Back to the Beginning

Thursday and Friday were spent doing much of the same – camp, pool, sweating. It was too hot for much else on Thursday so I took all the kids to Brave. 4 out of 5 Raban/Swayne children loved it and would see it again. The remaining 1 is still a wild card as far as activities are concerned. My goal is to find something that he will love, but Gayle assures me his one and only love is home. I did find out today that he loves a good joke, so we may be able to bond over a pun while having a popsicle at home.

The theme of Karl's camp was Dumpster Diving - Recycled Art. This was his dragon, made of paper towel holders, Styrofoam, and papier mache.

Can you guess Karl's recycled sculpture?

Singing at Oonie Koonie Cha. This is Billy. Lindsay was on the other side of the sanctuary - too far for a good photo.

We also set off a few fireworks Wednesday night before bed.

Despite who purchases the fireworks, David will always be associated with 'fireworks' and 'uncle'.

"That's it?"

Some were too loud

Gayle has many fun and interesting things to read in her house. Here’s a sample.

Packing to come back to the beach was more efficient from Winston Salem than vice versa. It could have been the presence of David who corralled the kids with books and devotionals while Gayle and I packed. Or it could have been the fact that experience leads to expediency. But it was probably the first.

Today, we drove to Richlands, NC for a Venters Family Reunion.  I have such fond memories of doing these kinds of activities as a child. I hope my own kids grow up feeling the same. Photos are courtesy of my dad, Wayne.

Alli & me remembering good times at camp

Karl in Tobacco

David, Katie, Gayle & Bradley Swayne plus Wayne Venters

Lunch on the stairs with Lindsay

Karl: Look! I'm a Nazi!
Me: Um. No. You're not. 

Venters Family

Fun with the iPhone during Civil War presentation

The Pool & Other Winston Salem Haunts

"1, 2, 3 Jump!"

Both Camp Oonie Koonie Cha and Sawtooth Art Camp seem to be going well. Many new songs have been sung and a papier mache dragon will accompany us back to the 505. I even exercised. And then I took a nap. I love camp.

Me: Do you like Sawtooth better than Harwood?

Karl: No, they are about the same. But you get to do clay at Harwood.

Me: I think the two are arranged differently. Clay is a different week here.

Karl: Yeah, but at least there is no acting. I’m done with acting. From now on I’m sticking with comedy.

Since both camps are half-day, we’ve been exploring the town in the afternoon.  Monday was spent at the Stratford pool, a favorite from last year. Billy remains a drowning risk. At least he’s consistent.

My favorite photo of the vacation so far

Tandem Flips

2 Little Monkeys Hanging in a Tree...

Yesterday we visited SECCA (Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts) at one of the Hanes homes. Being both a touching and bumping hazard, the kids were tailed fairly heavily in the art museum. It didn’t help that one of the special exhibits was glass sculpture. Overall, the art was better than expected – especially the paper sculptures - and I felt good about ensuring job security for the guards.

We then visited Wake Forest University.  We drove through the campus, briefly visited the Museum of Anthropology where they have the largest Mancala game I’ve ever seen and where Billy threw the biggest fit of losing I’ve ever seen, and finished the day in several magnolia trees. 

Today, while most of the kids were at camp, we looked through Dear’s costume jewelry and all of my mother’s ‘junk’ jewelry. I knew that extra space in one of the suitcases would come in handy. Karl ended up looking like a mashup of Buddy Holly and Eminem before we were done. It also turns out Mom kept all my theme jewelry from the 80s. I am now the proud re-owner of zipper earings, Budweiser earrings, and some very big giraffe earrings.

In the afternoon, the kids held a lemonade stand where they made a whopping $10.61.

Katie: Customer Service

Lindsay: Counter Help

Karl: Accountant

It was almost too hot for even lemonade, but the shoppers were generous with tips.  

Emerald Isle to Winston-Salem

Camp ended on Friday for Karl, Lindsay, Katie, Gayle, and me.  My derriere has recovered from horseback riding, but I’m still a little sore in my back muscles. All will be well soon, I’m certain, and it was worth the time spent. Horseback riding is still good.

