Tuesday, February 22, 2011

baby got back

When last we checked in, my wee baby boy was all packed up and ready to head off to the wilderness known as sixth grade camp.


We thought for sure that his would be the biggest bag packed for this four night adventure



It wasn't.


He and the man tossed his baggage onto the back of the bus


And then they were off, on a five star tour. Bye bye, baby!

It was so weird to see him off, but I knew he'd have the time of his life. We parents had been told that the camp would take photos of the kids and post them on their webpage each night. Knowing that I'd miss having constant contact, I gave my boy strict instructions to put himself in front of any camera he saw so I could visit his lovely mug whenever I missed him.

I kept a close eye on the webpage all that first night, but photos never showed up! Fortunately, my boy's wonderful teacher was on the job, taking and posting photos to their classroom blog.  



Here's the first photo I saw of my boy. Looks like a great time, right? The problem is that I know that boy too well.  I know that body language. He's not so sure about this (is he nervous about being away, or about whatever he is harnessed up to climb?)  And he looks so cold!


All week long, our shrunken family gathered 'round the computer each night to enjoy a glimpse of our boy's antics.


The Leap of Faith - climb up to the top of this 40 ft pole and then........jump!


CSI class, learning about fingerprints and flashing our prearranged "hi mom" sign


Dissecting a squid

They had one morning of really bad weather, which did not stop them from launching rockets in the rain during aerodynamics class. There weren't a lot of photos that day, but this one sums it up pretty well:

hi mom


But the good thing about a frigid drop in temperature is that it turned the rain to snow!

And then almost before we knew it, the time had come to go meet the returning bus! That poor driver, you could practically see the green lines of stench wafting out of the bus after their three hour drive. They piled out like war weary soldiers from battle. It was hard to tell who had won. But suddenly, my baby boy was back in my arms car!


hi mom!


With a few notably new wardrobe elements

He had a great time, it was such a change of pace from the rushing around that we're always doing, perpetually late for our next obligation. He said he didn't miss electronics at all, but I couldn't help but notice that very shortly after we arrived at home, he slipped off to resume the text-a-palooza that seems to define his very existence.

He was out of sorts all weekend, snappy and inpatient and so very quickly making us all forget the emotional evening photo-watching that had sustained us in his absence. Even though Monday was a holiday, he started whining about going back to school on Tuesday, and initiated the most loathed and ever punishing ritual of trying to fake sick. That whole thing is positively crazy making, I'm going to write a whole thing about it someday. But not today:               


Today I've got to go take care of my baby

4 comments:

  1. Oh, there's nothing more annoying than faking sick . . . and then really being sick. Poor little bug.

    This brought me right back to returning from Girl Scout camp -- smelling like a campfire and being an absolute bear to every parent and sister around me. I knew I was doing it, but I could not help myself.

    I love all the photos (and loved following the class webpage, too) but I must say, I love that selection of gigantic suitcases most of all. Let's hope they were full of warm clothes. In addition to striped stockings.

    Nice one!
    Ellie

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  2. I can't believe how your boy is changing, you can just see adolescence creeping in. It must be weird to watch!

    Looks like he did great, which of course you knew he would, and I doubt his piss poor re-entry attitude is unusual; he was a free man, but only for a week.

    I'm sure he'll enjoy your TLC today, even if he could never in a million years admit it!

    xo,
    Beth

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  3. misses Hidden Valley Camp in PAFebruary 22, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    the highight for me was seeing him in the same shirt, picture after picture :)

    the crabby vibe was just to remind you of how much he missed you...and that a fever was coming on!

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  4. Get well quick Jimbo - a week in the woods can do that to you. I love you. grammy

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