else....

Now for what she really learned at camp....Friday night we were getting ready to leave the house, opened the garage, and saw that it was raining pretty hard. This is the conversation that ensued:

Alex: raises arms in the air, exclaims "Oh shit!"
Me: "What???!!!" (figuring I MUST have heard wrong)
Alex: raises arms in the air again, exclaims "Oh shit!"
Me: "Where did you hear that?"
Alex: "What Mom?! I'm just talking about the rain!"

Unbelievable.

It's Friday--Thank God!

This morning Alex was super excited because today is Pajama Day at camp. Yes, she gets to wear pajamas to camp. We all know how creative they are with names. She could not have been more excited as you can see....

But first she needed to get some work done.

Alex giving me the stink-eye for taking pics while she is "working"

Can't wait to hear about her pajama day. Today is also Archery ("bows and arrows"), Environment ("be quiet and listen to the birds" which is her "favorite" apparently) and Engineering (???)--let's hope the weather holds up!

I will leave you with a few more "work" photos--enjoy!

Weds July 21st and Thurs July 22nd

Introductory gratuitous new "bed" shot--yes, she is sleeping with one eye open....creepy....
So I am sorry (again) for being MIA--busy busy busy! No time to waste...

Wednesday was another quiet day. Not much to report--she would not even tell us (or could not remember) what they did in Music. Alex has not been 100% well so her camp experience (or at least out interpretation) has been luke-warm at best. Speaking of which, on Thursday, new Luke (aka Nick) took them out in a rowboat for water adventure. He said Alex enjoyed it. We will have to take his word for it.

Seriously, how does she get SO dirty?? What is on her face?Laura said that they did drawing during counselor choice and the drawing will probably come home tomorrow. Again, we have to take their word for it because what happens at hillside stays at hillside.

Tom's trail (we finally figured it out) is a one mile long nature trail. Again, creative names. For counselor's choice the kids got hot so they sat and did drawings. So maybe it wasn't fully counselor's choice. Sidebar--full disclosure--it's Jeff's bday and we have had two glasses of wine and might be a little drunk. Yes, we're lightweights....

Jeff's bday dinner, aka, Alex's death meal--Pasta Carbonara and Caesar salad....and wine....mmmmmm......but I digress....

Anyhoo, they had swim and Laura said that Alex "wasn't keen" on something in the pool. I like that--it sounds much better than Alex bitched and moaned and did her own thing. Despite the fact that she "wasn't keen" on what probably amounted to swim instruction, she did sit in the pool.

We were also told that she "had meats" for lunch, which as you might imagine, was completely shocking. When questioned, Alex copped to eating turkey but not ham, and obviously, no cheese.

We also finally got the lowdown on mini-adventure. Apparently the first rule about mini-adventure is no longer you don't talk about mini-adventure. She mentioned something about being knights, with swords protecting the holy grail (yes, my words, not hers) which was either toilet paper or toilet paper rolls. Whatever works.

She ate her sandwich (toast with soy cream cheese and the aforementioned turkey), but no apples or cereal bar. She had strawberries on her face when Jeff arrived for pick up. They said that she seemed happier today, that she must be feeling better.

Camp this week did not seem as interesting or exciting for any of us, especially Alex. Was it that she wasn't feeling well? That I am too busy to ask the right questions? Nah--I think it all begins and ends with Bumbo. Bumbo's absence has hit us hard. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

I will leave you with this--apparently Alex is so much smaller than the rest of the girls that they hug and cuddle and pick her up. She seems to like it now, but it might get old quick. We'll keep you posted!

With Baby Cousin Ethan....

Rock Star

July 19th and 20th (Monday and Tuesday)

Sorry I have been MIA--Work is kicking my ass this week and I have not had a moment to update. But before I have a mutiny on my hands, I figured I would take a few minutes out of my lunch break to give you an update on the first 2 days of session 2. First, they switched up the groups to integrate the kids (boys and girls). That resulted in the following:

1. No more Luke (now who is going to lug her gear?!)
2. No more Bumbo (What??? I can't have that)
3. No more mini-bully (although she's still around--we do still hear about her....)

