Camp is an experience that, unless you've been through it, is hard to understand. I spent the day yesterday in my craft storage closet, reorganizing. Admittedly, this is one of my favorite things to do. Just knowing that all the scissors are together, the glitter is consolidated and the construction paper is in tidy piles, is extremely satisfying.
Of course, this closet, after a winter of vacancy, has been the cozy home to a few critters. (No raccoons!) I came upon nests, and poo and all sorts of stuff that I'm not interested in recounting (besides the fact that I don't think I can identify). In addition, when the temperature outside, is an uncomfortable and humid 94, the temperature inside is like my oven at home when I'm roasting a brisket.
This sounds like very unpleasant work, but I have to tell you, its not. I feel accomplished and satisfied. And when I see the happy faces of my children, enjoying their summer, making friends, and growing up; I know it is the best job in the world.
P.S. Mom and Wendi....we are all doing GREAT!!!!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
It's a Beautiful Day
I'm sitting here in our office, listening as our directors play reveille to awake our campers. A different perspective to reveille for me, as I have never been in the office as it was happening. In past summers, I have had my littlest daughter living with me, and my babysitter would come to pick her up about 1/2 hour after reveille.
Now, she's a big girl (though still a little peanut) and she is living in a bunk with other children.
Although I have prepared her for this new adventure as much as I possibly could, I remained nervous and concerned. She is only 6 years old, how is she going to cope without me????
Well the good news is, she is coping JUST FINE!!!
Though she's old enough for a bunk, she's still the smallest one in there, and her bunk -mates can't get enough of her. She's happy, smiling, silly and, although I am dying to brush her hair and put it in a proper pony-tail, she looks clean.
Yesterday I spied the group fighting over her, trying to pick her up. A couple girls took turns, and the next thing I knew, she turned the tables on her new friends, and attempted to pick them up.
My fingers will remain crossed that this is a positive experience for her, but so far, so good. I couldn't have hoped for anything better.
Here she is (on the left, with the belly suit) with her new friends!!!
Now, she's a big girl (though still a little peanut) and she is living in a bunk with other children.
Although I have prepared her for this new adventure as much as I possibly could, I remained nervous and concerned. She is only 6 years old, how is she going to cope without me????
Well the good news is, she is coping JUST FINE!!!
Though she's old enough for a bunk, she's still the smallest one in there, and her bunk -mates can't get enough of her. She's happy, smiling, silly and, although I am dying to brush her hair and put it in a proper pony-tail, she looks clean.
Yesterday I spied the group fighting over her, trying to pick her up. A couple girls took turns, and the next thing I knew, she turned the tables on her new friends, and attempted to pick them up.
My fingers will remain crossed that this is a positive experience for her, but so far, so good. I couldn't have hoped for anything better.
Here she is (on the left, with the belly suit) with her new friends!!!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Blogging from Camp
Well, I think I might be able to post now and then from camp. I am settled into a really nice cabin, and getting into the routine of camp. It is crazy, and fun, and it is really weird to be away from the kids.
It's a tough week for the whole family with out both parents at home. Gregg has had a very challenging time adjusting to life without Lori, and dealing with kid issues by himself.
The girls come up on saturday, and I hope they will have a rewarding summer, and make all this angst worth it.
I am about to go into the dining hall for breakfast, so can't spend a lot of time writing, but I think I will be writing at night, and then downloading in the morning when I get internet access.
But it is a good way to be connected.
Hi Mom, and Wendi...I love you.
xoxoo
It's a tough week for the whole family with out both parents at home. Gregg has had a very challenging time adjusting to life without Lori, and dealing with kid issues by himself.
The girls come up on saturday, and I hope they will have a rewarding summer, and make all this angst worth it.
I am about to go into the dining hall for breakfast, so can't spend a lot of time writing, but I think I will be writing at night, and then downloading in the morning when I get internet access.
But it is a good way to be connected.
Hi Mom, and Wendi...I love you.
xoxoo
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Welcome to My NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
Just a quick entry to say that as of Monday A.M. I will be packed and on my way up to Camp. I'm trying to find a way to get excited, but right now, I'm more overwhelmed with worrying about packing up, making sure everyone has what they need and mostly making sure all the bills are paid while I am gone.
This is my 5th year doing this, and I thought it would get easier to prepare, but it just doesn't seem to. I try not to leave things til the last minute, but of course, last minute things always pop up. I'm completely scattered, and I feel bad for people that invite us to birthday parties and other special occasions this time of year, because I invariably forget to rsvp in a timely fashion. I am normally fairly undependable (I'll admit that...I'm not very good at returning phone calls and e-mails), but this time of year I become COMPLETELY undependable. I am so focused on get myself together to live a new life, that everything else tends to get ignored.