I’m sad to report, though, that horseback riding is also good for Lindsay. This was the big test to determine if her love of horses would continue from afar or from up close. Up close it is. She is pestering me about when she can begin lessons at home. By the end of the week, she was trotting on her own, had cantered accidently, and went bareback riding through the pond. I highly recommend Cottonwood Stables for the 3 of you who might read the blog.

Lindsay, riding John

Karl’s camp was just as fun as it was last year. On Thursday, they dissected a squid which we all heard about in great detail. Some of us heard it several times. The camp culminated with an open house where the groups of kids performed skits about their week. [I’ve sat here for 10 minutes trying to think of something clever or witty to say about the skits. Nothing comes to mind so let’s just leave it at that.] After the skits, we headed to the aquarium for an hour where we pretty much had the place to ourselves. They have penguins! In a museum filled with indigenous North Carolina specimens, I was quite surprised. But who cares about inconsistency because they are so, so, so cute. Best of all, they are behind glass. Penguins stink. We discovered that first hand in Portland.

CC and Bradley waiting for Karl's skit to begin

Penguins! Behind glass!

Mom and I took the younger boys to the Water Boggan on Friday as well.  Billy absolutely loved it and has decided he wants to forego spending his birthday at Golfin’ Dolphin (putt-putt, bumper boats, go-karts) to spend the day there.  They’ve added to the park since I went there as a kid, but those 3 concrete slides down the middle are original to my day. And they are just as hard on the body. Billy sliced his foot open on the first go, but he was unstoppable. Bradley, on the other hand, was less sure after his bruised elbow. After the second slide, he opted to scout for good photos instead.

It's too bad he isn't enjoying himself.

Saturday, Gayle and I took the kids to the beach, the first time all week for the older 3. Intending to stay until noon or so, we ended up staying until 2 pm. It was a really fun day – the ocean was the calmest it had been all week and a nice breeze made the heat bearable. We then went home to pack for the next week in Winston Salem and I was no help at all. Instead of packing, I took a 1.5 hour nap. Sleeping with Karl (The Thrasher) or Lindsay (The Jiggler) or Billy (Old Yeller) is not working for me. I’m up at 5:30 a.m. and every hour in between. Life is rough on ‘vacation’.

Thought for the day: If I brought my camera we would see no wildlife. Because I did not bring it, we saw porpoise, a snowy egret 2 docks away, and the most beautiful flock of pelicans gliding over the breakers.

I went for a run at 6 a.m. this morning.  The sunrise was spectacular, but I think my sweat broke out in a sweat.  The humidity was unreal and the temperature gauge in the car showed 96° at 10:15 am.  Did I mention it’s hot here? If you don’t believe me, you can check the 100 pictures of the temperature my friends have posted on Facebook.

Lindsay: [I-40, near Smithfield] Who tooted?

Me: Turkey Farm.

Lindsay: P.U.

We made it to Winston Salem today by midafternoon.  The kids spent the entire time playing outside, rediscovering Gayle’s back yard. Camp starts for all 5 tomorrow. I can’t say I’m unhappy to have 1 hour alone. Perhaps the blog updates will become more regular. Or maybe I’ll get to exercise more. 

Awesome rope swing!

Flying Braids!

Katie on the playhouse balcony

The Start of Camps - Week 1

This week marked the beginning of camp for Karl, Lindsay, and Katie.  Billy and Bradley are staying at the beach this week.

Sound to Sea

Karl’s camp runs from 9 to 4 at the Trinity Center, a short 5 minutes away.  It is an environmental camp where they explore the ecology of the island, do crafts, sing terrible ear-wormy camp songs, and play in the surf.  Day 1 was not so fun since they did get-to-know-you activities and Camp Rules, both of which Karl has no interest.  Day 2 was better – exploration of the pond and hands-on discovery.  Day 3 was “Wonderful!”  Today they explored the sound. Karl caught a baby puffer fish, a baby sheep’s head fish, several crabs and shrimp, and other squishy things he couldn’t name.  He’s also acquired at least 27 new freckles.

