Camp Mema

About a week or two ago, we headed on down to my parents house for a little family reunion of sorts. Scott and Celeste were coming down with my sweet nieces, and Pa and Gamma were going to come up for the day that Saturday.  This was their first opportunity to meet the little mister.  Pa had a special surprise for the little man - his first cap.  Naturally, it is a cap from the local cotton gin.  I love it!

Here is Farmer Jack in his overalls and cap.

Forgive the quality; I took this picture with my webcam.  But, yes; you're right.  With all that precious cuteness, it IS a wonder that I get anything done.  Thanks for noticing.  

Anyway, that little weekend getaway had another purpose, too.  It was the kick-off weekend for Camp Mema/Gulag P-pa.  On Sunday, John and I left the big girls at my parents house for an entire week.  Now, what's that word I'm thinking of?  That word that describes how it feels to only have one kiddo at the house for 5 days?  Oh yeah, a.w.e.s.o.m.e!  It feels awesome!  I remember the first time I let Cora go to the grandparents for a couple of days.  I cried.  Then, I let both the girls go overnight for the first time about a year ago.  I cried again.  But the next morning, I slept in.  Sweet mercy, it was heavenly.  

As you can imagine, I was looking forward to those 5 days.  The girls were pretty pumped as well.  The plans for Camp Mema sounded pretty outstanding.  It was impressively planned and coordinated and for good reason!  4 kids ranging from age 8 down to 2 1/2 will keep you on your toes.  Gulag P-pa was a little more tongue in cheek.  Where Camp Mema would have water day involving playing in the pool, water day at Gulag P-pa involved water boarding.  As he said, it's "all the fun with only a fraction of the water."  The facebook posts were pretty entertaining as written through the eyes of the Gulag Commandant .  Some of the mayhem included the following:

"Cora K. did a magic trick and made Mema disappear. Now, no one can find her. The panic is setting in. We’ll starve to death. Finally, Hannah L. found her, cowering in fear behind a bedroom door. What have we gotten into?

The inmates are thinking the same thing. Hannah L. said to Cora, “Don’t make Mema disappear again or we’ll all go to Gulag P-Pa. I have a plan to overthrow the condamant.” (Her pronunciation)"

and

"Gulag P-Pa, Day 4: The terror continues. Condamant P-Pa awoke at 5 a.m. Carys K. was standing by his bed, blanky in hand, apparently planning to smother him. He asked what was wrong. “Can’t find Dita,” she said. Nice recovery! “Dita” is short for “Perdita,” a stuffed Dalmatian from the Disney movie. The Condamant got up with flashlight and slipped among the other three sleeping inmates, finally spotting a Dalmatian on the floor. “There’s Dita,” he said. “No, that’s Pongo,” she replied indignantly. One stuffed Dalmatian looks like another to Condamant P-Pa. Eventually, the Condamant found the actual Dita under the covers on Carys K.’s bed, making him suspicious of The Mischief Maker’s true motives."

Meanwhile, I was at home doing pretty much whatever I wanted, including sleeping in to an hour of the morning that seems positively sinful when you have small children.  Heaven!  I also managed to be a bit productive.  I got the girls closet cleaned out and organized.  I sorted and stored toys.  And, I got the house cleaned.  The best part about that last statement is that it stayed clean...all week...I had forgotten what that's like.  What's that word again?  Yup, it, too is AWESOME!

Nevertheless, I was excited to see my girls again that Friday.  Scott and Celeste so kindly offered to bring them back since they would be passing through anyway.  It was pure bliss hearing my sweet Cora yell out "MOMMY!" when she saw me. Carys was a little more subtle with her affections although she did insist on sitting in my lap and cuddling throughout most of lunch.   All four of the cousins were nice and tired out after their week.  The early bedtime for the girls made for an easier transition back to reality.  Sure enough, the next day, my world was back to normal - teetering on the edge of controlled chaos.  We're looking forward to Camp Mema 2014!