Camp Surf!

Hey Camp Surf? Hey What?  Hey Camp Surf? Hey What?  Show us how you roll-e-oh.  Show us how you roll-e-oh.  My hands are high, my feet are low and this is how I roll-e-oh!

Oh Camp Surf how I miss you!  You were so good to me.  Your days were full of sunshine, and lessons on kelp, the tides, and visits to the jetty.  Your evenings were engulfed in s'mores, camp songs,  and silly skits.  Your nights were enjoyed with the sound of waves crashing nearby on the shoreline and moonlit walks to the bathroom so very far away.

Kelp Fashion Show

Sea Star at the Jetty

I miss the "family style" meal times with ocean-side views, composting food bins, and transitions set to music; even though we never won the coveted "Tikki" for eating our fruits and vegetables, having great manners, and excellent cleaning skills. (We were robbed!)

"Sugar, ( insert-do, do, - do, do) Oh, Honey Honey (insert-do, do-do, do). You are my candy girl, and you got me wanting you."  (dessert song)

Meals served family style

The egg-drop competition had to be a hi-light for me.  I loved earning materials through competition and then using those hard-earned materials to save our egg from extinction.

Spending a few relaxed afternoons solely on the beach watching the 5th and 6th graders learn how to surf and boogie board was very fun and relaxing too.

I even enjoyed walking and walking and walking all over the San Diego Zoo.

Archery, the climbing wall, gaga game, a visit to the estuary, camp pranks, camp showers, collecting seashells, cleaning the cabins and even being members of a CSI group (cranium, skull, investigators)-so many things accomplished in one week. So much fun, fun, fun!
( I should have been a camp counselor during college, or a camper as a kid!)

Campers wearing mustaches and monocles investigating skulls.

Yes, it was worth missing the second to last week of school to tag-a-long with my amazing 5th grader on her school field trip to San Diego, California, and spend a week at the YMCA Camp Surf.  I loved it!

The withdrawals have been tough though, although it is always nice to come home and sleep in your own bed.

And, this is how I roll-e-oh!            
                                                     The End!

Jungle Book

The MyMy performed in the school's annual play.  The play this year was Jungle Book.  The MyMy was exuberant, charming, and happy all throughout the play.  Until next year........Look for the Bare Necessities of Life!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Back in May, the LuLu announced one day that she was going to run for Sophomore Class Representative for her high school.  The parents were shocked at this news and even questioned her desire.

Conversations, such as this, were ongoing throughout the process.

Parent:"You realize that you are going to have to attend all school activities."

LuLu: "I know."

Parent: "But, you didn't want to attend  any of the activities this year."

LuLu: "I know."

Parents: "Do you realize that you are going to need to plan, organize, and decorate for these activities?"

LuLu: "Yes."

Parents: "But you have never volunteered or even helped when we have had stuff like this prior."

LuLu: "I know, but it is because I don't like doing that kind of stuff."

Parents: "Then, why are you running?"

LuLu:  "Because if my friend gets elected also, then it will guarantee us having a class together for next year."

This of course makes perfect sense to a teenager and not so much to an old and outdated parent.

Anyway, the process began.  The LuLu filled out the applications, wrote her essay, and got her letters of recommendation.  She took her Constitution test and passed.  She had her interview and passed.  She was ready for the campaign.

We asked her if she needed campaign posters and some sort of slogan.  The response was no.  Then a couple of days later, the LuLu came home stating that she needed posters and some sort of a slogan and they needed to be hung the following day.

The parents and the LuLu had a very late night and a very early morning coming up with slogans and posters.  It was decided by all that we would play on a few ideas.  Since the LuLu is so tiny and petite one idea was "great ideas come in small packages".  Another idea was to add a spin to The Hunger Game series by stating that the "odds will always be in your favor."  We even threw in a CTR reference (Choose the Representative), although only a few would get the connection.

The posters went up the next day with some help from her friends.  The competition was getting fierce and the LuLu was worried about her odds.  We asked her if she needed to prepare a skit or speech to perform in front of the school.  The response was once again no, she only needed to speak in front of the teacher.

A couple of days later, the LuLu was in a frantic state.  Yes, she needed a skit, speech, something and it would be performed in front of the freshman class.  Both Derrick and myself had other commitments and could not help at this point, although we suggested using a scene from the Hunger Games.  Text messages begged for wigs and white face paint to be purchased, and then were hastily bought and delivered to early morning seminary.

The big day finally arrived, and we were all excited and anxious about the election results.  LuLu performed her skit and gave her speech.  She said that it went well.  We were all hoping for the best, but also preparing for the worst.  The competition was fierce, or so we thought.  It turns out that LuLu had this  election in the bag from the very beginning.  No one ran against her.  Somehow that little fact was never  mentioned.  Her friend made it too and so they will have at least one shared class next year.  Whew!

Congratulations on your slam-dunk win LuLu.  We know that you will be an amazing class rep. and will do an excellent job!