I am completely miffed right now. The bishop over the ward that the Brigham residents' go to just brought in a bunch of checks to pay for rent for several residents. This isn't so unusual, as he pays for some every month. But this month, he has checks for a brand new resident that just moved in a few weeks ago!!
I wouldn't be so angry, but my bishop required me to work for 5 hours at the Bishop's Storehouse for a little bit of food. (And let me tell you, I worked HARD! I used my Monday off, because I worked Saturday, to stock shelves for 5 hours in between dropping off and picking up kids from school. It completely sucked!) In fact, I had less then everyone I could see when I checked out. It made me angry!!
The difference with what bishops do to help their wards is astounding. I have been told numerous times by different bishops I have had that the church does not pay rent/mortgage payments. I know for a fact this is wrong. I have known ever since I worked at the storehouse back in 1996. I don't know why they keep saying that, when everyone knows it is not true.
But for a bishop to pay the outrageous price of rent for a member to stay at the Brigham is infuriating! I understand when people fall on hard times, trust me, I do. But when that happens, it is time to buckle down and cut expenses. When your rent for a 2 bedroom apartment (around 980 sq ft) is around $1200 a month, it is time to move!!
It just astounds me that these people get to keep their nice lifestyle while the ward pays their bills. There are at least 2 residents that get their rent paid every single month, and several more that are every other month. I just can't understand it!
Ok. Well, it is time to forget about it and leave it in more capable hands. I just had to vent...Sorry.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Long Week
This past week has been a very long week. Not only did we have Annee starting school at Matheson Jr. High, my new work schedule that is so crazy, and more lice issues, but mom and dad were in Arizona until Thursday night! I have learned this past week that I don't know how I would ever survive with out them. I need them so much, to help ease my stress of where my kids are and so much more! I would be so lost without them.
Anyway, Annee had a great first week, except for Friday. Of course, the last day of the week has to totally overshadow the whole week for her. She had made great advances in talking to people and being more outgoing. Then on Friday, one of her friends from years ago doesn't talk to her and she is ballistic about it.
I can't blame her. I used to feel the same way. Still do sometimes. But I was so happy with how well she had handled the first few days that I was hoping it would last. Of course, nothing ever does.
I think we may be over the worst of the lice issue, FINALLY! I have not seen a live one for days, and I have almost all of the nits out of Dessa's hair. I will continue to comb her hair and work on it for weeks though, just to make sure we don't get it back.
As part of my paranoia, I had read great reviews online about using Listerine (mouthwash) to help kill them fast. So, over-reactive me, made all of us do it. Ty and Dessa didn't care so much, but Annee had a conniption. I kept telling her it would be fine, and it was just a precaution. The mouthwash would wash out and it would make me feel better, so I told her to humor me. She was really worried about going back to school tomorrow with minty fresh hair. I didn't foresee that happening, so I made her do it anyway, even though she has never had a problem at all.
Ok, so my bad. We did this last night, and I can still smell the mouthwash in my hair, after I have washed it 3 times. I didn't realize mouthwash was so strong! Annee hasn't said anything about it today, but I was being bothered by my hair all night and all day today! It was not such a great idea for all of us to do it. I should have stuck with just Dessa. But I am so sick of having to deal with this!! I did a complete bedding swap yesterday also, including turning the mattresses, which was another suggestion I read about. This had better be it, or I am going to literally go insane!!
My new work schedule completely sucks! I love the early days, but to get off early, we have to be at work by 8 a.m. It was the hardest thing to have to drop off Ty and Dessa at 7:30 when school doesn't start until 8:45! I worried all morning about them. I kept waiting for the call saying they weren't in school today, telling me that something had happened to them.
The call never came of course, but it was a stressful day anyway. I was so worried about it. In fact, I worried so much about my schedule all week I didn't sleep well because of it. I am so grateful that mom is home so she can help me manage this crazy schedule better. Like I said, I really missed her while she was gone. Just knowing I can call her to help me out is such a load off my mind. (As you can see, I completely take advantage of my parents. I hope they realize how grateful I am for all they do. I tried to tell them on Friday. I really couldn't survive right now without them!)
