Week 2 random shots

Here are a few additional random shots from Week 2 of camp (if you haven't figured it out, the number means the 2nd week of scouts in camp, it's actually the 3rd week for us staff members). We are continuing to have an absolutely fabulous time at camp.

Jack is now finally old enough to play with the Polly Pockets... when Monica lets him.

This is Patches, Ken and Julie's baby goat.

Monica doing a "performing" for me in Met Jr.

Jack LOVES Keith, our range director.

Campfire with Nanie and Grandpa Gordon

Who loves smores?
A few panoramas

Lost tooth... literally

Well, Monica's tooth finally came out yesterday. it was a little anti-climactic... during lunchtime line-up I suddenly noticed that her tooth wasn't there anymore. It had been hanging by a thread for days, but I thought it was pretty funny that she didn't even notice when I it came out. When I told her about it, she immediately got excited and began searching the ground for it, though I had a hunch it had been engulfed by the expanse of camp.
As expected, it we couldn't find it, so Monica wrote the following note to the Tooth Fairy:
"Dear Tooth Fairy, I lost my tooth at Camp Parsons. Sorry I can't find it. See you soon. Love, Monica."
And the tooth fairy must be very compassionate because this morning a dollar bill was tucked under her pillow. She immediately declared that she was going to spend her dollar on Polly Pockets, and I had to gently remind her that it would take a few more teeth to afford that!

Ka-boom! Part Two: water fun

After the parade we always spend the day at Great Nana Josie's waterfront. It's fun to have a new crop of little kids there to enjoy the water.

Ka-boom! Part One: The Parade

Watching the first part of the parade go by

riding IN the parade!

Hot dogs and strawberry shortcake. YUM!

For those of you who don't know, the 4th of July for my side of the family is the biggest holiday of the year. We pretty much go all out, even more so than at Christmas. Not bad for a bunch of Canadians! The parade/picnic/party is a community event on Yarrow Point, where Great Nana Josie lives and we've been part of it since it started about 30 years ago. I too rode my bike in it at Monica's age!

Monica Moments

Both Monica and Jack are loving being at camp, but I think Monica is probably enjoying it the most. To avoid the "can we go to the trading post?" question every day, we are now giving her a dollar of allowance each week, which pretty much translates straight into ice cream money. Yesterday she used her first dollar to buy a popsicle, and was just as thrilled with the quarter she got back in change. She is hoping that her loose tooth will come out soon so that they tooth fairy will add to her piggy bank.

Another favorite activity of the week was going rowing with Dad. Jack and I hung out on the pier to watch... reminded me of my dad and I in the rowboats at Parsons when I was Monica's age. Anton is going to re-up his BSA lifegaurd cert so he can take her in a kayak next.

First Pull of the Summer

Mike took us out for our first ski of the summer. It was a bit choppier than it looked from the pier, but still great fun. I had one good wipe out on a rough spot: came out of the skis, flipped in the air, and rolled on the water... totally awesome.

Staff Week

Here's a few random shots of the sights and actions around camp during staff week. Our first full week of scouts begins Sunday.

These three are my attempts at a panorama beach view from our cabin:

Our neighbors, the bald eagles, who live in the trees above our cabin.

Dining hall from Mystery beach:

The pier from Constane point:
Swim beach from Constance point: Staff Ceremony:
Playin' on the beach:

Baby Ella!

Monica and I snuck away from camp long enough to make a quick visit to meet Baby Ella (and Amy and Mike too). She was born Tuesday morning and measured in at 19 inches and 7 lbs 5 oz, I think. Totally adorable!

Smores

We found a warm enough evening this week to roast marshmallows at our outdoor fireplace (the old fireplace from Hamma Hamma). Dad was teasing us about being dressed for the arctic blast, even though it wasn't really THAT cold. Monica downed 2 smores and was ready and willing for a third. She also insisted that to make it a real campfire we had to sing songs, so we sang a couple. :)
People have been asking for photos of our digs up here at camp.... I don't have many photos yet but in this first picture you can see our cabin (Queets) behind the fireplace and Mystery Beach beyond that.

Happy 90th Birthday, Cp!

Lunch with Scott, Kristine, and Andrew

Can you find Grandpa Mike?

Ahhhh, the 90s... what happens in the 90s stays in the 90s.

And now, onto 2008...

The Drive

Quick update

Just a quick note to say everything is great up here at camp. It is SO good to be back! The kids have settled in well and are wearing themselves out daily. Anton and I are busy with our jobs, but once the first week of scouts comes along next week I think we will settle into a good routine. It seems like an excellent staff this year, very enthusiastic. Our cabin is perfect... even the shower scrubbed up nicely in the end and you can't beat a porch right on the beach with the salt breeze and bald eagles flying overhead. I can already feel 10 months of smog exhaling from my lungs. Will write more soon...