Cottonwood Stables

Lindsay and Katie – both age 7 – are signed up for riding camp in Vanceboro, NC this week. Vanceboro is 1 hour and 20 minutes from Gayle’s house here at the beach. Shew. Our brilliant plan, suggested by Gerry who is conveniently not here, is for Gayle and me to take turns riding at the camp during the week to save us boredom and lots of driving. Both of us rode in junior high and high school. Gayle continued longer that I and actually managed to hang on to her saddle. Impressive. So we both thought it would be fun to get back in the saddle again.

Lindsay and Katie are in a group all by themselves so are basically getting private lessons all week. They are riding school horses. Big ones. The horses mainly want to stand around or go to the barn, so both girls are getting lessons in assertiveness. Both are also all elbows and knees in the saddle.

 

Katie: WALK!

Clue: [swats at fly with tail]

Katie: WALK!

Clue: [chews on bit]

Katie: WALK!

 

Today they learned to post trot, sit trot, and 2-point trot.

Jill (instructor): OK, girls, today we are going to learn the parts of the bridle.

Lindsay: Then can we gallop?

Jill: No. Then we are going to learn to one-rein stop.

Katie: When can we jump the jumps?

Jill: When you are 23.

Lindsay: That’s a really long time.

I calculated that it has been about 26 years since I last tacked up a horse and 12 since I’ve been on one. Now, I’ve been to summer riding camp. I had a vague memory of what it would be like and I knew that it would be a long day in the saddle. As I brushed my assigned horse on Tuesday morning, I was fairly certain that I had not been that dirty in a long, long time.  But I did manage to get the saddle, girth, and bridle on, kit myself up in a helmet and boots, and hang on for the day.  The first and last trotting sessions were tough, my horse’s canter was a bit like a carnival ride, but somehow I managed to not embarrass myself too much. The others did rave about Gayle’s ability. 

My nails are in as bad of shape as my tushie

When David (Gayle’s husband and family practice doc) left the beach on Sunday to go back to work, he graciously left several Celebrex behind. Pun intended. I’ve taken several and am considering wearing a giant maxi pad for cushioning tomorrow.

The Boys

While Gayle and I have been away, CC and The Boys have been having fun.  Activities include

Swimming at the pool AKA the sound

Digging at the beach

NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

Dollar Store

Bogue Fishing Pier

Lego Star Wars Wii, Frogger, Angry Birds

Various board games

Light 'Saver' fights

Wave crashers

Swimming at 'The Pool'

Dollar Store booty

Aunt Lala, can you bury me?

Michaelangelo's. Billy's first with-cheese pizza.

Both have new sticker charts.  10 stickers earns them a return trip to the dollar store.  Billy has to let others go first.  Bradley has to use a napkin instead of his shirt.  They love each other most of the time. What more can you ask?

The Emerald Isle Pointe Lagoon

Jamie picked us up in the boat at the Slack’s dock this morning at 9 am. CC had our spot staked out. We spent the rest of the day lounging in the shallows, swimming in the deep, and eating. Jamie brought mini-cheeseburgers (sliders) and chicken tenders from Golden Corral, and grilled hot dogs on the boat.  We had watermelon and tortilla chips and apples to boot. Playing makes one hungry.

Favorite activities

Karl: Paddling in the tube using a shovel as an oar

Katie: Swimming across the channel back and forth

Lindsay: Casting the net for minnows

Bradley: Sinking in the muddy sand

Billy: Playing “Dog” with Karl and Katie

 

Billy:  Hey, Mom! I’m going in the deep end, OK? 

Billy’s head was all I saw of him for most of the day. He stubbornly remains over-confident in the water and basically refuses to get out. I did finally convince him to tell me when he was going in the water, which he did once he was in. Pick your battles. He even ate his slider out in the lagoon, which he consistently called the ‘pool’.

Me:  How’s that cheeseburger?

Billy:  It’s soggy and gross.  