To top the week off, today I have major PMS, and even on her pill, Dessa has already shoved me way over the edge. In fact, she had done that by the time the sacrament was being passed at church. I had to leave after sacrament meeting, my nerves were so frayed! I was literally ready to choke the child!
I didn't though. We came home, I made lunch, and now she is spending the day in her room. She is still testing my limits though. Annee is in my room watching tv and Dessa is doing everything possible to annoy her, thus annoying me in extension, as I have to deal with it.
I have really had it this week. I am ready to pack up and call it quits. Leave everything and everyone behind.
I won't though. I will finish up the necessary laundry today, eat some chocolate, and put all of us to bed early. Then tomorrow, I will wake up and take the monsters to mom's house, so I can be to work by 8. I will then do my best to have a better week. Looking forward to Labor Day should help. I can use a 3-day weekend!
Anyway, Annee had a great first week, except for Friday. Of course, the last day of the week has to totally overshadow the whole week for her. She had made great advances in talking to people and being more outgoing. Then on Friday, one of her friends from years ago doesn't talk to her and she is ballistic about it.
I can't blame her. I used to feel the same way. Still do sometimes. But I was so happy with how well she had handled the first few days that I was hoping it would last. Of course, nothing ever does.
I think we may be over the worst of the lice issue, FINALLY! I have not seen a live one for days, and I have almost all of the nits out of Dessa's hair. I will continue to comb her hair and work on it for weeks though, just to make sure we don't get it back.
As part of my paranoia, I had read great reviews online about using Listerine (mouthwash) to help kill them fast. So, over-reactive me, made all of us do it. Ty and Dessa didn't care so much, but Annee had a conniption. I kept telling her it would be fine, and it was just a precaution. The mouthwash would wash out and it would make me feel better, so I told her to humor me. She was really worried about going back to school tomorrow with minty fresh hair. I didn't foresee that happening, so I made her do it anyway, even though she has never had a problem at all.
Ok, so my bad. We did this last night, and I can still smell the mouthwash in my hair, after I have washed it 3 times. I didn't realize mouthwash was so strong! Annee hasn't said anything about it today, but I was being bothered by my hair all night and all day today! It was not such a great idea for all of us to do it. I should have stuck with just Dessa. But I am so sick of having to deal with this!! I did a complete bedding swap yesterday also, including turning the mattresses, which was another suggestion I read about. This had better be it, or I am going to literally go insane!!
My new work schedule completely sucks! I love the early days, but to get off early, we have to be at work by 8 a.m. It was the hardest thing to have to drop off Ty and Dessa at 7:30 when school doesn't start until 8:45! I worried all morning about them. I kept waiting for the call saying they weren't in school today, telling me that something had happened to them.
The call never came of course, but it was a stressful day anyway. I was so worried about it. In fact, I worried so much about my schedule all week I didn't sleep well because of it. I am so grateful that mom is home so she can help me manage this crazy schedule better. Like I said, I really missed her while she was gone. Just knowing I can call her to help me out is such a load off my mind. (As you can see, I completely take advantage of my parents. I hope they realize how grateful I am for all they do. I tried to tell them on Friday. I really couldn't survive right now without them!)
To top the week off, today I have major PMS, and even on her pill, Dessa has already shoved me way over the edge. In fact, she had done that by the time the sacrament was being passed at church. I had to leave after sacrament meeting, my nerves were so frayed! I was literally ready to choke the child!
I didn't though. We came home, I made lunch, and now she is spending the day in her room. She is still testing my limits though. Annee is in my room watching tv and Dessa is doing everything possible to annoy her, thus annoying me in extension, as I have to deal with it.
I have really had it this week. I am ready to pack up and call it quits. Leave everything and everyone behind.
I won't though. I will finish up the necessary laundry today, eat some chocolate, and put all of us to bed early. Then tomorrow, I will wake up and take the monsters to mom's house, so I can be to work by 8. I will then do my best to have a better week. Looking forward to Labor Day should help. I can use a 3-day weekend!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Working Woes
I am so tired of issues at work. I am not only worried about my job because our management is too ignorant to listen to us little people, but now today I almost got written up for the stupidest reason.
