Category: camp

A Scared Child

Posted onAuthorcahwyguy

 
Well, we finally discovered why Small and Feisty was such a problem this weekend. We thought it was lack of sleep. It wasn’t. It was fear.

Tomorrow, she goes away to sleep-away camp for the first time. Now, she’s been to her Aunt’s before for multiple days, and she’s been to friend’s houses, but this is the first time with folks she doesn’t know, where she can’t get ahold of us. I know that she can do it, but I don’t think that she does.

I’ve been involved with this particular camp since 1969, when I attended, at her age, for the first time. I know that she’ll love it and have a great time. Yet I completely forgot how hard the first time is. I don’t remember my childhood well—this is one of the times that lack of knowledge has bitten me.

I don’t know how to work through the problem other than to reassure her and let her know I had a great time. Right now, my wife is cuddling with her and watching TV with her. If she falls asleep in our bed, I’ll move her when I go to bed (move my daughter, that is).

People forget that parenting is hard work. They see the sitcoms and think it is all easy platitudes. It isn’t. Its helping scared and screaming kids find their way safely through life, based on your experience. They don’t give you a good guidebook either. Somehow, most of us seem to turn out OK.

So, on to tomorrow, and “You’re leaving, on a yellow bus…” and the parking lot farewells.

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Getting Ready for Camp

Posted onAuthorcahwyguy

 
Tomorrow, at 9:00 AM, we get to trudge down to the Wilshire District to meet the bus that will whisk “Small & Feisty” off to camp. I’m counting the minutes. Let me explain.

Today has been a day of finishing packing for camp. Sewing labels into clothes. Loading the footlocker. Trying to find things in Small & Feisty’s room, which is exceptionally messy (and she’s been exceptionally feisty). Trying to find some items that stores just don’t seem to have (ever try to find a windbreaker in June?)

But its done. She’s packed. I just have her address book and packing list to print.  Then its off to work on the rest of the house.

So, tomorrow she’s off for 9 days at a great Jewish summer camp… and we get 9 days of a house that stays neat, and no screaming by Small & Feisty. Just like, when I was a camper, I never appreciated why the counselors looked forward to rest hour (we never did), I also never appreciated just why my parents sent me to camp. I do now.

P.S. to ellipticcurve regarding your entry: I printed out that item for you to read and laugh about after I saw it in another journal. I certainly wouldn’t think of ordering it.

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A Productive Saturday

Posted onAuthorcahwyguy

 
Yesterday was a productive day. It started out with getting the bulk of the Temple newsletter done. Yes, with all of the mishegosh,  I’m still doing the Temple newsletter. It went pretty quick, partially because I decided it wasn’t worth the effort to do my Learning About Judaism page this month. I did put in the NL, however, that they’ve got until the end of September to find a new editor. We did have our one panic: it appears that the Rabbi they were thinking of for the HHD was written up in the Jewish Journal, and so the specifics regarding the rabbi were pulled from the NL until the matter is resolved.

After I got the NL out for proofing, it was time to turn to helping my daughter pack for camp. This is her first year following my footsteps and going to Camp Hess Kramer. So, we’ve had to go find a footlocker (not as easy as it once was), and start sewing name labels in everything! She leaves on Tuesday (we have to be at Wilshire Blvd Temple at 9:00 AM, the bus leaves at 10:00 AM&#151then we’re off to our likely new temple to discuss membership). We’ll be doing more packing this morning.

Then we went out for sushi with ellipticcurve. When everyone does a meme and indicates they haven’t had sushi in the last 30 days, but wants it, its time for a trip to Todai. That we did, and all came home happy.

So now I’m sitting here at my desk, Fathers Day morning, enjoying the peace and quiet whilst the family is asleep. My favorite time of the morning. Soon it is off to pay the bills (which I do every Sunday), but I wanted to get my LJ in first. This afternoon we’re off to my wife’s sister’s place in Laguna Niguel—I’m not crazy about the drive, but it makes it easier for my dad to get there. I know I’m getting some games for Fathers Day, so perhaps we’ll be able to do some gaming.

[This is also my first test of using the Semagic client to post, as opposed to just using the web interface. We’ll see how it works.]

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Shopping for Camp

Posted onAuthorcahwyguy

Today was the day to shop for camp. You see, my daughter is going this summer for her first week at sleepaway camp (the same one I went to). Today we had to go find a footlocker, and buy her more clothes, etc.

Clothes were the easy part, although I think she’s learned I won’t buy her something just because it is cute. I think going clothes shopping shows how different gender brains are wired differently. Me, I want to get in, get what I need, and get out. Get something functional. My daughter, on the other hand, eschews functionality for cuteness, except, of course, for jeans. Lest you think I’m talking about a teenager here… she’s a 9 year old.

Getting the footlocker was fun as well. Good footlockers are sturdy, wood inside the sides, etc. No popular store seems to stock them (not Target, Wal*Mart, K-Mart, Sears), nor do the sports stores have them. They are available from the web. Where did we find it: An Army-Navy Surplus store, of course! Neat store. Lots of knives and swords, camo, and other stuff for survival in the urban jungle. We just got the footlocker and a sweatshirt.

Oh, and never mind what they tell you. Kids aren’t cheap!

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