Me:  Do you think that next time you should eat it on the shore? 

Billy:  No.

Me:  Want me to come get it?

Billy:  Yes.

We are blessed beyond measure!  The evening was spent readying everyone for the first day of camp tomorrow.  

Getting to Emerald Isle 2012

We’re traveling for a few weeks this summer. Unlike last summer, we’ll only be in NC.  The rough itinerary is:

6/21 – Durham

6/22 – Hubert

6/23-6/30 – Emerald Isle

                Karl to Sound to Sea Camp

                Lindsay & Katie (niece) to Cottonwood Stables Camp

7/1-7/7 – Winston Salem

                Karl to Sawtooth Art Camp

                Lindsay, Billy, Katie (niece), & Bradley (nephew) to Camp Oonie Koonie Cha (music)

7/8 – 7/16 – Emerald Isle

7/17 – Durham

Fortunately, we are able to be away from home for 3+ weeks without too much impact to our regular lives. Unfortunately, plane tickets were more expensive this year. Fortunately, we had an awesome house sitter lined up for the week Gerry planned to be with us. Unfortunately, Gerry is not attending this summer’s excursion because during the confusing planning phase there was some miscommunication over the dates and unfortunately, Gerry put the wrong week in the work calendar. Fortunately, this allows him vacation time for Webelo Week in the Woods in July and Disney in December. Unfortunately, he has many house projects lined up. Fortunately he’ll have time to get a good start on them. Unfortunately, I’ll have all 3 kids for 3+ weeks with little help. Fortunately, they are seasoned travelers. Unfortunately, flying to the east coast with 3 kids is the equivalent to taking them all shopping for 6 hours to Costco. Fortunately, I have a good friend who will put up with us for the night so that we don’t have to drive an additional 3 hours as soon as we land. Fortunately, my mother will pick us up from the airport and help me herd cats. Fortunately, my family already loves me. Fortunately, God made wine. 

3 day recap

Packing for a trip this size takes a full 2 days of gathering and arranging. When the children are around, this kind of packing is not recommended for the weak of spirit. 

Billy: [10 minutes after lunch] I’m THIRSTY!

Karl: [10 minutes later] Can I play Little Big Planet?

Lindsay: [10 minutes later] Where’s the glitter?

Billy: [10 minutes later] Can I have some gum?

Karl: [10 minutes later] Have you seen my pocket knife?

Lindsay: [10 minutes later] Can I get out my sewing machine?

Billy: [10 minutes later] When is it my turn on the computer?

Karl: [10 minutes later] When is it my turn on the computer?

Lindsay: [10 minutes later] When is it my turn on the computer?

Me: ARRRRGGG! I NEED TO PACK!

There were lots of arrow prayers along the lines of, “OK, God, I know you have this.  Please help.”

Wednesday, 6/20 3:30 pm – Fire in the Corrales Bosque. It was about 5 miles from the house so all packing was halted in order to watch the news and answer phone calls. By the time we left on Thursday, we couldn’t see any smoke. I know the firefighters worked hard to get it under control.

Wednesday, 6/20 7:30 pm – Just after I resigned myself and Lindsay to the fact that her hair would not be professionally braided, Tasha called. We zoomed over there and left, happy and braided, at 9:30 pm. Fastest braiding ever. Looks amazing regardless of speed. Very tired girl.

Thursday, 6/21, 5:23 am – Alarm. Snooze.

Thursday, 6/21, 5:30 am – Alarm. Must leave house at 7:00 am with fully dressed and fed children. Where is the coffee?

Thursday, 6/21, 8:30 am – Security Checkpoint. Miraculously there was no line. Miraculously, we were shepherded thru the non-full body scanner. Miraculously the very kind TSA agent suggested Billy must have a medical condition to need this half-full bottle of water. Miraculously, everyone could get on their own shoes.  Miraculously the plane was on time.