Our HR rep called and said she wanted to discuss my most recent time card with me. She said our senior manager wanted me to realize it is not ok to use sick time if you run out of vacation time. (Ok, so I didn't have quite enough vacation time to cover our recent family camping trip. So I used some sick time. I really didn't see a problem with it, and my manager obviously approved it, so I thought it was fine.)
Anyway, she said that I wasn't going to get written up this time, but that I am only allowed to use sick time if I am sick and I can only use vacation time for vacation. No switching it around.
The way I see it is, this is a "BENEFIT" given to us from the company. It is earned time, and we, the employee earning it, should be able to use this time in any way we need to. I love when companies list sick and vacation time as PTO. It is so much easier. That is really what it is.
I am so wishing I had another option right now so I could just walk out. As much as I love what I do, the stress lately is not so great. I totally understand that our company is feeling the recessions pinch like everyone else. But I chose to work for this company because of the values they seemed to hold. It doesn't seem like they stick to those values when times get rough. They doubled my insurance premiums, are taking away my opportunity for a bonus, and now are telling me how to use my time off.
I am completely frustrated!
Our HR rep called and said she wanted to discuss my most recent time card with me. She said our senior manager wanted me to realize it is not ok to use sick time if you run out of vacation time. (Ok, so I didn't have quite enough vacation time to cover our recent family camping trip. So I used some sick time. I really didn't see a problem with it, and my manager obviously approved it, so I thought it was fine.)
Anyway, she said that I wasn't going to get written up this time, but that I am only allowed to use sick time if I am sick and I can only use vacation time for vacation. No switching it around.
The way I see it is, this is a "BENEFIT" given to us from the company. It is earned time, and we, the employee earning it, should be able to use this time in any way we need to. I love when companies list sick and vacation time as PTO. It is so much easier. That is really what it is.
I am so wishing I had another option right now so I could just walk out. As much as I love what I do, the stress lately is not so great. I totally understand that our company is feeling the recessions pinch like everyone else. But I chose to work for this company because of the values they seemed to hold. It doesn't seem like they stick to those values when times get rough. They doubled my insurance premiums, are taking away my opportunity for a bonus, and now are telling me how to use my time off.
I am completely frustrated!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Fighting Children
Now that I have praised my kids (refer to end of last post about our family camp), it is time to complain about them.
Ty and Dessa have started school already, and I thought it would be a good break for mom if Annee were to walk to pick them up and they stay alone at the house until I get home from work. They did very well that first week of school, before our camp trip and I was expecting more of the same this week.
Not so much. Monday, Dessa was sick, so she stayed home and I asked mom to pick up Ty so Annee could watch Dess. That went fine.
Tuesday, I had Dessa calling me right when they got home saying how the other two were picking on her and so on. Her voice was whiny, but also squeaky, like she had a sore throat, so I told her to just rest and told Annee to leave her alone. Not a horrible day.
Then, yesterday, I get a call from Annee when they get home. Apparently, Ty was taking a long time getting to the front of the school, so she went back to see what was going on. She found Ty playing his Nintendo DS with his friend Jake. She told him to go, but he took his time, according to her, and wouldn't stop playing. So she took it upon herself to take the DS away from him.
Ok, so that was her mistake. She needs to learn to not do things like that and let me handle things later. But the bigger problem was with Tyler. When she took the DS away, he started hitting, scratching, and hurting Annee to try and get it back. She said she was bleeding on her wrist from a scratch he gave her, she thought her thumb was disconnected, and her neck hurt because he pulled at it.
They were lucky that they weren't caught by the teachers. I'm not sure what the penalty for siblings fighting on school grounds would be, and I don't want to find out!
