Elk's Camp (and end of June)

On Sunday, June 26th, Kara went to Elks Camp. All the big kids went last year, but it is only for ages 9-13, so Kara was the only one eligible this year. She also convinced her good friend Sophia to go. We had Sophia and her mom, Anita, over for dinner on Saturday so they could talk about the camp. Sophia was a bit nervous, but the kids told her how much fun they had and I think she felt better. Anita brought desserts from Whole Foods--both a cheesecake and a key lime pie. They were so good that Jack decided he wants the cheesecake in place of a birthday cake this year!

Luke and Jack had basketball camp this week. They both said they liked it, Jack enjoyed it more than Luke. Some of our neighbors went, so we were able to carpool. With Kara away at camp, Anna was the only kid home. We went to lunch a couple of times and I think she enjoyed being an only child for a few days. 

I had to go into work on Wednesday for a briefing. Then, when I got there, they canceled it. This was especially annoying because it is the second time I've gone in for this briefing and had it canceled. Then, I had a last minute in-person meeting scheduled for Thursday, so I had to go the office two days in a row. Crazy that I used to be there everyday, but I am definitely out of that habit.

Friday, we got invited to Aquatica with (some of) the Grunds. Thomas and Jack opted out and went to see Elvis. They both liked it, but thought it spent too much time on Colonel Parker. They would have liked more Elvis and less Parker. Jack also said it was a bit too fast-paced. Meanwhile, Anna, Luke and I had a blast at Aquatica. We hadn't been there in a over a year and it was super fun to be back. I am glad that Luke and Mike were in Kindergarten together, because it has led to a really good friendship. 

It's always nice when friends have siblings the same age as your siblings.

On Thursday afternoon we got a text from the Elk's Camp. Kara was supposed to be there for two weeks, but they had a flu outbreak and were sending everyone home early. So, on Saturday morning, Anita picked me up around 630 and we went to get the girls. We didn't get any letters (one arrived on Saturday, but by then she was home), so we had no idea how camp went or how she felt about coming home early. Fortunately, both she and Sophia enjoyed the camp. Sophia gave it a 7.5 and Kara gave it an 8. They both said it would have been higher if they hadn't been sent home early. It was fun listening to the girls chat in the car and relay the best, and worst, parts of the week. Kara has the option to go another week this year or they will waive the age limit and let her return next year. She is leaning toward going next year, which would work out well, since Luke could go too and we would feel better sending him for his first sleep-away experience if a sibling was around. Kara said her favorite thing about the camp is the overall experience (being away from home, surrounded by nice girls her age and having a break from regular life). The worst part was the field games they "had to play in the scorching hot heat without water because they forgot the cooler."

To celebrate her homecoming, we went to lunch at Steak n Shake and then to Target. We were all happy to have her back, Luke even moved his mattress into her room for the night.