Girl Scout Day Camp- Day 5

At last: our final day of camp. Monica's troop started the morning on the rock wall. We then visited the beach where we had lunch. In the afternoon they helped clean up camp, indulged in the "chocolate potluck," and performed a skit for the rest of camp.

Monica spent the week dirty, sun-kissed, and smiling. I can't say I have developed any more appreciation of the "scouting" aspect of Girl Scouts, but am glad I spent the week out in the woods with my daughter and her trorop.

Girl Scout Day Camp-- Day 4

Today was the kind of day I like to see at day camp: deliver my little Brownie scouts to different activities, then sit my pregnant self in a camping chair to "supervise." The girls mostly worked on advancement today, finishing two badges and starting two more. They did yoga, dance, and made elephants at the woodcraft station. Also (not pictured), they looked at insects under magnifying glasses and had a visit from a local pet shop owner with several animals in tow. The day ended with making s'mores.

Girl Scout Day Camp- Day 3

Wednesday our unit started off the morning taking a group photo. Then in groups of 5 they took turns doing a service project with other campers (building picnic tables) while Nicole and I tried everything to keep the rest of them busy. In the afternoon, the fire truck arrived to raise the ladder and facilitate the "egg drop." (Package an egg carefully, see if it breaks when dropped). Unfortunately as you can see, our troop's little egg suffered a painful death. The girls were disappointed but their spirits were soon lifted by ice cream cones.

Camp Names

One of my least favorite aspects of Girl Scout camping is the tradition for scouts and adults to choose "camp names" for their nametags. Running around day camp this week have been "Blondie," "Flower," and "Cotton Candy," for example. The purpose is to provide another layer of youth protection (lurking strangers don't learn girls' real names) and supposedly it is fun for the campers. I have to ask though: if it is such an important scouting method then why haven't the Boy Scouts started using it?

Monica decided to be "Great Wolf Lodge" or "GWL" for short. When choosing my camp name (and realizing I had no choice in taking one) there was only one possibility:

Girl Scout Day Camp- Day 2

Today our happy campers started out with field games (sack race, bubbles, frisbee etc.) then followed with a day that seemed full of crafts. Monica worked especially hard on her birdhouse. She and her troop even learned proper hammering technique and the basics of how to use a drill. At the end of the day they got to give their troop cheer to the rest of camp.

Girl Scout Day Camp-- Day 1

Today was Monica's (and my) first day of Girl Scout Day Camp at Salt Water State Park. Monica was a camper of course and I am one of her unit leaders. As with all things Girl Scout I will try not to be too cynical. The upshot: Monica and friends had the time of their lives and that's all that really matters.

Each girl brings a 5-gallon bucket with lid to serve as storage for rain gear, water, food etc. It also doubles as a seat for program activties. Here she is all ready to go this morning:

Her troop watched a presentation by the Point Defiance Zoo. They met an owl named Honey and learned about habitats.

In addition to a scavenger hunt, finding the camp mascot, songs, and various craft activities, the girls decided on a unit name, cheer, and flag. Here is Monica with two friends working on the flag:

More fun ahead tomorrow!

Cool at Last

I can't say how grateful I am that the temperature is no longer an unbearable 96. Normally I enjoy warmer weather but with pregnancy I could wear a bikini in January and still be too warm (not that anyone wants to see that).

However, my wonderful husband installed an air conditioning unit in our bedroom window which made all the difference. Sleep at last!

Rest in Peace, Eddy!

Camp Parsons lost a family member last weekend with the passing of Ed Dayton. I've known Ed since I was a kid at Parsons and have lots of memories of him: work parties, UW tailgates, and New Year' Eve on the Enzler's boat. However, my favorite memory is that he and McNellis acted as chauffeurs for Anton and I from our wedding to reception and reception to hotel. McNellis drove and Ed was the DJ and bartender (for later of course). You can read Ed's obituary here. He will be missed!

More Saturday Fun

Saturday afternoon we headed to Pump it Up for Hansie's 4th birthday party (son of Anton's cousin Dana).

Monica, Jack, and their other cousin Lauren spent most of the time running around together and going on the rides. Here they are on the giant silde... Monica's front weight pushed the little kids behind her:

Shannon was one of the few adults brave enough to "pump it up" along with the kids. She and Ben jumped right along with the rest of them, as you can see in the photo above. Their weight made an even more exciting ride for the little kids.

After the party we all headed to Aunt Elizabeth's for a BBQ dinner, and more fun on the slip-n-slide. It was excellent Copstead fun!

Kramer-Carter Waterfight 2010

After a Friday night sleepover at the Carters, we all put suits on for their slip-n-slide, waterballoons, and a BBQ lunch. The Dads especially got in on the fun!

Greenlake Wading Pool and More

Thursday was supposed to hit 95, and I think it was at least that hot! After breakfast I packed a picnic lunch and the kids and I headed to the Greenlake wading pool before visiting Grandma for a few hours. The wading pool was busy, but blessedly cool.

Here's a photo of Monica at the same wading pool in 2005:

After the wading pool we stopped at Baskin-Robbins for ice cream. Letting your children eat ice cream in the car on a 90-degree day is like trying to score on a 1-on-2 fastbreak without drawing a foul. We each had a cone, but of course Jack only ate half of his before calling out the dreaded "I'm done!" So I drove most of the way to Grandma's while trying to devour TWO melting ice cream cones. I'm sure I was in violation of the hands-free driving rule. But we made it safely, even though I had a mild case of brain freeze.

Kramer Twins

Times two and times three!

Spa Treatment?

Monica and Maria did several rounds of rolling in the sand and then washing it off in the sound. It was pretty funny to watch. Mia and I joked that some upscale Seattle spa could charge $200 or more for the experience. I can just see the description now:

Indulge yourself with a therapeutic exfoliation with fresh sand imported from Penn Cove. Then wash away stress with a refreshing rinse of Puget sound salt.

And the fun just continues...

With no rest for the weary, we headed to Whidbey for the day on July 5. The kids especially loved seeing ALL of their Kramer cousins.

Caleb and Sam making ice cream with Grandpa Gordon:

Raising the repaired flag pole:

Swimming with Uncle Erik:

With Great Nana C:

Cake Bosses

For dessert on the 4th of July, we had each "pair" of kids at the party decorate a sheet cake with berries, sprinkles, and frosting. I was especially impressed by the littlest kids, whose cake could have turned into an inedible disaster.

Artistically delicious... and patriotic too!