Tyler is so obsessed with those games! I really am not sure what to do. When I ground him from them, (he won't be playing for at least the next week, more likely a month,) he gets moody and angry. I might just need to keep them away from him for a good long time. Make him find other things to entertain himself. It is just really hard when I want so badly to make the kids happy. And when I am so tired all the time that I don't spend enough time with them, I want them to be able to do what they want. But Ty's obsession has gotten out of hand.
I am actually thinking about getting rid of the internet and cable, to save my budget a little. But I really need the home phone, especially for things like this incident when the kids are home. I have looked into it, and I am not paying a whole lot more than I would for just a phone line, so it seems silly to cancel the other services to save $10-$15 a month.
So anyway, mom's little break is over. I am asking her to pick up the two little one's every day and keep them at her house. Annee only has next week before she starts school, and I will decide at that time if we go ahead with the original plan of them staying home when mom picks them up, or if mom should keep them with her. I really hate having to make these restrictions. I think it is better for the kids if they can just get along and stay home. But I can't allow them to fight like they have been. It's not good for me to get those kinds of calls at work. Luckily it is slow this week, so I have been able to use the phone a lot. But it isn't always like that.
Can't we all just get along?!
Ty and Dessa have started school already, and I thought it would be a good break for mom if Annee were to walk to pick them up and they stay alone at the house until I get home from work. They did very well that first week of school, before our camp trip and I was expecting more of the same this week.
Not so much. Monday, Dessa was sick, so she stayed home and I asked mom to pick up Ty so Annee could watch Dess. That went fine.
Tuesday, I had Dessa calling me right when they got home saying how the other two were picking on her and so on. Her voice was whiny, but also squeaky, like she had a sore throat, so I told her to just rest and told Annee to leave her alone. Not a horrible day.
Then, yesterday, I get a call from Annee when they get home. Apparently, Ty was taking a long time getting to the front of the school, so she went back to see what was going on. She found Ty playing his Nintendo DS with his friend Jake. She told him to go, but he took his time, according to her, and wouldn't stop playing. So she took it upon herself to take the DS away from him.
Ok, so that was her mistake. She needs to learn to not do things like that and let me handle things later. But the bigger problem was with Tyler. When she took the DS away, he started hitting, scratching, and hurting Annee to try and get it back. She said she was bleeding on her wrist from a scratch he gave her, she thought her thumb was disconnected, and her neck hurt because he pulled at it.
They were lucky that they weren't caught by the teachers. I'm not sure what the penalty for siblings fighting on school grounds would be, and I don't want to find out!
Tyler is so obsessed with those games! I really am not sure what to do. When I ground him from them, (he won't be playing for at least the next week, more likely a month,) he gets moody and angry. I might just need to keep them away from him for a good long time. Make him find other things to entertain himself. It is just really hard when I want so badly to make the kids happy. And when I am so tired all the time that I don't spend enough time with them, I want them to be able to do what they want. But Ty's obsession has gotten out of hand.
I am actually thinking about getting rid of the internet and cable, to save my budget a little. But I really need the home phone, especially for things like this incident when the kids are home. I have looked into it, and I am not paying a whole lot more than I would for just a phone line, so it seems silly to cancel the other services to save $10-$15 a month.
So anyway, mom's little break is over. I am asking her to pick up the two little one's every day and keep them at her house. Annee only has next week before she starts school, and I will decide at that time if we go ahead with the original plan of them staying home when mom picks them up, or if mom should keep them with her. I really hate having to make these restrictions. I think it is better for the kids if they can just get along and stay home. But I can't allow them to fight like they have been. It's not good for me to get those kinds of calls at work. Luckily it is slow this week, so I have been able to use the phone a lot. But it isn't always like that.
Can't we all just get along?!
Family Camp
I have not had a chance to write about our family camp yet. We went to Posey Lake, near Escalante, last week. We left on Monday morning and returned on Saturday night. Once again, a very fun camping trip, although I am still always going to push for showers. A week in the dirt is hard!
