Twelve For Tuesday...

So...this morning I sent my 9 year old off to Girl Scout camp for five (hopefully) fun-filled days up in the mountains. I had Miss Juliet, of course, in tow...she had a mini silent meltdown when she suddenly realized we weren't getting on the bus with Abby...today is also her last day of preschool(more on that later).

This is not Abigail's first trip to this camp, she went back in November with my co-leader and 6 girls from her troop...but this is whole new ball game...she's no going with any friends she knows, plus she's responsible for herself this time and in "real" cabins...no heater/air conditioner & no bathroom inside the cabin...you gotta hoof it down a-ways to the bathroom. I don't think I could have lectured her more on being responsible for her own crap, and following directions..hopefully something sunk in. Hopefully she has an amazing time!

So here is my Twelve For Tuesday...12 fun pictures from this morning:

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Preschool is done....

For 8 years I have been driving up the hill to our local community college to take one of the girls to the childcare/preschool program they offer for students with kids.

We started there in 2002 when I decided to go back to school, Abigail was 18 months old. She graduated from preschool in August 2006, Juliet turned 1 that same month and started there 3 weeks later. 

It took me 10 years (not in a row mind you) to get my AA in Liberal Arts in 2008 (please feel free to laugh with/at me). I soon decided I was over school and wanted a new car...so I told Bradley I was going to get a job..."umm, ok." he responded.

I will deeply miss seeing the staff at the preschool and the parents I've meet....however I'm happy to spend the money I was paying them in other way and save gas!!

Miss Juliet will be starting kindergarten in a few weeks and Miss Abigail will be going into the fourth grade...where does the time go?

..Fun Photos For Friday...

A few Fun Photos For Friday.....

I NEED to win...or just be happy for someone else ;-)

This site has the coolest stuff...check it out! They are having a contest...everyone loves contests! YaY!
http://pamperingbeki.blogspot.com/2010/07/party-recipe-and-jewelry-giveaway.html

...700 Girl Scouts + 100 Degree Weather = Fun...?

...so can being surrounded by 700 girls and women outside in 100 degree weather actually be fun???

You betcha! 

We (myself & two other fabulous women) had 23 Junior Girl Scouts in our Unit...which means 23 nine & ten year old darling little girls (please feel the sarcasm). Most were great responsible kids...accept for the few "repeat offenders" that would leave items behind at every stop (yes, my Abigail is one of those!). It's hard being responsible for your water, bandanna, hat, bag, lunch, crafts...I get it...I have a bag full of crap that isn't mine and no one wanted step up to claim...Peanut Butter (yes, that's my camp name) can be mean. This is my third year doing day camp but the first time I was really involved in the planning and leading. It sucks the life out of you while you are doing it, but it's ALL GOOD!

The girls had a blast...

Archery was the biggest surprise hit of all.

A hike to the Nature Center was fun, possibly only because it was indoors with a/c for 20 minutes!

...sand art...

...they girls stenciled their bags...

Abigail & her corn husk doll...these came out really cute...

We took a walking trip to The Circle in Old Town Orange and visited an antique shop, the owners were so nice and patient to allow 23 girls to romp near their pricey items.

No, we did NOT wash our hands before we started making Indian Fry Bread...mmm germs!

Oh...the Horse Stables....hot, dusty, smelly....but the girls were into it!

They brushed the horses, cleaned stalls, learned how to put on a saddle and "face harness thing", and finally.....

got to ride!

...when it was time go I rinsed their hands with water, we boarded our buses and ate our lunch.....mmmmm....germs.

...so 7 hours a day outside for 5 days...barking orders to kids, picking up other kids crap, trying to stay on schedule, keeping 23 girls from becoming overheated and bored....we did it!

I survived...and thrived...and lived to say it was a LOT of fun....and I'll be back next year!

Just where was Miss Juliet during all this gallivanting around?....

in the Pixie Unit for all the little siblings!

...I should be cleaning...

....my desk....

...behind Miss Juliet you will notice the heap of crap that is...my desk.

Clearing off the kitchen table? Throw the stuff on the desk.

Cleaning off the entertainment center? Throw the stuff on the desk.

Kids using the laptop? Push stuff aside to use the computer on the desk.

Lunch time? Push stuff further to plop your plate on the desk.

Have a highly important paper? Add it to the desk.

Brad brings home his pay check? Throw it on the desk.

Can't find something? Go look on my desk.

I hate it and LOVE it...