Something small happened yesterday. It was almost a non-event yet it had a really positve impact.  A casual friend called in the morning to say that she felt like she hadn’t seen me in awhile and wanted to know if I wanted to meet at the pool and give the kids lunch there.  Huh?  I know, it doesn’t sound like a big deal and it didn’t take much effort, but that reaching out gesture made my whole day.  It sounds incongruous, but I believe it’s possible to be crazy busy driving our kids here and there, sitting through lessons having half conversations with other moms, and still be lonely.  And that is why to spend just two hours and catch up was so great.  It made me realize that I need to do it more. Not for my kids to have an “activity” but just for me.  And now I realize I need to pass it on.  So I’m just going to pick up the phone and call someone.   

Happily, my oldest has returned from camp!  The reporter in me keeps probing and asking questions to learn all I can about his first experience away from home and family.  But, I am gettng a low word count which is something I frequently say to my dear husband so maybe that’s where my son gets it from.  I want all the details…what did he eat, how did he sleep, did he have enough to wear etc, etc. I feel like one of those people at the beach with a metal detector; if I am patient eventually I’ll turn up a treasure.  I learned that he didn’t brush his teeth all week and horseback riding was his favorite activity.  And he did tell me he wants to go back next year which speaks volumes.

When was the last time you were having so much fun you forgot to stop and eat or use the bathroom?  Well, my girls each peed their pants twice this weekend; they were just too busy playing!  I got sort of irritated with them but then I started to realize what a wonderful thing their play world is.  I can’t remember the last time that happened to me.  With their dad off to make the camp pick-up we have been keeping busy with girl things- dress-up, games, puzzles and dvds.  I think we have been watching too many fairy tales because babe-o’s asked me, “Is daddy your prince?”  Since it was our anniversary I had to smile and say yes.

I successfully dropped my oldest off at camp without crying.  My son told me I could stay for 15 minutes when we deposited him at his cabin.  I guess it’s like ripping a bandaid off: the quicker the better.  We tried to make a hasty exit but my mother lost her car keys at the camp and my 87 year old Aunt Fern, who was along for the ride, set off the car alarm two times but we made it out of there. I will make it through this week..or so I keep telling myself.  So after our not so quick exit, my mom and I went to see “Sex and the City.”  Given the R-rating, it’s not something I recommend you see with your mother, but it did take my mind off missing my little guy.

On my flight home yesterday I was tallying up the costs associated with getting him to this camp that seemed like it was such a good value- low cost and a Christian camp to boot.  It made me think of those credit card commercials you’ve no doubt seen.

5 nights at camp – $255

plane tickets to get to camp – $218

2 nights at hotel – $227

lattes and magazines at airport – $20

Standing with my son at the edge of the lake where our cottage used to stand and showing him where I grew up and where I broke my arm and where his grandpa grew up – PRICELESS!

How is it possible to never sit down all day yet still not get anything accomplished?  I’m not sure what has hit me since school let out but I’m hopeful we’ll have some semblance of a routine come August.  In the meantime we have safety village, swimming and tennis lessons and large chunks of time to fill in the hot afternoons.  We have wet swimsuits all over the floor, constant chaos in the kitchen and a hot water heater that seems to have emptied on the basement floor in the night.  I have one child on amoxicillin and one child off to camp.  Also, babe-o’s had a scare in the pool and I nearly had to jump into the pool with my clothes on to grab her but thankfully the lifeguard sprang into action.  It did give me comfort to hear at bunco last night that all the other moms were just as exhausted and perplexed by the first full week of summer vacation.

The small joys this week have been hearing Ham recite her telephone number and address, watching my son hit a backhand and all of us running through the sprinkler in the backyard.  We also ate our first cherries and spit out the pits.   Oh, and the peonies are in full bloom.

In less than a week I will take my 8 yr old six hours away to a camp in Ohio, a camp I went to as a kid. This will be his first experience at an overnight camp.  I don’t know what I was thinking when I signed him up back in January!  Oh, he’s fine with it.  In fact, he can’t wait.  It’s me I’m worried about!  Even though I know he’ll be fine, I’m surely going to miss the little guy.  I’m mailing my letters to him this week so they’ll be there waiting and I’ve been told that we can email our campers as well.  That’s all good but it’s his voice I’ll want to hear and all the details of his experience.  And I need to prepare myself that when camp is over and I ask him how it went, “good,” might be the only details I get! 

I still remember when my babies were all around nine months old they developed separation anxiety.  Whenever I had to leave the house or even the room sometimes, they’d cry their eyes out.  Thankfully,  after about five minutes they were fine.  I hope the same is true of me.

My second grader’s elementary school recently held their end-of-the-year picnic.  There were games and inflatables and the all important cake walk!  Where else does everyone come home a winner, if you wait long enough.  I wish more things in life were like that. We brought home a huge cookie cake.  And as babe-o’s said, “it has no nuts,” but was still delicious.

One sure sign that summer is almost here- our village farmer’s market opened today just a block away from our house.  The kids love to go because there is a little old man who is a bee keeper and sells honey sticks.  This year I’m going to try something new in the hopes that they will eat something remotely resembling a vegetable. (and corn does not count as a vegetable)   I’m going to let them pick out one fruit and one vegetable to try each week.  This could get expensive since most of the stuff is organic but well worth it to expand our repertoire.

Also on my shopping list today, although definitely not found at the farmer’s market, were ant traps.  Ham saw me whack a big black ant in the kitchen and she was nearly in tears because they are “God’s creatures you know.”  I was so touched by that so I told her we’d buy them a little “motel” so they can go on a nice summer vacation.