The highlight of the camp...the kids and I won the coveted cooking trophy!! This means no cooking next year! I am so excited about that. I worked really hard to come up with great food and my family must think so too, as they voted me the best this year. :)
I had this idea to theme the meals around holidays, kind of channeling Steph and Josh last year with their food from around the world. So we had an Easter breakfast of ham steaks, scrambled eggs, and "empty tombs". The empty tombs were croissants wrapped around a marshmallow that melted away during cooking, making it look like it was empty. They didn't work quite like I wanted them too, as I had to squash them all into one dutch oven, but they were still a hit and a good breakfast treat.
For lunch we celebrated Pioneer Day, having biscuits, corn bread muffins, beef jerky, and apples. I did this mainly because my day to cook was Tuesday, which is the guys' hike day. So I made sure it was food they could take with them. It was also easy, because I did all the baking on Sunday, so nothing to cook at camp.
We had Thanksgiving dinner that night. I was really worried about cooking a turkey in the dutch oven. But I did a lot of research on it and decided to take the risk. It worked well! The turkey was tender and juicy, we had green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, a relish tray with carrots, celery, and olives, rolls (which were not the best, but the rest made up for it,) and of course, pie for dessert. I brought a cherry, an apple, and 2 pumpkin pies. I think those pumpkin pies and the turkey was what won it for us. (I keep saying "I", but the kids helped me out a ton, especially Annee. Ty did a lot too, and Dessa pitched in when it was convenient for her.)
So, all that planning and cooking paid off. It was funny, because mom took Jess and I grocery shopping before we left, and we both boasted that our meals would win. Well, they both did. I got first place and Jess got second, so she only has to bring the stuff for S'mores next year. It worked out really well for both of us.
Anyway, beyond the great food, the week was a blast! Aaron and Wendee were in charge of the Olympics and planned an "Amazing Race" type game. It was so fun and creative. Of course, me being completely un-athletic, our team lost. (Actually, I was teamed with Jason and Dessa, and we did pretty well, until the last event where we had to guess every one's favorite books. That took SO much time and was so hard that we lost.) I am so proud of the winning team: Jenn, Dad, and Matthew. They totally rocked! Jenn was so great! She completed the hike, which was no small feat, let me tell you, and she even completed the food challenge.
Now let me say, this was the worst event, by far. The hike was hard, but for the food one, Wendee and Aaron had a small cup of these tiny, dried up fish to eat and a cup of wheat tea (it's something like "Mugucha" in Japanese) that we had to drink. Not knowing this was coming, Jason had done the first event, so I was supposed to do this one.
Um, no, wasn't going to happen. But some of our family did awesome! Wil ate the fish just fine, then lost his stomach after drinking the nasty tea. Then Jenn put the fishies in the tea and drank them all down. (They did come right back up, but at least she did it!) Jess tried the fish also, but couldn't get past the crunch of the bones and lost her stomach also. When it came down to it, our team and Jess's team (Jess, Mom, and Tyler) took a half penalty and Jess and I drank the nasty tea. Let me tell you, if I was a missionary in Japan and was offered this tea, I would just go thirsty and risk offending the locals. It was horrid! But "props!" to Aaron and Wendee for a very creative idea.
Steph and I were in charge of the showcase this year. I was really worried about it. I am not good at anything theatrical. I am not even good at faking it, like dad did last year. (Just kidding dad, you totally rocked! Both last year and this year.) So I was concerned it wouldn't go over very well. I have to hand it to my fabulous family, they sure know how to step up and make a great showcase.
The winner this year by far was Aaron and Wil's "Extraordinary Expedition". I think that is what we called it. Anyway, they were supposed to walk us through an adventure of some sort, like an African Safari, or crocodile hunting, something like that. But no, they decided to take us on a tour through time. It was a riot! They gave us straws to defend ourselves against attack, noise makers to scare off dinosaurs, and taught us to "disguise" ourselves with hand eyeglasses so no one in Hollywood recognized us. They were great! I have to say, seeing your brother do silly stuff like that really puts a new light on how you think about him.
