Seeking Advice

The Crumb Snatchers are headed off to camp in a few days and I am full of queasiness.

I did not cry when either of my babies walked into their first days of school and joined the rest of the grown-up kids.

But the morning of the older child's maiden camp day...buckets and buckets. So much so, he pleaded with me the whole way there to '"get a hold of myself" before anyone saw me. He turned into the adult. Saying things like, "It's only for the day Mommee. You are going to come get me at 5:00 every day. I am a swimmer Mommee, I won't drown. Our counselors are trained with First Aid and CPR... You're gonna be fine, Mommee."

He was right of course. He and I both had a grand week. He with his buddies. I with my precious Girl Child doing girl child things.

The next year when she was old enough (by my personal standards, not theirs) I dropped her off with neither a tear or a glance back...that she knew of. I, of course had already grilled her counselors prior to the date. She ended the week by pronouncing it "the greatest week of my life". She was serious and I have heard nothing other than this summer's camp.

That would be because this summer it is... gulp...bigger gulp...overnight...several overnights.

Boy Child has a buddy going. I am not concerned in the slightest. Male bonding. Ugh. Ugh.

Girl Child. Well, she I am concerned about. Her BFF had to back out because of health issues. I immediately went into overdrive trying to find someone else or talk Girl Child into something else. No go. When I and Big Shooter voiced our concerns about not having a buddy, she said she'd make one. When we fretted over other's naturally excluding her because they'd have their camp buddy, she informed us she knows that may happen and she'll find herself a buddy. When we pulled out the Big Gun and said, "What about the nights? Sleeping with a bunch of strangers? All alone?" She informed me they wouldn't be strangers for very long. True enough with her personality. "And" she added, "what if there is another little girl there all by herself and God wants me to be her friend?" Nothing like being shot between the eyes with your daughter's bazooka.

So, she's going. By herself.

And I'm trying not to freak out.

This all leads me to a couple questions for you all since you always give such great advice.

1. What kind of "special extras" do I pack? Other than the items the camp requests of course. Which are the basics: bathing suit, back pack, bible, sunscreen, Off, icky shoes, etc. There's a Camp Store. Their Grammie sent them some rainy day $ so I am putting it in for them. I am sending them each an address book for them to receive in the mail the first day. But, that's about it. My mind is dry.

2. What are your or possibly your kid's favorite camp memories so I may glean some insight?

Thanks all. I'll let you know mid next week how it went.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Honestly, I don't have one tonight. Shootin' it straight? I am hoppin' fire mad at him at the moment. Let's see...something positive? I know! He's breathing nicely. ...for now anyways.