What this will mean for The Camp Report remains to be seen. Let's see if Nick (Luke's replacement) is a good substitute for Luke. There is no substitute for Bumbo. We all know that.

She did not climb the Tower on Monday (not that surprising). That's pretty much it! She's been relatively quiet on the camp front--not too chatty about what goes on. What happens at Hillside apparently stays at Hillside. I will be posting a few more gratuitous pics in a few minutes for your entertainment....be on the look out!

***UPDATE****Mini-bully IS in her new group and she and Alex appear to have become friends....will they be in kindergarten together? will they be 'mean girls'? let's hope not!

Some gratuitious pics

Yes, I know I'm cute....

The big show....

Friday, July 16th (Last day of Session 1)

Yesterday was Halloween dress-up day. She dressed as Supergirl. Later this summer there will be a Superhero dress-up day. She will be dressed as Supergirl. But it's ok--her counselor told me she is dressing up as a pirate today and also on Pirate day. Two birds, people. Two birds.

I threw a t-shirt in her bag in case she got hot and when we arrived for pick-up she was in the t-shirt. Apparently they let the kids run around in their swimsuits for Carnival, and then Alex didn't want to put her costume back on. Can't say I blame her. She had fun in a bouncy castle and had her face painted like a butterfly. I think they used permanent marker. That stuff would NOT come off. Her face was pink for the rest of the night, even after her bath and some fairly vigorous scrubbing.

Yeah, camp was pretty cool today....

She made a 'robot' in woodshop....

And I found the teeniest tiniest tick (I think that's what it was) on her hip while she was in the bath. It would not come off when I washed her (I thought it was just stubborn dirt--not unusual). But then when I was helping her get dressed I thought it looked like a tiny insect. I got out the tweezers and it came off pretty easily. It was still alive. Kinda gross. Here is a pic so you can see how tiny it was (look very closely for the tiny black dot). Maybe running around in her swimsuit at camp was not the best idea.

Have a great weekend! xoxo

Thursday July 15th (Parents' Night)

Thursday was an exciting day. I let her wear a skort (that's skirt + shorts for those of you who are fashionally challenged) so she was, as you can imagine, quite pleased. Making her day even more special, today she had Music and they played Bad Romance! WOO-HOO! So I guess I am not such a bad parent after all! Lady Gaga is camp approved!


She was mum on 'Group Choice" and "Counselor Activity" but I have a feeling the group choice was to roll around in the sand pit and the counselor activity was practicing for parents' night. I know, I'm a genius. I already knew that. Sadly, Alex did not climb Everest today. She is quite resistant to the idea, but we still have 6 more opportunities so let's keep our fingers crossed. She was talking about Spiderman today and how much she likes him (and he is REAL, by the way, she saw him) so I told her that Spidey would be GREAT at climbing the tower. We'll see if that helps. Doubtful.

They also had Farm yesterday and they saw bunnies. She 'insisted' they were this big! Well, maybe they were only this big:
On to parents' night.... As I already told you, (1) we're lame and (2) we did not get to meet Bumbo. Do I need to go any further? It has not been a good couple of days for me. This morning, when I went to wake her, already dressed for work, she looked at me and asked why I wore my clothes to bed. So apparently I am both incredibly lame and look like I just rolled out of bed. Great. Maybe if I wore headbands and hello kitty I'd be cool again.

Parents' Night was pretty cute, all in all. Each group sang the Little Red Wagon song and then there was the all-group finale song. She would not pose for pics (she completely turned her back on us, as you can see here.
She had her sunglasses on the whole time (she was the only one), was the smallest (it didn't help that they placed her between two of the taller girls) but she was also the cutest (I'm not biased) and she dissed me for the high five. In front of people. They laughed.

And finally, these are the 'sticks' that Alex collected and named "Deedee".


Her counselor said she 'insisted' (again) that she carry them around all day and she decided to take them home. Rocks, sand and now sticks. When I asked her why she had them and took them home she said "because they are my friends". At least she has an active imagination! Silver lining people, silver lining.