Summer Time in July Part 1

4th of July

My new little American citizen.  

We had a quiet 4th of July.  We knew the next few weeks were going to be a little crazy, and Aaron was working long hours during June and July.  Aaron took C&C to the firework and let them to pick out their own fireworks.  Then we grilled and spent the evening lighting small fireworks.

Camden is Aaron's fireworks assistant.  

Caroline... is not.

She prefers to stay on the other side of the yard and watch from afar.


For once, I actually got all three kids together AND smiling.

When I asked the kids to make a silly face, Vivi was unimpressed with Camden's tongue sticking out.  In fact...

she yelled, "Uh oh!!!!  Mama!!!  Bubba!!!!"  which meant she was telling on him.  See the face she is making?

We get this face a lot because Vivi is always telling on them or telling them what to do. She is a 'Right-er'.  Bless her 'First Born but Stuck as the Baby of the Family' heart.

Vivi loved everything.  She didn't mind the noise at all.  It's funny because she really has no fears except for doctors... or nurses... or anyone who wears scrubs.

Camden's favorite was a USA tank that exploded.  It rendered lots of cheers.

Caroline loved the snappy things you throw on the ground and, of course, the smoke bombs. Preferably pink.

We ended the evening with  popsicles, which made Vivi's heart happy and content.  She sat quietly and watched the last of the fireworks with popsicle juice dripping down her face.

One can't help but notice she has put on some weight.  She came to us with little chicken legs and tiny arms.  Now girlfriend has some jiggly thighs and squishy arms.  Since July, she has evened out a little to be a little less chunky.  I think her body had to adjust to her new eating habits?  Either that or Mama may have started giving her two year old portions instead of the adult-sized portions that Vivi Cate demanded from her.    

Dear Vivi Cate-
You can thank me later for your cellulite.
              Love, Mom

Pine Cove Base Camp

Last Spring, I was so excited to sign Camden up for his first Pine Cove Base Camp (recently renamed Camp In The City).   It's a day camp Pine Cove has set up for the kids who are not ready for the overnight camps in Texas.  They come to several different cities throughout the summer and set-up camp at a local church complete with the counselors and activities.  I told him all about the activities and how he would have his own 'cabin' with a counselor.  For the next three months, he asked over and over and over, "Is it July yet!?!"

July came and Camden got his first camp experience.  We stayed with my parents in OKC for the week because the camp was in Norman.  HE.LOVED.IT.  Only for my child would I drive to Norman (Sooner country) every day for a whole week for drop-off/pick-up.  The counselors are beyond fantastic.  They are bursting with energy early in the morning and still late in the afternoon when I would pick him up.  Camden played on giant water toys, flip-flopped on some kind of trampoline harness, battled in laser tag, and learned about David in his cabin's bible study. They danced and sang during 'Power Hour', and it is no wonder that when I picked up Camden each afternoon, he was beyond exhausted.

On the last day of camp, we got to watch the Closing Ceremony where the kids show us their songs and chants.  Seriously, these college-aged counselors have so much energy and they are incredible role-models to the kids.  

Afterward the cabin got together, and their counselor pulled each kid individually and spoke about his strengths.  Camden's counselor 'Mandeltoid' (the counselors all have funny names, and the kids don't know their real names until the last day) pulled out Camden and told him what he wrote on his certificate.

Here is Camden's certificate...

Mandeltoid wrote "Camden is a self-starter, which is evident in the way he takes initiative.  He is expressive.  Camden is determined to accomplish each task."   :-)

He was so sad for camp to end, but the poor kid was crazy exhausted and needed to rest for the next few days.

It has been three months, and Camden still talks about Pine Cove constantly.

He still says the Pine Cove chants "Kay Kay Kay Kay Oooooh -Kay!" "Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen!"

He carries around his Pine Cove Camelbak water bottle everywhere we go and he continues to ask if he can go back next year... even though we have told him several times that YES he can go back.  He has also asked to go to the overnight camp... but this Mama won't be ready for that for another few years...