    

Thusday, 6/21, 1:00 pm – Midway.  Billy was a complete crab. The combination of early rising plus too much salt water taffy plus sitting next to Lindsay (“You’re not in charge of me, Lindsay!”) equaled too much for him. When he’s like this, he can’t follow directions from anyone.  And Midway was packed with travelers. I had to throw him over my shoulder and march him to the bathroom where I threatened to throw away all his Matchbox cars if he didn’t pee. 

"Go Pee!"

Thursday, 6/21, 1:10 pm – Midway.Text from Southwest saying our 3:30 flight would be 2 hours delayed. I nearly cried. So I slog through the crowds to the gate, at a minimum hoping for a plug for the DVD player and maximum hoping for a play area along the way, and notice they are boarding an earlier RDU flight.  Miraculously there was no line. Miraculously they had seats for us. Miraculously they held up the B’s to let us board. Our luggage didn’t make it, but who cares?  I picked it up later! Also, I got my wits about me and separated the big kids and the little kid.

Thursday, 6/21, 4:00 pm – Duke University Campus. We walked through the chapel and along the quad. There were many camps in session. It was really fun to watch the kids in their groups. Lindsay & Billy took the opportunity to chase the slow, dumb squirrels. We simply don’t have them in New Mexico. They all climbed their first magnolia tree and quickly came down due to fear of non-familiar bugs.

Thursday, 6/21, 10:00 pm – Gaca Home. Kids in bed, finally. Took the opportunity to catch up with my college roommate, Ana. I love having friends with whom you can pick right up where you left off. Her kids are great fun, her yard if full of amphibians and reptiles, and no one wanted to leave in the morning. Asleep at 12:30.

Duke Gardens, 93 degrees/90% humidity

Friday, 6/22, 5:45 am – Gaca Home. I can no longer take any more from Billy. After a night full of ‘scratchy’ back and legs, and complaints about not being able to brush his teeth with his finger like Lindsay (long story – she wouldn’t use the toothbrush I brought), I just got him dressed and took him to the kitchen. This child completely lacks the capacity to be quiet. His Talking Time is first thing in the morning. Am praying for lots of grace today.

Friday 6/22 10:00 am – CC, the kids, and I go to the Duke Garden.  You could not hear the bird chatter in the lovely Blomquist forest due to the loud complaints from 4/5 of us about the humidity. It has been 1 year since sweat ran down my back like that. This weather makes me very happy I live in the Southwest permanently. I bribe the kids with a smoothie from Costco and trick them into eating a hot dog before stocking up for the beach. It took longer than anticipated because I couldn’t find anything.

Lindsay:  There are lots of Brown people in Costco today.

Me:  More Brown people live here than at home.

Lindsay: [thinking about this for a while]

Lindsay:  I like this Costco. It’s backwards.

Sadly, we decided to leave Durham and head straight for CC’s instead of going to the pool for a swim.  Billy was beyond tired.

Friday, 6/22, 1:30 pm – I-40

Billy:  Zzzzzzzzzz

Me:  (hurray!)

My nephew, Bradley

Friday, 6/22, 3:45 pm – Hubert. Arrived at CC’s where Jamie promptly showed up with loaded fishing poles. Those were three happy kids. They caught 30+ fish including one very large blue crab from the dock. (For all you eye-rollers, the answer is yes. It could have been the same fish over and over.) I took the opportunity to charge my laptop, unpack/repack, and cook dinner. Ahhhhh!

 

Saturday, 6/23, 12:00 pm – Emerald Isle.  After a very nice visit with Patsy, we suited up and headed for the beach. It’s gorgeous here. Truly. We unloaded, ate lunch, then headed to Fort Macon for the cannon shooting exhibition.  The Fort never disappoints.  See last summer’s blog entries for details. We then hit the beach for a rough swim. Thunder storm. Dinner. Bed. All delightful.

General Summary:  I am very glad to be here.  I am very glad to see so many distant, yet beloved friends and family.  I am exhausted already from parenting by myself. A tired Raban child is a disobedient and sassy one.  I must remember to do the opposite of what I want to do – hug instead of yell, speak gently instead of fuss, pay more attention, and stick to the bedtime.