Camp Kappe: What a Week

Instead of my typical “how do you do it”, top ten and quotes of the week, I’ll be dedicating all those posts to my amazing week last week in Plantersville at Camp Kappe.  Y’all.  It was fantastic.  I can’t show you all the fab pictures because they have other people’s children in them.  So, unless I have permission from those parents, you’ll just be seeing a lot of me, Will and the backs of heads.  But, I was so happy with how the photos turned out from the week.  Never fear.  There will be photo documentation.

In the spirit of “how I did it”, here’s this week’s:

HDYDI:  CAMPING WITH 50 5TH GRADERS

1.  Take your own caffeine.  I did take my friend, Dr Pepper, with me.  But, as it turned out, the camp staff had a fridge stocked with them for the adults.  Score.

2.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the best cabin evah.  Folks, not once, EVER, did I have to tell my girls to quit the giggling and get some shut eye.  They even napped during rest time.  I’m not sure what favors I did for the big man, but boy.  I guess I owe Him now.  My girls were amazing.  Cabin 7, on the way to heaven.

3.  When the staff kicks you off-site for two hours, run, don’t walk to the nearest vehicle.  We had a great two-hour break Wednesday evening.  So needed.

4.  Know that none of the boys will use soap in the shower.  Not even yours.  Schedule some time with your washing machine and a big ‘ol box of Clorox wipes.

5.  Hug your husband like crazy for taking on Mr. Mom duties and then take him out to dinner when you get home.

6.  Pack some patience.  The last 20 minutes in the bus, I was sure I left it back in Plantersville.

7.  Watch where you step.  You’re likely to meet your new friends, Fire and Ant.

8.  Practice the following sayings until you can recite them in your sleep:  “{insert random boy name here}, please tie your shoes.” (repeat 50x to same child) “Walk, don’t run.”  “Where is your buddy?”  “Did you wash your hands?”  “Where is your water bottle?”  “Could you fetch me that wine bottle, please?”  “Did you use the restroom?”  And, take note that most of the time said child will not have an answer to any of those questions.

9.  Know that you will laugh at just about anything come Friday.  Thursday night I thought I just might snort my way through the “silent” dinner.  What a hoot.  More to come on that later this week.

10.  Just lean into whatever is happening.  Kid throws up in your cabin at 6:55am on the last day?  Fetch a mop.  Basically, it’s just motherhood 2.5 hours away.  I fit right in and loved every minute.  No lie.

Tomorrow, I’ll give you a sneak peek into our first day – we meet a slithery friend, sing Katy Perry and set a new record for times woken up in a 10-hour period.