Friday, June 10, 2011

Summer Camp Realization

Evie started summer camp at her pre-school this week. She attends Tuesday through Thursday. I really played it up because Luke left Tuesday to go on a trip with his grandparents and I really wanted her to feel like she was doing something special too. So all last weekend I would ask her, "Are you excited about starting Camp this week?" She would smile and nod her head, clearly excited about Camp.

So, when I got home Tuesday night, I asked her how Camp was. She was bouncing around the house as usual and only slowed down a little to say, "Oh mom, we didn't do it." I squinched my eyes up and said, "What do you mean? You went to school today, right?" She answered, "Oh. Yeah!" I continued, "Well, was it fun?" She responded as she continued playing, "Yeah." I shrugged my shoulders, realizing I wasn't going to get any more information from her.

The next night, I came home and asked her the same thing, "How was camp today?" She stopped what she was doing, came over to stand in front of me, cocked her head to the side and announced, "Mom. We didn't do it again today."

I was confused. "What do you mean, 'you didn't do it'?"

She answered with serious confusion, "Camp. We didn't camp today."

Dawning understanding overcame me and I replied, "Ohhhh. Oh, sweetheart, did you think that you were going camping?"

She nodded, "With a tent. When are we going to put up a tent and camp?"

My heart ached for accidentally misguiding her expectations, and I explained, "Summer camp is different from camping. Summer Camp at your school just means you go to your school and do fun projects at your school. You're not going to actually put up a tent and camp at the school or outside the school."

She looked crestfallen. I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to me. "I guess you really want to go camping, huh?"

She responded in a small voice, "When can we go camping?"

I sighed, thinking to myself that I would probably die if I had to sleep outside in the 95 degree weather that we have this time of year (yes, I'm a bit of a princess like that). I briefly contemplated if there was any way to get a fan out there to make it bearable and then quickly dismissed the idea. I finally answered her after hemming and hawing for a while, "Well, it's too hot to go camping this time of year, but maybe we can talk to dad and see if we can work something out."

She seemed fine with the answer, but man, I feel like I need to make it up to her somehow. Maybe indoor camping with a tent in the living room is the answer.

To make it up to her, I allowed her to do my hair and dress me up that evening. Here's the progression of pictures. I was quite dazzling by the end of the evening and even George was thrilled about the game.

The first attempt:


The second attempt:



First addition of jewelry: 2 bows, 1 necklace:


Second addition of jewelry: 2 bows, 1 necklace, 1 bracelet


Finally: 2 bows, 2 necklaces, 2 bracelets:


And then I took it all off as I put the kids to bed and they asked innocently, "Why did you take off all your bows and jewelry?"

6 comments:

Lisa said...

heehee, you looked like a pretty princess!

ok, im totally out on the camping in a tent, outdoors...espcially in TEXAS SUMMERS, kind of thing too.

So, I think you should have an indoor campout. You could easily make smores in the microwave, grill some hotdogs or burgers outside...good times!

OR....go to jellystone! There is one in south fort worth. They have cabins and all kinds of fun things. There is a location in Waller too and I really want to take the boys but haven't done it yet. Check it out!
http://www.campjellystone.com/camp-resorts-detail.php?campgroundID=95

Theresa said...

The jellystone idea is great, and we may have to do that when we have all the kids in town. I think we might set up the tent in the living room tomorrow night. thanks for the ideas!

Mom said...

She is getting too smart. She knows the difference between a camp and school.

Clarissa said...

You do look so pretty all dressed up!

I refuse to go camping until all people attending are potty-trained. I am NOT changing diapers in a tent, much less in 95-degree weather. I am a princess that way, too.

Angie said...

You are such a great sport. :) I'm sure that when she's 13 she'll be soooo glad that instead of sweating like pigs on the hard ground she got to dress you up in a fully ACed room. :)

Angela said...

You are such a good mama. :D