So, they won the best group performance, and for the impromptu skits, our "Hoop Action" group won. This group was comprised of Dad, Wendee, Steph, Dessa, and Aaron. They were assigned different actions to do, all while staying inside the hula hoop on the ground. They did such a great job! None of us will ever forget dad portraying a rock star and slamming his guitar on the ground. Nor will we forget his fish out of water, gasping for air. (I hope the video worked well, cause that was the funniest thing I've seen in a long time!) They all did a great job at crawling like a baby, and surprised me by moving their hoops with them, so they didn't go outside the hoop. Wendee did really well, considering her hoop was a small one.
The best overall performer was...Wil! He did a fantastic job on both of his group assignments. That kid has a lot of talent. He is a great addition to this family, and I am very glad he and Jess got married. He definitely helped our showcase rock this year. Actually, he rocked last year too. It was just such a surprise that dad did so well that we overlooked Wil last year.
Ok, now I am rambling. But it is so slow at work today. So I will keep going.
Jenn had the craft this year. She had us create a camp pillow case for each person, so that we all have a pillow case for camp each year. It was so fun! The kids were able to do their own and show their creative sides. I really like doing stuff like that, and making something useful was great. I am in charge of next year's craft, and I hope I can do something half as great as Jenn. It is hard to come up with something that will be useful, fun, cost effective, and be something we can do while camping. She did a great job.
All in all, a great camp. It was unfortunate that Dessa still had lice at the time. (I am happy to announce that we seem to be lice free, finally! No sightings in 2 days so far.) I kept her off her medication because of her appetite problem, and together with the lice thing, she really struggled this year. I have decided though that next year, she will take her medication during vacations. It will make it more enjoyable not only for us adults, but for her as well. We won't be constantly having to tell her to settle down. It will make for a better trip for all of us.
Once again, I have to exclaim how great my kids are. They were so much help! It was great to be able to tell them to do something and they stepped up and did it. I didn't have much of a problem with any of them. (Ok, so Dessa struggled, but she usually came around and helped out.) My kids are growing up so fast. I love them so much and really appreciate all of the hard work and assistance with everything. I have the best family ever!
The highlight of the camp...the kids and I won the coveted cooking trophy!! This means no cooking next year! I am so excited about that. I worked really hard to come up with great food and my family must think so too, as they voted me the best this year. :)
I had this idea to theme the meals around holidays, kind of channeling Steph and Josh last year with their food from around the world. So we had an Easter breakfast of ham steaks, scrambled eggs, and "empty tombs". The empty tombs were croissants wrapped around a marshmallow that melted away during cooking, making it look like it was empty. They didn't work quite like I wanted them too, as I had to squash them all into one dutch oven, but they were still a hit and a good breakfast treat.
For lunch we celebrated Pioneer Day, having biscuits, corn bread muffins, beef jerky, and apples. I did this mainly because my day to cook was Tuesday, which is the guys' hike day. So I made sure it was food they could take with them. It was also easy, because I did all the baking on Sunday, so nothing to cook at camp.
We had Thanksgiving dinner that night. I was really worried about cooking a turkey in the dutch oven. But I did a lot of research on it and decided to take the risk. It worked well! The turkey was tender and juicy, we had green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, a relish tray with carrots, celery, and olives, rolls (which were not the best, but the rest made up for it,) and of course, pie for dessert. I brought a cherry, an apple, and 2 pumpkin pies. I think those pumpkin pies and the turkey was what won it for us. (I keep saying "I", but the kids helped me out a ton, especially Annee. Ty did a lot too, and Dessa pitched in when it was convenient for her.)
So, all that planning and cooking paid off. It was funny, because mom took Jess and I grocery shopping before we left, and we both boasted that our meals would win. Well, they both did. I got first place and Jess got second, so she only has to bring the stuff for S'mores next year. It worked out really well for both of us.
Anyway, beyond the great food, the week was a blast! Aaron and Wendee were in charge of the Olympics and planned an "Amazing Race" type game. It was so fun and creative. Of course, me being completely un-athletic, our team lost. (Actually, I was teamed with Jason and Dessa, and we did pretty well, until the last event where we had to guess every one's favorite books. That took SO much time and was so hard that we lost.) I am so proud of the winning team: Jenn, Dad, and Matthew. They totally rocked! Jenn was so great! She completed the hike, which was no small feat, let me tell you, and she even completed the food challenge.
