Drop off: CHECK
Monday, I got a less-than-ideal amount of sleep, got my run in, and drove A&C to their Monday-to-Friday sleep away! This is week #1 of 3 BUT most likely the only drop off, because our neighbor (very conveniently) happens to work right near camp, and his daughter is in A’s bunk!
It was kind of a hard morning/day, as I had moved my earliest patients to mid-day (so minimal break time). But you know what?! I survived, and it was okay.
Some days are just going to be a little bit hard, and it’s all relative anyway. My hardest day is probably someone else’s easiest, and vice versa.
Most importantly, drop off went pretty well. I was anxious (this kind of logistical challenge always makes me anxious) but it was pretty calm and organized enough. Neither kid seemed too phased when I left — probably in part because last year they were away a whole month, and this time it’s basically FOUR DAYS (x3).
Both in length and in other ways, I think this camp experience will be VERY different than last year – not necessarily a positive or negative, but I’ll be interested to hear from the kids (via letter or . . on Friday) how they compare the two. I’m hoping they find a camp that they love and want to return to year after year, but I suppose it’s also fine if they want to keep trying different things.
G will be doing gymnastics camp. She is EXTREMELY excited for the extra 1:1 time . . .
Mindset: Positive
Honestly, I’m really looking forward to the next several weeks! Or months, really. Sometimes everything feels like a slog. Other times, everything feels like an opportunity and a gift. Life has its challenges. There are things I could dwell on that aren’t perfect, of course. But on the whole, I feel like I’m in one of those upswing times. I feel grateful and lucky to be getting to do things, from a sticky and humid run to a busy work day to bedtime stories with G.
Nice to appreciate that because sometimes when I’m on the other side it’s hard to remember what this feels like. Maybe I should bookmark this post.
NEW PLANNER ALERT: Archer & Olive just released some intriguing-looking items for 2024. I am sad that they didn’t put a dot grid or hour markings on their vertical planner (especially since they do dot grid so well!). For me, this is a dealbreaker but otherwise they look lovely!
8 Comments
Oh that’s so exciting! T’s been loving his swim camp in Lisbon, once we got the hydration issue sorted out. My delicate Scottish flower needs some electrolytes if he’s going to be swimming all AM and outside all PM. We are off to my parents’ on Saturday and I can’t wait to see all these new swimming skills he’s been bragging about. I’m pretty sure he learned more in 3 days than he had in a year of normal swim lessons.
It’s a daycamp and I think we’re a few years out from sleepaway camp, but I’m hoping we’ll find a good European option for it down the line. It’s not so much a thing in the UK, although the day camp he’s going to when we get back seems to offer an overnight weekend optuion, which might be fun.
SO fun. My oldest 2 are finally going to camp for the first time, and they cannot even wait. I think my 11 y/o will also go next year. I ended up meeting my husband at summer camp, so the whole thing feels Very Important to me, which is why I have been dragging my feet.
I like your idea to bookmark this post to re-read when you are feeling a bit down. I have started a notes page in my phone with a list of things I’m grateful for. I need to add to it more frequently, but it’s great (and simple!)
My older son just came back from a one week camp through cub scouts (with Dad being there for half of the trip). It was a great intro to sleep away camp and think he’ll want to go for a longer trip next year. Hope your kids enjoy the week! It’s hard to predict what they will like, but you’ve gotta at least try things out 🙂
I hope the kids end up loving camp! Enjoy your quieter house with G! She’ll revel in having you guys to herself!
We are kind of in a ‘slog stage’ currently with both kids adjusting to change (new program for 5yo, new room that focuses on potty training + not having big brother there at drop off). I am looking forward to 6 months from now when they have both settled? The 5yo has more change ahead as he starts K in Sept but he’s at his school for the summer program so I think we are getting a head start on the transition process… At least that’s what I’ve heard from other parents that put their kids in this program the summer before K. I’ve been telling myself “this will be a time after this” which is a phrase I got from another blogger. The kids have really really been showing a preference for me, too, which is just so hard. I look forward to a time when they prefer dad or at least have more even preferences…
Hooray for a smooth camp dropoff! The format — if I understand correctly, four days of sleepaway then a long weekend at home — sounds like such a nice hybrid of sleepaway and day camp. I hope your kids love it! My daughter tried a new camp this year and has already requested to do it again next year. It feels so good to have next summer sorted!
Wonderful that you are in an upswing season. Those feel so good. One of the best parts about getting older, I think, is being able to recognize that pervasive feelings are usually cyclical. And it helps me (usually) to enjoy the happy seasons more fully and to soothe myself that the down periods won’t last forever. I hope this is a nice long period of uplift for you!
Monday 8:30 AM – Friday 3:30 pm each week x 3 weeks. Yep, weekends at home! I hope they love it.
Ooh! I hope they like the camp. Monday-Friday sleepaway camp sounds awesome. And I’m glad you’re in a good phase! I generally get a mood boost in the summer, I guess from the more relaxed schedule or maybe the longer days. Not that we need more sunlight down here, but I don’t like running in the dark. I hope you had a nice week with G!
I hear you on the seasons of “slog” and “uplift”… if we could only bottle up that positive mindset and always look at the bright sides of life.