You know that feeling at the beginning of the school year, when everything is fresh? I vow every year to write down the school calendar so we don't forget early days and off days, to make dentist appointments, orthodontist, ophthalmologist, gynecologist, pediatrician, etc. etc. I buy a fresh new calendar to write down each obligation. I plan my days to be constructive, I try to keep my house clean and together, to make dinner every night, to keep the girls in check.
Then comes the Jewish High Holy Days. I get more stressed about dressing the kids for services than I actually enjoy going to the services. I promise myself to plant tulip and daffodil bulbs every year, but somehow never get around to it. October is Hayleys birthday, so we try to do something special, then comes Halloween planning, costume fittings, pumpkin carving and parties, November with the requisite eating of the Halloween Candy When the Kids Aren't Watching (Reese's Cups first, then Milky Ways, then Hershey Bars, then Snickers. Butterfingers only when the rest of the candy is eaten.) Then its the "who's going to make Thanksgiving this year" fight. December, which just completely stresses me between Hanukah and Christmas gift giving. January calms down...(I think Martin Luther King Day might be my favorite holiday) Then February with the valentines cards and treats and Addie's Birthday Party mixed in, March is Purim time, I try to always make Hamentashen, but like my tulips and daffodils, they usually don't come. Passover in April is a huge priority, I have 20 people or so join us for a seder...then Aunt Wendi's Birthday and then May, the month the everyone else in the family is born PLUS Mother's day to complicate matters, Sydney and Gregg's Birthdays (back to back) and the planting of my impatiens. June is all about preparing for camp and the end of the school year.
It doesn't change, it is the same routine every year. Rarely a surprise, a few complications, but the same turn of events.
The main thing that stays the same is that at the beginning of the school year, camp and summer seem a lifetime away,and before you know it, we are back at camp, like we never left. While planning for camp, it seems like we will be there for an eternity, but the weeks at camp fly just like the months do during the rest of the year.
I think I have to just STOP.
Stop and just be grateful for the beautiful life I have been blessed with.
To not be so hard on myself for not being the perfect wife, mother, daughter, sister.
To take care of my body and say NO this Halloween to the Reeses Cups, Milky Ways, Hershey Bars, Snickers and even the Butterfingers.
Be grateful for friends that reach out to me and family that cares for me, instead of sometimes feeling like social obligations are complications instead of blessings.
Treasure my girls and take advantage of moments to praise and adore them, instead of being negative.
Make special time for Gregg and me. We are the foundation of this family, we need to keep our relationship strong.
In conclusion, I don't know how much effort I'm going to be able to put in my blog this summer, although with a little help from my sister, I'm going to attempt to post now and then. Of course, I now fancy myself as the editor of my own Magazine (I have a readership of at least 6 people!), so I have a responsibility to my readers to keep you informed of my life and lessons I learn everyday. I'll make every effort to keep this forum of my own musings alive for the next 8 weeks.
I wish everyone a wonderful and productive summer!
This is my 5th year doing this, and I thought it would get easier to prepare, but it just doesn't seem to. I try not to leave things til the last minute, but of course, last minute things always pop up. I'm completely scattered, and I feel bad for people that invite us to birthday parties and other special occasions this time of year, because I invariably forget to rsvp in a timely fashion. I am normally fairly undependable (I'll admit that...I'm not very good at returning phone calls and e-mails), but this time of year I become COMPLETELY undependable. I am so focused on get myself together to live a new life, that everything else tends to get ignored.
You know that feeling at the beginning of the school year, when everything is fresh? I vow every year to write down the school calendar so we don't forget early days and off days, to make dentist appointments, orthodontist, ophthalmologist, gynecologist, pediatrician, etc. etc. I buy a fresh new calendar to write down each obligation. I plan my days to be constructive, I try to keep my house clean and together, to make dinner every night, to keep the girls in check.
Then comes the Jewish High Holy Days. I get more stressed about dressing the kids for services than I actually enjoy going to the services. I promise myself to plant tulip and daffodil bulbs every year, but somehow never get around to it. October is Hayleys birthday, so we try to do something special, then comes Halloween planning, costume fittings, pumpkin carving and parties, November with the requisite eating of the Halloween Candy When the Kids Aren't Watching (Reese's Cups first, then Milky Ways, then Hershey Bars, then Snickers. Butterfingers only when the rest of the candy is eaten.) Then its the "who's going to make Thanksgiving this year" fight. December, which just completely stresses me between Hanukah and Christmas gift giving. January calms down...(I think Martin Luther King Day might be my favorite holiday) Then February with the valentines cards and treats and Addie's Birthday Party mixed in, March is Purim time, I try to always make Hamentashen, but like my tulips and daffodils, they usually don't come. Passover in April is a huge priority, I have 20 people or so join us for a seder...then Aunt Wendi's Birthday and then May, the month the everyone else in the family is born PLUS Mother's day to complicate matters, Sydney and Gregg's Birthdays (back to back) and the planting of my impatiens. June is all about preparing for camp and the end of the school year.
