Nanny and Papa Host Summer Camp

I haven't blogged in a while and just felt it was time to update. Sleep deprived and my youngest is well past the years of waking every 3 hours and  yet she shows up at my bedside around 4am pretty much like clock work. This is already sounding like a vent for a tired mom instead of an interesting entry. I think it's important to remember these occasions down the road so I'll have a good reality of what raising children was really like though so hang with me if you dare.

You know how grandparents have those memories of how they raised their children. Was there ever a child born before 1980 that wasn't potty trained by 2, some of those over achievers even by 18 months. We all walked and talked well before that I'm certain.

I don't know, maybe I did sleep through the night or maybe it was just that baby monitors didn't exist and parents put kids on the far side of the house and passed out from the exhaustion of washing 50 cloth diapers a day. Who knows? Nobody back then blogged so I guess we'll never know for sure.

Speaking of grandparents, I've signed my kids up for "Nanny and Papa Camp". Oh yes! 3 weeks, no less. Okay, well only 1 week without me being with them. I'm hoping those professional child experts can cure this 4 am habit. If not this may be the only year of Nanny and Papa Camp. They may up the age limit on campers.

You know what Nanny and Papa Camp could look like. Starts with a stop at Wally World where campers coerce the head counselor to purchase Fruit Loops a.k.a. The Forbidden Fruit.  Campers only get this fruit when at NP camp or involved in a church craft.  Campers don't miss the opportunity to mention "marshmellows" while in WW also. Youngest camper has been known to beg for hot cocoa on the hottest summer day all in an attempt to score a meager little marshmellow. Believe me, they won't neglect to remember the camp fires and what might get roasted if it means the big fluffy, sugary marshmellows may come into play.

Drive to camp site continues. Looks a bit like Driving Miss Daisy, except Miss Daisy is in boots and jammed between a booster seat and a full blown 5 point harness car seat and has the full-time duty drive attendant, nurse, chef, librarian, musician and most likely navigation consultant to our still happy to be Camp Counselor in the front seat. Although, he's due a nap about an hour ago and is now just salivating waiting to get to the chips and salsa waiting down the road.

Camp continues with many activities. Horses are high on the list. Camper B wants to watch the horses. Camper B wants to go with Head Counselor to feed the horses mulitple times per day. HC would prefer Camper not be in pink pj's for this event. Did I mention Camper B is really cute and HC can't say no, especially when the Lead Counselor gives him "the look".  Camper B spends time sitting in recreational vehicle watching distribution of hay, grain and water. Camper B makes many mental notes on the culture and habits of horses, notably on their poop. Camper has always been fascinated by poop and I'm sure a documentary is in her future in 15 years or so.

Camper A has settled into his bunk and organized his personal items. Check. Camper A has his personal items straight and in his new personal space at camp and life is feeling good. Camper A has added some new items (markers, sticks, cap guns)  to his stash of personal items and now we're having fun! Camper A spots lizards around camp site.  A notes there are also insects.  What more could a boy ask for. Nanny and Papa camp surely is what heaven looks like to a boy.  A has just discovered hours of camp fun and therefore will not be the least bit ready to return to the burbs in 3 weeks.

 Meanwhile, counselors are wondering if parents of campers are having fun?  Counselors are wondering if parents of campers are missing campers?  Counselors are wondering if parents of campers are getting more sleep than counselors.......