Now let me say, this was the worst event, by far. The hike was hard, but for the food one, Wendee and Aaron had a small cup of these tiny, dried up fish to eat and a cup of wheat tea (it's something like "Mugucha" in Japanese) that we had to drink. Not knowing this was coming, Jason had done the first event, so I was supposed to do this one.
Um, no, wasn't going to happen. But some of our family did awesome! Wil ate the fish just fine, then lost his stomach after drinking the nasty tea. Then Jenn put the fishies in the tea and drank them all down. (They did come right back up, but at least she did it!) Jess tried the fish also, but couldn't get past the crunch of the bones and lost her stomach also. When it came down to it, our team and Jess's team (Jess, Mom, and Tyler) took a half penalty and Jess and I drank the nasty tea. Let me tell you, if I was a missionary in Japan and was offered this tea, I would just go thirsty and risk offending the locals. It was horrid! But "props!" to Aaron and Wendee for a very creative idea.
Steph and I were in charge of the showcase this year. I was really worried about it. I am not good at anything theatrical. I am not even good at faking it, like dad did last year. (Just kidding dad, you totally rocked! Both last year and this year.) So I was concerned it wouldn't go over very well. I have to hand it to my fabulous family, they sure know how to step up and make a great showcase.
The winner this year by far was Aaron and Wil's "Extraordinary Expedition". I think that is what we called it. Anyway, they were supposed to walk us through an adventure of some sort, like an African Safari, or crocodile hunting, something like that. But no, they decided to take us on a tour through time. It was a riot! They gave us straws to defend ourselves against attack, noise makers to scare off dinosaurs, and taught us to "disguise" ourselves with hand eyeglasses so no one in Hollywood recognized us. They were great! I have to say, seeing your brother do silly stuff like that really puts a new light on how you think about him.
So, they won the best group performance, and for the impromptu skits, our "Hoop Action" group won. This group was comprised of Dad, Wendee, Steph, Dessa, and Aaron. They were assigned different actions to do, all while staying inside the hula hoop on the ground. They did such a great job! None of us will ever forget dad portraying a rock star and slamming his guitar on the ground. Nor will we forget his fish out of water, gasping for air. (I hope the video worked well, cause that was the funniest thing I've seen in a long time!) They all did a great job at crawling like a baby, and surprised me by moving their hoops with them, so they didn't go outside the hoop. Wendee did really well, considering her hoop was a small one.
The best overall performer was...Wil! He did a fantastic job on both of his group assignments. That kid has a lot of talent. He is a great addition to this family, and I am very glad he and Jess got married. He definitely helped our showcase rock this year. Actually, he rocked last year too. It was just such a surprise that dad did so well that we overlooked Wil last year.
Ok, now I am rambling. But it is so slow at work today. So I will keep going.
Jenn had the craft this year. She had us create a camp pillow case for each person, so that we all have a pillow case for camp each year. It was so fun! The kids were able to do their own and show their creative sides. I really like doing stuff like that, and making something useful was great. I am in charge of next year's craft, and I hope I can do something half as great as Jenn. It is hard to come up with something that will be useful, fun, cost effective, and be something we can do while camping. She did a great job.
All in all, a great camp. It was unfortunate that Dessa still had lice at the time. (I am happy to announce that we seem to be lice free, finally! No sightings in 2 days so far.) I kept her off her medication because of her appetite problem, and together with the lice thing, she really struggled this year. I have decided though that next year, she will take her medication during vacations. It will make it more enjoyable not only for us adults, but for her as well. We won't be constantly having to tell her to settle down. It will make for a better trip for all of us.
Once again, I have to exclaim how great my kids are. They were so much help! It was great to be able to tell them to do something and they stepped up and did it. I didn't have much of a problem with any of them. (Ok, so Dessa struggled, but she usually came around and helped out.) My kids are growing up so fast. I love them so much and really appreciate all of the hard work and assistance with everything. I have the best family ever!
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