It doesn't change, it is the same routine every year. Rarely a surprise, a few complications, but the same turn of events.
The main thing that stays the same is that at the beginning of the school year, camp and summer seem a lifetime away,and before you know it, we are back at camp, like we never left. While planning for camp, it seems like we will be there for an eternity, but the weeks at camp fly just like the months do during the rest of the year.
I think I have to just STOP.
Stop and just be grateful for the beautiful life I have been blessed with.
To not be so hard on myself for not being the perfect wife, mother, daughter, sister.
To take care of my body and say NO this Halloween to the Reeses Cups, Milky Ways, Hershey Bars, Snickers and even the Butterfingers.
Be grateful for friends that reach out to me and family that cares for me, instead of sometimes feeling like social obligations are complications instead of blessings.
Treasure my girls and take advantage of moments to praise and adore them, instead of being negative.
Make special time for Gregg and me. We are the foundation of this family, we need to keep our relationship strong.
In conclusion, I don't know how much effort I'm going to be able to put in my blog this summer, although with a little help from my sister, I'm going to attempt to post now and then. Of course, I now fancy myself as the editor of my own Magazine (I have a readership of at least 6 people!), so I have a responsibility to my readers to keep you informed of my life and lessons I learn everyday. I'll make every effort to keep this forum of my own musings alive for the next 8 weeks.
I wish everyone a wonderful and productive summer!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
My Free Camera
Back in October 2006, I was lucky enough to be invited to go see a taping of The View in NYC. (Thank you to my niece Dawn and Sister-In-Law Debi) Rosie O'Donnell had just started on the show, and Rod Stewart was a guest and he performed.
But my favorite part was when Rosie announced that the entire audience would receive a Casio Exilim Digital Camera. I HAVE NEVER WON ANYTHING BEFORE IN MY LIFE! This was so exciting. Needless to say, I love my camera, and discovered shortly after I received it that I could make little movies on it.
So I am now the annoying mom with the camera...but I love it.
Below is a recent video we took of my baby. Ok, she's not so much a baby anymore, but she will always be my baby.
Enjoy!
But my favorite part was when Rosie announced that the entire audience would receive a Casio Exilim Digital Camera. I HAVE NEVER WON ANYTHING BEFORE IN MY LIFE! This was so exciting. Needless to say, I love my camera, and discovered shortly after I received it that I could make little movies on it.
So I am now the annoying mom with the camera...but I love it.
Below is a recent video we took of my baby. Ok, she's not so much a baby anymore, but she will always be my baby.
Enjoy!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
12 things to do
Wendi just "tagged" me to write a list of stuff I want to accomplish this summer. I think it was supposed to be just 12 things, but I think I went over my initial allotment. Oh well, sue me.
Since my summer is spent working as Art Director at an overnight camp, while my kids live in bunks (and by the way have the time of their lives), this is a very "campified" list of things to do.
1. Eat healthy, as much as possible since I'm being fed camp food. Veggie Burgers and Salad bar always get a little tiresome after a week or two, but I want my cholesterol to stay in check.
2. Color my hair as soon as the roots begin to bug me, instead of procrastinating for a few weeks until I absolutley don't want to be seen in public.
3. Exfoliate, moisturize, use my facial peel, self-tan, remember to take vitamins, spend time taking care of my body and try to feel good about myself.
4. Call my mother, father and my sister more often.
5. Keep my clip-board organized. Work on my weekly staff review forms everyday, instead of waiting for the end of the week.
6. Allow my staff the opportunity to improve their skills, and be comfortable delegating tasks to them. Let go of the idea that I have to handle everything.
7. Figure out how to properly run a "tie-dye" day for 450 people. (This is my 5th year doing this, and it still isn't easy.)
8. Stay hydrated.
9. Write letters to my children (even though I see them everyday, they would probably like to receive mail from mom.)
10. Get to know first names of every counselor in camp. I have a very hard time remembering everyone. But I will make more of an effort this summer.
11. Exercise, take walks everyday.
12. Find one camper in each class I teach and recognize them for something special that they did. Always keep in mind, that it is the quiet ones, who don't make trouble, and just go with the program that sometimes "fall through the cracks" when it comes to special attention.
