Summer Time

The adorable wolf cubs (and trainer) at Busch Gardens.

K's regular day care costs an arm and a leg for full day "camp" over the summer and we'd usually have to pay half price tuition for the weeks we're not even there. Since we were only supposed to have 3 "free" weeks this summer, I made an executive decision back in May to ditch daycare and sign K up for the Parks and Rec Summer Camp.

Our very long "First Weekend of Summer" included Friday's trip to Busch Gardens, Saturday's sleepover at Gracie's and 4 hours in the King's pool without floaties or a vest on Sunday. It ended with K falling asleep in the shower at 6:15 Sunday night. After 12 hours of sleep, she was well rested for her first day of "Camp" on Monday.

There was a little anxiety in the car Monday morning as K finally realized she might not know anyone and she confused "camp" with "camping" and thought I was dropping her off for the week with nothing but her lunch. She was delighted to hear I would be back by 5:30.

Apparently Summer Camp is a euphemism for "let the kids runs around the gym and just make sure they don't kill each other." Kaitlyn loves it. No homework, no schoolwork, just playing with three trips to the playground a day. Today included a field trip to the movie theatre to see "Up." I wish I were 6 again.

I love that my mini-me always tries to see the glass half full. Turns out, she didn't know a soul at summer camp, but rather than be bummed, she's delighted she made 7 new friends (3 on Monday and 4 on Tuesday . . . not sure how that works, but I'll take it). She is one of the first three kids there in the morning and one of the last two or three picked up, but rather than pout, she turns it into a contest and is delighted when she "wins" because her mommy is the last one there.

Next year I hope to have a job that allows me to spend the summer home with K. But it's nice to know if that doesn't happen we'll both be taking our lemons and making lemonade.