We came back from the beach a day early so Willow could head off on her 2nd youth mission trip. They went back to the same place in TN as last year but did different types of work. Willow worked mostly on sorting clothes and donations at the thrift store that raises money to support their ministry. There was some landscaping work also. She had a great time. She said that if she had to pick two words to describe the week she would say chaotic and servitude.
The church coordinated a week for the elementary students to attend a local camp together. I'm not sure if they were intentional about it being the same week as the mission trip but it worked out that way so both kiddos were gone the same week. Owen hasn't been to an overnight camp before but was excited after we attended an open house at the camp a few weeks before. After leaving the open house, he was most excited about trying the slide into the pond and Canteen Time (aka snack/candy/drink time). He did get to enjoy the slide and he spent all of his $50 Canteen account, so I'd say it was a good week ;) He did say that he had a good time and would go again.
The boys in his cabin:
All the boys:
All the campers:
You know he was having a good time when he comes back with a few bruises and scrapes!
Meanwhile, back at home, Chris and I enjoyed not having to stop any bickering or tell anyone to clean up the floor ;) It was awfully quiet though! We enjoyed rewatching Top Gun, then seeing Maverick in the theater. We ate foods that the kids don't like for dinner and enjoyed some games outside. I got some work done at school while Chris was at work and got some things done around the house as well (the list is always longer than there's actually time for).
You know you're a dedicated husband when you'll wake up at 5am to go on an 8-mile hike with your wife! McAfee Knob is on a VA license plate and you see pictures of it all over. I hadn't been sure the kids could handle that length of a hike and had it on my "bucket list" since we moved here (almost 9 years ago!!). There just hadn't been a kid-free time long enough, with no other plans, and decent weather all combined. We woke up early to beat the heat and any possible crowds and the plan worked. It took about 2 hours to get out there and there were 5 other people out there at the time - just enough to find someone to take your picture but not too many to make it feel like a party :) I think the kids could successfully do the hike...with a few snacks ;)
