TheMommyBlog

Monday, June 16, 2008 Family

I signed the kids up for five weeks of day camp this summer–five weeks in a row, starting the Monday after the last day of school. What? It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Of course, they wanted a break first. Of course, I now totally have the leeway to give it to them, as my organization is between grants. Of course, the cancellation fee for camp just about equals the tuition.

So, I packed backpacks last night: swimsuits, towels, protective water shirts, water shoes with Mabel’s Labels in the sole, change of clothes, sunscreen, plastic bag for wet clothes, and an anorak-in-a-bag for each child. Thank all that is kind and merciful that snacks and lunch are provided; I can hardly believe my luck. No making three different kinds of lunches (food issues) and three snacks every single day. Think of what I’ll save on Caprisuns and lunch meat!

Oh, did I mention that Logan made the Little League All-Star team? Yes! And guess what? There are daily practices in the middle of the day! Plus games! Which kinda cuts into camp. I’ll have to be driving up there to pick them all up even though Logan’s the only one who has practice because I am NOT driving ten miles up into the mountains more than twice each day.

GAH. I’m all for sports, but baseball has been a royal pain this year. Daddy is coach, and very busy. Also, not able to make all the pick ups and drop offs. He has work, you see. Gaaargh. Today for instance, there was a practice at noon (which meant I had time to drop the younger ones off and pick up Logan’s camp shirt before turning right back home), and then some of the parents were taking the kids to the SF Giants game, complete with tailgate party right after practice. They should be home, oh, around eleven tonight. I will go along with this ONCE. Gil was nice enough to drop him at practice, but I am not going to be happy if I have to pay for a lot of camp that Logan won’t be attending.

As soon as we got there, they were transfixed (It’s almost like Tahoe! Look at the trees!). As soon as Logan shouted, “DUNK TANK!” I knew they were going to be fine. What looked like a desolate, trodden haven for banjo camp only a month ago when I dropped off the check was now a wonderland, with happy children in bright yellow camp shirts playing baseball, swinging on the swings, building castles in sand, and running across bridges over creeks they’d be exploring later. There were at least four of their classmates and neighbors there, two of them the children’s best friends. Pinch me.

Daphne looked at me with saucer eyes and pleaded, “I want to stay for a really long time. Like, six o’clock. Don’t come get me before then.”

There you have it: parental Nirvana.

Of course, they left a pair of water shoes there and forgot that I packed extra clothes (Dylan fell in the creek), but hopefully they’ll get the hang of it over the five weeks. All I have to do is dump out their backpacks each evening and wash everything for the next day. Nothing has to even come inside. I’ve got it all worked out.

Now, if I could only find work so I can pay the mortgage…