My baby is actually 9 years old and would probably give me that look
for calling him a baby!
Chandler
went off this morning, for the first time ever, to a week away at Camp Berachah,
a Christian summer camp experience!
With
activities like swimming, go karts, climbing wall, putt putt golf,
waterfort, target range and many other things,
who wouldn't have a great time!!!!
Well......Chandler was a little nervous. He didn't know any
of the kids going and to make matters worse, I dropped his camera and
the battery door broke! So here he is about to board the bus
and he's in tears. Not very common for him, but I think his
emotions were over flowing and the broken camera was just too much!!!
I felt terrible and told him to see if they had some duct
tape at camp and maybe they could tape it closed so he could take some
pictures. The other issue that weighed heavily on his mind is
that he has Night
Terrors. (If you are unfamiliar with night terrors,
click on the highlighted words for my post on them). I spoke
with his counselors and assured him it would be ok. At 9 you
hate to be different and I know that was what he was worried about.
I'm hoping he just gets so pooped out that he'll sleep all
night. I have also reminded him not to overindulge at the
snack shack and keep the sugar consumption to a minimum!!
Well it was time to board, so he wiped his eyes, gave me a
hug and boarded the bus.
As the bus rolled away the emotions then caught up with me.
This was my baby boy, on a bus, going an hour and a
half away from home for a whole week!! I love all my children
equally but I waited a very long time for Chandler to come along. he's my little Chan-Man, so it
was especially difficult to put him on a bus to be in someone elses
care for the week. We waived goodbye and my eyes filled with
tears. I know he will have a great time despite his
nervousness and it will be a great experience for him. But it
wasn't easy waving goodbye.
Perhaps sensing my reservations (I had on sunglasses so he couldn't see
my eyes), one of the other parents standing there commented how most of
the kids will be homesick tonight but by Saturday they won't want to
come home! This is not new territory for me. My
daughter attended Camp
Wahoo for several years, which was over two hours
away in the middle of the wilderness with no modern amenities!!
I recall the first time we dropped her off it was difficult
too. I put up a brave front for Chan, not
wanting to add to his fears, but when he was gone it hit like a mac
truck.
Throughout the day I have wondered if Chandler is having a good time
and if he's made friends. I'm sure
he will, he makes friends easily. When
he learned he couldn't take his cell phone he said "well what if I want
to call you?" He didn't know but I almost let him break that
rule. But I remembered back to the days of dropping off
Brittney and we were told that if they are able to keep contacting
home, it only makes it worse on them. So I will sit and wait
it out.
When Chandler returns Saturday, we'll get to hear all about his
experience and hopefully get some great pictures. (We'll be
sure to post part two next week). To those of you thinking
about camp, it is hard to let your babies go, but it is really a
wonderful experience.
Next up.....full on tackle football beginning in August!!
UGH!! Not sure I'm ready for that!
Sandy Noll
Realtor ®
Keller Williams Realty
NWREA, LLC
425-890-0878
sandranoll@kw.com
www.letsachieveyourgoals.com
Your Kirkland, Bothell & Woodinville Real Estate Expert
Sandy Noll Realtor Keller Williams Realty Kirkland 425-890-0878 sandy@sandynoll.com www.letsachieveyourgoals.com http://sandynolls.eastsidepowersearch.com/ www.sandynollskirklandupdates.com Kirkland, Woodinville and the Greater Eastside
Sandy - Chandler will ALWAYS be your baby.....when my ''baby'' was about Chandler's age I cried on his birthday one year because he was getting older....he put his arms my neck and gave me a big hug and said 'mommy, I will ALWAYS be your baby ......even when I'm 38" ......welll he's 38 now and he still tells me he's my baby.
I rememeber my son's first camp trip away from home, he left for two weeks, i was a nervous wreck, he had a blast and went the next summer for a month,
When you come to Tucson to visit your Mom and Dad, be sure to take your snake-charmer to the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, where they give classes on how to deal with venomous reptiles without upsetting the ecological balance.
I am not ready to do this yet, nor is my son, so I applaud the fact that your son is able to do this at age nine. I never actually went to camp as a kid, although I'm sure I would have loved it, especially when I was about 11 or thereabouts. I hope you've been doing well - long time no see! With regard to the night terrors, I think I shared with you that Abby has had these a few times, too.
Mary your recollection gave me goose bumps all over! How precious. My daughter who is almost 21 reminds me too that she is still my baby even though she wants to be treated like an adult. I have been very blessed with all three of my babies and I'm sure when my youngest goes off to camp I'll have tears then too!
Larry they do grow up quick. Sometimes it seems like forever but then you look back and say wow where did the time go??? Is your 9 year old interested in going to camp?
Lindsey it was really tough, but I think it's good for both of us in the end. It'll help him better appreciate what he has at home and help me to realize that he will leave the nest one day....baby steps though!!
Crystal I couldn't do two weeks.....NO WAY!! Maybe when he's a teenager. And a month, I don't know!
Mike Chandler would absolutely LOVE going to the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum. He wants to be the next snake hunter! What a great place to learn about eco balance.
Jason I never attended camp either but my friends did and I remember wishing so bad that I could go (I had to babysit my sisters). I think it would have been a great experience! I was a little surprised Chandler went given he's only 9, but things like go-karts and the target range got the best of him. I'm sure he'll have an awesome time!! I'm hoping it will help to strengthen his faith too and I'm hoping he'll do the challenge course too. I do remember going to Hawaii when I was 16 with the neighbor kids I babysatt for and after the end of week two, being offered a third week and saying no, I'm ready to go home, WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!! I've been well, busy! Hope all is well for you too. I don't think you had told me about Abby although I do recall you saying you bookmarked my Night Terror post for later use, so maybe you did tell me. How is she doing with them? Try watching the sugar and eating past say 6pm. We found fruit snacks were a HUGE trigger and discoveredmy mother-in-law is allergic to red food dye and fruit snacks have alot of red dye in them. It seemed to help with Chan and also keeping his room cool at night. Good to connect with you again!
SANDY - My mother always wore sunglasses on the day that we left on the bus and also on visiting day. We were gone for 8 weeks. The glasses may have hidden the tears from the world, but we all knew what was going on. The glasses were also worn as we were dropped off at college, and I'm sure that it was even more difficult because we would be gone for most of the year. I hope that the week goes by quickly for you, and that Chandler has a great time.
Adam I'm not ready to think about college yet!!! I still can't believe you and your sibs were gone for 8 weeks.....that's such a long time!!! The week seems to be dragging, but I'm hanging in there and I'm sure Chandler is have a blast! Thanks!
Lindsey I didn't think it would be as hard as it was, since I've already sent my daughter off. But it was really hard. I remember when he took his first steps....
You are a better woman that I am! My kids have never been away from home on a camping trip without me. Now my oldest baby is going to college and neither one of us is dealing well with it. I wish I had had some practice with camps! Nice story.
Jason thanks for the spot in the recap. That means a lot given this was such a personal post for me.
Susan I'm not sure it makes it a whole lot easier. My daughter moved into her own apt last Feb (she's back home now) and it was tough to let go, but she called me EVERYDAY even if it was to just say hi! I have a feeling when the boys go to college it'll be REALLY HARD! Thanks for commenting.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
;)
;)
Sandy - Chandler will ALWAYS be your baby.....when my ''baby'' was about Chandler's age I cried on his birthday one year because he was getting older....he put his arms my neck and gave me a big hug and said 'mommy, I will ALWAYS be your baby ......even when I'm 38" ......welll he's 38 now and he still tells me he's my baby.