Monday, July 28, 2008

TWL 4

Another week has passed! We welcomed the fourth group of campers yesterday and will have one more group after this. The 10 day countdown to going home has officially begun. Not that we're anxious to leave...this is quite the life!

The big news this week is Logan's progress on the walking project. He started holding onto his stroller, pushing it himself. He doesn't want to ride in it or be carried anywhere, he just wants to walk. He can't do it along yet, but is constantly reaching for our hands, wanting to walk with us. Its so cute, but so tiring! Any day...he certainly has the strength. I think he's just waiting for the coordination and confidence!




There he goes! He's so proud of himself!


We saw some wildlife this week. And we're talking different from the many deer and falcons we see each day. Logan and I found this turtle on one of our walks around the lake. We also see a bunch of ducks on our walks. Logan stares at them...usually their tails are in the air.


A couple of the little boys also found this snake by the work crew dorm this week! Eeeek! It proceeded to eat a toad in front of their very eyes. John captured these pictures.



I got to sneak away one night after Logan was in bed to attend the Rodeo. Its so cool...they pull up a huge tractor and turn the lights on to light up this sand hole. Then the kids and leaders play rodeo games in the lights. It was fun to see the campers in action!




My stroller is known as the "mini van". John would prefer to have it called the SUV. I am constantly prepared for any number of situations. The bottom basket houses Logan's swim gear, beach blanket, towel, toys, wipes, diapers, ball, etc. The booster seat is often stapped on for when we go to the dining hall for meals, the diaper bag is also hooked on with snacks, food, drinks, sunscreen, and other NECESSARY supplies. Actually, I don't know...its like I just keep accumulating more and more stuff in there! Its a workout to push around camp all day long!


Here's Logan puttin' out the vibe


On our night between camps, the staff got to spend some time on the lake with the jet skis and tubes! It was so fun and I'd been waiting all month to go tubing! So, we spent a beautiful evening down at the beach. Logan was in such a good mood and loved watching all the action. It made us so excited for a few years from now when we can bring Logan in the tube with us...so cute! Here are a few family pics, as promised!




Our morning off this week was filled with the fun of a Quadrathalon (is that even a word?!)! Its a camp tradition to form teams and participate in this "non competitive" (yeah, right!) event. It was a gorgeous morning! John participated while Logan and I cheered everyone on and took lots of pictures!


warming up...


The race started with a tandem kayak down the length of the lake and back. This was the funniest part of the race...kayaks everywhere!


My favorite kayakers! Kelsi and Katie...the program team for the month


Logan and Katie hanging out at the quadrathalon...it was getting close to nap time! Logan has really warmed up to people here at camp and even gives me the "wave off" when he's comfortable with someone else! His social skills are definitely blossoming!


John waiting for the tag from the swimmer on his team


John coming across the field to finish his leg of the race. He made up great time, catching up to the team in 1st place. John tagged the runner, who went for two miles to win the event!


Logan and John after the race


Everyone waited at the finish line until the last group completed the quadrathalon. It was a fun way to start our fourth week!


Logan loves playtime! We are constantly discovering new things and learning so much! Logan is really developing a lot of skills from watching all the kids and playing so much. Its so much fun. It makes me wonder what I am so busy with at home all day that we don't spend this much time playing. I think we will re-evaluate a little when we get home...



Logan plays with the big kids - they are so good with him! Auntie Jenny always makes Logan laugh! We love spending time with Daddy on his afternoons "off"! Logan thinks he's in charge with the walkie-talkie!


Logan discovered sidewalk chalk this week! He loves it and kinda gets the idea, scratching the chalk back and forth on the sidewalk. Mostly he loves to rub his hands in it and get dirty!


Look at all those cute kiddos!


Surprisingly, Logan did not eat the chalk! Yay!


What is it about boys that they instinctively find sticks to play with?!

Oh what fun!!


Monday, July 21, 2008

TWL 3

Another wonderful week! Today is "change-over", when one set of campers leave and we prepare for new campers to arrive tomorrow. That means a lot of cleaning, processing changes for the next week, and logistics planning. But...for Logan and I it mostly means the same as everyday...PLAYTIME! I have to admit, I have a pretty good job here, caring for Logan and just being a mom. I am loving the fellowship with other moms and the uninterrupted time I am able to spend with Logan. Its great! Here are some pictures from this week!



The weather has been pretty steamy with some storms scattered in. With all the people coming and going through the Bunkhouse and the kids running around, it can get pretty warm in there. One afternoon, we were all spending time in the living room and Logan was being so wild! Just look at his hair!


The signature scrunchie nose...


The shirt says it all!


With Jenny


Ashley, Roslyn, Logan, and Jenny


Playtime at the beach!


I've been working on getting Logan used to the beach, so we start out on the beach blanket, playing with the water and the sand...




Then we move to the water's edge and sit in the sand...


and eat the sand...


I think Logan is starting to like the beach much better! I mean, look at all those fun beach toys from Nana!


We've really started to make a lot of new friends and its been so much fun! The couple across the hall from us, Josh and Ashley, are from Indiana and they have Olivia (2.5 yrs) and Roslyn (11 months). We have known them for about 4 years because we've been at many YL functions at the same time since the guys have been on the same track for training and classes with YL. We are so excited to be spending such a long time with them to really get to know their family better. Ashley bought this cheap baby pool and we broke it out today because the weather was perfect! Its better than watching the babies eat sand on the beach, that is for sure!


Lounging at the baby pool! It was quite the attraction...although the moms were the only ones who got in!


Ashley and I in the pool with the kids!


Other playtime pictures:


John and Jenny playing with Logan and Olivia (Josh and Ashley's two and a half year old) after dinner.


Linda, one of the Summer Staff Coordinators, is so good at getting Logan to laugh. She kisses his feet and shakes his legs...he loves it! By now, I think he knows its coming when he sees her so he starts laughing right away!


Playing in the sand at the playground.


Everyone at camp sees how close Logan is to walking and they are determined to see his first steps before the month is over! Tonight after dinner, Logan walked all the way from the dining hall to the Bunkhouse (a very long way!), holding onto Daddy's fingers, of course. We even tried to pick Logan up, but he insisted on walking. I think all the encouragement was really keeping him going because you can tell in these pictures that he is having a ball! He loved it! All he wanted to do all night was walk, walk, walk.






Since its everyone's night off, we rented out a movie theatre for a showing of the new Batman movie. Most of the work crew, summer staff, and assigned staff all went. However, some of the younger kids, moms, and all the babies stayed back for an evening in the Bunkhouse. As you can see, Logan was very interested in the olders kids' movie showing on the big screen (only brought out tonight because it was a special occasion). He was so cute...trying to get in there with the big kids and see what was going on.


Logan always needs to be right in on the action.

Ice Cream!

Logan loves it! These pictures are the proof.



Yes...John and I are still here at camp, too. But Logan is the only one worthy of having his picture taken, I guess! I'll try to get some family shots for next week's post!
Take care!