JB first attended summer camp last summer and came home already talking about the next year. He absolutely loved it (and we saw so much growth in him after just 2 weeks up in the mountains of North Carolina - free from parents, siblings, and technology). It was a no brainer that he would attend again this summer (and hopefully all the subsequent summers until he can be a counselor.)
We had talked to Maryn about it for a full year and she adamantly said she would NOT be attending. However, we had already secured her a spot last summer and paid in full. No turning back! Fortunately, she and I attended the Mother/Daughter weekend in May, which put BOTH of us more at ease about her camp experience. The women who work the camp are amazing! We had a special time together.
Although she enjoyed the weekend, there was still a lot of hesitation (and some tears) leading up to camp. We took just the big kids (Wesley stayed with Ms. Therlon) up to Asheville the night before - just like we did with JB - for some "big kid" time and it generally went well...with Miss M a little quiet and apprehensive and clingy.
And then the next day arrived. We dropped of JB first and he did GREAT (although he did admit to some nerves. Totally normal!) James got a lot of "Happy Father's Day!" since, once again, we left them on Father's Day weekend.
Then...Sissy's turn. One of the hardest things I've done is watch her quietly cry while we walked away and left her. Heartbreaking. And the only way I could do it (besides James encouraging me at my side) was with the knowledge that she was in a great place with great people and embarking on a wonderful new adventure that would serve her so well as she grows and matures. (Didn't mean I didn't cry on the way home).
Despite a couple of sad letters (e.g. "please come and get me TODAY, I am crying myself to sleep every night..."), we had a ton of photo evidence that Maryn (and JB) had a blast at camp. They even got to spend one day together! And Maryn had a sweet older friend from Dublin who looked after her.
The two weeks went by quickly! And then it was time to head up and pick up our bigger kiddos! OH, THE EXCITEMENT!!
We grabbed JB first then headed over to the girls' camp to pick up Maryn. The boys were very excited when they saw her (and I was excited I didn't see her in tears!)
Reunited and it felt so good! And we even had minimal fighting on the way home! As we watched the closing ceremonies at the boys' camp it dawned on Wesley that a lot of the boys are his age. He announced - very emphatically - that he would be attending camp next summer. (Mama had wanted to wait a couple of more years). Looks like Summer 2025 we'll be dropping them ALL off in North Carolina!
No comments:
Post a Comment