13. Don't complain, just go with the flow. Stay flexible when surprise issues come up. Cut out gossip and negativity.
14. Take more pictures and videos. Organize, edit and back up pictures and videos on dvd.
15. Set a good example for my children.
16. Have some special time with my husband, 'cause I miss him all summer.
17. Schedule a family vacation for when we get home.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Sticks, Stones and Round-Off Back Handsprings
Thirteen year old Hayley spent a fair amount of time these past few days being x-rayed and examined. She injured her arm doing a Round-Off Back Handspring at her gymnastics class.
Since her dad was with her when it happened, he took her to the E.R., while I stayed home with her sisters. She came home with a large green cast (up past her elbow) and a large blue sling for her arm. Diagnosis, might be broken, might not. (Even after an X-Ray).
The next morning, I was able to get her an appointment with an orthopedic specialist, and again, due to other obligations, I wasn't able to be with her. Gregg accompanied her, and went over treatment with the Doctor.
I have been with Hayley (and all my girls) through every illness and broken bone since her birth. We've dealt with ear infections, pneumonia, strep throat, asthma, allergy testing, vomit, dehydration, high fevers, nebulizer (spelling?) treatments, broken fingers, etc. Not being the primary parent throughout this new ordeal has been VERY difficult. She needs to rewrap her arm, and I don't know how. She wants to take the sling off for the evening, and I don't really know if she's allowed. I'm grateful my husband was there for her, but admittedly a little jealous, that I'm not the only one she needs.
When she was a baby, I was the only one. I nursed her, so it was ME and only ME who could soothe her when she was hungry. She was extremely fussy, (I REALLY DO KNOW ABOUT COLIC) and I would hold and rock her for hours at a time. She would cry hysterically when I would leave her at her preschool class and she listened to me read her stories every night before bed. She really needed me.
Now that she's hit her teen years, she needs me less and less. (At least she thinks she does). But I realize I as they get older, we needed to loosen the leash a little, and let them make some of their own choices and decisions. Its just hard on a mommy's ego. Even though it was hard to leave a crying child at preschool, or nursing at all hours of the night, it was really nice to be so NEEDED.
Of course, I wouldn't wish an injury on her, not in a million years, but if there's a silver lining to this situation, it is a selfish one. Now that she's working with one arm, she needs my help, with her hair, with getting dressed. And even though this is tough for her, I am embarrassed to admit, that I actually felt grateful for the opportunity to help her. It felt kinda nice to really be needed like that once again, and to share those sweet moments once more. Now, lets just hope that what might be a break is actually just a sprain, so that she can have a fun and comfortable summer!
Since her dad was with her when it happened, he took her to the E.R., while I stayed home with her sisters. She came home with a large green cast (up past her elbow) and a large blue sling for her arm. Diagnosis, might be broken, might not. (Even after an X-Ray).
The next morning, I was able to get her an appointment with an orthopedic specialist, and again, due to other obligations, I wasn't able to be with her. Gregg accompanied her, and went over treatment with the Doctor.
I have been with Hayley (and all my girls) through every illness and broken bone since her birth. We've dealt with ear infections, pneumonia, strep throat, asthma, allergy testing, vomit, dehydration, high fevers, nebulizer (spelling?) treatments, broken fingers, etc. Not being the primary parent throughout this new ordeal has been VERY difficult. She needs to rewrap her arm, and I don't know how. She wants to take the sling off for the evening, and I don't really know if she's allowed. I'm grateful my husband was there for her, but admittedly a little jealous, that I'm not the only one she needs.
When she was a baby, I was the only one. I nursed her, so it was ME and only ME who could soothe her when she was hungry. She was extremely fussy, (I REALLY DO KNOW ABOUT COLIC) and I would hold and rock her for hours at a time. She would cry hysterically when I would leave her at her preschool class and she listened to me read her stories every night before bed. She really needed me.
Now that she's hit her teen years, she needs me less and less. (At least she thinks she does). But I realize I as they get older, we needed to loosen the leash a little, and let them make some of their own choices and decisions. Its just hard on a mommy's ego. Even though it was hard to leave a crying child at preschool, or nursing at all hours of the night, it was really nice to be so NEEDED.
Of course, I wouldn't wish an injury on her, not in a million years, but if there's a silver lining to this situation, it is a selfish one. Now that she's working with one arm, she needs my help, with her hair, with getting dressed. And even though this is tough for her, I am embarrassed to admit, that I actually felt grateful for the opportunity to help her. It felt kinda nice to really be needed like that once again, and to share those sweet moments once more. Now, lets just hope that what might be a break is actually just a sprain, so that she can have a fun and comfortable summer!
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